Chapter 43: Chapter 43

The life of the couple became glum, sombre and sloven, they only met during breakfast when Ihsan comes, they couldn't even share a word, sometimes he apologizes but she'll snub his existence.

Today was the deadline, it was the day she'll start cooking, as it is in the Hausa-Fulani culture. She grimaced as the thought of this, she won't just cook something for this guy, he isn't worth it. She groggily pulled herself off from her bed, how her room was decoration was soothing it self, it was a coffe brown room, with not too much decorations in it. Only her queen sized bed, her walk-in closet, her book shelf; which she knew so well was Ya Husna's idea, as she knew her love for books, they were her companion now, as wattpad was boring, the writers weren't helping a soul.

This spot becomes her favourite place to ease her boredness, she always finds pleasure sitting and reading her favourite books here. She enjoyed reading wattpad on her bed before, but not as sweet as this place.

With her legs on the floor, she took a glimpse of the book she was reading yesterday before she slowly trudge to her bed with sleepy eyes. She smiled and sauntered to the reading area, took the book and continued reading.

She slowly lifted her eyes and they fell on the wallclock that was pinned on the wall, she gasped and hurriedly moved to the bathroom, took her bath and exited. She applied her lotions, applied a nude lipstick on her lips, applied kohl and spritz perfume on her body. She wore a simple gown, wrapped her head with a cotton veil and majestically sauntered out of her room, with a stern and no nonsense look on her face.

She entered her gray kitchen, her face suddenly broke into a small smile, she was wondering what she'll cook for her breakfast. So this was how Mama felt all this years? Preparing breakfast was one of her hardest things. Different dishes floated in her brain, with the contemplations going on in her head, she silently walked fast the kitchen island and moved to where the cooking gas was.

She played a music on her phone while preparing her breakfast, humming, swaying and slightly moving her head, she loved the music, it became one of her favourites.

I was a human, breathing and thinking, eating and drinking, philosiphizing...

I was a human, before you killed me, and ripped my heart out, I knew what love was...

Now when they ask me... I just reply slow, and sound like an iphone, I do not know love, I am a robot.....

Al-amin silently prowled out of his room, as the aroma filled the house, he was starving, but couldn't have the effrontery to ask her for breakfast, he wasn't ready for her heartbreaking talks, he prefer them leaving in this seclution, than her uttering those crestfallen words.

With a smile on his face he sauntered inside the kitchen, he thought she was happy, the sight of her humming a song, cooking, swaying a little was a sight to behold, he wished she would turn amd flash her mesmerizing smile to him, which he couldn't get to see until every morning; when Ihsan brings them breakfast, and now it was over, how will he get to see her angelic smile?

"Good morning, Arub," he greeted, sitting on the island, flashing her his best smile, he wished she will act nice, this seclusion is killing him inside.

She abruptly turned, she was starled, she wasn't expecting him now, she thought he was out as she hadn't heard his annoying movements. Her gaze fell on him, she heaved a sigh of relief and continued copping her onion.

He felt bad, this is getting too much, why won't she forgive him? Isn't he worth forgiveness? Was it his fault? She was the one that asked for it, he doesn't wanted to sound rude, so he replied with 'As you wish', He was told that girls are fragile, she'll give in in a short time, but why was she acting stubborn? He was very sure she still has some feeling for him, he will help her make them grow, more than before.

He got up from the chair he was sitting, amd moved to where she was, his hands in his sweet pant's pocket, he looked dashingly handsome, so as her. "Arub, please, I beg of you, I'm really sorry, it wasn't totally my fault, Dan Allah," he lamented, his face was full of worry, he sounded devastated.

She looked askance at him, she opened her mouth but decided to play along with her song, it's better talking to him.

I used to know love, cause I had a fire, fashion and desire..

Now all are require.. are circuits and wires..

Inside was an ocean of soul and emotion, then you cut me open, now all that I know is....

He felt a pang in his heart, it's better to be stabbed than to be pierced with these words, he knew she was obfuscatingly singing this song, as it was perfectly explaining the situation they are in.

"Arub, do listen to me please. There is no misunderstanding that can't be solved out, I beg of you, you're hurting my feelings by snubbing me, atleast say a word to me," he spoke sombrely, he was hurt beyong words. So this is how it felt to be snubbed by whom you so much love and needed? Indeed it's heart wretching.

She looked at him, she was happy and satisfied, at least he felt how it is, he felt half of was she felt, this is just the beginning. Some part of her heart was urging her to talk to him, but the other was against it, the snubbing, the heartbreak, 'as you wish', the cryings, her inner conscience whimpered. No!.

I am a robot.. thoughtless and empty..

Don't know who sent me.. don't know who made me..

Electric robot.. everything's grey now, numb to the pain now, I knew what love was...

She sang the song and started stirring her sauce, piercely looking at him with her left eyes. The unique nerve she've got. She was absent mindedly stirring her sauce when she felt his soft hands on her's, he used put his two hands on her shoulders, which made her quiver and shuddered at the electrifying feeling she got. This was her first time when a guy touched her shoulder, expect Ya Yusuf.

"Aysha, I beg of you in the name of Allah, turn off the gas and listen to me, let's sort everything out and live like every married couples. Please," he beseeched, piercing his browny orbs right through her milky and mirth orbs. Ummi used all the remaining strenght she was left with and pushed him with aplomb, she couldn't resist his hands on her, those magical orbs in hers. This is too much! Her heart almost betrayed her.

"Hey Mr heartbreaker, don't you dare put those filthy hands of your's on my body, I'm just physically your wife, not internally. And I won't sort anything out with you, I don't need anything from you, you wrenched my heart, soul and body, I have nothing to do with you now. It's your turn to know how I felt," she roared enigmatically, she was devastated, she felt for him, how his eyes bulged out, it loomed he was besetted with her words. But she has no chance left.

Al-amin couldn't utter a word, so she hate him this much? What kind of a mistake has he made? This lady standing right in front of him was meant to be his wife, had it been he knows this, he wouldn't have broke her heart!

He looked at her and wretchfully trudged out of the kitchen, he ascended the staircases and went directly into his room. It was simply decorated, only a cushion bed and a study area, with a walk-in closet and a bathroom.

His room was always his sanctum, he always finds pleasure sitting in his room, but the room was now suffocating him, he took his car key and left the house.

Ummi finished preparing her breakfast with a heavy heart, she knew she was overreacting, but her inner conscience always screamed 'Cryings, snubbing, heartbreak, as you wish,' whenever she wanted to act nice, she couldn't help this, it was beyond her order.

She took her tray and prowled out of the kitchen, after cleaning every dirt she had made. She stood in the middle of the living room, she loves how everything was decorated in this house, no too much colours, her dull colours were used everywhere.

It was mint green sofas and some little brown furnitures at the door side and there were some other furnitures at the edge of the living room, it was vast. She loves everything in the house.

The other side of the living room was decorated with an L-shafed ash sofas, it was breathtakingly beautiful, she has to call Baba amd thank him, more especally Ya Husna and Mama, they were the ones that choosed her favourite colours, if not; she would've hate the house as she dislike the owner of the house.

With a smile on her face, she slowly sauntered to the dining room, she took a satisfying look on the dining area, it was extraordinary unique, no flowers, the dining table wasn't flashy, Oh god, she loves everything in the house. It was a hard wooded white table with three black comfortable chairs and a medium bench adjacent to the chairs, giving a view of the way leading to the balcony.

She silently sat down and dug in her food, different thoughts floating in her brain, she saw when he seethingly left, she wished he's safe.

She finished her breakfast, took the plates and do the dishes, she was ascending the staircases when she spotted a white wooden door at the end, she descended back and took a glimpse of the place, everything was just so wow.

She opened the door and a garden with a small swimming pool came into view, she squealed out of joy, oh my god, does she deserve this? Had it been they're in talking term with Al-amin, she would've have thank him endlessly, showering him with kisses. She loves gardens, and water, she believed water and flowers are the best way of soothing ones pain.

With a cheerful look on her face, she moved back into her room and continued reading her book, after calling Mama, Ya Husna and Ya Yusuf.

***

It was after Asr Ummi's stomach made a growling sound, she realized she was hungry, as she hadn't eaten her lunch.

She took her book and left for down stairs, she was cooking while reading her book, it almost got burned. She finished taking her lunch and sprawled herself on the L-shaped couch. She was so engrossed in her book when she heard the door bell, she groaned in irritating and stood up, adjusted her veil and move to get the door.

She slowly opened the door and turned back, thinking it was Al-amin, but she heard no sound, that made her turn, and the person she saw standing was the least person she expect.

Without a second thought, she threw her book on the floor and jumped on him, shouting at the top of her voice "Ya Yusuf," she jabbered, hugging him tight, as lone of tears washed down her face.

Ya Yusuf slighly pushed her down and smacked her shoulder playfully, pinching her nose. "My baby sister isn't grown up," he pouted, comfortably sitting on the sofa. "I'm expecting my niece or nephew in the next nine months, so better grow up, you won't be my baby sis forever," he added and winked, making her closed her face shyly.

He laughed at her reaction "Someone is shy of her big bro? I'm pained, this your husband snatched you away from me," he feigned a hurt expression, playfully clutching his heart.

She smacked his shoulder laughing "Ya Yusuf you're incorrigible," she yelled and scuttled to the kitchen.

She brought him some refreshments and sat down next to him, holding his left hand, laughing like a long lost child who found his mother. She was gisting him how she got so carried away with the house, she loves it.

To say Ya Yusuf was happy will be an understatement, he was over joyed, he thought he'll meet her looking glum and sombre, but seeing her like this gave him hope, he'll now rest his mind, knowing she wasn't living a depressed life.

"Ya Yusuf, you haven't told me you were coming, I would've prepared you favourite dish," she pouted, making a puppy face.

Yusuf missed her, he missed how she pampered him, he missed her face and everything about her. Before he could utter a word, they heard the door bell, he stood before her and went to get the door, the person he saw baffled him, he wasn't expecting her.

"Why aren't you coming in?, Ya Yusuf you don't even know how to entertain guest," she slightly pushed him and her jaw almost dropped at the sight of her bestfriend, her eyes were red, she was looking heartbroken and down hearted.

She hold her hand and guided her in, with a worried look on her face. She poured water in a cup and thrusted it to Meeno, she collected and gulped it down. "Meeno, what's wrong? What happened? Are you sick?" Ummi asked looking worried, she loves her bestfriend, seeing her like this wasn't a good sight, as she was a sturdy lady.

She looked at Ummi then Ya Yusuf, Ummi fathomed she can't talk in his presence, she excused them and gudied her to the balcony, leaving worriedly looking YaYusuf, seeing her like this broke his heart.

They entered the balcony, it has a veranda with a table and chairs around it, with grasses layed on the floor. The wind there was blewing softly, Ummi already loved the place.

They silently sat down, amd Ummi gave her the 'spill' look. Meeno gulped back the tears that weren't stopping and sombrely spoke.

"Aysha, it was Sadeeq. His mother said he will not marry me, she don't love me. Aysha, what have I ever done to her? They were to go to our house for the official talkings today, but she cancelled it. They had already fixed his marriage date with his cousin, I'm dumped, Ummi," she was crying hysterically, her body quivering.

Ummi felt for her, she knew whatever Meeno cryed for was crucial to her. She hugged her, patting her back soothingly, and started saying some placating words to her. It took them minutes, Meeno was no more crying, she realized it was Allah's will, if they were meant to be, they'll be.

Anty Hussaina called asking her where she was, she was really worried, she knew it wasn't easy. Meeno bid her adieu and left, muttering numerous 'Thank yous', as she reminded her of the things she had forgotten.

Ya Yusuf ensnared Ummi, she had to tell him what made Meeno cry, he felt sorry for her and collected her number all in the name of he wanted to placate her. Ummi teased him and silently prayed they'll hook up, with that; he left.

***

Laith was sitting in Miss Eliza's bedroom, his head was hung low, as she was silently talking to him.

"Laith, I don't want you to embroil yourself in this people's trap, you know so well how heartless they can be, please, Laith," she spoke silently, as tears rolled down her cheeks while she quickly used her thumbs and cleared it.

They were talking about his wedding with Laila, she doesn't want him to embroil himself, she knew how nigerians could be heartless, she knew so well they won't allow him to get married to her, even if they get married here.

"Mom, please, I need your consent and Barakah, she's ready to leave her family for me, she's ready, Mom. Don't do this to me please, you're my only hope," he whimpered, he wished she can feel how his heart was paining when she's saying she doesn't want their marriage anymore. He wished she could know how Laila suddenly became his soulmate, and source of happines, she made the unshaken hatred he has towards nigerians vanish within a short period of time.

"Laith, all I want is your happines, as well as I don't want you to embroil yourself in any harmful act, what you're trying to do is dangerous and life risking, this might get you jailed for years, they're heartless, Laith," she silently broke into tears, this wasn't easy as she suspected.

Laith knealt beside her, he held her hands in a beseeching way, as lone of tears washed down his face. "Please Mom, there won't be any problem In sha Allah, she's ready to do anything for me, and so I am, why of all people will you have to be my problem? Why Mom? Please," he begged, sobbing.

Miss Eliza can't take this anymore, she couldn't see her son crying over something she has the power to get for him, "I won't be your problem, you'll get married to her, but it has to be based on her tradition, the wedding will be fixed two months from now, we have to talk to Sheik Muhsin, he's here in UK, he'll guide us. Also the celebrations will be traditional, you'll use the pics as proofs, I know they'll need that," she spoke with a broad smile spread on her lips.

Laith couldn't be happier, he hugged her tightly, his wish has come true. "Thank you, Mom, I love you. In sha Allah it'll be khair," he smiled at her, a whole hearted smile.

She smiled back genuinely "In sha Allah," she spoke.

He looked up, smirking, he knew she doesn't know when she said that, but he was happy "Someday In sha Allah, I love you, Mom," he hugged her tightier.

She hugged him back amd whispered "I love you too," Smiling ruefully, she remembered his Dad, she wished he was here.

***

Ummi finished her night business, she wore her pyjamas and flopped on her reading chair, she wasn't worried anymore, as she heard his car sound when he was back. She suddenly got bored with book she was reading, and decided to watch a movie in the living room that was in the upstairs, as she heard some sounds made by Al-amin sometimes there.

She brought out some chocolate and drink, before she sauntered to the living room, praying he wasn't there. The view that came to sight made her eyes bulged out, an unexpected 'wow' escaping her lips.

It was a light and dark brown living room, everything was simply furnished and decorated, she suddenly loved the place, and it suddenly became her favourite place in the house.

She flopped on the sofas and switched on the TV, she changed the channel from MBC Action to MBC2, where she started watching 'Journey to the center of the earth' she loves the film, it was extraordinary, she loves adventurous things, anything less scary and out of world.

She yawned and looked at the wall clock, it reads 11:45pm, she gasped and stood up, she was sleepy, all she needs was the comfort of her bed.

She took her remaining chocolate and sauntered to her room, she turned the door knob when she heard hard breathing amd pain groaning coming from Al-amin's room. She contemplated wether to go check or not, but decided to check.

She slowly opened his room door, and saw him cuddled up in bed, he was shivering amd gasping for breathe. The chocolate she was holding fell down, she ran to him "Al-amin," she yelp, as tears washed down her face.

She put his head on her laps, and turned his face to face hers "What's wrong with you? I'm sorry please, don't leave me, I'm not a good wife, but I promise you I'll be," she wailed, as her tears dropped on his face.

He slowly squinted his eyes and looked at her "I need water and something edible," he faltered and closed his eyes weakly.

She carefully put his head back on the bed, and stood up, crying hysterically, she was at the door when he beckoned for her to come.

She moved back to his bed, and placed her ears close to his mouth to hear what he was saying, she thought he needed something, but what he said took her unawares. "I love you, and I'm sorry," he whispered thornily.

She cleared her unstoppable tears with her hands and whispered back "I love you too, and I'm sorry too," with that she hurriedly trudged out of the room.

She went to the kitchen amd snappily made custard for him, took a bottle of water with a cup and ascended the staircases. She opened the door, and directly went to the bedside drawer and carefully placed the tray down.

She sat close to him and patted his shoulder sofly, holding his hand. She shook him but he wasn't moving, she got astounded, what does this mean? Is he...??? NOOO "Al-amin!!!!" She cried, hugging him tight.