Chapter 40: Chapter 40

All the crowd shouted on a YES and the hall all went YES,the media recording every moment of the scene and I just couldn't help but look in amazement how this man did all this for me,making it a double celebration on this wonderful day of my birth date-13th March 2016,the day I'll never forget and the man who stole my heart on the first day we met on the street,I knew I was long gone,I knew love took me without any permission and I knew I'll drool in love with this man,the man who had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. I guess he must get used to that, the sudden pause in a person's natural expression when they looked his way followed by overcompensating with a nonchalant gaze and a weak smile. Of course the blush that accompanied it was a dead give-away. It didn't help that he was so modest with it, it made the girls fall for him all the more. Despite all the opportunity that came his way he was a one-woman-man who prized genuineness and thoughtful conversation above blue and hayaa in women,He was handsome alright, but inside he was beautiful.

He was handsome from the depth of his eyes to the gentle expressions of his voice. He was handsome from his generous opinions to the touch of his hand which I want to feel  upon my own.

I love the cologne of his perfume ,his breath which takes me away ,ooh how he smells how he  makes my heart beats,and ooh how I wish to wake up close to him every morning to kiss him before going for subhi prayer,before going to work ,I love the way he'll cuddle  me already,the way he'll pet me ,the way he'll kiss my lips lightly in a passionate way ooh how he sends shivers down my spine when he touches me,ooh how  I'll feel the hugs from him in me and kisses of his lips in every part of my body before he'll let go.

"So I gave him my heart and kept his safe, that's the way it was,that's the way I said my yes and that's how the lights came back on as I thought my

Lips got itself together to say yes,but There are many different ways to pop the question if you are ready to get engaged. And his went From a classic on-bended-knee romantic moment to an elaborate scheme to ask this universal question, "WILL YOU MARRY ME REYNA?"

And the hall went dead silent,every moment being captured,flashes of lights from different angle,and every one waiting to hear my answer,I looked around and I knew It was one of the hardest decision to make but the best marriage proposals are those that are well thought out and considerate of your partner, making a simple question into an unforgettable moment. Whether the question or answer is a surprise or not, the asking should always be special,and mine was beautifully special.The  love of my life romantically waiting for my hand in his to put a ring on my finger-this is the best moment of my life,one the world will never forget and one which will remain a forever history.

"Yes, I can't think of anything I want to do more than spend the rest of my life with you."I replied and gave my hand forward and their sits the beautiful diamond ring which suites my hand perfectly fine,and all the crowd cheers with us as everyone hail and watched us with great interest,the media asking questions and flash lights from every nook and corner,we smiled at each other passionately and he whispered in my ears "I love you Reyna,I promise to make this the best decision of your life one which you won't regret,Happy birthday my love,cheers to a new year, a new us in long life and prosperity forever and ever"

"Cheers to us"I whispered back while we clicked our glass cups in cheers,and the day went by,with people dancing,eating,gisting,laughing and giving of gifts which I got a new Porsche Turbo S. car from Abba and the new most latest iPhone 11pro max which hasn't even been spotted in Nigeria,a gold set of jewelry from Mami,Pack of chocolates goodies from ya zuzu,A frame of i and Abba when I was a little. Girl from mama with loads of birthday cards and wishes,Ammie got me set of new boxes with a lot of abaya's,Bolero's and a lot more in it and the love of my life got me the most beautiful set of diary I've longed been looking for,which comes in five set of books in different so sizes and each has a padlock and a key,in which you can lock it or set to operate it manually or automatically with a fingerprint and passcode in it,the pages which contains of rainbow coloring which makes it more beautiful and a glittery magic set of pens which came with the diary and a lot more which I got from friends and family.

All the elders left at around 6:30pm and it's already 8pm so we decided to call it a night,everyone retiring to his destination while I went on with jawaad.

"If you keep undressing me with your eyes I'll get a Cold"I said to jawaad after we settled the in the car.

"Well,you look Gorgeous,you should wear blue all the time"

"This is my last wearing your fav color"

"C'mon,your just starting you know,cx I can't wait to get married to you next week"

"W-what?"i replied with bulge eyes"

"I was just joking,but I really want us to get married within the year"he said in a serious tone looking at me,which feels so awkward talking about marriage cx one side of my heart is happy and the other feels otherwise.

"Jawaad I really don't wanna get married when I'm not done schooling yet,beside I've loose almost a year of study,I need to catch up,attend my missing classes and then write my exams"I explained carefully choosing my words.

"How much time do you need?how much more time is left for your studies?"he asked in calm voice.

"The VC says I can attend my missing classes and write exams while I attend my final year classes with my course mates"

"How many months to be exact Amaani?"he asked impatiently

"A year and a half"

"That's too long,is there any harm that you ladies see  in getting  married before finishing school?"

"Uhmm,yeah it divides attention"

"What attention?is there not enough time for you to study or what does that mean"

"Okay fine theirs no harm seriously but it's been my dream jawaad I just want to get done with my studies first,five months is all I ask for"

"You just said a year and a half?"

"I was just pulling your legs huh?"

"Do you want this seriously?cx you can back out whenever you feel insecure with your decision Amaani"he said while parking at the Galadanchi's Mansion.

"It was never a wrong decision to make jawaad,I'm sure of this,I want this,I thought carefully about it before giving my answer and you took the risk of doing the question in public with no fear of what my answer would be,that's the most beautiful thing someone has ever  done to me,I'm willing to share my life with you but I just want you to know that I might not be the perfect person just like you want me to be,I had a bad past and I'm adjusting to it now,I want something new and I want it with you,I want to let go of my past and dive into the future where I look forward into a beautiful beginning with you,I want us to take each step together carefully and thoughtfully I ...."

"I'm sorry,I love you ...I just want to know you'd it on your own will"he said shutting me up.

"Good night jawaad"I said while going out of the car without a word more from him not that's gave him a chance.

"Look who's back"Yusrah announced as I stepped into the house and everyone was seated gisting and having fun"

"Assalamualikum everyone"

"Birthday girl"mama said with a smile.

"You made a great choice soon-to-be-Mrs-jawaad"Mami said teasingly.

"Mamiiiiiii"I called and shy away and all congratulations fly in the air from everyone.

And the night went by with us gisting and having fun,all other elders gone to slept and we stayed up.

"I'm happy for you Amaani,the day we've longed waited for is yet to come"zeenat said with a smile.

"You're one lucky woman to have jawaad babe"Maryam said.

"Amaani in her seventeenth she was overly mature,She wasn't boy crazy,And would never say, "Oh. My. God. He is SO hot" and fawn all over the guy. She's fairly aloof about these things and would be more likely to say something sardonic like, "Do you expect me to swoon because you smiled at me?"and then she'd roll my eyes at that"Halima said while laughing wholeheartedly and the girls joined.

"While we all ogle at fine boys,dreaming and betting who he's gonna ask out first"zeenat said and we all laughed so hard .

"Do you remember ONE EYE RUGGED?those days when we teased yusrah that he was the perfect match for her and she'd cry about it sometimes"Maryam said as we all laughed at yusrah.

"Do you remember that shirt guy who we named SWAGGER LOMO?claiming all the swag big boy in school With his legs so very thin like chinge, while we call fatiti AUNTY LOMO,because he asked her out"Abeeda said laughing so hard while holding her stomach.

"Yeah yeah and then everyone started calling them with the names and up until today some few People still remember the name and called them with"zeenat said with a killer smile .

"But here we are today,our love counselor,will be counseling herself on all the dating and marriage stuff"Abeeda replied with a proud smile.

"Enough of the teasings girls"I warned

"I think I'm gonna wait for you,let's rock our weeding day together"Halima said in a dramatic tone.

"You ain't Doing that,we have a wedding in less than two weeks,we got to plan from tomorrow, now it's gonna be all about you now,as you can see I'm healthy alhamdulillah"I reapplied sternly.

"We all agree and then we move next to zeenat,can't wait"fatiti said.

"Cx you know you're next in line huh?"Abeeda said raising a brow teasingly.

"She can't wait to be sealed and delivered"I replied teasingly.

"It feels good to be Married,I bet you'd enjoy the sealed part"yusrah said teasingly.

"Baddest... Men are sometimes an unredimable shit"

"Do not underestimate the silence of a man,they have no patience,once the knot has been tied their thinking radiates to another level,which you don't wanna know"

"That's true,I agree,they don't look at the same mirror as you do when you want them to they see through a different mirror"Halima added

"That's why you should always prepare to fend for yourself after all ,MEN HAVE SIDES AND WOMEN HAVE SECRETS ,GOOD MEN LIVES OR DIE AND EVERYWOMAN WILL HAVE TO FEND FOR HERSELF"

"How do you feel about the decision you made?"Halima asked.

"Even thigh it feels so right why does it feels so wrong,one side of my hearts is dancing in joy and the other side I just feel otherwise"

"That's how it feels babe"and a message pop on my screen

Rey-I'm sorry if I made you upset love,I just wanted to be sure,Have good night,I love you!

"That's your man huh?"fatiti asked.

"Yeah"

"Then why the sad face?"maryam asked.

"Wait until your wedding week,damn girl you feel as if you made the wrong decision,you just feel some type of way"Abeeda said.

"But you need to fight your emotions,real hard girl"yusrah advised.

"I'm going through that right now"Halima complained.

"It shall all come to pass"zeenat said.

"I hope so cx right now I feel annoyed,I don't feel like replying not that I'm angry or anything"

"Reply now or never babe,he's gonna feel as if he did something wrong while the problem is with you here,we girls have mood swings,like real bad"

"Okay"I replied while typing away on my phone .

Reyna-It's nothing really Rey,I'm just exhausted,good night love.

And I hit the send button.

"Now how does thatnfeels?"

"Good"I replied.

Now let's cheers to #AJ2016#militarycouple2016#BecomingtheNashes2016"we cheers popping champagne, raising our cups up as eleven pm clock,then we decided to call it a night,going to our various rooms while I invited yusrah to my room seeing she's the pregnant lady here and she needs sleep the most.

"Feel comforted babe,have a nice sleep"I said as we entered the room,while yusrah layer her lazy figure on the bed as she sleeps tiredly while i freshened up and wore my pj then I suddenly heard a soft knock on the door.

"Uhmmm can we have a brother-sister moments please,I promise it won't take long"Muhammad said as I opened the door.

"I'll be down in a minute"I replied with a short smile.

After putting the covers on yusrah,I wore my flipflops and headed to Muhammad's room.

"Hey"I said as I entered the room while he's eyes was settled on his phone.

"sorry I didn't see you coming,come sit"he said patting a small space close to him on the bed.

"So what's up with the phone?you got someone there?"i asked eight oases brows.

"C'mon,it's no one really"

"Don't lie to me Mr.I saw the smile on your face,so tell me about her"

"I met her at the airport while I was coming back from school"he replied with a creepy smile.

"Ooh really?so are you official?"

"What?no we just met recently"

"So what's her name?"

"Amal"

"That's a really nice name,she must be beautiful from her name,Make sure you bring her to my wedding when you make it official in 5 months okay"I said with a teasing smile.

"I'd invite her,you have no worries"

"So how's studies?"I asked

"Fine"Abba finally let me have a change of course,he's changed really"

"Ooh really I never knew,tell me about it"I said excitedly.

*FLASHBACK*

Paris.

He called me one time in his office and asked;

"Do you want to change your course?"he asked straight forward.

"Yeah Abba"I replied.

"Well I'm sorry for making you study a course you have no interest in"he apologize.

"You have nothing to worry about Abba cx I love what I'm studying,it turned out to be the best decision for me"

"I hope so muhammad,but if you ever feel it in your heart to have a change of course you have my GO-AHEAD"he said with a smile.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

"All thanks to you Abba is a changed person really"he said with a smile.

"And I'm happy about that"

"Yeah we all are happy to have him back"

"So what's up with you lately?"

"I just wanted to apologize on behalf of mama,I just can't believe she did all that to you and all on our watch,I can't imagine a person going through all that pain from a monster like her,Amaani please find it in your heart to forgive her,I don't know how or what words to use,but honestly I won't forgive her for what she's done to you,over been a horrible brother,you calling me your bestie and all this happened to you while I was doing what?watching my evil mother treat you like a slave? Like...."I cut him off.

"Hey,it's okay really you've been the one I've been most close to in this house,you've been the best,even when you asked me those days what was wrong with me,I always say nothing but you always asked,you always notice me,you always see my dry stricken tear face and I appreciate and love you for that so do not in your life ask for my forgiveness or anything close to that,I've always been forgiving,I've forgiven mama for all she's done even before she utter her lips to say the words,I love her because she raised me and all that pain build me,it made me who I am today and I'm grateful for that,for your mother,so please I'm not in support of any disrespect towards mama,if you do that the trust me I won't forgive you for real,so we good?"

"You always make me speechless,I'm sorry,you really are the best,I love you so much,thank you so much sastra,you're the best"he said while hugging me tightly and I huge him with the same vibe of energy.

"Hey,you need some rest and make sure to greet Amal for me,like for real,good night"I said breaking the hug.

"I'll,good night Amaani"he said while I helped cover him up with his duvet and then I switched off the lights.

Heading to my room I feel a presence in the living room and I went towards there seeing mama's figure I muttered slowly

"Mama?"

"Ooh you scared me Amaani"she said frighting away.

"Sorry,but it's late what are you doing out here"

"Nothing really,can't sleep"

"It's almost one AM mama,are you sick?"I asked worriedly sitting opposite to her in a chair.

"Yeah I'll be fine go and have some rest please"

"No I'm also not sleepy"I replied stubbornly.

"I'm happy for you Amaani,You made the right choice on jawaaad I'd the right one for you"she said with a proud smile.

"Thank you mama"I replied feeling shy.

"What happened when I was on that hospital bed mama?"I asked seeing I had an opportunity,mama has been avoiding conversations with me lately.

"Your dad got married am sure you know"she said with a sad smile.

"I'm so sorry mama"

"You don't have to be,I deserve more,if not for Mami i wouldn't be here with any of my children or you,honestly I thought that woman always hated me,but now I know she loves me so much"

"She has always loved you mama.

"And I've always been bad to you,I'm sorry about everything,even though my apology is not accepted,I have no words to apologize and I don't deserve to call myself your mother..."

"It's okay mama please don't say that,I have and Always forgiven you mama"I said while hugging her and she cried a little while we called it a night.

******************

AYMAAN's POV

(Recalling the incidents of 12th of July 2015)

"We are losing the patient"

"BP is going higher,160"

"Scissors"Dr.kin passed.

"Forceps"

"mop on the floor"forceps fell off" nurse Fadila announced.

"Organ and Tissue Grasping Forceps"

"Haemostatic Forceps,"a nurse passed

"Bulldog Clamp"

"Vessel Clips"pass

"Dissecting- and Ligature Forceps"

"Needles"

"Needles back to you"nurse fadila announced.

"Blood pressure is normal 130"

"Close all injuries and let the nurses inspect"Dr.Kin ordered.

"I'll do it myself"I replied.

After inspecting everything with the help of the scrub nurses everything was perfectly done but the monitors started beeping so high in an alarm making my heart jolt out of its trance.

"Everything looks good,temperature 98.6°F (37°C),Bp is normal"

"Everything looks good,we made a great team and a successful surgery"

"And the lights hit green"you'd great Aymaan,you got me being a proud mama.she said playfully while walking away,which got me smiling at her petite pregnant figure,she'd never change.

"It was a complicated surgery one I almost gave up on,but we were happy to know that the patient wasn't dead instead she went into a coma due to the shock she was in"

"Doctor Aymaan"Mr.Amin called and all the family members came rushing down to where I was.

"Alhamdulillah the surgery was successful Mr.Amin but Accidents cause permanent damage and even result in comas same as shock When this happens, people in a coma are unable to speak for themselves. Any instructions they may have left, such as a living will, are the only things they have to speak with them,it was a tough and complicated surgery,one which we almost gave up on but with Allah's will we saved the patients life and alhamdulillah she's alright but with no date of recovery from a shock coma,but we hope for the best,excuse me please"I announced to her family with a heavy heart even though it was hard to say,I had to and I couldn't bear seeing the pain in their eyes, but alhamdulillah.

"It turned out to be a habit and a daily routine that every morning I go visit Amaani or stare from the window as I watch different family members walk in and out,her fiancé which I learned was not,was always by her side day and some nights,we talked a little once a time and he congratulated me on the news which was all over the media "DR.Shiekh's getting married"which became an everyday portion for people to talk about and here I am today,the man who got rejected by two ladies straight and mama ended up choosing a bride for me,now I'm yet to be a father and I'm very happy even though a little space in my heart shouts Amaani,I saw my wife as her and the day we sealed our marriage was the day I thought I sealed it with Amaani,I thought of her in every way possible when I sexed my wife.

And I learned one thing from that In life we don't win every thing sometimes disappointed things happens and if we stoped in every bad thing in our life we will live in misery, It will not be an easy road to travel, yet it must be done. Life goes on and you cannot give this person that much power over you. She is going on with her life, and I will need to do the same. It helped a lot when I Surrounded myself with family and friends,talked it through myself that I had a life and a responsibility to keep me encouraged. However, the real work is up to you. Take small steps towards getting healed, and one day you will move passed this. Remember small steps leads to big victories.

I learned not to love someone who's never gonna be mine and learned how to appreciate what's mine,my wife is my life,I learned to love her with each passing day and I don't regret a bit,with my child coming up and my craving pregnant wife my life could not be any better but all I would say is alhamdulillah.