Chapter 45

Seven month later, Deejah and Yushraf are both done with their POP at different state they serve the country. It was a dream come true for the both of them.

Yushraf could now finally take full responsibility of his Father's company since Reedah's field is only to be a doctor and not some business runner or manager etc.

He promise to branch Abia state where deejah did her service so they could return back to kano together. Ever since Yushraf met Alhaji Muhammad Agogo his self, he couldn't express how he felt, especially after he apologized about what happen a year ago and how things take a U-turn on them. He felt pity for him and knows how painful it was to have before and not have a again__ the pain of that is just so real and hurt.

And then the real question was asked. Her father asked him of his intention toward his daughter, and then he told him the plain truth how his heart open for her, how he was blinded with hate and didn't realized he has fallen so hard and deep. Until she apologized for everything and the hate wipe off instantly. Letting the new feeling settle inside him deeply.

Her father was happy at first but instantly change as if he just remember the main reason he was on that mat with him. And that was when the news get to him, the dreaded news he wish was not true, the reason why didi refuse to accept him and always avoided his sight. She was RAPE! that alone sent a shiver up his spine. But the deed as been done and no amount of regret or pain could rewind back the clock. It was her fate, her qadr which was bound to happen within her life time.

But he prove her father wrong, he promise to still stick by her no matter what, and no matter the condition they are in. She's bound to continue with her life normal and every rape victim need to be protected with open arms and he vow to do exactly same to his didi__ he will protect her till his last breath__ she deserve to be a happy lady. Even after battling with a lot.

His flight took off, and he couldn't wait to see his didi. Their relationship has grow deep, if this is what it look like to be in a relationship, then he didn't see a reason to be bored, a reason to be lonely, or a reason not to marry.

He love her with every breath he inhaled.__ it was never a love at first sight or a love at the middle, it was a hate at first notice and disliked at the middle but a love at the very end when it was almost late!

~ ~ ~

To say she was not happy or ecstatic about her Yushraf coming all the way from Enugu to Abia state just to see her before returning back to kano together was an understatement. Everyone close to her will surely know she missed him a lot and can't wait set her eyes on him again.

And to top her joy again, she was finally done with her service. She was sad at the other end because she will not be receiving her monthly allowance at every end of the month again, but yet happy she can now settle down at home with her parent and join her mum in her new business, she sell wrapper and sewing material. It was hard at first but gradually they accept their fate and not hoping for a miracle just like she always wish before.__ 'Allah doesn't burden a soul more than he/she could ever bear'

She could remember vividly when her mum told her how her brother transfer 200k for her without asking. She vow not to reveal or exposed how are husband business was ceased__ for she know her family could help but instead of just doing so they will never let her stay with him again after all they never like him for her, all because of their tribe differences; she was Nupe and her husband is Hausa by tribe, and how he spoiled their granddaughter. Was all enough reasons!

And she invested it all into a small business.

She stood up from were she sat at the edge of mattress and amble to the bathroom and did her business.

Few minute later, she came out and did her make up before dressing into her new readymade wine color gown with a yellow designed. She already arrange her things together and will be leaving first thing tomorrow just as plan with Yushraf.

Her phone started ringing and she stretch her hand to pick it up from the mattress. She check the caller ID and behold it was her dear Yushraf calling.

"Hello babe" He called, his voice so calm and lovely.

"Hi love! Have you arrive?" She asked not able to control her beating heart.

"Have been here for more than an hour and you still not showing up" He said.

"Stop exaggerating it, An hour you said?" She asked.

"While it obvious, and believed me a lot of this Igbo girls have been starring at your boyfriend, some are even shamelessly asking for my number." He teased.

"Huh! You better stay still and hide your face and don't even think of given your number to any of them, I'm already on my way" She warn and ended the call.

Yushraf couldn't hold his laughter. He type a message " Never knew my babe is this jealous and could kill. I'm all yours take your time. I love you!" And he press the send bottom.

* * *

"I divorce you three times Hauwa!" Alhaji Abdullahi exclaim, his voice echoed loudly from the living room.

"Innalilahi wai'ina illahi rajiu'n! I'm dead today. Abdullahi please don't do this to me I begged you" she beseech; her knees on the marble floor, she was holding the edge of his jalabiya.

He gently push her hand away" see woman you better don't lay does dirty hands of yours on me again, and don't let me meet you in this house again when I returns back" He warned before going in to get his car key.

Finally he couldn't believe he was living in the same roof with someone that killed his dear first wife, someone that lead him astray and finally succeeded in running a father and a son relationship. He will never forgive her__ not now or forever! How could she be so heartless? All for what? Could it be all because of love or wickedness? He doubt bitterly has he drove out of the mansion to look for his son, tears stream down his eyes forgetting he was age.

How could she have blind him so much not to have realized it sooner even when he was told about it? How could he be a fool not to know he has black ship behind him. How could he be so blind to even let his son in prison for seven month with out questioning her about what she accuse him of? How could he....and a car crash into his, making his car rolled to a stop beside a tree.

At the mansion Hauwa still couldn't believe it. She could have just keep her mouth shut and die with the guilt but rather her wizard told her to speak the truth, to reveal all her evil or else she will become mad, Immediately Mubarak wife put to bed because the heart blindness of his husband will open.

She pick up her veil and ran to meet her wizard with puffy eyes.

She knock and didn't even wait for him to answer, she push the door open and saw it empty. She search every single place in the lonely house that was abandoned in a bush but couldn't found him again. She place her hand on her head and fall to the floor. " what have I done to my self?" She question herself bitterly.

Her phone non stop ringing jolted her out of her reveries and she quickly fetch the phone out of her clutch and she smile to her self seeing the ID was her husband name that appear; perhaps she was forgiven but the latter she heard was the most shocking news of her life__ he got into an accident and presently at the hospital.

She rush out of the lonely house and ran helter-skelter to the street were she could easily get keke napep to the hospital.

* * *

"Baby I'm in pain, my stomach is paining me" Fatima whine as she felt the contraction" Ahhhhh" She shouted making Mubarak to abruptly rush to hold her hand.

The pain got worst and she kneel on the floor tapping her hand on the bed. Almost in labour

Mubarak was confused at first, he quickly help his wife up and pick his car key." We need to go to the hospital" He said and quickly get Fatima a length hijab.

The pain she was feeling at that moment instantly make her throw the hijab at him. He quickly lifted her bridal style to his car. He got in and drive swiftly to a hospital.

Almost at the hospital with Fatima non stop pain a called came in but he couldn't even dare pick it. All he was praying for was for his wife to get better.

Immediately they arrive he called on attention of some nurses which help him wheel Fatima into a gynecology ward.

His phone kept ringing non stop and he got a chance to pick it afterward.

"Yaya where are you?" Nusaiba asked.

"What happen why is your voice sounding as if you been crying?" He asked.

"Yaya Daddy got into an accident and presently at the Hospital "she said.

"Innalilahi wai'ina illahi rajiu'n!" He exclaimed over the phone and asked of the address immediately.

He called Khalid immediately he finished talking to Nusaiba, and inform him about Fatima who was in labour and that of his Fathers own which Khalid promise to be there with his sister so he could go and see his father.

Mubarak thank him afterward and drove to the hospital his father was admitted.

The sight of his father was something that tear him even before he could see his full wounded body. He couldn't control the tears that kept falling out of his eyes.

Which one will he bear with, The sight of his wife who is in pain or the sight of his father lifeless body on bed?

"Dad" he called and he could see his hand move which he quickly ran to hold. "Daddy I'm here, insha Allah you will get better" He whisper to his father and wipe his lone tears with his hand.

"Mubarak forgive me" his father beseech.

"Daddy you didn't do anything wrong and insha Allah whatever it is have forgiven you, please just get well soon and see your daughter in-law she's about to give birth" he assure even in the mids of his tears." And you will be able to even get a hold of your first grandchild daddy" he said and smile to himself, he can't wait too.

"I wish I could, but my days are number Mubarak, I don't think I can make it out alive I'm in several pain Mubarak " And he cough.

"Daddy stop saying that, insha Allah you will get well soon." And he massage his fathers hand in his.

"Go to the house, search for the key from my closet and open the cabinet in the library all the necessary documents you should known are there, please it is my last wish with you not to reject it.

"May Allah bless your new home, bless your children and guild you all to the right path, may Allah deliver your wife safe and sound. " And he cough again. "Mubarak that woman over there killed your mother and lead me astray. Please prayed for me and your mother" And he turn only to see the place full with his in-law at the door.

"Daddy who is the woman" he asked, his rage was boiling in anger.

"Hau....wa! And he breath long into the air__ his last breath unto his son hand.

Before he could regain from the name he had mention His father has long gone.

"Daddy! Daddy" his voice echo and the doctors rush in. Few minute after checking all the could they remove the all the tube connected to his body and cover him in a white sheet.

"Innalilahi wai'ina illahi rajiu'n" was all he kept repeating. " from Allah we come, and to him we shall return!

Mubarak was still trying to be strong especially when he was forcefully drag out by Khalid and his dad. He could not cry non stop reminiscing all that happen all within 30minute. Indeed Allah his the most wonderful of all.

~ ~ ~

He bath his father alone and wrapped him up according to Islamic teaching and with the help of his in-law news goes viral and within a short period of time the house was full to beam.

After the prayer, the deceased was taken to the graveyard. A place everyone shall visit and never return again, it is indeed a place to surely remember at every second of your breath.__ death is surely inevitable!

He return back to the hospital after staying for a while beside his late father in his grave, he waited till everyone left first before he return.

At the hospital he was scared, so scared of losing his wife too. He was told she's about to give birth already in her seven month of pregnancy but the pain she was going through couldn't be wipe out.

She has been in the labour for the past 4 hours but yet no signed of the baby yet. A minute later a nurse came forward and asked the husband to go calm her down in the labour room.

He sigh and about to follow the nurse when Fatima mother asked him to stay back" Mubarak don't worry let me go at least you have to rest. I told you to even go home but you refused. " she said worriedly.

"Hajiya don't worry I'm fine, and Fatima is also my responsibility to take care of, she need me beside her." He said.

"If you say so, but please don't take whatever she said there in, we mostly say anything during labour pain okay" she warn.

"Insha Allah Hajiya, and with that he rush into the labour room were his wife was. Baby keep calm and push okay, I'm here for you" he said and wipe her sweat away.

She tighten her hold unto his and push with all her strength " the baby is coming, one last push and the baby will be out okay!" A nurse said.

"Yes baby you're almost at it, just one push more and the baby will be out" he said calmly not showing any hint of sadness in his eyes. He try smiling at her still.

And she push one last time, while the baby came out. His cries echo all over the room.

* * *

They were both sitting at a restaurant having some chit chat and laughing at some point. There waiter came and give them their order.

"You know I miss you so much and was just so he eager to set my eyes on you" Yushraf reveal.

"I miss you too" deejah responds.

"Not as I do and don't argue" he said and smile.

"Okay let me seal my lips then" she joke.

"Now eat before it get cold" he said.

"Sure, but not just me, now you also start eating."

"I want to stare at you as you eat till you finish."

"Why?"

"Because it make me happy and smile." He confessed.

"You surely has your ways Yushraf " she said.

"Called my name again."

"Why?"

"Please" he pleaded.

"Yushraf!"

"Awwn that calm my nerve. I love how it rolled out of your tongue you know!" He said.

Few minute later they were done eating and Yushraf paid for the bill and they left with their hand intertwined together.

"I want us to go to a place that has a serene, quiet and lonely environment." Yushraf said.

"Why? I mean why a lonely place out of all the places here" deejah asked.

"I know, is just the place I mostly have comfort zone and clear my mind. But again is not a good thing for both of us so let go have fun I will called you when I'm in a serene place so you could talk and share our problems. Okay!

"Sure, I'm glad you understand."

"Let go for shopping he said and took her to a shopprite were he bought her a lot of things without her choosing.

"That remind me, Fatima will soon put to bed in two month why not we should get her baby's cloth" She said.

"That true, but remember there are thousands of shops in kano we can buy them so let just leave it for now.

He fetch his phone out of his breast pocket and check the caller ID, it was Khalid calling him" he said before excusing his self to speak to him.

"Why the sudden call?" He asked immediately he pick.

"When are you coming back?" He asked.

"Tomorrow insha Allah. What happened?" He asked afraid something happen.

"Mubarak lost his dad this afternoon and Fatima gave birth to a bouncing baby boy" he said.

"Innalilahi wai'ina illahi rajiu'n! May his soul rest in peace and may al-jannah firdaus be his final abode. How his he coping Khalid" He asked with sympathy.

"Can't say for now__ for his not showing his emotion yet" Khalid said.

"First thing tomorrow we shall be in kano insha Allah. And for Fatima may Allah bless the baby with good health and sound.

"Aamin amin thank you. Have to go now bye" Khalid said and end the call.

"What took you long" deejah asked immediately she sighted him.

"Nothing, was just on called with Khalid."

"I hope everything is fine."

"Sure everything is okay. Now let get going please" he beseech trying not to sound weak.

Deejah knew something was wrong but couldn't figure it out so she just choose to wait for him to speak at the right time.

~ ~ ~

They were finally back at deejah apartment she serve, but they didn't enter inside. They both sat outside the room and after a while Yushraf break the news to her telling her everything Khalid told him.

She couldn't control the tears that fallen out of her eyes. She pity Mubarak and was imagining how he will handle everything. And then Allah bless him again with a bouncing baby boy__ indeed Allah is the most wonderful of all!

"Have not even got the chance to thank him" deejah whisper sadly.

"Thank who? and why?" Yushraf asked tensely.

She wipe her tears, and thought it was the best time to just let him know who she is." Mubarak, he was the one that save me, not from the rape but after I was dumb in a bush unconscious. I'm forever grateful to him.

Who was the wicked soul that rape you didi? He asked calmly but even his voice you could easily point how his blood was pumping and his vein. He could barely control his anger.

"His rotting in jailed forever" She said and wipe her tears.

"Same like my fathers partner, he shall rot in jailed." He said.

"Khadijah, life has play it's roles on us differently but I believed it all for a reason which shall have an end some day. What is happening to you now is a qadr from Almighty and insha Allah it won't be forever! I know is because you ain't a virgin that why you almost rejected me for the third time and thought someone else will be the best for me? but believe me life is easy if only you learn to adopt by it" he took her hand and tighten the hold "didi you're not in this alone your family, friend and I are all in it with you, I shall protect you, and 'wallahi bi izni lah' the feeling I have for you will not be less but rather increase. Erase that from your mind and move on with your life okay, babe!

Deejah was already crying at his sincereness and she hug him tight. After a while she release him

"Thank you love! for making me realized my worth."

"Believe me you're worth tagging at every price."

"I should take my leave now it getting late" Yushraf whisper into her ear.

"Sure goodnight love"

"Good night babe"

* * *

An anonymous number came through Alhaji Muhammad Agogo phone, ringing loudly that he have to asked his wife to pass him the phone.

"I don't have this number on my phone" he complain.

"Then you should pick it, since it calling nonstop, it might be urgent. " his wife rukkayyah said.

"If you say so" And he shrugged before picking.

"Is this Alhaji Muhammad Agogo on the phone?" The latter asked.

"Yes, any problem" he asked feeling some strange.

"Can you come down to our office? I will send you the address now" the latter said.

"I hope there is no problem" he asked again to be sure. And he promise to be there within and hour.

"Rukkayah I will be back now just pray for me okay!" He said.

"Insha Allah, Alhaji it shall be well go safe." And he went out after seeing the address.

~ ~ ~

At the office, after exchanging some pleasantry a seat was gesture to him.

"I hope there is no any problem again" he asked

"Not at all, but we thoroughly apologized for any inconveniences we might have cause you for this long delay of your goods that was ceased. It was from the federal ministry we were given the order to cease every good that was coming into the country and search for it entirely due to high rate of drugs and other contraband ship into the country.

Alhaji Muhammad Agogo sighed deeply" Alhamdullilah! "Was all that he said. And a tear slip down his cheek.

"For every damages we might have cause you 6 million was given for the compensation. We are truly sorry. And congrats Alhaji.

"Masha Allah, thank you!__ Allah is indeed wonderful. After teaching me a lesson to be grateful he still reward me back when I least expect it.

~ ~ ~

The news got to his wife and she could not express how happy she was. Everything was starting to be normal again__ how wonderful of Allah.

Deejah was on her way and will get the news only when she arrive back.