Chapter 47

6 years later

Dr. Fareedah was seated in her office comfortably, going through some patient file sent to her for heart surgery, when she suddenly came across that of her uncle's own. She withdraw it from others and go through the name again still in shock. It was written boldly at the file; Alhaji Jaafar imam, she return the file back to it place not even bother to go through it again.

"Is her uncle also suffering from heart failure?" She thought deeply, As she pick the file up again and go through.

She vow not to ever put her emotion into her job and moreover whatever it is, his still the only father figure they has, and his face always make her remember her father. so she refuse to let her uncles word sink deep into her and mask it up. She stood up and pick the files in other to go and check his heartbeat rate before the surgery commence in three days later.

She stood up with the file in her hand and amble toward his uncle's ward. At the front of the ward was his uncle's family; his wife, bashar and a young lady together with two beautiful kids. She approach them and make a quick salam and walk pass them without sparing them a second glance.

A nurse push the door open and they both walk in. After checking his heartbeat rate she asked" How are you feeling now? Not even showing any hint of knowing the patient.

"I...I'm feeling be...tter" Jaafar, her uncle stutter shock written all over his face.

"I'm Dr Fareedah, and I will be the one in charge of your surgery" she introduced, and walk to the cabinet to drop his file, not even wait for his reply.

"Is she really going to be my cardio thoracic surgeon?" He asked the nurse beside him, shock written all over his face.

"Yes, she's going to be your surgeon and you're very lucky because she's one of the best in the town." The nurse said.

Reedah heard them, on her way going out of the room.

His wife, Hajiya Maryam and the rest of the family rush in, after the nurse left. "Alhaji was that my eyes deceiving me or was it really your niece Fareedah?" Hajiya Maryam asked.

"Uhm, your eyes are not really deceiving you and yes they said she's going to be my cardio thoracic surgeon. " he said, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Alhaji, what going on? You're crying" his wife asked worriedly.

"I'm ashamed and am regretting my action toward my brother's twins. Believed me, they did nothing wrong to me and I was the one that chase them away. My conscious has been judging me ever since. I'm sorry" he beseech.

"Alhaji why? Why did you have to do that? Why will you let them suffer and lie to us" His wife asked sadly.

"He was my backbone, my strength, my one and only brother whom I share everything with. Seeing his children make me insecure and I couldn't bear it. it..it make me to hate them." He said.

"Alhaji I'm scared, I'm scared she's going to revenge. Let apologized before the day arrive. I can't bear to lose you" she said and tighten her hand on his.

"Maryam, it's too late to cry, when the head has been cut off. Just pray for me and apologized even after have gone"

Bashar stood still with his wife, Aisha beside him. He just let the tears stream down his face freely, after a lot of years, 9years to be precise of not seeing his cousin again all because of his fathers tale story they believe.

A little boy of 5years came closer to his father and wipe his tears with his thumb" daddy why are you crying?"he asked.

"Hanif, I'm not crying something just enter my eyes" he said. "Sorry daddy" he said and wave his hand gesturing a sorry sign.

"Thank you Hanif."

~ ~ ~

"You have to arrange for the surgery now, I'm afraid it urgent and can't wait a little longer his heart is very weak." Reedah said.

"Okay ma, I will do so now and inform them about it." The nurse assure and left the office.

Few minute later when everything was set and ready she went to the theatre room and make a quick prayer with her colleagues.

"Fareedah" Alhaji jafar called calmly.

She didn't spare him a glance, and he hold her hand" Sir can you let me do my work please? We didn't have much time left." She said and free her hand from his tight hold.

"Ya Allah, please forgive me, and let them find it in their heart to forgive me even after my death" he pray and close his eyes letting the tears flow down his cheeks before the anesthesia was injected into his vein.

A breathing tube was place in his lung through throat. The tube connect to ventilator( A machine that support breathing).

She make a incision( cut) down the center of his chest wall. Then she cut the breastbone and open his rip cage to reach his heart.

~ ~ ~

"Ya Allah, please save my husband" Hajiya Maryam keep praying." Bashar why is it taken so long?"She asked sadly.

"Mum insha Allah, Alhaji will be fine don't worry " bashar assure.

Three hours later, Reedah came out of the theater room and Hajiya Maryam with her daughter in-law quickly approach her. "How is my husband health?" She asked swiftly tears welled in her eyes.

"Alhamdullilah his fine, and will soon be taken back to his room."Reedah inform.

"When can we see him?" Aisha, the daughter in-law asked.

"Insha Allah, you will be able to see him immediately he open his eyes in next 3 to 4 hours. But for now I'm afraid you can't because he need to rest for a while." She assure and left quickly.

They muttered a thank you before she disappear into her office.

* * *

Life brings to them as many joyful moments as it does downfalls, there are days they wish there was a manual to follow, it simply wouldn't be the same without the spontaneity. The journey of life may not become easier as they grow older, but they do seem to understand it better as their perspectives evolve.

Life has been perfect, not smoothly but they've survive every pain it comes with, every difficult times were overcome and it make them perfect. Been a mother of three children was not an easy task to deal with especially when one of the kids is a special creature. Aalami, been the first born is 5years old, he could neither hear nor talk ever since he was born. Has it was written to be their fate they accepted it with an open arms and pour all the love and care they have for him. Husna and samira are just 2 years old twins.

"Babe!" Yushraf called making her jolt out of her reverie.

"Oh when did you arrive?" She asked collecting his bag.

"Have been standing here but you were so lost in thought. What wrong with you?" He asked.

"Nothing is wrong, come and have something, I'm sure you must be hungry by now" she said and stood up from the couch.

"Babe, don't change the topic please. Tell me what wrong with you first" he said holding her waist.

"Habibi," she called almost like whisper.

Is...is alamin" she stammer, tears welling up into her eyes.

"What wrong with him?" He asked immediately, scared.a

"I'm scared, his always distance from everyone except his book and he hardly eat his food and mostly stay indoor. The twins always get scared of him because he don't play with them. I'm scared I feel something is missing within me or I lack mother figure." She said and cry unto her husband chest.

"Is okay, don't worry! We will find solution to that soon. Let go check him in his room" he suggest and they both walk to his room and met him so engrossed in drawing.

"Sweety" deejah called and sat down in his front, admiring his son drawing skill. Show mummy what you're drawing his dad said but he could only Starred at them and continue with his drawing. Deejah felt a pang on her chest but brush it aside, if only this will make her child love her then she's ready to welcome it.

Yushraf open his son school bag and went through some of his book only to find a particular drawing of a lady that was tittle Aunty Amina, the drawing was not perfectly sketch but as a child drawing it was beyond an imagination, it was amazing and surprisedly, a 5 year old child could draw that much.

After going through his son book he concluded they should visit his school the next day and asked of his behavior in school and character in school environment.

"I think that will be a good idea." She said.

~ ~ ~

The next day, as early as possible deejah wake up and bath all her kids while Yushraf dress them in their respective uniform.

She made a quick breakfast and serve everyone. Yushraf decide to feed the twins while deejah feed Alamin.

~ ~ ~

They first stop by, at the twins school and drop them and drove to their son school.

Immediately they step out of the car, Alamin lead the way to his class. Behold it was his Aunty standing at the classroom door smiling sheepishly at him while Alamin return the smile back.

"Is that not Mina?" Deejah asked, immediately she stare at the Aunty from afar.

"Did you know her?" Yushraf asked. "Of course I know her, she was my best friend before." She said.

"Best friend? But I never know her or even heard the name from you" Yushraf said.

"That a story for another day. I heard she was married off to one of her mum's far relative in village.

"In village? Why?" He asked, astounded.

"A lot happened, will tell you when we get home" she assure as they were approaching her.

"Is that not deejah? Could she have been married to this same guy? They look amazing together if really their couples" she said and smile before Alamin approach her with a hug.

The parent were surprise seeing how happy he was with his Aunty. After a while she directed him to the class with a sign hand and he immediately left with a nod.

"Assalamu'alaikum" she greeted.

"Walaykum' salam," they both reply and after exchanging some pleasantries she lead them to her office.

"Welcome please have a seat she gesture at the two opposite chairs.

"Thank you!" Yushraf exclaim.

"You welcome, deejah how have you been? It's such a long time." She said, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Alhamdullilah I'm good, what about you? She asked.

"I'm doing better. What brought you two here this early morning" She asked curiously.

"Is about our son, Alamin we want to know his behaviour and character in school." She said.

"Alamin is a bright and intelligent student,is one of my best student in class and his very good in sketching" she said enthusiastically.

"And during break his always seen together with a friend Asiya. They do play together and even wait in the same place for their driver to pick them.

"Did you mean my son do play in school?" Deejah asked surprisedly.

"Of course he do, and his always happy surrounding his mate" Mina explain.

"His character at home is the opposite of what you said ma, his always quiet, and mostly stay behind his room. He don't use to feel comfortable around us and hardly eat." Yushraf complain. " Yes his mostly stay in door with his book only, he don't play with even the twins" deejah said.

Mina sighed and told them everything they needed to know " I'm sorry you both going through this. Alamin once told me his always insecure when his at home, he think you're both showing him more love than the twins because his different from them and he do feel like a burden to his parent because of too much love his twins doesn't have." Mina stated.

"Innalilahi wai ina illahi raji'un" they both exclaim shock with the revelation.

"We show him more love so he won't feel alone or think because his different from us. Our son can never be a burden to us no matter what insha Allah."deejah explain.

"The best thing is to show them equal love with the twins, avoid given him more attention than the twins, he will be more happy. Always buy them the same thing. So he will always feel among and insha Allah I will talk to him again so he will always play with his younger once even at home." Mina ensure.

"Thank you very much Mina, we really appreciate your advised and insha Allah we will do just as you said." She said and stood up with her husband.

"Thank you ma" Yushraf said.

"You welcome" she reply.

They went to the parking space and before deejah could open her side Mina hold her back," deejah I'm so sorry for everything please forgive me for the sake of Allah" she beseech tears dropping out of her eyes.

Deejah surprisedly hugged her" Mina that such a long time it happen, telling you have forgotten about it is a big lie, but believe me when I said have forgiven you long time even before I saw you again. Life move on and see how we met again" deejah said.

"Can we exchange contact?" Mina asked.

"Of course we can" She said and they exchange their number.

"Why not follow Alamin to our house after school please? It will be nice catching up again." Deejah said.

Uhh" Mina uhm.

C'mon you're always welcome, you are not a stranger you know. As I said earlier life move on and I'm sure Alamin will be happy to see you again." Deejah said happily.

"Insha Allah I will try but till tomorrow that is weekend, thank you Very much deejah." She said and wipe her tears.

Please stop the tears, I will be expecting you. My husband is waiting for me" She said and enter inside the car.

* * *

"It been more than four hours as said earlier by her that Alhaji will wake up but his still not awake. I'm scared" Hajiya Maryam said bitterly.

"Insha Allah he will soon wake up mum, be patient and let keep praying please" bashar beseech.

"Uhm, I will."

Reedah quickly walk past them to her patient ward before they could even stop her on the way. Closing the door behind her, she move toward his bed and check him.

After a little while, Alhaji jafar eyes open and the first name he called was "Fareedah"

Reedah was shock at first and quickly mask it up and pretend not to hear him. After doing her work she decide to return back to her office. Before she could turn the doorknob she heard him again.

"You know I dreamt with your father" he said and Reedah couldn't hold it any longer and turn toward him bursting into tears.

"The dream was a torture to my heart, is the reason why I have a heart failure. He said have betrayed him and I'm his worst enemy because I didn't take care of his blood just like he will take care of my." Alhaji jafar said bitterly. "I'm sorry I couldn't stand both of you, I'm sorry that I hated you two, I'm sorry for everything" he said tears streaming down his cheek.

Reedah couldn't stop her own tears too and ran toward her uncle once again and hug him" uncle jay, there is nothing I can do rather than to forgive you, after all you're the only father figure we have no matter what, no matter how you despise us we still love you because we always see our Abba in you, and it make us remember him" she confessed heartily.

"I'm sorry riri, your father was my strength, he was my backbone, I never knew I could live a day without him in my life, his death really affected me a lot and it makes me pour it on you two, it make me hate you because I blame you both for his death. I'm so sorry please forgive me" He said unto her shoulder.

"Is okay, uncle jay. You're forgiven" She said and smile at him.

At the far end of the door was the family of Alhaji jafar watching the two reunite with tears welling up in their eyes. Hajiya Maryam first walk in and hug her" We are sorry Reedah, we are sorry for everything we have ever put you two through please forgive us"she said.

"Aunty is okay, you never offend me even at first place" she said and wrap her hand tightly again.

"I miss you riri" Bashar confessed.

"I miss you too" she said and hugged him.

"I miss the old times, I miss our hide and seek. Remember your hiding place, mum's closest" he said and everyone laugh while Reedah slightly punch him.

"Oops so sorry, you're not alone okay our wifey, I'm Dr. Fareedah and I'm his must close cousin. Nice meeting you" she introduced.

"I'm Barr. Aisha, it a great pleasure to meet you in person." She complimented.

"Thank you. Oh swthrt, come and have a hug" she said and crouch down to his level." What your name baby" she asked.

"Haniiip!" He said happily.

"Awwwn haniip, how are you?" She imitate her voice.

"I'm pine." She said in her baby tongue.

"Awwwn your sister has wake up" she said and drop him and then collect Rukkayya from her mother hold.

"Masha Allah! She's so cute and look like you." She compliment. And the mother mutter a thank you with a smile.

* * *

"Alamin go and called your sisters down stairs" deejah said given him a sign gesture.

He quickly ran upstairs and return with his two sisters holding both of them happily.

The sight at how their mother saw them put a smile on her face. She crouch down to their level and hugged them joyfully.

"Alamin your Aunty will be coming today" she said using her hand signature.

He was beyond happy and couldn't keep calm to see his aunty for the first time in his house.

Deejah serve them their lunch after cooking a special meal for her husband visitor who was visiting from Dubai and Mina who was visiting her again after 6years.

She heard the sound of her phone ringing tune only to turn and see Alamin running toward her before the called end. She collected the phone and pick the called "Assalamu'alaikum" she heard Mina voice.

"Walaykum salam Mina, how are you?" She asked.

"I'm fine, can you tell your security to let me in please"she asked.

"Oh sorry, will do that now" she assure, and wash her hand before going to meet the security.

On her way she met with the security and quickly asked him to go open the gate for Mina.

Immediately he did, and Mina came inside she hug her tightly before they went inside.

"Samirah go and called your brother upstairs. She said and lead Mina inside the living room." Mina welcome, I miss you so much" she said.

"Thank you deejah, thank you for accepting me again as your friend. It really means a lot to me. Life has thought me a lot, and I will forever keep regretting what I did to you Deejah" she called again and hold her hand " karma is really a bitch and it really deal with me more than I could ever expect.

Mina tell me everything, everything you ever went through, you are not just yourself there is a lot hitting you up, speak up" She said and also burst into tears.

"6years ago, when I came out of prison my mum married me off to Kasim, a far relative just to punish me for what I did to you. Being Kasim second wive was never something that came easy for me even after carrying his child in my womb. I was treated like a slave and rape like an animal. It came to an extend that I got use to having sex that way. Nine month later, I gave birth to mudasir, but unfortunately he did not come alive because I deliver him late. It was a though time for me deejah but with Almighty Allah's help I was able to over come it. After two month of losing him, I became pregnant again but this one didn't last. I lose the pregnancy and Kasim didn't fear god and still wanted to rape me a week after losing the pregnancy with the blood still coming out. Deejah I will never forgive him, Allah will judge us the day of judgement. He has engraved a pain, memory, in my heart that can never be erased. I ran out of the house without knowing where am heading to and he let me go because he never new I will have the strength and boldness to return back to my parent. Until I went back and seek for their forgiveness and then later take the issue to court where we were legally separated.

"Mina did you thoroughly go through all this suffering? I can't believe this." Deejah said, tears streaming out of her eye.

She only nodded and hiccup while deejah help her with a glass of water." I'm sorry you went through all this, I'm sorry Mina." She said and hug her tight.

"After some minute of calming each other deejah called "Mina! How did you end up has a teacher I was surprise to see you again yesterday.

"Uhm, I wanted to become independent and also develop a pity in my heart, I want to have that sympathy in me and become a better person in future and must importantly I want to always be in surround of kids, it make me to always remember mudasir" she confessed heartily and burst into tears again.

Is okay Mina cry no more please. Everything is already in the past and insha Allah, better things are on the way. Let it all go mudasir is in a better place and insha Allah you will find someone worthy to called your husband in future."deejah assure.