Chapter 5 (part one)

"What about that girl, what's her name again. The first born of Bappah Khaleel, she seems nice and she's obviously into you," his smile grew wider when he realized that he had annoyed his cousin with his silly suggestions. "Firstly that woman is not my type and secondly she's into you not me and you know that. Please you should stop it with this suggestions. I will eventually get married when the right time comes." Muhsin averted his gaze to the tv and chuckled. "You're not getting any younger big brother," he reminded him. Yusuf shrugged his shoulders and sipped his drink.

They both turned to the corridor where the entrance was when they heard the door bell. Muhsin gently arise from the sofa and headed to the door. He opened it and to his utmost surprise, she stood before him. She quickly lowered her gaze and greeted him.

"Afternoon," he replied. "My wife isn't around or you're here for something else?" He inquired looking at her. She fiddled with her fingers and nodded. "Mommy said I will be coming here every Saturday or Sunday to do the house chores and cook," she uttered, slowly gazing at him. He hesitated before nodding. He widened the door for her to walk in. She walked in slowly and headed straight to the kitchen after she greeted Yusuf.

He stared at her retreating back till she disappeared into the kitchen. Muhsin threw a pillow on his head to get his attention. "Wha- why would you do that? Who's she?" He asked. Muhsin threw his head back laughing. "Amira's mom sent her to clean. Aren't you surprised that the house looks clean now? Come let's go to the gazebo, she's coming out soon to clean the living room.

They headed out same time she was coming in to sweep. She heaved a sigh of relief when she found the living room empty. She cleaned the living room and also the dining before she cleaned the kitchen and headed upstairs to Amira's room.

She shook her head, amused; just three days ago she cleaned her room but it looked like it has not been cleaned for ages. She arranged her wigs back in where they belong before she made the bed and swept the room. She mopped afterwards and cleaned the bathroom. She used the same burning incense around the house before she moved back to the kitchen to cook. She scanned through the pantry, wondering what to cook. She folded her arms on her chest and heaved a sigh.

She heard a soft knock from the glass door. She looked at the door, he stood there waiting for her to unlock the door. "I wanted to ask you please, do you know how to cook tuwo? It will be great if you did."

She smiled a bit and nodded. "Good, all what you need is in the pantry and store. Please bring it to the backyard when you're done," he stated and she nodded again. He walked away as she slowly closed back the glass door.

Without hesitation, she started cooking what he asked to. She was half way through when amira sauntered into the kitchen. "Who asked you to cook this?" She implored, brows furrowed. Dalia quickly squatted to greet her but instead, amira repeated her question. "I.... He asked me to..." She stuttered. She couldn't even remember what was his name. Even when she has heard daddy called his name countless times when her father was sick.

He walked into the kitchen looking at Dalia, "are you almost done with the cooking?" He asked her and she nodded. Amira looked at him in amusement, "muhsin? But... but you know I don't eat that. Why would you ask her to cook that?"

He folded his arms on his chest, gawking his eyes at her. "Who did you inform you were going to come back now? Who did you even ask before going out? If you won't eat what she cooked then cook something else for yourself because she’s not cooking anything after this.” He turned his gaze to Dalia who was already panicking inside. "Immediately when you're done cook, I'm returning you home," he stated before he went back to the gazebo where he left Yusuf.

Amira hissed annoyingly and stormed out of the kitchen without giving Dalia a second glance. She exhaled, placing a hand on her chest. She continued her cooking till she was done with everything. She set everything on a tray and took it outside like he asked. He looked at her as she kept the tray on the centre table. "I will go bring some refreshments now," she informed and turned to leave but he stopped her.

"You should eat and get ready, I will return you home myself," he informed her. She slowly nodded before walking away. She went back to the gazebo with the refreshments before going back to the kitchen again. She went back to the kitchen and cleared every mess she had made before she moved to the living room to pray Asr.

After she had prayed, she settled down there on the mat waiting for him. She started drowsing off when he finally came in. "Let's go," he muttered as he headed towards the door. She stood up and followed him to the car. He dropped her off and went back home.