It Runs In The Family

Sisters Hira Tayyib, genetic researcher, and Ayla Tayyib, lawyer, share their deep bond with us. From breaking beds to taking adventurous car rides together and even sharing closets, these girls show us what true sisterhood is all about!

What’s your first memory of each other?

Hira: I was five years old and Ayla was roughly five months and I was obsessed with my baby sister. One afternoon, I was filling in my colouring book while bouncing Ayla in her baby bouncer. Our mother left me to look after her while she took a quick shower. After some time I felt the bouncing come in the way of my colouring, and I logically concluded that if I pushed the bouncer as low as possible, baby Ayla would bounce for longer. So I pressed the bouncer as low as I could, and as soon as I let go, Ayla went flying. Oops!

Ayla: My first memory is when I was four and Hira was nine. We went to buy our mom’s birthday presents with my dad. I was helping my dad shop for our mom while keeping an eye on Hira who was playing hopscotch. After a while I lost sight of her. All I remember is my dad frantically looking for her and not being able to find her. I remember panicking and crying, thinking I’d lost my sister forever. A few store announcements later, we found her. Crisis averted. Phew.



What is the craziest thing you have done together?

Hira: We went for a slumber party at a family friend’s house where we were sharing a room. For some reason we had this urge to jump like monkeys on the bed. Next thing you know we had broken that bed! Then we stuck random things that we found in the room to try and make it appear as if it was still intact.

Ayla: That was hands down the craziest incident! I think we even stuck a rubbish bin to keep the bed up.

What did you get punished for most a child?

Hira: For bickering!

Ayla: For not talking to each other.



If you could wear one piece of clothing for the rest of your life, from the others closet, what would it be?

Hira: Why would I want my own hand-me-downs?

Ayla: I would wear her white fur coat, all day, every day!

If you could swap places with each other, what’s the first thing you would do?

Hira: Have a glass of Coca Cola, chilled to perfection.

Ayla: Jump for joy! That would mean I’d be two inches taller.

What is the one thing you love about your sister?

Hira: That we have different shoe sizes, thank God!

Ayla: That I can fit into her clothes.



If you are fighting with each other, how do you make up?

Hira: Over food! Especially when we were living together in London.

Ayla: I’d have to agree with her, it’s the only way.

What is the one secret talent your sister has that you wish you did too?

Hira: Pancakes. She makes the best pancakes hands-down! It’s a talent.

Ayla: Drive like Cruella de Vil. It is a talent to drive like a crazy person and arrive in one piece without setting your car on fire!

Describe your sister in three words:

Hira: Ayla is perceptive, charming and sincere.

Ayla: Hira is blunt, entertaining and loving.



Which fictional character is your sister most like?

Hira: Lucifer from Cinderella.

Ayla: Mr Bean!

How are your personalities similar?

Hira: We think we are very different but our friends and family feel otherwise.

Ayla: I guess we have a similar sense of style and humour.

I can’t live without my sister because…

Hira: She’s my best friend!

Ayla: And she’s mine.