The Nanny

Epilogue

5 years later

Layla
"Amal!" I yelled, at the top of my lungs.

"Naam mama," She replies, as she hops down the stairs, her hand on the wooden staircase rail for support.

"Be careful," I said, as I watched her hop on the stairs as she came down.

"I am a big girl," she says to me and jumps off the last step to the floor. I kneel down on my knees and kiss her on her forehead and placed my palms on either side of her cheeks.

"Hayati, I love you so much and I just don't want you to get hurt on your birthday," I told her.

"Okay mama," she said in her sweet-gentle voice and glanced to her hands. "When is baba coming? He promised he would be here for my birthday." I looked at her and hugged her tightly. Ahmed promised he would be here, he promised our little girls that he would there for their birthday. The anticipation is killing everyone, I just hope he makes it here in time. He's been away in Japan for three weeks, for business. I have been trying to call him all morning, but there's no answer. I just hope its because he's already on the plane.

"Hayati... baba is going to be late. But I am sure he will be here," I told her, to assure her. "Now where's that beautiful smile of yours," I told her and started tickling her.

"Hahaha," she started laughing hysterically. "Stop hahaha mama, haha." I smiled and stood up. I held her hand and walked with her towards the backdoor that lead to the garden. The garden is where all the fun takes place, the kids playhouse is outside along with the
swings.

"Anisa! Imad! Come inside now, lunch is ready," I said, as I stood by the door. They raced passed me, into the house. Amal joined them as well racing behind them, all racing towards the kitchen. I smiled and closed the door behind me.

"Wash your hands nicely," I said as I walked into the kitchen. I watched them as they took turns to wash their hands. I carried the bowl of greens, into the dinning room. Everything was set.

"What's for lunch mama?" Anisa asked as she sat on the chair, ready to eat. "Yay pasta!" She squealed with excitement, when she inspected the dinning table. Imad and Amal, walked into the dinning room after a few moments. They sat at their places and I served them the food. I walked out of the dinning room and headed to the living room.

"Claire(the house-maid)," I called out her name, as I entered the living room.

"Yes ma'am," She answered.

"Are you done with the balloons?" I asked her. "Do you need any help?"

"I am almost done, no ma'am I am fine. Thank you," She spoke in her usual polite manner. I take a look around, the living room is filled with pale pink and purple balloons, the happy birthday banner is already up, the number balloon and so is the letter balloons spelling out : Anisa & Amal. I helped Claire with the balloons before I went to make lunch.

"Okay great," I said and smiled. "The guest will be arriving at 4:30 pm. All the snacks are ready, except for the cake that will be delivered at 3:00. Oh and the goodie bags have arrived. At 3:45 start arranging the goodie bags on the table and the food," I instructed. I went back to the living room, only to find no one by the dinning table. I go upstairs to the play room, there's no one there too.

I knocked on Imad's bedroom door, and entered he wasn't there. I went into the girls room and saw the girls on one bed whispering to each other, and Imad on the other bed playing games on his IPad.