Behind The Gate of Lakeview

Fifty One

'Oh'

I replied her, turning briefly to look at the batter.

'We still have a long way to go. I'm mixing red velvet and we're still going to bake chocolate, make pancake, small chops, samosa......'

I trailed off when I realized Zee's gaze was intense.

'This is not a sleepover. It's a suicide mission. Aah aah! All that food.'

I burst into laughter.

'That I was about to ask you to help us get KFC chicken and Domino's Pizza when you're coming from the mall.'

Zee opened her mouth and closed it again.

'Wait, you guys are not going to eat for weeks after tonight?'

I shrugged.

'What's fun without food?'

'Nothing oo.' She replied sarcastically. 'Nothing at all.'

Then she turned and walked out of the kitchen.

'Don't forget oo. You know I love you.'

'Noooo. You love the cute boy.'

She shouted from the sitting room.

And mom was upstairs.

You'll kuku tell her who the cute boy is because me, I don't know any cute boy oo.

                              **********
Hana and Ayisha arrived not long after Zee left for the mall. I just finished putting the bater in the oven when I heard their voices in the sitting room. I washed my hand and went to meet them.

'Hey babes. How are you?'

I greeted, hugging them. Hana rolled her eyes.

'Is it because Ayisha is here that you are greeting me politely?'

'Haba! Come on. Am I not polite?'

Hana opened her mouth to talk but Ayisha beat her to it.

'Far from it.'

We all burst into laughter.

'Hmm hmm hmm. I smell something.'

Hana said sniffing the air. Then her eyes grew thoughtful.

'Are you baking already?'

I nodded.

'Yes. I decided to bake 12 cupcakes. Red velvet though. We'll bake chocolate when that one is done.'

'Is any one at home? Mom and Zee?'

Hana asked, she did not even bother asking of Dad and Saheed. They were hardly ever home.

'Zee just went out and Mom is having her siesta.'

'Nice house by the way. Your sitting room is so fine.'

Ayisha said, looking around the sitting room. Her eyes landed on a framed picture of Zee and I.

'And your sister is so fine but then, you're prettier than her.'

I smiled, opened my mouth to say Thank you but Hana beat me to it.

'Lai Lai. Zee is finer than Jade. Jade, don't allow Ayisha to fool you oo.'

I eyed and she moved back.

'Talk your truth and.....'

'Abegggi.' I said, interrupting her. Then, I turned to Ayisha. I grabbed her hands.