Chapter 19

Chapter 18

"The patient's family?" The doctor who attended to Zuwairah asked once he step out of the room.

"Here we are" her family walk towards him, anxiously waiting for him to explain in details to them.

"Doctor please, what happened to my daughter? How is she now? What about the poison?" She bombarded him with so many question.

"Poison?" He is flummoxed. The test they carried out was the opposite of what this woman in front of him is saying.

"I'm sorry to say this, but the patient is not poisoned" he made it cleared to them.

"What? But...but we saw..but I saw the....Ibrahim, please say something!" she finally got to say a word properly. She's thoroughly confound.

"Yes doctor,we saw the poison she took and that was why we rushed her here" her Dad added.

"Erm...is she married?" He asked out of blue.

"I don't understand you,why don't you just tell us what's wrong with my baby? You keep blabbering unnecessary things! First, you said she didn't take any poison. Tell me, if she didn't then what makes her faint in the first place?"

"Please calm down ma"

"Could you simply tell us what precisely happened? instead of beating around the bush"

"I'm sorry sir. It's necessary to be certain lest I said this out, that's why... however, if you insist then I have to say it. Well, the test we carried out and the result we got from the report is that your daughter is two weeks pregnant"

"What?! You mean...you mean my daughter is pregnant?..... She didn't take poison but she's pregnant?"

"Yes...she's two weeks gone,congratulation"

"Thank you doctor. I'm truly delighted walahi. You mean, she didn't try to poison her self" it's a statement not a question.

"According to the report,she didn't" he smiled back in return. He couldn't help but to ponder as why would a beautiful lady like her poison her self. He isn't certain yet and not sure of how to put it but the moment he set his eyes on her,he fall in love with her right away,and his mind told him 'that's your wife Yusuf' but now? The issue of pregnancy is there, which signify that she's married and even if she's, where's the husband in question? "May be he doesn't work here" he thought.

"Can we see her now?" Zuwairah's Mom voice brought him out from his thought.

He nodded his head positively "Though she's still fast asleep but you can go in and see her, in the next thirty minutes she will be awake. I'll come back to check on her and once we find out she's perfectly okay, she can go home with you today"

"Masha Allah,thank you so much" her Dad shook his hand.

"You don't have to sir" he smiled widely at him causing Zuwairah's Dad to wiggled his eyebrow at him.

"I'll be right in my office, incase you need anything" he smiled.

"Thank you" he smiled and then walk away.

......

"Ke! Kina da hankali kuwa?! How possibly could you even think of trying to kill your self?" Aunty Hauwa, Mr Dauda's junior sister bursted immediately she entered the room. Her brother roll his eyes annoyingly.

"What's she doing here?" He thought.

"Can you please keep your mouth shut and allow her to sleep peacefully? And for your information,she didn't poison her self but pregnant"

"What?!"

"By the way, who told you she poisoned her self?"

"Fatima told me. She said Naja'atu called her and feed her the news"

"That girl!" He uttered with a guttural sound in a disapproving tone.

"So you mean she's pregnant?" Alhaji Dauda nod in confirmation to her question.

"So who's the father?"

"And what sort of a dumb inquiry is that?" He shot back in an annoyingly tone and Hauwa only shrug her shoulder in response.

"Of course, it's her husband. No one else but him"

"Alhamdulillah, at least what will reunite the two of them together is here" he thought with a smile.

Hauwa couldn't help but to notice the amusement on her brother's face "Yaya why are you smiling? Didn't he divorce her already?" She asked in a duh tone.

"He'll accept her back once he learn to know that she's pregnant for him"

"They are already divorce!"

"Solely in the paper. Besides it's insubstantial,which I'm sure of. He didn't give her sake ukwu at once,he only said he divorce her,so there's still hope"

"But Yaya.." she pause hesitantly before she continue "She deserve better than that boy. I mean,he divorce her without any tangible reason"

"Keep shut Hauwa,if you don't have something valuable to say"

"Not in my watch will I let you take her back to him. She deserve better and I won't let them end up together..walahi" she stubbornly uttered.

"Are you threatening me over my own daughter?" He ask in a flat tone.

"I'm not,I'm only saying the truth" she roll her eyes.

"Please, it hasn't gotten to that,you two needs to subdue your emotions"

"Sometimes it ponders me if you're truly her mother, I wonder what sort of a mother are you. How could you let him decide on everything! You saw how afflicted she has suffered from that experience for the past two weeks!" She bursted angrily.

"Sometimes been silent and let other's decide for you is the best sister inlaw"

"By ruining your daughter's life?!"

"I'm not ruining her life! You don't know anything, it will be best you shut your mouth!!"

"Walahi I won't coincide to this,I won't dissipate all my hard work. She won't go back to him and that's final" she turned to Mrs Hadiza "and when she wake up,tell her I visited, I'll come back later in the evening"

"But there's possibility she might be discharge before that evening"

"Just lemme know If you guys are still here by then or will leave"

"Okay then"

She moved closer to where Zuwairah was and kissed her forehead before walking out.

"Please calm down,you should know your sister by now than any other person" she tried to soothe him down.

"Sometimes, I wish she isn't anyway related to me"

"Please don't say so, she's still your blood"

_____

Zuwairah opened her eyes slothfully, despite the fact that they felt heavy, she slowly manage to controlled and open them. Fully paying attention to the new sorrounding, she scan the whole place. She saw her mom resting her head right beside her hand.

"Mom" she reluctantly but eventually manage to utter a word. Without a second thought,her Mom instantly wake up, she couldn't stop the smile plastered on her face.

"Oh my God! You're awake?" She cheerfully muttered with a smile.

"Mom how am I feeling now?" She didn't try to put herself in any inconvenience state by not beating round the bush. Instead, she goes straight to the point. She was certain of the incident that occurs to her few hours ago, she don't need to ask anyone. Earlier,when she stood and astir to use the bathroom,she suddenly felt the urge to throw up again and all of a sudden, she collapsed on the floor. Before she could react or do anything, everything went black. That was the only thing she reminisced.

"You got me frightened my dear.Thought you poisoned your self!" She glared at her.

"I'm sorry Mom,was still contingently on it. But suddenly, I felt the urge to throw up and before I know it, everything went black"

She continued "I'm sorry,I disappointed you, didn't I?"

"No,no you didn't my dear" she shook her head. Then, she used her free hand to wipe her own tears.

"In fact, you made me the happiest Mom today "

"Happy?"

"Yes....you're two weeks pregnant"

"What?!!!"

"Why? You don't find pleasure on the idea that you're pregnant?" Her Mom look confused. By her tone,she have the hunch that she don't like what she just heard.

"Yes..No..I mean, I'm happy. It just that, I never thought I'll be pregnant" she finished saying with a smile on her face.

"So I'm pregnant for Abdul! Mom I'm really pregnant!" She squeal in happiness.

"I'm sure he will forgive me once he learn that I'm carrying his baby"

"You seem happy by the news"

"Yes Mom I'm,I know how much he loves kids which I'm very positive if he comes to know about it,he will forgive me and accept me once again"

"I promise Mom, I won't dare act foolishly again,I'll make sure I hold unto my marriage that no one will ever dare come in between us again" she said with determined tone.

"I'm gratified and so proud of you my dear,"

"Thank you Mom,what about Dad? I'm sure he will be apoplectic by now. He's angry with me right? That I almost kill my self?"

"No my dear. In fact, he was so anxiety few hours ago. He was so worried"

"Really?" She nod her head smiling at her.

"Don't worry, he went to get you your favorite, he'll be back soon" she assured her.

"Lemme call the doctor so he could check you once more before we go back home" she stood up and went directly to the doctors office. Though she had to ask the nurse around as they showed her his office.

"As salamu alaikum"

"Wa alaikumu salam"

"Ma?" He's astonished. He didn't expect to see her this soon, he just left there not twenty minutes ago "hope there's no problem ma?"

"Not at all, actually she's awake"

"Really?!" There's happiness attach to that really.

"Yes,please can you follow me and check her once more, so we could be sure of her condition?"

"Why not? Please lead the way ma" he quickly wore his white coat and took hold of his stethoscope as he ran behind her "I can't wait to see her" he thought.

They both entered her room, just as he step foot into the room,they both lock eyes with each other, none of them is ready to look away first but eventually, Zuwairah gave up and look down shyly.

"Oh my God! What is wrong with me?" She mentally slap her self and Yusuf smirk.

"Wake up! Wake up Zuwairah!" She scolded her self once more.

Well not my fault, was it? He looked handsome that I don't even know who's more handsome between him and my husband "Okay Zuwairah, is he still even your husband? You two are divorce" she reminded her self.

"Hi" he smirked because the look she gave him earlier didn't go unnoticed.

Idiot! Wish I could slap that smirk off his face.

"Hi" she shyly replied.

Masha Allah,her voice is so sweet just like her. Stop it Yusuf,she's married!

"How are you feeling now?"

"Much better,thank you"

......

"Your daughter is now well to go home sir,you don't need to worry about anything else. Just make sure she doesn't stress her self much, because she's still at her early stage and any slight mistake might lead to miscarriage"

"Thank you,will abide to all the rules you gave"

"My pleasure sir"

_____THREE DAYS LATER_____

It's morning, time for fajr prayer. Zuwairah stood up from her bed as she sauntered to her bathroom to perform ablution. Few minute later, she was done with her prayer as she decide to read the Holy Qur'an "It been long I read my Qur'an" she thought.

She recite Al-Fatiha before starting to read from Suratul Ik-lass and decide to stop on Suratul Al-Rahman. "Tomorrow I'll continue" she told her self.

She dress up, she put on her favorite gown as she wrap her veil neatly around her head. She took her small clutch putting all what she might needed in it. She doesn't want her family to know what she's about to do,so she quickly went out before they could even notice her.

......

"Baby, it's time to meet Daddy" she muttered as she run her hand through her stomach softly.

"Ya Allah,please let him forgive me for all of my bad deeds"

She entered the company with a big broad smile on her face. Every employee in the company loves her as they started greeting her which she answered back with a genuine smile.

"Ma'am!" Rasheed secretary said with a big smile on her face.

"Hi Janet! How are you doing?"

"I'm fine ma..how about you?"

"I'm good too"

"Good to hear that ma. And I hope from now on, we'll be seeing you frequently? Your friend has been giving the boos a habitual visit these days, which is so confusing"

"What? My friend? Which of my friend?"

It can't be Zulaiha, could it?

"Your friend, Miss Zulaiha"

With a confused look,she asked "What?! Why would she be coming here?"

"I thought as much too...so you don't know she has been visiting the boss right? Ma,you have to be extremely careful with her these days, because to me she's exceedingly going beyond her limit. She can possibly snatch your husband away from you. You need to see the look she normally give him"

As Janet proceed with her gossip, Zuwairah couldn't restrain her anger and at the same time she tried to widget her self from getting into another trouble. The one on ground isn't yet resolved,she need not to cause another trouble. How dare she?! And how the heck did she get out from jail? She was suppose to rot in there! What join she and my husband together? All the questions will be answered by now one but Rasheed.

"Is Rasheed in his office?"

"Yes he's"

"Thank you!"

She took a very deep breath before knocking on his door,she heard his deep husky voice saying "Come in"

"Ya Allah, please help me!" She muttered. She twist the knob of the door and entered.

"Ra-"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!!!" He bursted immediately his eyes came in contact with hers.

"Rasheed I-"

"Who the hell allow you in?!!" He bursted again and tears started flowing down her cheek.

"I came to-"

"Shut up! Shut your dirty trap up! Just get out from my office!" He said dismissing her like a worker.

"Rasheed I'm sorry! I'm truly sorry, please pardon me for whatever wrong I might have done to you. I swear, it wasn't-"

"I don't wish to listen to any of your crap,just get out!"

"Rasheed please" she begged kneeling down all of a sudden.

"I don't wish to have anything to do with you! Don't you get it woman!"

"I'm fully aware you're still mad with me,but please grant me this moment,to explain my self. Just hear me out,after that you can decide" she beg in tears.

"Your presence alone disgust me. I don't wish to see you anymore,I don't wish to have anything to do with you again! Just leave me in peace!" He bursted angrily.

"But-"

"Baby" they both turned to the voice.

"Hi babe" he softened his voice and smile at Zulaiha.

Zuwairah extensively narrow her eyes in shock.

"Baby?" She can't help but to repeat the word.

"What is she doing here?" She ask Rasheed eyeing Zuwairah.

"Don't mind her babe, she's not important" he dismissed the talk. Instead, he asked the most stupidest question "Don't I deserve a kiss?"

"Oh my! Did my boy miss me that much?" She tease as she move closer to him. They started kissing right in front of Zuwairah and fresh tears flow down her cheeks.

"Zulaiha" she called making them to stop.

"How dare you?! You snatch my husband away from me?" She asked in a sad and crack voice.

"Oh! You haven't heard the latest news?"

"About?....."

"We're getting married in two weeks time"

"What?"

"Rasheed, you can't right? You love me! You've always said it. You love me and no one else,please tell me this is a joke" she tried to move closer to him but stopped as Zulaiha came in between them.

"Everything is right accordingly to what she told you..now get the fuck out of my office"

"Please Rasheed we need to talk,I have something important to tell you"

He brought out his phone and dial the security number "come up here you bastard!" He said immediately the guy picked . In a minute, three security are in Rasheed's office.

"Throw that thing out of here"

"Sir?!" All three men asked in unison.

"Are you deaf? I said throw her out!"

"But-"

"It seems you're tired of your job here" Zulaiha said in a wicked tone.

"No ma" they begged. They turned to Zuwairah and said softly "please ma,can you leave?"

"Rasheed please listen to me" she need to tell him about the good news she brought. He needs to know that she's pregnant for him. She want nothing but his full attention,she wish he would listen to her and saw the beautiful smile on his face when she tell the news to him.

"Rasheed-"

The security men don't have a choice than to drag her out forcefully,they don't want to loose their job,they also have family to take care of. Even though they love Zuwairah,they can't do anything at that moment. They felt bad but what could they do.

With fresh tears streaming down her cheek,she keeps shouting her husband's name,but he only motion them to take her away. Her voice disgust him now,it irritate and irks him a lot.

They finally drag her out and close Rasheed's door "wow! Good riddance" he muttered.