Chapter 7 Ahmad

"Wallahi (I swear) Ahmad when I held that baby I felt as if I was the one that delivered it, I felt as if I could hold it forever" Naziha said as we got back into my car, we had just paid her sister a visit – the one that just gave birth.

"Yes, that's because the baby is yours too!" I huffed igniting the engine into action. "What belongs to your sister belongs to you too, my love" I added.

"Ahmad this is Sister Hannatu's 5th child, I held the rest before but didn't felt anything like this I swear" She said.

"Toh (okay), maybe it's because our own is on its way coming" I uttered turning 'on' the A/C.

"I hope so" She heaved a sigh and relaxed as we drove away.

On reaching the junction of our area, some Joint Task officers stopped us. That was when I realised we were late. It was a combination of well armed Army, Police, and Civil Defence Corps. I quickly lowered my wind-glass.

"Hello guys" I greeted them with a gritted teeth.

"Hold your greetings, don't you know that there is a curfew?!" One of them yelled at me.

"Ehm, actually... yes, but..."

"Just turn around and go back to where you are coming from" The officer boldly said.

"Come on man, I am the son of Jaa..."

"Turn around, now!" He yelled again.

I tried to bribe through but to no avail, thus I turned and drove away from the scene. Anything that has to do with the army, don't expect it to be likely.

"We can just find a hotel nearby and lodge in for the night" I suggested.

"What?" Naziha squealed. "No, Ahmad"

"Why?" I puzzled.

"I don't like that idea, just drive us to Baba's house. I missed mama" she said.

"What?" My heart flipped a little by the mentioning of 'Baba' which means my father, someone that didn't like her. I tried to change her mind but she was adamant. That was how we ended up in my father's house, he wasn't that happy seeing us but my mother was. We chitchat for almost an hour before finally bidding each other goodnight.

Naziha and I went to my old room, almost all my leftover things were intact. I smiled at my old gaming console and its controllers, I was hell of a gamer in the past. My friends and I would play FIFA 24-7, we hardly even used to pray in time. How I missed those days, I couldn't go a day without...

"Come over here, my lawful husband!"

My thought was intercepted by Naziha's cool voice, she was already on the bed with her hijab thrown aside.

"It's been a whole week, so don't tell me you are tired today" She sexily uttered blinking her eyes.

"Oh yeah" I beamed at her and gently walked over to the bed. It had really been a week since we made love and that was because I was always busy at work during the day, and in the night I used to be exhausted. But today, I guess there wouldn't be excuses. I climbed the bed, took off my clothes, and the rest is history!

...

The following day in the morning, while having breakfast in the dining island my mother cleared her throat and broke the silence that had crept upon us ever since we started eating. "Naziha!" She called out.

"Na'am (yes), Mama" Naziha answered.

"I know this is a bit early for me to start asking questions like this but, have you and Ahmad seen the doctor? This is two and half years since your marriage and you haven't conceived yet"

"Ehhm" I cleared my throat about to chime into their conversation when my father vehemently intruded.

"She's talking to your wife, not you!"

"Okay... okay" I nodded and gulped.

Naziha pathetically looked me in the eyes as if asking me to help her out, I only huffed and held her hand. "Just tell them the truth, my love" I said to her. I didn't want to see her tears so I turned my face away from her.

"I... I am infertile" I heard her said after a moment of silence. "I am sorry, Mama" She added as she quickly stood to her feet. "I should have told you this a long time" She broke into tears and left the dining, she was heading out of the mansion.

"This is all your fault!" I yelled at my father as I promptly withdrew to my feet. "You did this all and I promise I will not succumb to your selfish desire. I don't care if Naziha is barren or not, I love her and will always love her the way she is!" I said and left as well.

"Ahmad wait..."

My mother tried to stop me but I pretended deaf ears. I ran out after Naziha to the parking lot, she was crying bitterly. I tried to embrace her but she kept pushing me away.

"Calm down please, Naziha..."

"You telling me to... to calm down?"

"Yes please, we can see things through"

"No!" She screamed.

"Please stop all these," I implored leaning my back on the car with my heart already aching. "Seeing you crying like this makes me... makes me sick" I said while panting.

Hearing that, she stopped and rushed to me. "Hey," she sniffed. "I am sorry" she gulped shaking her head. "I am no more crying, please be fine"

"I will be fine only if you don't react like this again" I looked deep into her eyes. "Please don't react like this again, Naziha"

"I won't, I promise. I just don't want to loose you that's why" She blinked away the tears in her eyes.

"You won't loose me, Naziha" I said getting hold of her hands. "I promise"