"Alhamdulilah I was able to sell a lot today." I heaved a sigh. Though it was hectic, I was very grateful to have sold a lot.
I rushed back home to meet my twin sister, Reedah and to fill her in on the good news. At least the money I earned would be used to pay some of our bills.
Immediately I got to the front of our house, my lips curved into a smile. I knocked on the door and almost immediately, the door flung open and she hugged me tightly.
I slowly wrapped my arms around her as well - Reedah was the only family Ammi and baba had left for me, after being killed in a fatal accident. It had been three long years, but the memory was still fresh in my mind. I had a hard time moving on, but because I had Reedah to take care of, I suppressed my feelings and pretended to be happy. Ever since their departure, things had been really difficult for both of us. We barely had food to eat once a day. I wasn't bothered about myself, but my sister. She was all I had left and I vowed to protect her with all of my beings.
We both were given scholarships by a kind-hearted, rich woman, hearing the news of our parents death. I was really thankful to her because we didn't have to drop out of the school we were already used to. Our parents weren't poor. On the contrary, they were well to do. We used to have everything we wanted. All we had to do was ask, but life had taken an abrupt turn, making our lives miserable.
Our dad was a chief executive officer of a petroleum company. He did not allow mum work, because he always provided everything she needed and more.
Reedah was so fond of dad. She was the typical example of a daddy's girl. Due to how he always provided money whenever she wanted, she didn't know the value of it. She would go to the shopping mall and return with many unnecessary things - stuff she already had in excess.
"Yushraf!" Reedah's voice snapped me out of my trance. I wiped the tears away from my cheeks, just before she walked into the room. She seemed to have understood my emotional state, so instead of asking, she moved closer to me and engulfed me in a side hug.
"Food is ready." She informed.
Wordlessly, I stood up and sauntered to the dining section, with Reedah trailing behind me. We took our seats and ate in complete silence.
Sometimes, I couldn't help, but imagine how life would have been if baba and Ammi were still alive. Indisputably we wouldn't have been in this terrible situation - we wouldn't have had to live in a small house, which contains just two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen. My room alone in our former mansion used to be bigger than the house at large.
"Yushraf." Reedah suddenly called, pulling me out of my trance again. "Since you were able to sell a lot today, shouldn't we go shopping? You know we will be resuming final year soon."
"Okay, no problem, since you're a lady and love to shop, I will divide the money into three and give you two parts." He remarked.
She smiled and came over to hug and kiss me on my cheek. "Thank you so much, Yushraf. I love you because you are always so considerate towards me."
I stood up and smiled reassuringly at her, making it known to her that I would always put her first, before anyone else.
"You've always been there for me. I'm grateful."
"It's nothing. I have to go in and rest because today was very hectic for me." I voiced.
She nodded in understanding.
I went into Reedah's room because I didn't have enough money to pay for rent with two bedrooms and a living room so we searched for the one with cheaper rent.
I entered the bathroom and ran a quick shower, then perform ablution and changed into light clothing. Immediately I was done with the asr prayer, I lay down on the prayer and drifted into sleep, without even knowing it.
Deejah's POV I was in class, waiting for our lecturer for what seemed like forever and yet he hadn't shown up. I grabbed my bag and was about to leave, when he walked in, making an excuse of having a board meeting.Immediately he started lecturing, I felt like dozing off, for his lectures were always as boring as hell.After the lecture time had elapsed, the lecturer walked out of the classroom the same way he entered. I returned my book to my bag and was about to leave the theatre when I felt my hand being grabbed by someone from behind. I turned around, only to see Sheriff - my boyfriend. We started dating at my 100level and he was already in his final year. He was one of those typical bad guys on campus, always attending all parties in the vicinity.He changed my lifestyle from being a nerd to a classic babe. He loved me I loved him too. People gossi
Yushraf's POV "Reedah, be fast, we are getting late. You know today is Friday and we will soon be back." I reminded, checking my gold wristwatch.Reedah took almost an hour before she came out of the room putting on her hijab.I went to the refrigerator in the kitchen and brought three bags of bottled water and gave one to Reedah and carried the remaining two myself.******We were hawking in the streets, When I sighted my former best friend Bashar, leaning on his car. He was my closest friend and a cousin. His dad, uncle Jaafar and my dad were brothers. They had only one sister Aunty Salamatu. She lived in Canada with her husband and three kids - two boys and a girl. Hafiz was the firstborn and was older than I, by a year. Noor, the second-born, was of the same age as Reedah and the last born Afzal was sixteen years old.
Yushraf POVFlashback continues 3 years back After strolling on the empty street for what seemed like an hour, I started thinking deeply about where we would spend the night. We listed the friends we had and if they could accommodate us, for just a night, but couldn't come to a decision. After several thoughts, I suggested we go to Jibrin's - our secondary school friend's house. After our parent's death, he was one of the people that stood by us. We took a cab and gave the driver the address of where we were headed. Immediately we alighted, I brought my wallet out and paid the driver. We knocked on the gate and the security men opened the gate and asked us who we were looking for at that time of the night. "Sir,
EditedYushraf POVFlashback continues 3years agoWe left Aunt Sarah's house and went straight to the car park, where we would board a car from kano to Lagos - to uncle Jaafar's place. We had been seated inside the bus for a while now and it wasn't filled up yet. We were told it was remaining just two passengers before we would embark on the journey. It didn't take too much time before the bus got filled up. Immediately it did, the driver began to drive, but not before exchanging pleasantries with his colleagues. Because it was our first time travelling in a commercial car, everything seemed so funny to us. Indeed it was the beginning of knowing what poverty really
Yushraf's POV "Yushraf! Yushraf!!" Reedah yelled, bringing me back to reality. I wiped away the tears that threatened to fall on my cheeks."Reedah, let just go home. I can't stay here anymore please. " I beseeched."Yushraf, you want us to go home and we haven't even sold more than two bags of the bottled water here. Remember we really need money, especially now that our resumption day is already approaching and we need foodstuff and other things. We've been given scholarship doesn't mean they will provide for us. We have to struggle for our needs ourselves." Reedah said, getting pissed off."Reedah, you don't get it. I can't stay here and watch Bashar humiliate us like his father did that day." It was really unfortunate and unforgettable memory that will never be erased.She turned back and saw Bashar leaning on his car, with a gi
Deejah's POVI was bored and tired. I couldn't wait for this fucking lecture to be over. Mina did not come to school today and I had no idea what happened to her. She wasn't the type to just skip school, without a valid reason, especially because her dad was very strict and didn't play with stuff concerning the academy.I made a mental note to call and find out what stopped her from coming to school today.*******I heaved a sigh of relief, as the lecturer finally stepped out of the classroom. I brought out my phone from my bag and dialled Mina number. After the third ring, she picked up."Hey, babe! What stopped you from coming to school today?" I inquired."I'm not feeling fine. I've been feeling discomfort in my stomach." She responded."Oh! miss foodie. What did you eat to upset your stomach?" I asked, t
Deejah POVI couldn't not even make it to Mina house again after what this guy did to me today.I felt embarrassed about it but I won't let it fade he must face the consequences of slapping me.I drove back home, Without even answering anybody greeting I went straight to my room.I could feel my cheeks go red and wet from the amount of tears that drop, and I quickly got off my bed and rushed to the bathroom and locked the door behind me.As I stare at my reflection on mirror, my eyes were red and swollen, another tears streamed down my face I didn't wipe them away, nor stop my self from crying. I spilt the tears.My heart was hammering in my chest, and I can't seem to stop replaying the moment.It was just too embarrassing that the person I've had a crush on since i first stare has his brown eyes, even if it was just for a short w
Yushraf POVToday was very hestic for us especially what happened between us and that stupid girl, I don't really know why she have to act like that just because Reedah advertised water to her. Everything just seem to be annoying.I just hate her with even mere looking at her face. Quiet alright she's beautiful, but God she's just too repugnant for my likely.I stood up after taking a short nap which make me feel relaxed. I went to the bathroom and took a long shower, then went to my closet and change into something casual.I could smell the burning of something from the kitchen. I quickly rush down to the living room only to find Reedah on the floor sleeping. Which already gave me answer that she's cooking but unfortunately slept off and now the food is burning.I went straight to the kitchen and quench the charcoal. It was making m