Chapter 31

The trauma of being rape or sexually assaulted can be shattering, leaving her feeling scared, ashamed and alone or plague by nightmares, flashback and other unpleasant memory. It can also result to Rape trauma syndrome(RTS)"Dr Muhsin remark.

RTS? She asked again.

Yes Hajiya it is a psychological trauma experience by a rape victim that include disruption to normal physical, emotional, cognitive and interpersonal behaviour."He elaborated.

Is that the reason why she's still mute doctor?

I can't say for now hajiya! She's still trying to comprehend where she is now. I mean the environment. Just give her some moment she will speak up, but in case of any change you observe from her then it might be RST which affected her physically.

I hope she speak up soon! Please don't let my husband knows about this. I'm scared it might affect his health more" She reason.

Don't worry hajiya, Your daughter is strong and will fight it thoroughly Insha Allah." He encourage with a tight lips smile.

Insha Allah! I hope so too. Thank you" She mutter and left.

Sauntering back to the ward__ upon opening the door she was shocked beyond word. Deejah was chatting with her dad like nothing ever happened to her. They were so engrossed that they never noticed even her coming in. She cough a little drawing their attention toward her.

"Mum you're back "deejah inquire

Tears of joy stream down her cheeks. She couldn't believe this is her daughter acting her normal self or even better than." Yes I'm back sweetheart, how are you feeling now?"She asked touching are forehead.

Alhamdullilah! I'm feeling much better right daddy?" She asked facing are dad.

"Yes. My princess is feeling better"He nodded in agreement.

"Mum when Will I be discharge? I'm tired of staying here, I want to go home please" She pouted.

Insha Allah you will be discharge soon. Let wait for the doctor to come around okay" She stated. Though her voice was a little bit cracking.

For she couldn't bring herself to believing this was exactly Khadijah.

* * *

She was at the dinning table with her parents having breakfast when suddenly a phone call interrupted her. She excused herself and maneuver to her room upstairs and pick the call immediately.

" I'm sorry I couldn't call you back ever since i saw the video you sent for me. I..i was finding it difficult to believe but clearly visible it was her" He stutter "I'm sorry for not believing you earlier I thought you were just trying to fool me." He said over the phone.

She massage her forehead gently, she has totally forgotten about the video she sent to sherrif and here he his calling her about it, when she's already regretting her action." She thought.

"Hello! Are you there?" He enquire.

"Oh yeah! Pardon my silent" She stated.

"Okay no problem. Are you busy? I can called back later."He said

"No it fine." She reply.

"Can we meet at your convenience place and time?" Sheriff asked.

"Of course yes, we can meet at your house"She respond eagerly for she won't let him know her discomfort or knows she's a betrayal.

"Okay then. Can I come and pick you up?

"No don't worry, just send me the address and I will arrive by 4pm after my lecture tomorrow.

"Okay. Till then, take care of yourself.

"I will, bye" She reply and end the call and release the breath she never knew she has been holding up.

She couldn't bring herself to telling him the truth__ but she wish too only if it was easy. She just want to comply to every of his demands so he won't get to know the truth of what happened. For it will damage her friendship with deejah and that will be the last thing she will ever wish for.

She kept her phone at the nightstand and ample back to dinning room.

What took you so long to leave your food uncover? Who were you even on call with for that long? Her mum asked sternly.

Aaar...m was actually talking to my course mate who was telling me about a fix lecture to behold by 4pm tomorrow after class. " She lied, ignoring the stare.

Are you sure?" her mum asked again.

Yes mum!

Her dad only nodded his head. His a well reserve man who hardly speak up.

Okay then.

* * *

Reedah was so engrossed in arranging her stuff inside her trolley. Their flight was scheduled to take off by 12pm which was arranged by Alhaji hamza. and she's yet to be ready in next 3hours it could have been easier with Yushraf around her. Fatima and her other siblings help her with the remaining stuff.

"Wallahi we will miss you Ya Reedah. When are you coming back" Hawwy inquire with sad expression.

"Will you come back for sallah" Halima asked.

Fatima sighed exasperated. " How many questions at a time?" She asked.

"Just let them be, At least I have people that will missed me when I'm absent unlike you" Reedah respond and pouted her tongue out.

"Yes I won't miss you!" She reply back teasing.

"Whatever!"

"Hawwy, jameelah, you guys shouldn't worry we will be back soon. Is just four month and Yushraf will even be done unlike me who still have one year to spend" She said sadly.

"Really? Yushraf will be done and will stay with us?" Fatima asked in bewildered.

Reedah feign to be coughing at her statement" If I can still remember clearly you said you won't missed us right?" She asked.

"I never said both of you ai, I will surely missed Yushraf who will not" She raised her side eyebrow.

"Uhm" Hawwy hmmm.

"Let it not be what am thinking" jameelah added.

~ ~ ~

"Mubarak just called his out of prison since on Friday" Khalid announced happily

"Are you serious?" Yushraf asked surprisingly

"Yeah his even on his way now. I told him you're here too and will leave in next one hour" He said.

Wow I can't wait to see him. I hope the girl has recovered too"

"Yeah he said she has recover, that why they bailed him out.

"Uhm! Finally after seven month."

"Wallahi fa."

"I hope you've pack all the necessary things you Might forget?" Khalid asked

"Yes" Yushraf respond.

I will also resume work tomorrow, You know Abba hand over some of the company to me "

Oh really, congrats I'm happy for you. At least you will not with ladies around at home again while having something doing.

Yeah I know right" He nodded in agreement.

Just handle it well and earn the trust from Abba please" Yushraf beseech.

Insha Allah I will. Thank you!" He exclaimed.

Uhm Yushraf " He called.

Na'am" He turn Facing him.

Can I tell you something or perhaps asked for your permission" He stated feeling nervous. He thought It was easy to face him and Express his feelings about his sister but no it was even harder.

Go on please, what Is so important to asked for my permission first" He asked nonchalantly, dropping the the shirt he was folding on the bed.

I love your sister" Was all that came out of his lips.

Yushraf was froze at his spot __ for he never expected this coming." Wow Khalid I'm speechless, did you really mean you have feelings toward my sister? Have you asked her out?" He enquire Enthusiastically.

No. I haven't, I just decide to asked for your permission first " He remark.

"Wow I'm happy!" He said and engulfed her into a brotherly hug. He punch him lightly " Don't disappoint me please" He warn

"Insha Allah, I promise " He said raising his hand up.

~ ~ ~

Yushraf and Khalid were at the main parlour together with Abba watching football match while the ladies were still busy getting ready.

"Yushraf" Abba called.

"Na'am Abba " He respond swiftly.

"I have spoken to my lawyer about the case and he his already working on it. Insha Allah a letter will be sent to them tomorrow from court.

"Uhm" Yushraf hmmm, he couldn't fathom anything out of his mouth for he was shock, he never knew Abba will take it serious. " Abba you don't have to stress yourself about it, We've truly forgiven her.

"Just save that trash Yushraf! She need to be thought a lesson especially her father his so heartless and arrogant to poor people I know him.

"Uhm" Was all Yushraf could say.

"Mubarak is here let me get him in" Khalid used that and excuse himself from the parlour.

Moreover I'm not seeking for your opinion, I'm just telling you informing you about it. " Abba remark and left the living room.

Khalid walk Mubarak in, and Yushraf immediately forget about what he was thinking and walk to him and pulled him into a hug.

"Mubarak welcome! How have you been. " Yushraf enquire, worried lace over his voice.

"I'm fine Yushraf I can see you both doing good too."

"I'm glad you came earlier just before our flight time. Please come and have a sit" Yushraf gesture toward a black couch.

"Thank you! I'm honour to be here with you guys today.

Exactly we are too, we really have a lot to catch up to and we are already running out of time. Let exchange number please" Yushraf beseech and immediately the number was exchanged.

"How about your sister, Reedah hope she's fine too?"Mubarak asked.

"Yeah she's fine, let me called her" He said and left to called Reedah.

"I hope everything is going normal for you Mubarak? Khalid asked.

Yeah I am thank you" Was all he said.

Here she is" Yushraf stated.

Asalamu-alaykum, you're highly welcome. have been hearing a lot of about you. " Reedah said as she sat down opposite him.

"Wa-alaykum Salam, thank you. How are you?"

I'm fine Alhamdulah. How are you coping too with the new environment after some month back there" She inquire sadly.

"Alhamdullilah much better.

You guys are suppose to be on your way by now, this is past 11 already " Mubarak remark, after checking his watch.

Yeah exactly.

* * *

Finally she was discharge from hospital and already at home with her parent. She walk into her room and everything was perfectly neat just has she left it some days back. She laid on the bed feeling her forehead throb with pain at the image of the previous days kept playing on her mind. Her heart constricted with so much pain.

In most cases recovering from sexual assault take time, and the healing process can be very painful. But due to the way she's stubborn, she vow to regain her sense of control, rebuild her self worth and learn to heal her wound faster. She vow not to ever let her parent image tarnished because of her, she vow to change her life style__for life has thought her more than enough. She vow to asked for her mum forgiveness and no matter what it take she will also apologized to the people she has ever wrong or take so low. She know is almost late to make everything right, but by Allah's will she's hoping to make it right. She now realized how she hurt people without even knowing the pain they feel. She could vividly remember the day he came to this house, how his smile fade in her eyes, how he crave for an apology that very day. "Ya Allah is this my punishment? Is this a karma?" She question bitterly, tears sliding down her cheeks.

She stood up from her bed and amble to bathroom. She shower and perfume ablution. Lay her praying mat out and pray, she stay longer in sujood pouring her heart out, seeking forgiveness from her lord!" Ya Allah my heart bleed in regret and shame, for have wrong you more than I could ever count, my eyes cries in pain severally for I don't know how to seek mum forgiveness. You alone can relieve me of this grief, Ya Allah I depend on you please guild me to the right path__for am astray!" She shudder swiftly when she heard a loud of yell from the down stairs "that mum voice" She remark worriedly and stood up and sashayed to where the the cried was coming from.

She froze like a statue unable to move. Her dad was lying straight on the marble floor, her mum face was red and puffy. She felt exhausted too and she hold the wall tightly for support. She was finding it difficult to even asked. " Mum what happen to dad?" She asked after summoning up some courage

"Khadijah your father just received a call that his goods which he has invested a lot and even take big loans has been ceased." Her mum reveal in tears.

Deejah cries shook through her, she shook to the floor and allow her self explode.

She ran toward him" Daddy! Daddy! Please wake up don't leave us like this" She was shaking him all to no avail.