Chapter 50: Chapter 50

They both petrifiedly looked at wrathful Hajia, whom didn't even wait for her driver to halt the car before she comes out. Ummi looked at Al-amin with an impotent look, he knew what that means, he knew she was afraid, so he has to man up and protect his wife.

"What are you still waiting for? Move back joor! Kai Ishaka, come and carry her, let's go yo the hospital," Hajiya yelled at them, before directing her command to her driver, whilst she was clasping her loosed wrapper.

The tears didn't stop from Ummi's eyes, she looked at the people that haven't reach 5; and laboriously looked at Al-amin. He knew what she meant, she doesn't want to be humiliated in front of people, she knew Hajia wouldn't let her go scot free__it's Laila in the question!

"You all can go please, Thank you," Al-amin dismissed them. They were the gatemen of the neighbouring houses, so they silently left.

Ishaka leaned in and held Laila in his hands, her hands drop freely in the air, she loomed lifeless, there were dry tears on her face. Hajia examined her whole body, before letting out a loud wail. "Wallahi Aminu, if something bad happens to this girl, you'll forget what happiness means. And you__bakar munafuka (black hypocrite)..," she infuriatedly bellowed, before looking at her driver.

"Let's go first, you all should meet me in the hopital. Kuma ka kira uwarka da ubanka su sameni a can (And you should call your parents, they should meet me there)," with that, Hajia stomped to where the car was parked, and hopped in. She held Laila's head on her laps, as tears were streaming down her face.

"Ishaka ko kayi sauri ko in maujeka (Ishaka, you should drive fast, else; I'll smack you)," Hajiya yelled at the top of her voice, it now somersaults in her that Laila might die if they didn't rush her to the hospital.

Ishaka was used to Hajia's rantings, he shook his head side ways and speed up.

Ummi clutched onto Al-amin more, she was crying hysterically, she knew Hajia's words would be put in action now, she'll get her Esposo married to Laila. She knew her happiness has come to an end, for she couldn't imagine living under the same roof with that girl, the sight of her together with Al-amin__could break her heart into shards.

"I knew something like this would happen, that's why I said you shouldn't kick her out. I wonder who told Hajia she's here," Ummi muttered distraughted, she wondered how her life would be in a mess now. What life has in store for her? Taking the little happiness it had given her, after she had started nurturing it? Should she question her fate?

"Arub, stop crying please, I'll always be by your side. Now__let's go, I need to call Abba and Mami, so Hajia couldn't vent her anger on them for coming late," her spoke softly, yet, his heart too was twinging, he knew Hajia was a woman of her words, she could do anything to see him in pain.

Ummi rose to her feet and dusted her clothes, before her eyes widened; as she closed her mouth with her palm. "Innalillahi! Al-amin, I've left the gas on," she exclaimed, holding his hands tight, afraid that something might happen to their house.

Without a word, he swiftly pushed her inside the car and sped off. They halted infront of the house. Ummi opted out of the car and entered the house, she sprinted to the kitchen and quickly off the gas, she was glad something bad didn't happen, it was only the water that burn.

In a second, she closed the house and trudged outside. She found Al-amin leaning on his car, his left palm pinning his phone to his ear. Upon seeing her, he motioned for her to enter, he entered the car, ended the call, before they zoomed off to their usual hospital.

Ummi kept chanting all the prayers that came in her mind. Her hands became sweaty, heart beating vigorously, eyes letting the tears flowing, and an important part in her soul__detaching.

Al-amin alighted in the space available for parking. He parked the car and they opted out. Ummi tried as much as possible to wipe the tears away, but they aren't stopping. Al-amin endearingly hugged her, and began wiping away her tears.

"Arub, do you want Mami and Abba to come and meet you in the condition? Your face is all red. Stop crying please, it's not like you've done something wrong," he hushed through her neck. Ummi just hummed and fighted her tears back. But deep down, she knew nobody would know how she's feeling, it's a feeling that couldn't be vocalized. She could vividly remember the day Hajia came to their house, her words would forever be embedded in her heart. And now that Laila is back__she had gave up.

They stood there, their hands emtwined, before Mami's car halted beside them. A worried Mami opted out of the car and motioned for them to go inside. Abba's heart too was pounding, he knew Hajia could be a pain in the neck, even if he doesn't know what was happening.

They asked the nurse on duty, and she told them the room Laila was. With trudging steps, they sauntered to the room__Ummi could feel her heart making a lump in her throat.

Abba silently pushed the door knob, and the door creaked ajar__emanating Hajia that was sitted on a chair opposite Laila; examining her whole body.

They chorused a Salaam, but all Hajia could do was to nod her head. She flashed Al-amin and Ummi a pierce look. "What did I told you when I went to your house, few days after the wedding?" Hajia indignantly asked, directing her question to Al-amin and Ummi; whose heart wanted to explode. So she hasn't forgotten?

They both kept mum, Al-amin grisped her hands more__she knew what it meant. Hajia gave them 'I need an answer' look, but all they could do was to__hung their heads down. "Isma'il, ask this boy to answer me; else__you'll all face my wrath," Hajia bellowed angrily, fuming with rage.

Abba turned his attention to them, he softly called Al-amin's name; which them looked up. "Answer her mana," he spoke softly, hoping Hajia wouldn't be angry more. He has many questions to ask, but knowing Hajia more than anyone else; he shut his mouth.

"You said whenever she's back, that you'll make sure she marries me," Al-amin blurted out the words. It didn't make sense to him too, but what would he say? That he'll get married to her? As if he loves her? No.

"Ubanka! Ji yadda kake wani cewa ita zata aureka, wallahi bari kaji in gaya maka; aure ba fashi, bari dai ta farka lafiya (Your father! See how you're saying she'll marry you. Let me tell you something, nothing could stop this marriage. Let her wake up first)," Hajia yowled, not glancing Ummi's way; whom was doing all her might not to break down. That's why she had been telling Al-amin not to kick her off, for she knew something like this might happen, but destiny has it's own part to play.

They all kept mum, Mami was just looking at Al-amin and Ummi; feeling empathy towards them, she knew it's only Allah that could stop Hajia from doing what she intended to do.

Laila laboriously squinted her eyes, her throat was quenched. She looked at the blurry image of Hajia; she didn't know when her dry chapped lips curved into a smile__how she missed this old woman. Ya Rabb!

"I need water, Hajia," she whispered and closed back her eyes, not noticing the people that were in the room.

Before Hajia could yell, Ummi swiftly went to the fridge and brought out a bottle of water, took the disposable cup beside and thrusted Hajia the items. Hajia glared at her and muttered "Bakar munafuka (black hypocrite)," before she helped Laila sat upright; resting her back against the pillow.

She gulped down the water and opened her eyes. "I missed home, I missed everyone," she whimpered, as tears rolled down her cheeks. Al-amin grimaced and yawed his gaze from her sight, he knew it was just a pretence.

"It's okay, Laila. You need to rest now, we'll talk later my dear," Hajia spoke softly. One could doubt if she was the one that was yelling a while ago.

Roaming her eyes around the room, her gaze fell on sleepy Mami and inquisitive Abba__then to distraughted Ummi and annoyed Al-amin. She let the tears flow, not minding to stop them. "I'm sorry, Abba. I know I've wronged you, but it wasn't my fault wallahi, he left me behind, whilst I was seriously ill, and had to be operated. So I had to live those months to fully recover before coming back. Forgive me please," she was whimpering and sobbing, looking at everywhere but Al-amin's face. She knew she had call for a war, but what would she do? It's just beyond her control too.

Al-amin; whose mouth was agape, since she started talking___wrathfully stood up and headed towards the bed. Without a second thought, he slapped her hard across her right cheek, and began talking in an infuriated way "How dare you, Laila? I say how dare you?!" He clamoured, seething with rage. He wanted to beat the hell out of her, he'd had enough of pains from her, he wanted to vent his anger.

Mami motioned for Ummi to hold him, so he couldn't make another gigantic mistake. Ummi sombrely stood up and held his hand, before she whimpered "It's okay, Al-amin. Don't make the already worst problem worster."

Al-amin looked at her crying face, he wanted to hug her. But how dare this idiot? Who does she think she is? Because Hajia loves her, does that makes gave the audacity to say and do whatever she feels like? C'mon! He has to teach her a lesson.

"I'm sorry Abba and Mami, but I seriously need to smash this girl's head. She was lying, wallahi, it was nothing but a terrible lie. And I'll show you my true colours today," he took an enigmatic step towards her. Mami was astounded at Al-amin's reaction today, if it was before__he could only shook his head sideways and say "She's lying," without uttering another word again. She wondered what has gotten into him.

Hajia swiftly stood up and stood infront of him, flashing him a dare look. He looked at her, his eyes were clouded with wrath "Hajia, move out please," his voice was deep, yet; scorching.

"I will not! Kindly get your way away from her, if you dare lay a finger on her; I'll make your life miserable!" Came Hajia's bellow, sheilding shivering Laila; she knew nothing could stop him from smashing her head today. No one has ever brought out the demon that lies deep beneath his soul but her__that too many times.

Al-amin lifted his hand, and was about to push Hajia out of his way_when Abba shouted his name. "AL-AMIN! Kindly take your wife and leave this place!" He thundered, he couldn't imagine how Al-amin could've push Hajia out of his way. This is a completely different Al-amin, it wasn't their chivalrous and patient Al-amin, the inrovert Al-amin that hardly talks.

Ummi, whose body was shuddering out of fear, she had never seen him like this. What she saw in their home was nothing close to this. So he has a demon beneath his soul? She prayed that demon would never come out because of her.

With the tears in her eyes, she clasped his hand in her's. "Please," she whispered, and pouted her lips whilst crying, she hope he would agree and follow her.

He slowly turned, as she trudged towards the door__his hand in her's. "We're sorry, Hajia," Ummi uttered silently and moved out.

"You're sorry din ubanki! (Like it's an insult, but it's something close to sorry for yourself) Isma'il, I want Laila and Al-amin married on this saturday. In two days time," Hajia demanded, loud enough for them to hear___with a tone of finality laced on her voice.

It wasn't only Mami that almost lost her balance, Abba also lost a beat of his heart. They gave Hajia disbelieving and beseeching looks. She looked at them and hissed loudly "What? You've all seen what he intended to do, so getting him married to Laila is the only thing I want right now___else..," she couldn't finish her sentence, when Abba cut her off.

"We're sorry, Hajiya. Saturday it is," he avowed silently, his heart twinging.

Mami looked at him before hunging her head low. It was all Al-amin's fault, how could he do that to Hajia? Where was his senses? Ya Allah! He has gotten himself and his innocent wife in trouble.

"You can leave. And tell that hypocrite and demon's-like wife of his___to make breakfast for us," she commanded dismissively, not glancing their way.

Mami sombrely looked at Hajia "But Hajia wh...," she was cut off by Hajia's wrathful voice.

"Hauwa'u, have I asked your opinion? Haven't you saw what he did? Now__get out of my sight!" She roared. Abba and Mami hushed 'we're sorry' and silently left the hospital.

Laila looked at Hajia with a wide grin on her face. She hugged her tightly "Thank you so much, Hajia. You're really a life saver. What would I have done without you in my life?" Laila jabbered, the smile not leaving her face. She was beyond happy for what she heard Hajia said, she'll finally have Al-amin to herself, but isn't the wedding so soon? She hasn't started picking up the pieces left in her shattered heart. Could she move on? But he has made an impact in her life! She couldn't forget him easily.

Hajia broke their hug, seeing Laila was ruminative made her tensed. "Don't you like the idea of getting married in two days time? Or what is it else you want?" Hajia inquired affectionately, patting her head with so much adoration.

Hajia's voice jolted Laila out of her reverie, she looked at Hajia with an enigmatic smile plastered on her lips. "No, Hajia, I'm ecstatically happy, wallahi. It's just that___you know I can't live with him while he has another wife, I don't want a co-wife. So we better get rid of that girl," she stated with a grimaced expression on her face. The thought of Ummi could crash down her happiness for years.

Hajia held up her chin in a ruminative way, before impotently looking at smirking Laila. "How could we get rid of her? It's palpable; he loves her so much," she stated the last words with aplomb. She doesn't know why, but she hates Ummi with all her being.

Laila enthusiastically shifted comfortably on the bed. "Where is that envelope I gave you? About three to four years back? The time has come! It'll be used now," she marvelled, as they hi-fived with Hajia__whose face lifted up at the mention of the envelope she had been treasuring like a gold.

"You really are smart, Laila," Hajia complimented, slightly hugging her. "But don't you think it'll seem old?" She asked.

Laila smiled "I've alot of that covered, Hajia. It's just that the one with you is the starting point, Hajjaju," she smiled triumphantly, feeling her pains subsiding. Even though she doesn't love Al-amin as much as she love Laith; she would trade the world than to see him with another lady.

***

Ummi drove them back home. Al-amin had hissed numerous times, and banged the dashboard out of frustration. They alighted inside the house, Ummi opened the house and they glumly entered.

They sat on the L-shaped sofa, everyone was lost in his thought___their appetite long gone. Al-amin's phone's ringtone jolted Ummi out of her trance___upon seeing Mami's name; she thrusted him the phone "Pick the call and put it in speaker mode please," he absent mindedly said.

"Al-amin," Mami whimpered, it was palpable enough to tell them she cried. Al-amin's heart twinged at that.

"Mami," he softly answered.

"Hajia sai Ummi should make breakfast for them, I've tried making her understand the work would be too much for her___but you know how she could be. And she knows everyone's food's taste, and if I were to cook the food; with the first bit, she'll know.

Tell Ummi I'm so sorry please, I'll send a maid, so she would help her," Mami elaborated in a sombre tone, feeling empathy towards Ummi. She could imagine how she's feeling, she had felt, and is still feeling these kinds of pains caused by Hajia___it isn't something easy to overcome.

"But, Mami...she can't cook. She's suffering from..let's say bronchitis. Can I order the food?" He asked, hoping she would say yes.

Mami muttered an 'Innalillahi' beneath her breathe. "No, Al-amin. Hajia knows the taste of every food, you can't do that. I'll send a maid, you can help too, but don't let her cook fah; only some helpings___because she knows the taste of their foods too. Tell Ummi I'm sorry please."

He opened his mouth to protest, when Ummi beat him at it. She smiled ruefully at him before she spoke sadly "It's okay, Mami, I can cook it; he's just exaggerating. The maid shouldn't possibly come, he can help ai."

"May Allah bless you, Ummi. Thank you," Mami spoke lovingly and ended the call.

Swiftly, Al-amin engulfed her into a hug, she heaved a sigh and rested her head on his chest. It suddenly somersaults in her___that in two days time, Laila might be the one to rest on this broad and serene chest. With just the thinking, tears began rolling down her cheeks.

"Babyyy," she called out. He lifted her up and smiled fleetingly. "Would you stop loving me if you get married to her?" She whimpered, intensely looking at him.

"I'll not even get married to her, talkless of stop loving you. You've become a part of me, I can't live without you. I love you so much, Arub. Please let's drop this issue, I don't want to even think about it, " he spoke endearingly and pecked her forehead.

Ummi smiled ruefully and rose to her feet "It's okay then, let's go and make the breakfast; it now calls for something heavy you know," she stated and moved towards the kitchen, but was halted by a grisp of her wrist.

"You haven't said you love me," he whined, pouting his lips. She knew he would wink any time from now.

"Don't even do it, and I love you moree," she pecked his cheek and yanked off her hand.

"Wait nah, It's just an additional energy to work perfectly," he ensued her with an outward chuckle.

They were cooking in the kitchen. Ummi was slicing yam, whilst Al-amin was making the liver sauce. "I'm done, who'll fry the yam?" Ummi asked, she knew what he would say already.

"I'm nah! Don't even come close here, go out sef," he uttered and sauntered towards her.

She raised her hands up in the air "Okay sir. But I'll make kunu for Hajiya, and smoothie for Laila," she was doing all this with aplomb, not that she isn't hurting inside; but because of the love she have for him.

She set to work. She felt like the liver sauce was going to burn; so without him knowing___for he was busy frying the yam; she silently tip toed to the cooker; and began stirring the sauce. As the steam got in contact with her lungs, she felt her breath slowly halting. She moved back a little, and that was when the perceived the smell of the frying yam___all amalgamated and languished her breath; making her to slump down on the floor.

The sound got Al-amin's attention, he petrifiedly scuttled towards her, lifting her up___he felf the nerves in her neck and wrist weren't pumping. Deep down___a panicking feeling filled his detaching soul.