Chapter ONE

Mama, why are you crying? what happen to abbah?

Mama, why are you brandishing abbah's picture? ya, Khaleel please talk to me.

ya, Mima why are you all crying?

worried Ameerah asked.

meerah someone just call me now that abbah had an accident while going to the bank to withdraw money for your schooll fee and he couldn't survive it. "Khaleel said to Ameerah and prance out of the room to go get Alhaji Abdulsalam corpse.

Inna lillahi wa Inna ilaihi rajihun!"

Ameerah chanted and swoop to the ground crying. she's daddy's girl. her dad loves her so much more than her siblings.

Alhaji Abdulsalam has three children one male and two female. Ameerah is the last born and his favorite.

Khaleel arrived together with some men with Alhaji Abdulsalam's corpse.

Ameerah heard the buzzer of Khaleel's car and trotted out of the parlor crying.

she reaches where Khaleel's car is parked and opens the back door. Ameerah enter inside and started crying her eyes out.

Abby, please wake up. Abby, please don't leave me in this world. Abby, you promise to tell me something when you come back from the bank.

the men strutting there walk to the car and take Ameerah out. but she was struggling with them wailing on top of her voice that they should let go of her.

meerah! stop!. "Khaleel said with an authoritarian voice and Ameerah stay still.

Ameerah get inside now. Khaleel commanded and Ameerah spurned to go inside.

Khaleel flicks back his tears and walks to her. Ameerah hugs him and continues crying.

meerah I know how painful it's for us but what Abby needs now is our prayer.

Khaleel said and Ameerah exempt herself from the hug and march inside.

Khaleel calls his Uncle even though they leave in Abuja while they are in Maiduguri. before they should reach Maiduguri it will be late.

his uncle told him to go on with the funeral prayer with his dad's friends.

Khaleel takes his corpse together with the men that help him procure Abby home. they take him to the room opposite the gateman's room to bathe him. Khaleel call all Abby's friends and told them what happened. he also call their neighbor mallam Ibrahim for a ritual bath.

they all arrived and Khaleel take mallam Ibrahim to the room where the corpse is.

mallam Ibrahim finishes bathing him and dresses him in white cloth for the deceased.

mallam Ibrahim tells him to go call his siblings and mom for them to pray for the deceased before the funeral prayer.

Khaleel wipes off his tears and saunters out of the room. he marched to the terrace and open the door then call his mom and sisters.

they follow him to the room while crying.

they enter the room and the family started crying but mallam Ibrahim told them not to cry but pray for him.

they finish praying for him and Khaleel walks them out even though they spurn to leave the room.

the corpse was taken to the mosque and Ameerah started trotting toward the men that carry the corpse crying.

Ameerah started wailing and suddenly swoon. Khaleel takes her to her room and locks her inside with the key.

Khaleel walks to the gate and joins them.

all the neighbors come to Alhaji Abdulsalam's house for a solace visit after hearing the news of his death.

some of hajiya hafsah's relatives that are in Maiduguri all come and the parlor is crammed with people who came for a solace visit.

Two weeks later

meerah what are you still doing in theire? don't let me come to your room and meet you there. "hajiya hafsah said.

Ameerah drops her book and briskly saunters out of her room to go meet Mama downstairs.

who the Hades do you think will make lunch for the family. "hajiya hafsah said in a gruff voice and Ameerah fluttered. meerah stub the new upheaval in Mama's demeanor towards her since the day Abby died.

but Mama it's ya Mima that's supposed to cook today. Ameerah said pouting.

"meerah don't let me reiterate myself go in there and prepare lunch for the family. "hajiya hafsa reverberated.

Ameerah saunter out of the parlor whimpering under her breath.

she reach the kitchen and met khaleel in the kitchen drinking water.

what happen to daddy's girl? why is your face like a child that's deprived of her candy? Khaleel sarcastically said to her.

ya, Khaleel it's Mama. she said I'm the one to cook today meanwhile it's ya Mima that's supposed to cook today then mine is tomorrow. "Ameerah elucidates to her brother. ya, Khaleel I try explaining to her that I had an exam on Monday I want to read but she didn't hearken to my word. "Ameerah said again to her 30-year-old brother. already in tears.

it's okay pumpkin. what are you cooking let me assist you then you go to your room and read. "Khaleel said standing up from the kitchen aisle.

ya, Khaleel! Ameerah shimmered. yes, anything for my pumpkin.

Ya,Khaleel it's white rice and stew. "Ameerah tells him and hugs him.

thank you ya Khaleel you are the best. "Ameerah said and zealously run out of the kitchen.

Ameerah reaches her room and continues reading her book. Ameerah is in SSS1 and Mima SSS3. Mima is three years obsolete than Ameerah. she's 19 while Ameerah is 16.

pumpkin your food is ready but don't let mama know that am the one who prepares the meal. Khaleel said with a smile.

thank you ya Khaleel you are the best. "Ameerah said and saunter out of her bedroom and take a long stride to the kitchen. to turn the food her brother prepares into the food flask then she will take it to the dining.

Ameerah takes the food to the dining downstairs, and strides to mama's room to call her and also ya mima.

Ameerah enters mama's room with a taslim. "mama the food is ready. " Ameerah said and hajiya hafsah nod her head.

Ameerah strides to mima's room and knock then walks in. "meerah how many times have I acquaint you to wait for my endorsement before you barged into my room. "Mima reverberated.

ya mima a am sorry. " Ameerah grumbles saunter out of her. she doesn't know why mima is always treating her like she's not her sister but a nonnative.

Ameerah reach the dining and met mama and ya khaleel already sitting.

Ameerah takes a seat and sits down waiting for the Queen of the house.

meerah why is Mima not yet in the dining? Khaleel asked already depleted of waiting for her.

mima walked in with her iPod affixed to her ear whizzing the music she is listening to walking sluggishly dancing to the rhythm of the music.

Mima reach the dining and khaleel gleam at her. mima better remove that iPod. what's wrong with you?.. are you crazy?..  it's just a week today that abby passed on and you are already listening to music. "Khaleel reverberated.

ya, Khaleel because Abby is dead we should keep mourning him our entire year. after all, when Abby was alive did he ever care about us?.. the only person he showers love is meerah, and yet she ends up being the reason for his dea...

Mima couldn't complete her word when she felt a resonated whack on her left cheek.

Mima don't you ever say such a quirk again, else you will bemoan my next action.

Khaleel why did you slap her?.. is it because of what she said? she's right.

meerah you are the reason why am now a widow. You kill my husband. " hajiya Hafsah blurt and barrage out of the dining not eating the food anymore.

Mima also plunges her cutlery on the plate and follows mama leaving Khaleel and Ameerah in the dining.

pumpkin eat your food. don't fret about what mama and Mima said to you. I will talk to them. Khaleel said munching on his food.

Ameerah nods her head and wipes off her tears.

They finish their food and Ameerah takes the plates and food flask to the kitchen.

khaleel help her carry some and they walk to the kitchen together. they reach the kitchen and Ameerah drops the plate.

Ameerah washes the plate while Khaleel helps rinse them.

meerah are you done reading your book? Khaleel asks her.

yes ya, Khaleel. Ameerah replies to him rinsing her hand and off the faucet.

Meerah let's go shopping. Khaleel said. and Ameerah squealed in excitement. yes ya, Khaleel am also craving ice cream. Ameerah said beaming. sure I will take you anywhere you want to go. You are also free to buy anything you like. Khaleel said and Ameerah run to her room screaming I love you ya Khaleel. You are the best brother.

Khaleel Abdulsalam is the only son of Alhaji Abdulsalam. he is an immigrant. DSI. deputy supertendent of immigration. he's thirty and single. to Khaleel love is just a chemical change reaction inside the brain, not the heart. Khaleel doesn't want to ever fall in love again since he breaks up with his ex-girlfriend.

ya, Khaleel am ready. Ameerah said entering Khaleel's room.

meerah what did I tell you about entering a person's room without knocking? Khaleel said putting on his Rolex wrist watch on his wrist.

Am sorry ya Khaleel. Ameerah said with a pout.

It's okay my pumpkin. Khaleel said to Ameerah and grab his car key then saunter out of his room.

they reach the parking lot and Ameerah opens the door and sits in the front passenger seat. Khaleel also enter inside and zooms out of the house.

they reach the shopping mall and Khaleel parked his car in the parking lot. they saunter out of the car and walked inside Zara city plaza. it's among the top best mall in Maiduguri where rich people often come.

Ameerah take the shopping cart and wheel it to where the abayas are. she picks three of them and wheels it to where the bags are and also picks the ones she likes.

Ameerah finished selecting the things she want and Khaleel paid the bill. she arranges everything in the shopping bag and walks out with four shopping bags then follows her brother to the car.

Khaleel's eyes dart to the shopping bags and he gasps.

Pumpkin what are you doing with four shopping bags and they are all filled? won't it be too much for you?.. Khaleel asked.

ya, Khaleel it won't be too much am going to wear them all. Ameerah whine.

ya, Khaleel you are the one that said I should buy whatever I want why complain now? Ameerah said pouting.

pumpkin am not complaining. it's okay you can buy anything you want. Khaleel said with a smile.

Ameerah opens the back door and drops the shopping bags then lock it and walks to the front passenger seat. Ameerah enter inside and Khaleel zooms out of Zara city plaza.

Khaleel drives Ameerah to cravins ice cream.

Ameerah bought five urns of ice cream and a cookie.

Khaleel paid the bill and they saunter out of the ice cream patio.

Khaleel bump into his friend and they exchange pleasantries.

Khaleel who is she?.. is she your girlfriend?..  Ammar asked Khaleel with a smirk.  No, she's my sister, and stop smirking. Khaleel said.

Masha Allah your sister is so beautiful. Ammar said staring at Ameerah who is standing behind her brother.

ya, Khaleel let's go my ice cream will thaw. Ameerah said hauling her brother to the car.

HI pretty. Ammar said to Ameerah and she only mutter hi and haul Khaleel to the car.

ya, Khaleel I don't like how your friend has been shamelessly ogling at me.

Ameerah complains and Khaleel chuckles and concentrates on his drive.

ya, Khaleel I love this ice cream. Ameerah said gouging the spoon of ice cream into her mouth.

ya, Khaleel have a taste. Ameerah said.

no pumpkin you know am driving. but if we reach home I will take one. Khaleel said and Ameerah muttered okay.

where are you two coming from with a lot of shopping bags hajiya Hafsah asked forthwith after Khaleel and Ameerah walked in?

Mama, we went shopping. Khaleel answered.

You went shopping but you couldn't call Mima to join you two.

Khaleel I don't like how you and your father are treating Ameerah like a precious gem or as if she's the only child. hajiya Hafsah said and tell Ameerah to drop all the shopping bags.

hajiya Hafsah call Mima and tell her to check the bags and elect the one she like.

Mama Ameerah bought this for herself why will you give it to mima? Mima saw us when we were going why didn't she join us? Khaleel if you don't want to face my wrath then keep quiet. hajiya Hafsah said and khaleel grumble.

Ameerah is already in tears and she ducks her head.

Mima pick two bags and she pick the ones Ameerah specially selected.

Mama ya Khaleel can take ya mima too.

Ameerah said amidst tears.

meerah keep quiet and go to your room now. hajiya Hafsah reverberated.

Mama if it's ya mima she will not allow me to touch her things. Ameerah said and started crying. she run to her room crying leaving the shopping bag in the living room.