Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Khadijah went home straight after her lunch with Layla, she wanted to drop her off but she convinced her against it, she didn't want her to have to deal with her mother, she was home by then, Layla reluctantly gave in to avoid any drama, she was over being hurt by the woman's words, clearly she wasn't Her problem, she had other unspoken problems.

She entered the four bedroom apartment with the taslim and Hajiya Ladidi was sitting on the three sitter with the remote in her hand, she was watching a Hausa drama.

"Sannu da gida" (I have no idea how to translate this so let's just go with good afternoon) she squatted after her mother replied her taslim with her eyes trained on the television.

"Ummhmm" Was her reply. It was safe to say their not so great relationship has gotten worse since her divorce, even after three years it didn't get better and she stopped trying.

She wanted to fix their relationship the first few months when she needed her mother the most but she'd pushed her away so she turned to her sisters for support, Sadiya was there for her, she forced her to see a therapist because she developed social anxiety and fear of crowds, she stopped going soon after because she didn't feel she was progressing.

Layla helped her a lot more than the therapist would've, she felt it was better to talk to someone who knew her before everything.

She went to her room leaving her mother to her television, she quickly changed out of the long sleeve ankara sewn into a straight gown, an apprentice at her shop made it and she loved how simple and comfortable it was, she wore track trousers and a baggy T-shirt and sat on the bean bag Layla coerced her into buying, but she had to admit it was great and helped her focus whenever she was drawing.

She picked a separate sketchbook and the other she went out with, she had three sharpened pencils beside her and eraser. She outlined the main bodice of the dress faintly then started the minor details.

As much she tried to push it to the back of her mind, a nagging voice in her head kept reminding her that the deal was big, and if she messed it up, she might end her whole career, so she mustered up as much calmness as she could and kept shading.

Her team had already started the simple ones, she wanted to be done with them so she could focus on the big picture. With the details Nasmir had given and her own picture of how best the dress would fit, she set to work putting her all.

"Layla, your phone is ringing please get it before I throw it somewhere" Waleedah yelled from her room opposite Layla's, she had no idea how she did not hear the phone ringing.

"Ugh I'm coming, I'm coming" she ran up the stairs, she was out of breath before she could reach the last stair, she needed to start working out, she laughed at the thought, the gym was one place you'd never find her in, but bakeries, then yes that's her thing.

"Hello, Layla Tafida, how can I help you this fine evening?" she faked a British accent after answering the call, she'd seen the name on the screen.

"I don't have time for this shorty, say I pick you in twenty and we go get something to eat and chat" Fahad said over the phone.

"Promise me you'll be a alone and I'll be ready in ten" she knew she sounded like a child but she didn't care, since when everyone found out his friend was in love with her, they've been trying to get them together.

"I promise, I'll be outside" she hung up and got up to dress, deciding she wasn't dressing for him, she picked a teal colored abaya and wore it over the sweats and the shirt she was wearing, she picked a black veil and her phone, sprayed a little perfume and rubbed lip balm and walked out of her room.

"Where are you off to?" Raina, her eighteen year old half sister asked, she held a bucket of ice cream and two spoons in her hand.

"Are you having one of your Dine and dish with Rahma without Mamie or Ummi's permission? And aren't you lactose intolerant?" she raised both her brows making the teenager's eye go wide.

"Be safe, bye" she ran to the bedroom and the end of the hallway, her twin sister from another mother's room, they had the same birthday so they prided themselves with being the 'special Alieros' and did everything together, it was sickening sometimes to Layla especially being the only one that didn't have a 'pair' as they called it.

"Thought so" she called after her sister who was long gone.

Fahad was already waiting for her when she got out, he was standing with Shaheed, they've always been closer because they were the same age.

"She's here, see you later man" They side hugged. Shaheed looked questionably at the two, they were like cat and dog, and last he heard Layla was avoiding him so she didn't have to meet with Jawad, whatever it was he would find out soon enough, Layla couldn't shut up.

Fahad opened the door to his grey matte metallic Mercedes for her before walking to his side of the car.

"So, what's up? I know you didn't just call me to take me out and buy me junk" She turned to him when he pulled out of their driveway and onto the main street.

"What do you mean cousin dearest? I would totally take you out and buy you junk just because you're so awesome and you deserve the best" he sent her a toothy grin.

She snorted "Now something is definitely up, spit it"

"Fine you win, the lady I saw you with earlier, Dee?" he questioned and glanced briefly at her.

"Don't even go there" he was taken aback by her warning tone, she was almost never serious so much he could count the times he'd ever seen her serious on one hand.

"What?" he asked parking the car in an open spot outside house of cakes, it was her favourite bakery, he turned to her fully.

"Listen hamma, Khadijah isn't ready for a relationship right now or whatever it is you want with her"

"Khadijah, your Khadijah?" she nodded "Wow, she's more beautiful than the guys said" He's heard so much about her from all of the Aliero's, she was like a prayer to them the first time they moved, everyone was talking about her, her humor and personality, the Khadijah he saw was different and he refrained from asking why, but he wanted to see the old one he's heard so much about.

Layla groaned "I know she's beautiful, it's very obvious and it speaks for itself" a lot of people marvel at her friend's beauty, she just wished she could see herself like that, she didn't know the husband she unfortunately had to marry but she knew he messed her up pretty bad.

Khadijah had always been humble about her beauty, one thing Layla couldn't explain all their years of being friends was whether she didn't realise how beautiful she was or if she was insecure. Both her parents were light skinned and her sisters took after them, she was the dark one but Layla had always loved her skin, she thought it was unique how she was different.

Though Khadijah seemed to be fine with her complexion presently, scars will forever be imprinted in her, both physical and mentally, that was something people had no idea of.

"Layla" he drawled her name out, he didn't know how to explain to her "Why? Is she married?" he silently prayed the answer was what he was hoping for.

She pondered on it for a while then subtly shook her head, there was no point lying to him, her brothers would tell him the truth and even if it never came up, he would find out at some point.

"Then what is the problem?" he whined.

"She doesn't want a relationship now hamma please let it go" hearing the plea in her voice he nodded and uttered a small fine.

"You won't give me her phone number then, or address or something I can reach her with" the glare she sent him made raise his hands in defeat "Fine, nothing, let's go get you fat"

"Yes" she exclaimed already getting out of the car, he was easy to converse with and he's very understanding.

Fahad let it go but that didn't mean he had given up, he hoped he would meet her again, and maybe talk to her, he wanted to see how she would act.

The ringing of her phone woke her up, she didn't even realise when she fell asleep, she gathered the books around her that must've feel when she was sleeping before walking to the phone, she didn't bother to check the caller ID.

"Hello" she covered her mouth with her hand when she yawned.

"Don't tell me you forgot" Sadiya's displeased voice sounded over the phone.

"I wouldn't say I forgot, I fell asleep" it wasn't a complete lie, she did fall asleep but she had forgotten the promise she made her sister, it was Sadiya and Abdulrahman's twelve years anniversary and he was taking her on a two day trip to Zanzibar, she'd always dreamt of visiting there. Khadijah promised to stay with with the kids for two reasons, first she missed her nieces and nephew, Hanan, Sadeeq, Aifa and Basra, secondly, she needed a break from her mother's distasteful glances.

"I'll be there in ten minutes, let me just wear something" Khadijah went to pick the gown she'd removed earlier.

"I thought your car was with the mechanic" she groaned, she had forgotten that too "How about I send malam Abu over?"

"That'll be great, see you" she dropped the phone on the bed and went to take a quick shower, it would take him ten minutes to get there.

"Aunty Dee" Khadijah laughed at Sadiya's first daughter, the ten year old was full of energy, very smart for her age.

"Hanan dina how are you?" she took the girl's hand and together they walked to front door with Hanan telling her aunt about her day and school.

"Assalamu alaikum" Her brother in law answered the salam, Basra was sitting on his lap with tear stained cheeks and she smiled at the sight, she knew the story all too well.

"Good afternoon ya Abdul" Aifa ran to her aunt at the sound of her voice, she jumped loudly giggling and squealing.

"Basra won't you go and greet your aunty Dee?" Abdulrahman asked the pouting child, she didn't want him to leave so she snuggled closer and held him tighter making him sigh, she's a daddy's girl obviously.

"Bibi you won't come to me ko, alright I'll just go back home" she feigned going back outside when the three year old let out a squeak, she held her father's hand to make sure he won't leave when she turned then tried walking to her aunt who was standing by the door, she realised it was fruitless, she gave up and walked to her aunt making them all laugh.

"How is work Khadijah?" Abdulrahman asked his sister in law, she was more of a sister to him.

"Alhamdullillah, stressful but I'll pull through Insha Allah" he prayed for her before walking to the stairs to meet his wife who was going through their bags for the firth time, she was so sure they forgot something.

"Baby, I'm sure we have everything" he hugged her from behind but she walked out of the hug.

"No, I'm sure something is missing" he gave up and nodded watching her walk around the master bedroom to and fro.

"Khadijah is downstairs with the kids, why don't you go and see her, I'll check everything again and make a list of everything in the suitcase yeah?" a few seconds passed and he was sure she wouldn't answer when she nodded and went out of the room.

"It's about time you got here" Khadijah laughed at her sister, she knew how paranoid she got when travelling, always thinking something was missing.

"Have you gone through your luggage a thousand times already?" she asked through her laughter when she saw how disheveled her sister looked.

"Shut up" she sat down and immediately Basra moved to her lap resting her head on her chest. Sadiya looked around the spacious living room "Hanan where is your brother?"

"He went out with aunty Karima" She replied changing the channel to Disney.

"Baby na, go to your aunt I need to finish packing" almost immediately the little girl's lips started to tremble.

"Aunty Dee!" Sadeeq enveloped his aunt in a suffocating hug, he knew they would love the weekend, his aunt was the coolest and she lets them have ice cream any time.

"Do you want to break my bones huh junior?" he only smiled wider and kissed her cheeks.

"You're strong aunty, nothing can break you" her heart tugged at the words, it might have no meaning to him but it meant the world to her.

"Yes darling, your aunt is strong, now take care of your sisters and be good to your aunt okay?" he nodded and turned to Hanan and Aifa who were dancing at the front of the television.

"Okay mummy said I'm in charge, so you'll do as I say" he stated proudly earning a frown from Hanan.

"I'm older so I'm in charge" they started a back and forth banter before running to their father to settle the dispute, Sadiya let out a defeated stop running, they never listen.

"You should go and get ready, she looks sleepy so I'll just put her to bed" Khadijah pointed to Basra who was rubbing her eyes.

After a series of don't let them do this and that, the couple finally left leaving Khadijah with the children, Basra was fast asleep while the other three were playing a puzzle together, with nothing to do since they've already eaten she continued Her drawing and made a few phone calls to the team that would make the dress with her.

When her phoned pinged for the third time, she let out an annoyed sigh the stood up to get it, the first was a message from Layla asking if she was already at her sister's, they talked about it earlier and she wanted to know if she needed a ride, the second was from a client and the last an unknown number, not bothered enough to check the third one she dropped the phone.

It was a bad habit she'd developed unknowingly, she thought if you were serious enough you would call rather than text someone you know didn't have your contact.