Janaan was thinking about her life. She just graduated from high school this year and waiting for the colleges she applied for to reply to her email but none did- University of California, University of Washington, Harvard university of law and Oxford university.

Her father promised to take her abroad if she pass her West African Examination Council and she did. Now her father wants her to go to Harvard university and study law where her cousin- Halam is studying Architecture. But if she doesn't get admission in Harvard, he'll send her to University of California where her mother's cousin- Aunt Zaina is living.

"Ya Jay?" Her little brother- Affan- who was just nine years old called from the bicycle he was riding in their big house compound. He's so cute that she always use his picture as her profile. His chubby cheeks, tan skin, small nose and plump baby lips.

"Check your food, I don't want it to burn again because of your day dream." he pouted to which she smiled and ran into the house through the backdoor that is another entrance to the kitchen.

"Subhanallah!" she murmured the du'a before she removed the cover that was used to close the pot she was cooking.

She sighed with relief when the she checked the food that was inside the pot and she found out that it wasn't burnt. She was cooking her famous fried rice which was selected by her siblings- that's what they want to have for dinner- since her parents are out of the country- Kydah and Anwaar- for a vacation in New Zealand.

Their house help -Tehzib- was asked to stay with them. So many rules were set for them to follow, each one of them with his/her list of rules.

Tehzib is an old woman, fifty-two year old widow but still have the energy to do what her parents can't do sometimes.

"Something smell good in here," Akira sniffed the air when she walked into the kitchen wearing a very huge green tee which is probably Adnaan's and orange skin tight. Her hair was in a loose ponytail with a veil clasped on her head.

Akira, her thriteen year old sister is the axact replica of their father- Alhaji Anwaar Othman Muhammad. She's short but also not so short, its just that anyone her age is taller than her.

She has the size burns, like her father's, long natural black hair, chubby cheeks, doe-like-eyes, small cute nose, and peach lips. She also looks like Andah- Omairah, their elder sister who died some years back -before any of them was born- she was a leukemia patient for a few months.

They didn't know about the illness till when it reached it's last stroke. The doctors couldn't help with any treatment because it is already in the last level of leukemia cancer. Even the chemotherapy didn't help in any way then, they were devastated.

Kydah -their mother- decide to open a foundation with the help of Anwaar, for cancer patients since then.

"I know right! Will you help me set the table please?" Janaan asked her sister with a smile- happy to get a compliment from her sister which is very rare if you ask Janaan.

"Sure sis," she grinned before she start to set the table. Starting with the cole slow Janaan prepared earlier, more like decorated. She also picked up some plates, spoons, forks, dinning knives and napkins.

"What next?" Akira ask Janaan when she finished arranging the cutleries on the small dinning table that's in the kitchen- where they eat when their parents are not at home. They said the dinning table was so big and it feels empty without them.

"Cucumber juice is inside the fridge, bring it out, take this pepper chicken to the table and call Aunty T," Janaan threw orders before bringing out a food flask so she can transfer the food inside. Aunty T is Tehzib, Aunty Tehzib is so long for them, or so they said.

"Done!" Akira came back shortly with Tehzib, Adnan and Affan trailing behind her. Adnaan was only wearing a sweat pant and an armless vest whilst Affan was just wearing a brown short trouser that stopped at his knees and a white shirt.

"Aunty T, serve please." said Janaan with a grin. She couldn't wait to start hearing the compliments about her food. She tried her very best while cooking it, even though she knew she's an expert when it comes to kitchen.

Her sanctuary!

"Uhm, its so yummy." Adnan moaned and gave Janaan a lopsided grin whilst joining his thumb and index finger in appreciation. He never failed to compliment her, no matter what. Which was something he learnt from his parents- to always compliment her as she was a depressed patients a few years back.

"Why, thanks love," she kissed his cheek, he was already sitting by her left side so, no struggle.

"It tastes better than it smells," Akira mumbled whilst taking a spoonful of the rice.

"Aww, thanks hun." She pinched her chubby cheeks from across the table.

"Hmm, I can't say anything. And Maami said that its not good to talk while eating but this food is the perfect definition of perfect." Affan stated, wide eyed.

"Weehee! Thanks sweetheart," she kissed his cheek with a very loud kissy sound.

"You're getting better, day by day darling. More talent darl." Tehzib pinched her cheeks.

"Thank you, Aunty T," she grinned, she was sure that her lips and cheeks will hurt later on that day. She was just so happy that her kitchen skills are improving.

"Your phone has been ringing Sis," Adnaan mumbled, pointing at her phone which was on the counter next to the set of knives that was kept there.

"Oh thanks," she stood up with her plate which she has already finished devouring, and kept it on the counter before picking her phone -latest iPhone- but the call has already been disconnected, missed call- Ahlam's name flash on the screen in red which makes her smile widen.

She tapped her password instead of using her finger print to open the phone, she was so eager to hear his voice. Just as she was about to tap the number and call him back, Hamal's name popped- he was calling her. Her smile dropped.

She begrudgingly picked the phone before muttering a small, "hello," as usual, he used his harsh voice to talk to her which almost made her cry. Could this day just go by without her crying?

"Oh, the princess finally have time to pick up the damn phone call," Hamal hissed in annoyance before continuing..."I didn't call you to hear your voice, I just want to tell you that Aunt K ask me to take you guys to Aunt Mehr's house tomorrow, you guys should get ready by twelve sharp. I don't have time to waste, and I don't want to see that rubbish makeup on your face, if I do, then you'll just have to call someone to take you. Hope I'm clear," he all but yelled at her.

"I'm coming babe," she heard his voice a little distance before the phone call ended. Why was he doing this to her? Why? She cried, all those compliments she gets from her siblings does not mean anything to her, they didn't help her one bit. Her grins and smiles are now mixed with tear and the tears just over powered all the smiles and grins.

'It hurts! But why does it hurt? Is it because the brother that was supposed to love her -like he does to all her siblings- hate her or what?' She asked herself.

"Ugh, he just ruined my day," she tugged at a handful of her black silk hair.

"You look quite upset sis, what is it?" Adnan asked, walking into Janaan's room.

Her room is a combination of white and red, from her queen-sized bed, bedside drawer, bathroom door, walk in closet, couch, stickers- scattered on the lengthy walls, floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, and a puffy red rug that sat a little in front of her bed.

Adnan, was wearing a blue pajamas pants and a red sweater- the cold August weather wasn't really pleasing for the last few days.

"Just a little tired and yes, we're going to Aunt Mehr's tomorrow, tell Affan and Akira." she said the last part with a beaming face and too enthusiastically that her brother didn't miss.

"Stop lying, sis." he rolled his eyes and jumped on her bed, disarranging the sheets that she hates arranging but nevertheless, she didn't pay any attention to it which add to Adnan's suspicion.

She clearly doesn't know how to lie to him again.

"It's Ya Hamal again. He didn't say anythig wrong but I'm just so hurt. He talks to me like an outsider or an intruder, it hurts, you know." she verballed, dipping her face deeper into her soft white pillow.

"You care too much," he mumbled, knitting his hands on her head-scalp. "Raise your chin and greet him then don't look his way again,"

"It's not that easy," she mumbled, her voice muffled on the pillow, "I don't like what he's doing, and I just can't stop looking at him,"

"We'll talk tomorrow In shaa Allah, now sleep." he kissed her forehead before making his way to the door, sauntering out of the room, switching off the light in process.

"Adnan!" she yelled out his name.

"Yeah?" he answered, poking his head through the door, to take a look at his heart broken sister. "I love you," they said at the same time. He closed the door behind him, the corridor booming with his laughter.

'