After Agony...

|Fourteen|

"Oh Allah! Layla get this girl before she knocks off the flower vase" Ammiey ordered as Maya was heading for the vase situated at a corner.

"Ammiey gaskiya am tired. I have been chasing her for half an hour already!." She exclaimed slumping down on the couch as she was breathless.

"Bazaki bita ba? You are too lazy for my liking,would you get up before I smack you!"

The little girl kept running whilst laughing,she was totally enjoying the attention she was getting. She grows more stubborn each passing day. She was about to get a hold of an award case when Huda quickly picked her up,she was about to protest by crying,but stopped immediately she got to know it was Huda. Instead she started giggling.

"Ada!"She squealed with excitement.

Her very first word was Huda,but because she couldn't pronounce it well,she always ends up calling her Ada. When Imam heard about his daughter's newfound ability,he was more than happy. But then at a point in time,he got jealous because it wasn't his name she first called it took her almost a month before she started calling him babba which is suppose to mean 'Abba'.

"Maya why are you being naughty?" Huda smiled at her as she kept giggling oblivious to the situation.

"Ammiey would you like it to be spicy?"Huda asked as she handed the little girl to her grandmother.

"Yes dear,please do make it"she replied.

As Huda walked into the kitchen,she caught Layla and Farha tasting the tomato soup meant for Ammiey. She cleared her throat as both girls turned,they were caught red handed,literally.

"We can explain" Farha said with Layla nodding in agreement.

"She did it"she said pointing at Layla.

Nodding her head. "Yes-wait what? No,I didn't"Layla defended herself as they kept arguing with each other.

She had laughed to the bream as her stomach was already aching due to laughter.

"You two are so funny."she simply commented as she walked to the oven and brought out the garlic drizzled bread.

After Sophie came back to the house and took her luggage,none of her family members with the exception of her mother knows about her whereabout,not even Imam. So ever since then Imam thought it would be better if he brought Maya and her nanny to live with his parents.

For Huda,she's been bonding with the lovely family as she was considered like family. She got along with Layla as well as Farha because of the fact that they are age mates.

She scooped the soup into a bowl which was kept on the tray with the bread complimenting it. As she made was into the living room,she spotted Ammiey and Imam as she walked further,Huda gently placed the tray on a stool.

"Ammiey,should I make the mint tea for you?"

"Don't bother"

"But Ammiey you are having a flu,you need it" Huda said worriedly.

After much persistence from Huda,Ammiey finally agreed to it. After she was done clearing the kitchen,she made way to her room where she took a nice and relaxing shower.
She was about to eat when she remembered her poor mother in the village. At that instant,she lost appetite and decided on calling her mother. After all it's been quite a while they talked.

"Assalamualaikum,Mama ina wuni"she greeted her.

"Waalaikumussalam,Huda na how are you doing?"

"Alhamdulillah. Mama how is you health? I hope your taking your pills? Ko maganin ne ya kare? In that case I will send you some money,I got paid yesterday. Mama why are you not talking?" She said in one breath as she began to panic.

A smile came across her mother's face even though she couldn't see her,but she was thankful to Allah that He gave her a wonderful,obedient,respectful as well as a caring daughter. She will forever be indebted to Him.

"Huda how can I speak when you won't kept shut?. My health is improving Alhamdulillah,and yes,I take my pills regularly. In fact,I was about to when you called. Maganan kudi kuma ba sai kin turo ba,I still have some with me. You don't need to worry.Thank you."

"Mama I have to be worried,remember am doing this because of you. As for the money,I don't need it like I told you the family is taking good care of me."

"That reminds me,how is your Ammiey doing? Please always be loyal to them,you see these days not everyone will treat you as they do. Take care of their child and do your work truthfully and sincerely" her mom preached to her.

"I will Mama,and I really love my job,Maya is like a sister to me. Remember I told you her first word was my name?" Huda said with a genuine smile as she beamed with pride.

"Yes,Huda severally" She said whilst rolling her eyes.

"Just take care of yourself,okay?"she added.

"Yes,Mama I will and don't forget to eat before you take your pills" she reminded her.

"What is it your going to eat anyways ?" She asked with interest.

"Huda kenan. It's rice and stew." She replied.

"Okay,bye"as always,she hung up. Just talking to her mother felt very comforting to her,she knows her mother is in safe hands,and that safe hands can never harm,for He shall only protect her by His grace.
With a smile still plastered on her face,she made way to the kitchen to pick up her covered food.

Meanwhile,Ammiey and Imam were still in the living room having a reserved conversation,he is wanting to inform her about an alteration,but he is finding it difficult to break it down to her,but as a man,he needed to be in control of his emotion.

He inhaled deeply before clearing his throat.

"Ammiey,I need to tell you something...

Okay we Nigerians often misinterpret words and for some of us who don't know,stew isn't actually the dish prepared with tomato and pepper,it's actually a dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid in a closed pan.