Is This Me?

Chapter Five - "Hey! Vanilla is the best flavor"

"Anne, knock again, please" Mama said, getting frustrated at having to wait. They had been at the door for close to three minutes and her sister hadn't come to get the door for them yet.

Anne's knuckles rapped once more on Aunt Inaya's hard, wooden door. This time, she heard a voice from inside yell "Coming!"

Then, a lady of average height with wide eyes peeped from behind the door to see who it was. She was wearing a long, colourful floral gown up to her toes and a small matching veil in one of the colours on her dress that let out a little bit of her dark hair. Her face lit up a charming smile when she saw who it was.

"Vicky!" She exclaimed.

"Oh, Inaya, it's so good to see again!" Mama mumbled into her sister's shoulder as they hugged tightly.

"I am so sorry for keeping you waiting. I heard your knocking from upstairs but I was looking for a veil. The girls always use my stuff without returning them" Inaya explained.

The children watched them in amusement as they waited for the two to finish.

"Good morning, Aunty Inaya" Emily spoke, looking up at her aunty with big eyes.

"Good morning, my little one. Look at you, all grown up!" Inaya said, picking Emily up and swinging her around. The rest of the family smiled. She continued "I've missed you all, so much. David!, you're so big now, ma sha Allah!"

"Good morning, Aunty" David chuckled and reached out to hug Inaya.

"What are you waiting for? Come in, come in, quickly! It's quite chilly outside today, isn't it?" Inaya said, letting them all in. "Have a seat" she continued, leading them into her large living room.

"Thank you, Inaya" Mama said, sitting down on one of the Patel couches. "Where are the girls?" Mama asked, looking around.

"Oh, I asked them to stay downstairs. I told them you were coming but they went back. I'll fetch them in a bit but right now, you all need some refreshments. I'll be right back!"

"Oh, don't worry about it, Inaya. We had a heavy breakfast. I don't think that's necessary for now...."

"Nonsense!" Inaya cut in. Don't be silly, Vicky. Speak for yourself. You know I won't take that. I prepared lots of goodies my lovely dears and I don't care if you had a ginormous breakfast. This isn't even close to a meal. It's just a little snack, food is later". I'll be right back. Anne honey, wanna help out?" she said, breezing into the kitchen, her long, floral gown swirling softly after her.

Mama rolled her eyes and laughed softly, picking up her phone to check on her messages. She was back just as quickly with Anne in tow with a big tray of cake slices, fruit juice and some sweets.

"I've been quite busy today. Ibrahim is on his way back from Ghana today. He travelled for some business he needed to take care of. Always travelling" she said with an audible sigh.

"It's okay, Inaya. We can always give you a helping hand if you need it" Mama told her.

"Thank you, dear. Now, let me go fetch the girls. You should try that cake. I baked it myself" she said, with a giggle. The children soon found out that their culinary skill ran in the family. It was a lovely mid day treat, for sure!

"Thank you, aunty Inaya" the children chorused, as though on cue. Inaya giggled as she hurried off, waving aside their thanks.

"Has Aunty always been this nice though?" Anne suddenly asked no one in particular.

Mama chuckled "Inaya always has ways of outdoing herself. She's older than me, so I learnt a lot from her. She's the best big sister to have", Mama said adoringly as she took a sip of her juice before continuing