Chapter 41: Chapter 41

FIVE MONTHS LATER

NNAMDI AZIKWE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,ABUJA NIGERIA

5th AUGUST 2016

(Present day)

10:30Am.

Good afternoon passengers.

This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 89B to America We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes time. Thank you.

Looking back and forth,left and right I thought I'd see an angel stopping me from leaving,an angel from above,an angel I've longed looked for,for five months but no that angel never came,I saw no sign of angel,and if It means hiding my self for the rest of my life,then I'd prefer to leave Nigeria for good,I can't live my life on the run,I've moved to Abuja with my husband and family for five months and up until now I didn't step a foot in kano,for my daughter and for that last time she asked me to leave I know it is the only thing I can do for her and I'm ready to do it  for my child even though I know I deserve more than this punishment in life,this is the little I can do for myself and for her.

This is the final boarding call for passengers Mahir Nussayib booked on flight 89B to America Please proceed to gate 3 immediately. The final checks are being completed and the captain will order for the doors of the aircraft to close in approximately five minutes time. I repeat. This is the final boarding call for Mahir Nussayib.Thank you.

"As the final boarding called for passengers to America,I stood up with my husband on my side,my daughter and two step children together we moved one step after another,each step I take a tear fall out"

"Waitttttt"  a voice called out from behind and we walked on knowing no one will call out for us,for we told no one about our moving to America.

"Mummy"i heard a voice called out and We turned immediately looking at Amaani in a blue and golden graduation gown and a Manolo Blahnik high heel shoe with a Loewe golden  Puzzle Bag paired down by her left arm,looking beautifully grown and breathtakingly Gorgeous.

"Do not leave"she uttered as I watched with a tear stricken face some more tears threatening to fall.

"Mum  I have forgiven you and I'll be happy to see you at my graduation ceremony"She said with a sad smile.

I stood their for a while looking closely at her,thinking whether it's a real angel or it's just some part of my imagination,as I stare looking from my husband to children who nod with a smile at me and I found no words more but the only one's I got my lips uttering.

"Thank you,thank you so much My daughter,May Allah bless you,May Allah reward you"i said hugging her with  tears falling off freely like river Niger and everyone stare amazingly at us while few who recognized us take pictures and videos.

"I'm gonna be late for my grads mum,finish all the necessary things at the airport and make sure you make it to my first and last graduation"She whispered closely enough for my ears to hear while i broke the hug with a nod and a teary smile.

^^^^^^^^^^

FLASHBACK

1st August 2016.

" hey how are you?,it's been long since we last talked"

"Well as the big sis here you don't call expecting me to call you all the time?"Hauwa said at the other side of the call.

"Okay I'm sorry little sis,I've been literally busy with school you know,I'm graduating in five days and getting married in  less than two weeks time"

"Ooohhhhk,well you just telling me that now,no invitation?that's just how much you've forgotten you have another sister"

"C'mon don't be silly,I just called to tell you that,I hope you'll come over for my grads you,ya maimu and ya Abakar,we'll be leaving all together on the 4th"

"I'm sorry but I don't think we can make it"

"Don't just tell me that"I getting annoyed.

"We moved over to abj from the day you asked mom to live the city for you and right now we are so busy parking our stuffs,we'll be leaving for America on Saturday"she said in a sad tone.

Recalling my hurtful words I stayed silent for some minutes.

"Don't you dare take a step more  into this house or else I'm leaving,get out of this house and never show your face again,you want me to forgive you but you're hurting me by making me see your face,if you want my forgiveness then never show your face ever again or leave the city for me I'd appreciate that,but can you?you can't,your selfish self won't let you,you're too selfish,I hate you mum,I really hate you"

"Do you even care how much she's hurting?she's your mother Amaani,not a mother to only you but this affects we all,she's loosing her rites on us because of you and because of you we're loosing her as a mother,she's full of guilt,do you even know she almost didn't survive the surgery?how your family set rule for her not to  come see you at the hospital?not to come see her daughter?and all she utters day and night is You,you Amaani alone,you might not need a mother but know that as a child I do,You understand that better,even better than anyone and I admit she's done  a lot of horrible things to you,but I've seen the best of her,she's changed,what else do you want?when will you be satisfied of all this?she's tired of everything all she prays for is for herself to die,praying all day all night,not taking care of her self not minding  to take care of me or my dad,she's loosed herself completely and we'll loose her very soon"hauwa said while crying so hard and I felt like I've been the most horrible person on earth.

"I..I'm so sorry jay,I didn't know or think about any of that,you should have told me this along time ago"

"So you're now blaming me?did you ever care to call me or even bother to call and ask about our mother?then why now?when it's too late?when we're leaving everything behind for you,our life,family,my studies and everything,we have to move far away from here to another country which we've never been,to a country where we would become strangers to the people and start a new life afresh,a bitter life"she cried .

"Hey,what's wrong?who are you talking to on the phone for so long?"jawaad asked coming into the living room.

"No one"I muttered.

"You sure have loved ones Ya Amaani,but what are we left of?nothing......we've lost everything just our selves and the burden we are carrying to another country,but you ?you've lost just one mother after her?you have a loving mother,a grandmother,a husband-to-be and siblings that's one whole lot of a happy and a loving family"

"I'm sorry Jay but i can't find it in my heart to forgive her"

"Forgive her for something she's not done?it wasn't her fault that someone bewitched her,it can happen to anyone,and she was never having affair,Asiya made it look like,mum was never doing any thing bad with Asiya,we went to a scholar to pray for mum and her health,he told us that our mum was lead to the wrong path,all what happened was because of her,I admit she lied to you and she intended on stopping but with Asiya on the way she kept pushing her to do the wrong things,she got you engaged to Asiya' s brother-Mannir which he also never knew about it and he was already married with five kids,everything happened so fast but we also learned the truth soon enough and as of Asiya she's gone mad due to not following the exact orders of the BoKA"Jay explained clear fully while sniffing into the phone.

"I agree she's been lead to the wrong path but with Mami on this I can't think of forgiving her,she raised a hand to her ex-mother in-law right before you were even thought of appearing on the picture"I replied fuming with anger.

"Let the past not make you turn to a bad person,do not judge a person of his past,judge him best on what his future is right now Ya Amaani, Remember God doesn't bring you lessons to close your heart. He brings you lessons to open it, by developing compassion, learning to listen, Ya Amaani I know it doesn't pay to say too much when you are mad enough to choke. forget the past and forgive,it can happen to all at any moment and at any time in the world,we never know the time,this was her own faith and test and she'll get pass it inshallah,do not forget this is not just about you,she has a family who cares love and need her,do not be a bad person by letting her rot in this states"she replied and ended the call.

"Hey what's wrong?"Jawad asked worriedly.

"It's jay"

"What did she say?"I told him everything not leaving a part and he looked up at me with a blank smile expression.

I want you to Forget what hurt you in the past, but never forget what it taught you. However, if it taught you to hold onto grudges, don't seek revenge,forgive and show compassion, to both  people as good or bad, to trust and be guarded with your feelings then you learnt  something.

For the word that stings the deepest is the word that is never spoke,

Let the other fellow wrangle till the storm has blown away,

then you will do a heap of thinking about the things you didn't say.

"Hey look up at me,I'm talking to you"he said in the most beautiful calm voice I looked up and then he continued.

True forgiveness is like a fire, burning everything in its path. When held towards ourselves, it burns away our guilt, shame, and negative thoughts. When held in the context of others, forgiveness can release feelings of animosity, anger, intolerance and therefore, restore love and intimacy in our relationships ,I know your hurt right now but it's high time for you to move on and forgive mum pls don't let a word ruin your relationship,I know you love her and she loves you soo much too but pls I'm tired of seeing you shading tears secretly ,I really want to see you smile again It's only through the accumulation of knowledge, and then testing it in the real world, that you're able to increase your understanding of life. You need to have experiences that excite you, experiences that anger you, experiences that frighten you, and even experiences in which you have no particular emotion at all. I know you have experienced some of this things but please it's high time you forget all this things though I know it's not easy too but Amaani you can't live like this forever.

But a mother is a protector, disciplinarian and friend. A mother is a selfless, loving human who must sacrifice many of their wants and needs for the wants and needs of their children. A mother works hard to make sure their child is equipped with the knowledge, skills and abilities to make it as a competent human being. Being a mother is perhaps the hardest, most rewarding job a woman will ever experience.

A mother is a teacher and also a disciplinarian Being a mother means being there to teach your child important rules and roles of life, from being an empathetic human being to learning how to be responsible of one's actions. As your child grows up, they are going to face an onslaught of differing thoughts, opinions and values from their friends, the movies, internet, television and magazines.

(I said as the tears fall)

Mother is not simply a word but it is a whole universe in itself. She is the most important person in everybody's life. As God cannot be everywhere he created MOTHER .

Her glory is beyond the description of words still i made an attempt to bewrite her essence in the sweetest and shortest way possible.

Magnanimous in nature... as she not only keeps her children before herself but also sacrifices her needs for the fulfillment of her children's desire.

Optimistic regarding her children, no matter what the situation may be her child is the best one in the world and she always desires the best possible for them .

Tenacious defense whenever her children fall in trouble, not to forget a mother's will power is not easily dispelled.

Halcyon in every circumstance, Beginning from the distress she bears when her child is in the womb to the pain during the delivery... from the sleepless nights and in the further upbringing of a child a woman undergoes certain changes physically aswell as emotionally but she faces them all pacifically with a smile on her face without any complain.

Epitome of love and affection. In a world where relations are mostly based on self greed a mother is the only person who will love you selflessly.

A child should never feel as if they need to earn a mother's love. This will leave a void in their heart all of their life. A mother's love needs to be given unconditionally to establish trust and a firmThe foundation emotional intimacy in a child's life. If love is withheld, a child will look for it in a million other ways, sometimes throughout their lifetime unless they come to some sort of peace with their past. The emotional foundation we give our children at home is foundational to their life. We cannot underestimate the value of home and the power of mother love. Unrelenting and yielding. Protecting and releasing. Demanding and unassuming. It's one thing in one moment, and another in the next moment. It changes with a child's needs, but is always there.

A mother's love is like nothing else in the world.

It's both strong and gentle.

Loud and quiet.

Unrelenting and yielding.

Protecting and releasing.

Demanding and unassuming.

It's one thing in one moment, and another in the next moment. It changes with a child's needs, but is always there. Unmoving.

"But she's nothing like that Jawaad non of that defines her because she does the mere opposite of it,she doesn't deserve to be called one and I really hate calling myself her child,I can't stand it but I can't also redo my past"I said almost shouting feeling hurt all of a sudden and the more the tears fall out.

"What's wrong?are you two fighting"Mami jumped out of nowhere heading into the leaving room asking with a worried face,she looked from jawaad to me.

"We were talking about mum Mami,I was just telling her to forgive her but she's not getting it,maybe you can"jawaad replied looking at me disappointedly.

"Well now that I'm here let's get over this phase"Mami said while sitting in a chair while i and jawaad move to sit at the soft rug carpet.

"Forgive her BiBi,Allah forgives us for our sin why can't you forgive her for this?"mami asked calmly.

"But a mother i..."she cut me off saying;

"A mother's love is different than flimsy affection

The love of a mother goes to extremes .

The love of a mother sacrifices her own security. she uses her own home as collateral to fight for her child

The love of a mother is primal. When faced with grave danger she will stop at nothing – and spare no one – who threatens the lives of her children.

The love of a mother is sobering. Rose Colored Glasses give way to fear, worries, and doubts for her children's safety because, now, life is about more than having a good time

A mother's love is different in different seasons

The love of a mother turns her attention to her little ones and away from former hobbies, interests, and pursuits that are too costly and self-focused.

The love of a mother makes time to pour into herself, knowing it's the best thing she can do for her family.

The love of a mother says I will do that Big Thing later because, right now, I have more important work at home.

The love of a mother doesn't use children as an excuse to put off the Scary Task she is called to do right now, knowing that the choices she makes now affect all her children's futures.

The love of a mother serves canned fruit and processed meals, balancing the worry that fresh food would be better, but $20 only goes so far"

"I am a mother and I know what it's like to be a mother,I know the challenges and lessons,

The position of the mother in Islam is an exalted one, to the extent that spiritually its priority is only next to that GOD, for in one exhortation of the Qur'an, it reads : "...And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small." ...Qur'an 17:23

So Know that no matter what you do she'll always be your mother,and no matter how far you think and what you do you can never repay her I'm this world for all nor even one of the things she's done for you,causing her pain is like causing Allah,forgive her for she's your mother my child"she said as she looked up at me with a smile while I returned a weak one,knowing I'd do anything for this woman she got me all emotional and she knew I'd never say no to her,with the little courage left in me I uttered.

"But Mami I can't forgive her for what she's done to you"she raised a hand stopping me from adding more words.

"I should have known that you ain't one I can tell stuffs to"she said with a raised brow playfully

"Hey jawaad make sure you don't share things with your wife she's not on to tell nor forgive"Mami said directing the reply to jawaad and they laughed at me so hard which made me feeling awkward seeing this beautiful site of my grandmother with my husband-to-be having this kinda fun I know he'd win over my space and replace me.

"Mamiiiiii,I'm sorry,trust me he can share anything with me,I'm I good share keeper"I said with a pout.

"That was in the past and I've forgiven your mother so please do the same"she replied.

"I'll mend things Mami,I promise you I'll"I said while hugging her so tightly sticking out my tongue to jawaad as he take pictures of me.

"Now I'm gonna have to go prepare for the wedding after today you're not allowed to see each other until the wedding,I hope you both can cope cx as I'm seeing things here you can't let go of each other"

"Don't worry Mami she'd have to cry to see me"jawaad reply looking at me with a "I'm proud of you kinda  smile" which got me blushing.

"You're talking as if I'm the one who asked you to come"I said unbelievable and Mami was long gone.

"Tell me you didn't say you missed me and that if I don't leave my work and come over you're gonna call of the wedding?tell me?"

"Well I didn't say that,that was your exact statement"I replied making him look at me unbelievable.

"Well I'm leaving and I ain't coming for your grads trust me,after all we ain't allowed to see each other from now"he replied while standing up to leave.

"Hey I was just joking I'm sorry"I said with a pout tailing behind him a  he moved out of the house to his car.

"Bye bye sweetheart"he said with a mischievous smile.

"Okay fine I said it"I replied feeling so annoyed.

"It ain't changing anything we ain't allow to see each other it's the traditional we can't jura break it"he replied getting into his car and turning the ignition engine to life.

"Bu the way You'd the right thing I'm proud of you"he said with a sincere smile.

"Forget that,tell me you're coming to my grade Rey please"I said with a pout making a puppy dog eyes.

"No babe,see you when I see you my Queen"he said while leaving without letting me reply.i grunt entering the house.

FLASHBACK ENDS

^^^^^^^^^^^^

PRESENT DAY

5th AUGUST 2016

ABUJA ,NIGERIA

NILE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA.

(Graduation day)

As I stood up to the stage to give a wonderful farewell to my fellow outgoing graduates,I glanced once and twice as I looked with hope filled in my eyes to see the love of my life,but he was no where to be found,I looked at everyone with a smile as I spoke.

The journey so far has not been easy,I can still hear the voice of our lectures saying "READ!READ!!READ!!!" And they constantly say"DO YOU UNDERSTAND OR SHOULD I EXPLAIN ONCE MORE?"all this voices contribute  in making me who I am today, being a person as a child who grew with a lot of ambitious cravings wanting to become a poet,an inspirational speaker,an Author,a lawyer,a newscaster and a lot more but here I am today with a degree in MEDICAL LABORATORY  SCIENCES a course which I've grown to love in a little time and today I am proud I am what I am and for that I shall forever be indebted to NILE UNIVERSITY NIGERIA.

(I said as I glanced once more to look for my mother and jawaad but they was no sign of  any of them instead I had an eye contact with AYMAAN,I continued)

The different times,exciting moments and unforgettable memories are what brings tears to my eyes as I graduate and successfully depart from this great and loving disciplined university.

To my fellow outgoing students,wisdom shall be our hammer,prudence will be our nail when great leaders like us build lives from honesty,courage never fails,wishing you all God's grace and favor where ever you go,in everything you do.

I thank the Almighty for giving me the chance to share these years of my life with my fellow outgoing students.

I want you all to know and remember that you may not wear a designer's jeans but you are made with a designer's gene by Allah.(applause from all students and parents)I will miss you all and May Almighty Allah continue to keeps your flag flying.

I can't drop the mic without saying a good thank you to all my lecturers,Honestly mere words cannot express my sincere gratitude for your loyalty to duty.Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.I must admit,it is not easy being a lecturer I pray may Allah bless and enlarge your territory and May he bless you all and grant you all your heart desires.

Thank you once again for the knowledge shared,the discipline and corrections.And lastly I want to take this opportunity to thank my father and each one of my family members who have contributed to my success in one way or the other,thank you all for the love,support,and words of encouragement without any of it I don't think I would have pushed hard to be standing here and to my mother there are no words to explain how happy I am today because without you I wouldn't be here,and I'm really happy to know that you made it to my graduation.(I said with a beautiful smile looking at mum lovingly thinking when she skipped in here without me noticing until now, as the attention of the crowd turned to look at the fair Fulani beautiful woman with a petite figure featuring a custard cream colored Abaya her  hijab fitted her face perfectly)I also appreciate Our father,VICE COUNSELOR Prof. Osman Nuri Ara,who in his fatherly love and disposition stood by us through thick and thin(I said looking at our VC with an appreciable smile and he smiled back raising a hand at the crowd)to my successors nothing in life comes easy,strive to achieve your goal for coming to this great University.

I now understand that there's never a right time to say goodbye to good things that have become a part of Our life NILE UNIVERSITY NIGERIA has been a home away from home. No person can have his or her home without leaving with a part of it(the crowd nod in agreement)As a student being exposed to students from different parts of the country helped me to build on my potentials and improve my personality and now as I came here a little girl with just a little sense of direction I'm leaving as a trained,reformed and a defined young lady,without you all great lecturers  I would have still being that little girl with a little sense.

Thank you!(I said the last part with a  Proud smile leaving the stage to sit with my fellow graduates as everyone clap in applause)

"As the celebration went on with everyone snapping pictures,dancing,gisting with family members ,as i approached my family they enveloped me in a beautiful family  hug,all praising of "CONGRATULATIONS" fly on the air,as I stood up with them and snap numerous of pictures with mum,hauwa,Da,ya Abakar and Ya maimu all together with the rest of the family members,after a while i excused myself to go snap some pics with my friends with jawaad all on my side snapping me pictures from every angel.

"I'm so angry at you"I muttered to him on our way to go meet my friends.

"I came you just didn't see me and I sat at the back so I won't be a distraction"

"It's good you know you're one"I said while laughing.

"Congratulations my love,selfie?"he said wigh a wide smile revealing his so white teeth.

"Yeah love"we stood and take so many selfies.

"I have a surprise for you"he whispered leading me to the entrance of the hall.

"I hate surprises you know that"I said with a pout.

"Ain't you just a cute little munchkin"he said playfully.

"Congratulations sis,we are proud of you Amal and Imaan said jumping over me for a hug"the two chocolates fair ladies  who wore a beautiful fitted  magenta atamfa gown which fitted their silhouetted figure perfectly fine,Imaan being the eldest and the shorter one wore a high heel vasace shoe and Amal being a little chubbier wore a flat Chanel shoe with their iPhone XS Max each on their hand.

"Thank you sweetheart,I'm so happy you made it"I said with a smile looking at my beautiful soon-to-be-sister in-laws while my mother in-law stood loving at us.

"Hey get off her,I don't want her to suffer if body pain"jawaad said with a serious smile while PROFESSOR RAHAMA NASHE hit him on his chest

"You shameless child"she playfully said.

"Hey come give me a hug don't just stand their"she said to me and I carried my little figure to her soft warm body and she enveloped me in a hug"

"Congratulations dear,May Allah bless you abundantly"she said breaking the hug.The beautiful woman who wore a beautiful maroon Abaya with a touch of golden stripes and a golden veil tied perfectly in her face fitted Perfectly on her beautiful chocolate skin.

"Thank you Maamaa"I said with a smile.

"Don't be silly,you're welcome"

Just how much I love this woman,my mother in law is the best i Could  ask for right now And her jovial nature is one thing I love more with her,from the day I saw her at the hospital I thought she was his relative not once in my mind did I thought she was gonna be my mother In law,after the incident at the hospital I apologized times without numbers to her which made her angry at me all the time but alhamdulillah for the past few months we became more like sisters than that of a mother-daughter in-law bond and my sister-In-laws are just like a replica of yasmin and Taslim to me so loving and fun to hang out with,After finding out that Muhammad was dating Amal without him knowing she was my soon-to-be-sister in-law made our bond even more stronger when he introduced me to her  as his girlfriend.

"Mamaa you can go meet them,everyone is inside,we'll be right back"jawaad said to his mum and she nod leaving with her two daughters one at her left and the other one at her right walking all together,if not for their chocolate fair skin you'd think they are triplets.

"Congratulations Amaani"Layla said while hugging me.

"Thank you Layla"I replied hugging her back while they exchange greetings with jawaad.

"I haven't seen Ramla Layla?have you seen her?"I asked looking around.

"She's with Sis Halima over there"she said pointing at them.

"Okay let's go"I said while we three headed to where they were.

"Hello girls"

"You killed it,that speech got me feeling all emotional"Maryam said dramatically.

"You look so beautiful,you're just glowing like a bride in a week"Ramla said with a smile.

"Thank you all,you don't look bad either"I replied as jawaad excused himself to go talk to Farouq.

"Where's Halima?"i asked.

"She's over their with her husband"fatiti said and I walked towards Halima,Farouq and jawaad who were so engrossed in  their conversation with a guy that they didn't notice me"

"Assalamualikum y'all"I salam diving their attention to me.

"Waalaikumusalam"they replied in unison including the guy who turned out to be Aymaan.

"We exchanged pleasantries with them all including Aymaan who got me feeling nervous.

"Hey,can you please hold her for a  sec"a lady came talking to Aymaan while  handing him over a cute baby girl,a photocopy of him.

"I'm so sorry,Salamualiakum"she appologize looking at us with a beautiful smile while Aymaan played with the baby.

She might be his wife though,this is confusing?when did he got married to even have a child?,I guess I've been so engrossed in my studies to not have paid attention to social media.

I thought.

"You must all be graduates huh?congratulations"

"Thank you" we muttered in unison.

"Your speech was something I fell In love with,you sure can be a writer"she complemented looking at me with a smile.

"Thank you"I replied  with a short smile looking at the chocolate brown beauty in front of me.

"Uhmmm,meet my wife Rsahida Menk and my daughter Umniya"Aymaan introduced looking at his wife lovingly.

"She's so cute,May I?"Halima complimented moving her hand forward to hold umniya and Aymaan gave her willingly.

"Come look she's so beautiful Amaani"Halima Said while I moved closer to look at her.

"Excuse us please" I said while looking at jawaad as we moved a little further.

"He's married and you didn't tell me?"I asked.