Chapter 45

——————Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

——————————Edwards Residence ( Three Months Later)

Living with my family made me realize more that family meant more than anything in the whole world. We were so very happy.

Firdaus and Naim got married last month and are currently on the their honeymoon in Qatar.

I got to find out about my real family since they convinced me to move in with them and Ummi got an apartment for herself. I wasn't comfortable leaving her all by herself but she was the one who insisted I joined my real family.

So I did

And we bonded.

I found out that I had cousins and a maternal aunt and uncle, Uncle Haneef and Aunty Haneefah and my cute cousins and their partners also. They were all so nice and friendly and not to forget, very funny.

I was born on April 6th 1997. I never knew when exactly my birthday was. I was glad I was finally complete. There was nothing hidden about my past and all I had to do now was prepare for my future, the best for my child and the best for myself. It's been 9months since I last heard anything from Khalid. My husband.

Sophia still said he was doing great. But deep in my bones I could feel something was wrong. He wasn't alright. He was still in pains and he was finding it very hard to move on from everything. I needed to see him.

I was tired of waiting endlessly for him. It was killing me deep in inside. I loved him too much to be this far away from him. I couldn't hide it from myself any longer.

" Assalamu Alaykum" I heard Khalifa call as I sat down on a chair receiving the soothing evening breeze in the large garden that was behind the mansion. I was almost due. My child was arriving very soon. Very very soon. " Wa'alaykumussalam Khalifa, welcome" I answered as he sat next to me. He decided to come to Kuala Lumpur so he could be with me when I was about to deliver my child. He took a leave from work for my sake. It was so very considerate and he wanted us to talk about something today. That was why he was here. To talk to me and see how I was doing.

" You're enjoying the breeze" He said as I smiled widely. " Yea I am, it's cool" I answered. " I got some stuff for the baby and some fruits for you, I told your nurse to help me prepare them for you" yes, Ummah insisted I had one. In case something happened.

" Oh thank you, and here are the baby things, I hope you like them, or love, anyone you prefer" He said as he handed me a bag with pink clothes. He had a feeling that I was carrying a female child. A baby girl. " You really think it's a girl huh?, but hey, even if it's a boy, he'll still wear them, they're so cute, look at the small cap, so beautiful, you really have great taste for these things, so nice" I remarked as I took a look at the set of sweaters he got for my baby. They were all so tiny. So small and tiny.

" Well I got them from Miriam, we went shopping together y'know"

" Oh really, ammie, you didn't tell me"

" durrh, you weren't supposed to know" He answered and rolled his eyes at me. " You didn't just do that" I teased as I pulled his cheeks with a laugh. He always had silly ways of making me laugh and I loved him for that.

He was more handsome than usual and boy, his dimples.

I forgot almost all my problems when I was with him. Almost everything.

The scar Khalid left couldn't be forgotten even for a minute.

" I'm glad you like them" he answered after our short laugh. " Thank you so much for everything, you've been of great help to me throughout all these months and I honestly appreciate everything, every single thing you did for me" I thanked as I watched him blush. " I will honestly love to do more for you, that's precisely why I came to talk to you"

" okay, what's up?"

" I'm going to go straight to the point, I want your child to have the best, the very best, I don't want your child to be fatherless, he needs a father figure"

" Fatherless?"

" Not exactly fatherless, I didn't know the right word to use. I don't want what Khalid did to you to ruin your child’s future, you'll be a great mother for sure, but I'm saying you need manly support, I'm also not saying you're not capable of raising your child"

" You're honestly succeeding in confusing me"

" I'm sorry" I knew what he was going to say. He wanted to marry me. " You want us to get married so my child can have a much more safer future cause of the condition of the society we are now?" I said and he nodded shyly.

Getting married to Khalifa was not actually unexpected. I mean I knew he cared a lot about me and had feelings for me. I knew he had feelings for me, from the way he acted frequently but I honestly didn't want to lead him on and I knew that deep down, I was always going to love Khalid. Always. No matter how bad he hurts me, I knew that for sure. My heart was only going to beat for him.,

" you know I still love Khalid, I love him so much and I'm sure you're still asking yourself why I still love him after all what he made me go through but I just do, you can call me naive or foolish, but it's just the truth, I won't hide anything from you"

" Exactly, I know all this, but I want you to give me a chance"

" a chance?"

" Yes, think about it, I know you know what I truly feel for you, I'm willing to take care of you, forever, to build a family with you, I'm willing to do anything to win your heart, I'll give you my all, my very best, I want to help you forget what Khalid made you go through, every single detail, you deserve more than him, you yourself know that" I didn't even know what I wanted right now. I know that rightfully, my child deserved someone to love him or her as a father. A guardian.

I was scared to raise my child alone, but I still held on to the hope that Khalid was going to someday come back to me.

Insha’Allah.

I just felt it in me and I was willing to wait for him.

No matter how long it took.

" Khalifa, can I think about it please?, I need to make up my mind and try as much as possible to be considerate, give me time please" I said softly as I watched him smile a little. " You can take all the time you need, I'll always be here for you" he answered and I smiled at him.

" I'm honestly glad I met you Khalifa, I know you might've blamed yourself for all the misfortune I went through, it wasn't your fault" I said gently. " Yeah, I thought that way at first, but I got to understand that Khalid was a blind fool and I'm not going to judge your feelings for him, because you don't get to choose who to love in this dunya and if it's meant to be, it will be, it has to be, so I'm ready for anything"

" Khalifa let me think about your proposal please" I answered after a minute of silence. " Sure, I'll always be here for you" he answered with a big smile. " Thank you so much honestly, you've done more than a lot for me and my baby"

" it's my..." he was cut off by a loud squeal that I knew had to come from Raihannah.

" Assalamu Alaykum guys" She squealed as she and Farouk walked into the garden hand in hand with all smiles. " They're holding hands" I whispered to Khalifa. " I can see that" he answered and we snickered a little.

" We have good news" Farouk said as he looked closer at Raihanna. They've been together for a while now, I hope they were making it official. " You're finally getting married?" Khalifa asked and I watched their smiles spread across their faces.

" Awwwwwwww, Alhamdulillah they are!!!" I squealed as I got up from where I sat to meet Raihanna.

I was so happy for them.

" We're going to Nigeria!!" Raihanna squealed. " who wants to go back to that crazy country, why don't you guys get married here" Khalifa suggested as he got up from where we sat and came to meet us.

" Khalifa, We want to get married in Nigeria so please back off, we'll be going in like three months time so I can introduce Farouk, I'm sure gwago is going to love him" Raihannah squealed again as she cupped Farouk's cheeks. They looked so cute together MashaAllah. Their kids were going to be so beautiful. MashaAllah.

" Have you told Ummah, Farouk?" I asked as I faced him. " Not yet, we plan on doing so tonight Insha’Allah, at dinner" He said with a big smile.

It was amazing how love could engulf two souls within a very short period of time. Well it happened to me, so it wasn't a surprise anymore.

" I'm so happy for you two, MashaAllah, I can't believe two perks are going to be getting married" I started as we walked back inside the house.

" Their home is going to be a graceful mess" Khalifa added and I watched as Raihannah blush. They so much reminded me of myself and Khalid. We fell in love in a very short period of time and we've been apart for 9 months straight now. I missed him so much Ya Allah!

But I guess, as always, Allah's timing was always going to be the best, always.

I had to keep on praying for the well-being of my child and it's father.

Insha’Allah we were going to be the happy family we were supposed to be.

I knew I was going to be leading Khalifa on if didn't give him an answer soonest. He had a point. Even though I wasn't going to be in love and happy with him, at least my child was going to be happy it had a father to call it's own should in case Khalid doesn't come back to me and he decides to move on without us.

" you want ice cream Fauziyyah?" Farouky asked as I sat down on the couch as I felt uncomfortable with my back.

It suddenly started hurting a lot. " I'm good" I answered as I screamed instantly. The pain got worse and I suddenly felt a pop sensation and water gushing out of me. The pain was horrible.

" Faryah!" I heard Khalifa scream. " She's in labour, she's about to give birth, let's rush her to the hospital" I heard Farouk snap. I screamed louder as the pain increased and Khalifa swiftly helped me up from the couch and we walked towards the car. I was scared.

Subhanallah.

The pain was so immense.

What if we didn't make it. Insha’Allah we were going to, but what if we didn't.

Different thoughts came rushing into my mind as I walked towards the car in pain.

I could feel my baby moving inside me. It was coming out. " Khalifa please hurry up, it's coming" I screamed as he sat me down in his car and rushed to start the engine.

" Faryah you'll be fine Insha’Allah, Insha’Allah, start making dua for yourself and we will too, please, Insha’Allah you'll be fine, you'll both be fine" Khalifa consoled as I closed my eyes tight shut and began to recite Suratul Fatiha. We were going to be fine Insha’Allah.

I closed my eyes tight as I endured the pain and I felt the car move slowly. " You took their bags right?" I heard Khalifa scream and heard Raihanna answer in agreement. " We'll be fine" I heard him whisper again and the speed of the car increased.

Insha’Allah we were going to be alright.

Insha’Allah.

Khalifa

" She's in labour please, come quick" I yelled as I helped Faryah out of the car and into the hospital and luckily nurses rushed towards us. Alhamdulillah we were progressing well.

" Faryah sweetheart you'll be fine okay, you can do this" Farouk consoled as he helped Faryah lie on the stretcher. " Khalifa, come with me please, I can't do this alone" Faryah whispered and I could feel butterflies dance round my stomach. I was so honoured to join her. " Sure, I'll be by your side, always" I answered as I held her hand and we rushed towards the labour room.

I was given a face mask, a head net and a body mask and I wore them instantly as I followed her into the labour room. She was in pain. I couldn't stand seeing her in much pain, Wallah if I could take the pain for her, I would. I honestly would. I wouldn't think twice about taking it for her.

" The baby's head is out" I heard a nurse say as the doctor walked in. " Be ready madam, on the count of three you push okay" the lady said as she lowered her head inside Faryah's sheets. "Bismillah" I whispered as I held Faryah's hand tighter. " One..... two.... three" The doctor called and I heard Faryah scream loudly. She was sweating profusely as she cried louder. " Push harder" The Doctor yelled and I watched her scream louder in pain. " we're almost there, push again" The Doctor said and Faryah screamed louder again. I watched as they took the baby out from her. It wasn't crying.

Subhanallah.

" Khalifa, the baby isn't crying" Faryah whispered to me as she searched for her breath.

" Is it dead, Khalifa no" Faryah began crying as she didn't hear her baby cry.

" All will be well Faryah, just be...." I was cut off when I heard a baby's loud cry. Alhamdulillah.

" Congratulations sir, your daughter is alive" My heart sank as the doctor referred those words to me.

"Alhamdulillah" I heard Faryah whisper as the nurse handed Faryah her daughter. She was covered in blood. She was so small and her eyes were closed. " I can't believe this small blessing came from me Khalifa, I'm a mother now Khalifa" Faryah said as she poured out all her emotions in her voice. MashaAllah.

The nurse collected the baby from her hands. She was going to be taking the baby to the nursery, so she could be cleaned and dressed up.

" we'll be moving you to a safer room now, where you'll regain your strength, you're very strong, Alhamdulillah" The lady doctor said to Faryah. " we'll be moving you to the ICU and we'll check for any complications, we'll check the baby for any illness and Insha’Allah all will be well, congratulations again" She said as she smiled at us.

" Thank you so much Khalifa, for being by my side, it means a lot to me, more than you can imagine" Faryah whispered as she held onto my hand tighter. " I'm glad I was with you Faryah, I'll always be by your side Insha’Allah" I answered as I cleaned the sweat on her face. They were about to move her and it was time for me to leave.

Farouk and Raihanna were awaiting good news.

" I'll see you later Faryah, be strong okay?" I asked and she nodded.

" Insha’Allah" she whispered as I slowly let go of her hand and walked out of the delivery room.

"It's a girl" I was so excited as those words left my lips. " Yay!, Alhamdulillah, I'm an aunt finally" Raihanna squealed as she hugged Farouk tight. " is she alright?" Farouk asked. " yes"

" and the baby, how's she?"

" she gave us a big scare when she arrived, she didn't cry, but Alhamdulillah few seconds later she did" I answered and saw them sigh.

" well MashaAllah, I'm glad they're both fine" Farouk answered.

" I called Abbah and Ummah, they're on their way" Farouk said. " I'll call up Firdaus and mama Sumayyah, and Miriam and my parents and everyone else that needs to be here" Raihanna said as she took her phone from her purse.

" I knew it was going to be a girl, I hope she names her after me" Raihanna squealed as she dialled her a number on her phone. They were going to be more than excited that Faryah had delivered safely. They loved Faryah for me and I couldn't blame them. She was the most perfect being Allah had created in this world. I was glad I had her in my life. Even though she wanted us to be friends forever, I was fine with it. As long as I had her in my life, I was satisfied. MashaAllah.

I was going to make sure that I took care of her and her daughter.

I knew she still loved Khalid, it hurt honestly but I couldn't judge her. I had no right to judge her. I was willing to get married to her even though she didn't love me. All I wanted was to take care of her and her daughter. They both honestly deserved more than what they had right now, even though they were living comfortably, after all what they've gone through. They needed proper love and attention from someone, a father figure.

I figured I could help.

I would always love to help.

I really hoped she was going to accept my offer. I really wanted her to.

I loved her for the sake of Allah. He knows how pure my intentions were and I'm sure he was going to give Faryah what was best for her. Even if I wasn't the one, he was still going to give her the one that deserved her love.

Insha’Allah.

Faryah

" Your baby looks like a combination of both you and Khalid, but she looks mostly like you, she has his brows though, she's so cute" Farouk said to me as I tried regaining my strength. I was so weak, Subhanallah. But Alhamdulillah.

I was a mother now, I had a very beautiful daughter now. A product of I and Khalid. Alhamdulillah.

" when are they bringing her to me" I pouted at him and watched him laugh.

" I can't believe that as silly as you are, you're going to raise a daughter" he said as he faced my bed.

I had lots of questions going round my head. How was I going to take care of her and make her love me so much. How was I going to shape her into something Allah was going to be proud of. I honestly couldn't do this on my own

I felt so attached to her. She was my daughter after all. There was this strong bond I had for my daughter that I honestly couldn't explain.

" Assalamu Alaykum" I heard a nurse greet as she walked in, carrying my baby in her arms. " Wa'alaykumussalam" We answered as she walked further and Farouk helped her close the door. " Your daughter is so beautiful, MashaAllah" The nurse complimented as she handed her over to me. She was so small and fragile. She was wearing the pink clothes Khalifa got earlier. Her eyes were slightly open and she was still slightly red. She had my lips, MashaAllah and her lashes were already long like mine and her brows, thick like Khalid's. She had Khalid's eyes and nose. She was so perfect. MashaAllah.

I really couldn't honestly believe this beauty came from me.

" You should feed her, she's hungry" The nurse added and I nodded and smiled gently at her. I slowly took of her cap and saw how full and curly her hair was. We were going to shave it.

" Farouk turn around so I can feed my daughter" I shot and watched as he turned around snappily. I really wish Khalid was here with me. I would've been happier to see that my family was complete.

" Assalamu Alaykum" I heard sweet voices greet in unison as they opened up my door. " Wa'alaykumussalam" I answered as I saw Raihanna rush in with pink balloons. " I knew it was going to be a girl, can I carry her" She squealed as she came closer to me. " shh, she's eating" I answered as the other ladies walked in. " I can't believe I'm already a grandmother" Ummah said as she stood by the right hand side of my bed. " Yes Ummah, you are, to a very beautiful girl" I answered.

" Alhamdulillah" I heard Ummi say as she stared at the tiny figure I was feeding. " I'm so sure you're going to be a great mother" Raihanna said as she looked at my baby. " Insha’Allah, with all your help" I answered and watched as Miriam looked closer at me.

" I can already imagine how her wardrobe is going to look like, so cute and classy" she said and squealed. " Keep quiet girl" I shushed and watched her blush.

" Faryah can I turn now" I heard Farouk say and I laughed at him. " Yes you can" I answered and watched him turn swiftly. " Why are you so cute Farouk?" Raihanna pouted as she walked closer to her husband. " That's my son" Ummah said and smiled at them. " Faryah, my parents are on their way and Firdaus decided to cut their honeymoon short and come back, they were supposed to come back by the end of the week but I guess, this could work" Raihanna said and I nodded. I really wanted all of them to be here. " Thank you RiRi"

" Where's Khalifa?" I asked and watched as they all looked at each other. " He went to get something, he'll be back soon" Ummah said and I nodded at her.

" So what are you going to call your look alike?" Farouk asked.

" Call her Raihanna" Raihanna suggested and giggled. " Farouk are you sure you want to get married to her?" I asked and he rolled his eyes. " They're getting married?" The other ladies asked. Oh.

I thought they knew.

" We were supposed to tell you this evening, but the baby came" Farouk answered.

" oh, well Alhamdulillah" Ummah answered with a wide smile. " They're getting married in Nigeria"

" Oh my MashaAllah, I've always wanted to visit that country" Ummi said.

" Since when Ummi?" I asked.

" Since I knew Raihanna" she answered and smiled at her. They liked Raihanna so much. My family was growing bigger everyday. " Your Uncles and aunts and cousins are also on their way okay?"

" Okay Ummah"

" So back to the name?" Miriam called.

" yes, I've already decided" I answered.

" what're you calling her?"

" I wanted to say it when everyone was around"

" Girl, you better say it" Farouk said and sent me a death glare.

" Najmah" I said calmly.

"Awwwwwwwwwwwwww" they all said in unison.

That's what I always wanted to name my child.

Najmah.

I'm glad I was able to.

Thank you so much Ya Allah.