Three
1196 Words
Ministers hill, Abuja
10:00 a.m
KHALIFA
It's a Sunday which means no school today. I woke up feeling a little bit energetic. I went into the bathroom and freshened up then went to the gym.
When I was done, I went back to my room and took a bath. I strolled into the dining room and found my family already seated.
"Good morning Umma, good morning Abba." I greeted, taking my usual seat which was in between the twins' .
"Morning Khalifa slept well?" Umma asked.
"Yeah alhamdulillah." I replied piling up my plate with pancakes.
"Good morning Yaa Khalif." the twins greeted.
"Morning to you too rascals." I replied which earned me a stern look from Umma. Abba chuckled at that while the twins grinned.
"Where's Janan?" I asked directing my gaze to the twins.
"In her room." they replied in unison.
I nod my head then proceeded to preparing a cup of coffee for myself.
***
"Yaa Khalif!" Janan hollered, knocking on my door.
"Come in." I answered not taking my eyes off the TV screen.
"Yaa Khalif have I ever told you that you're my favourite person in the whole world?" she asked sweetly.
"What do you want?" I asked with an eye roll, tearing my gaze away from the TV.
"Nothing bhai. Just want to hangout with my fav bro." she replied rather enthusiastic.
"Janan I've known you for all seventeen years of your life. You think I don't know when you want something from me?" I asked scoffing.
"Okay okay you got me," she replied raising her hands up in surrender. "Guilty as charged."
"Okay so out with it already."
"Yaa Khalif I really need a favor to ask."
"Okay I'm listening."
"I erhm...erhm...erhm... " she bit her lip nervously.
"I ain't got all day Janan. Out with it already."
"I maxed out my credit card." she replied in a tiny voice which was barely a whisper but I heard her.
"you what?" I gasped.
"I maxed out my credit card."
"What'd you do with all that money?" I asked bewildered.
"I renovated my shoe wardrobe." she replied guiltily.
Of course shoes! This girl is crazy.
"So you're telling me that you wasted all your money on shoes?" I asked.
"Yeah." she replied, her head hung low.
"Just shoes? You could've bought something of importance Janan." I replied.
"Yaa Khalif I'm hurt!" she replied placing her hands on her chest dramatically.
"Shoes are the most important accessory in a girl's dressing." she defended.
"Now what do you want me to do?" I asked brushing off her last statement.
"I need you to help me" she stated, staring at me.
"And why will I do that?"
"Because you are the most amazing brother in the whole world and you wouldn't like to see your sister... "
"Okay fine I get it." I stated, cutting off her rant " I'll transfer some amount into your account."
"Oh thank you so much Yaa Khalif." she replied, latching unto me.
"Get off me naughty girl." I said ruffling her hair.
She stood up and left my room after pecking me on the cheeks.
*****
The next day
We were hanging out at the quad before we head out to our next class. Ammar and Hanif were busy chattering about their next conquest. They'll never change.
I plucked in my headphones to tune out the rest of their conversation. I soon drift off to my own world.
"Hello! Earth to Khalifa!" Hanif hollered snapping his fingers, bringing me out of my reverie.
"sorry you're saying?" I asked taking my headphones off.
"I said what do you think about the new girl?" he repeated.
" the new girl who? " I asked confused.
"Hanan, Sa'adah's new friend." Ammar replied.
"oh! She's okay." I replied shrugging.
"Just okay? She's hot!" Hanif retorted.
I shrugged again then placed back my headphones. Yeah she's really beautiful but I'm not gonna admit that to these assholes.
I checked my cellphone and realised that I've got only ten minutes to get to class. I stood up and left the quad after saying bye to them.
I turned east of the quad and head towards my calculus class. I round towards the corner and ran into someone.
"oof!" the person exclaimed.
"We have got to stop meeting like this." I muttered when I realised who I ran into.
"I second that." she replied chuckling.
I stared at her for a few seconds before I averted my gaze. I smiled at her then bent down and picked up her bag which fell down after our collision.
I sidestepped her and went into class which I was already five minutes late for. I found an empty sit and slide in quietly without raising awareness.
I brought out my notes and scribble down what little I could manage to see from the angle I sat down.
After two long hours, the lecture came to an end. Since I had no other lecture, I decided to go back home. I walked to where I packed my car then drove off.
***
"Yaa Khalif! Welcome home." the twins chorused as soon as I step into the living room.
"Where's Umma?" I asked, heading towards the mini fridge for a bottle of water.
"She went out." Adnan replied.
"Abba?"
"They went out together."
"Okay."
I went up to my room and took a shower then flop down on my bed and turn on the TV. I was so engrossed in the serial I was watching that I didn't realise when the twins came in.
"Big B! " they chorused, scaring me a little.
" how many times do I have to tell you to knock before you come in?" I asked glaring at the twelve year olds.
"Sorry Big B." they muttered. I looked at them skeptically. They only call me Big B when they need something.
"What do you want?" I asked, sitting upright.
"We want you to buy ice cream for us."
"No." I deadpanned.
"please Big B." they begged using puppy dog eyes.
"Okay! okay!" I said standing up.
"Yay!"
"Chicken republic? Yaa Khalif?" Anwar asked.
"Dunes."
"Oh c'mon Big B!" Adnan whined.
"Dunes or no ice cream." I uttered crossing my arms.
"bummer!" they uttered hanging their heads low.
"So?" I tapped my feet getting impatient.
"A beggar has no choice. Dunes it is." they conceded, rather dramatically if I may say.
"Good now go and see if Janan wants to follow us. I'll just get my wallet."
I took my wallet and car keys then head out to the garage to find all three of them waiting for me. We got into the car then drove out of the house.
Instead of going to Dunes which was located near our home, I drove to Grand Square at Central District.
I parked my car in the parking lot and we went in with the twins jumping up and down. I took a cart and wheeled it to the chocolate section with the twins tailing behind me.
When we were done, I paid then we left. We drove back home eating ice cream and laughing.
*****
- Writer
