Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Mouth agape, heart pounding, veins drenching, making the skin cold____Ummi looked at Al-amin with the most devoid expression she could ever plaster on her face. She was trying so hard to control the emotions that were ebbing in her heart. What happened? That's the question that filled her mind. For she couldn't remember wronging him in any way, he went out all smiles on his face, but what happened.

"I think you need to calm down, Al-amin. What happened? You went out looking happy and all. Sit, let me bring you water please," Her voice was soothing, as she took a hold of his hand once again; trying to make him sit back on the sofa.

Nothing was going straight in Al-amin's brain. What should he believe? Upon the sight of his loving wife, his heart melts, so looks so innocent to be decieved. Should he tell her? Or give her the space he is sure she would need, when she finds out?

He sat down, and she was about to move to the fridge when he halted her by a grisp of her wrist. She looked at him with her sparky orbs that melts his heart, they were getting misty with tears, he could sense it, but she was trying to act strong as every wife should.

"Don't stress yourself. Sit back," he ordered. Reluctantly, Ummi sat back close to him, gulping down the lump that formed in her throat, as the stubborn tears that weren't ready to obey spilled out of her eyes.

She held his hands and squeezed them. "If this is a play, don't repeat it please. If it wasn't, then tell me what I did wrong to you, I will apologize now, Al-amin. This almost gave me an attack," she whimpered, more tears streaming down her cheeks. She doesn't want any problem with him again, she's enjoying their peaceful and romantic marital life. She loves her husband so much to wish for a problem between them. Not even an argument.

He felt his knees going weak upon the sight of her crying body. Could giving her the space be the best solution? Why wouldn't they just solve things out now? He knew she might be stubborn, but it won't take days before she would come over.

His Adam's apple kept bubbling up and down, trying so hard to form the words from his dried throat. "I'm sorry, Arub. I was really in a bad mood, but sorry for acting stupid," he apologised. Not that those were the words he wanted to erupt, but the real ones were so hard on him, not at the sight of her distraughted figure.

"I forgive you," was all she could say, not that she has believed he was really in the bad mood; but probing him might cause another problem. He isn't ready to open up? So be it.

"Good girl, let me wipe away these tears please," he spoke lovingly and began wiping away her tears with his thumbs, as she kept staring at him. She loves everything about him.

He finished and rested her head on his chest, he needed to calm his seething soul down, and nothing gives him a feeling of solace than her warmth. Ummi looked up from his chest, her eyes falling on his ruminative face. He seemed lost.

"Babyy," she called out, becoming disturbed with his sombre mood.

"Yes Arub," he answered, flashing her a factitious smile.

"I am to start working tomorrow, should I?" She made a beseeching expression with her face, with her lips pursed into a pout. She knew he would hardly agree.

Talking about work, he knew working might take away half her problems that were going to be unleashed. And as per as she would protect her dignity as a married woman, why shouldn't he be okay with it? "I know it; Arub. I'll take you there myself, you can start driving yourself next week I think? But I have to show all those men out there you're mine," he sounded possessive and jealous. He works with Basestar Engineering Limited.

"Thank youuuuuu, Babyyyy. We meed to sleep early huh? Come, let's have a shower and sleep. Tomorrow is gonna be a long and tiring day! Aysha's first day at work, how does it sound?" She jabbered in one breath, making some moves with her body, as she swivels her hips joyfully.

Seeing how happy she was, Al-amin thinks it was worth it. He could trade the world for her happiness. She's everything he could ever ask for. "Easy, Arub. Let go," he chuckled and snaked his hand around her waist, as they sauntered to his room.

They bathe, prayed their Shaf'i and Wutr, before they called it a day. They all have different thoughts rummaging in their brains, as everyone was trying so hard to suppress his sombre mood from the other.

Ummi was thinking of what was Al-amin's problem? Could it be Hajia and Laila? What happened in the hospital? Was he told of something she doesn't have an idea of? What if their wedding date has been fixed, and he couldn't tell her? Many what ifs were running through her mind. She knew her once happy and peaceful married life has come to a halt, she believes Laila would kibosh all she took long nurturing.

She didn't know she was sniffling silently, all she could feel was Al-amin's warm hands around her body. 'Why didn't he slept off?' She asked, not knowing what she's going through is a joke compared to his.

"What are you crying for, Arub?" He asked softly, he felt her tears dripping onto his grumbled heart. He didn't even know what to do.

"I can't point out, but I know my happiness has come to a halt, Hajia and Laila would do anything possible to see us apart. And I love you so much that even the thought of it hurts as hell," she couldn't help voicing out her fears, as oceans of tears washed down her face, whilst Al-amin hugged her behind, in a soothing and loving way.

"Shhh it's okay, Arub. Do you want to look a zombie on your first day at work? I guess No. So stop crying and sleep," he cajoled, as he doesn't have the right words to use. He doesn't want to assure her of something he himself isn't sure of. But everything loomed dishevelled.

She hummed and cleared her tears. They slept off like that, as she was still heaving sighs from the tears. Al-amin had a dreamful night, so as Ummi, both of them knew____something isn't normal, or wouldn't be normal anymore.

They woke up and got ready as early as possible, Ummi was enthusiastic and anxious as well. She kept asking Al-amin "Do I look presentable?" Whilst turning around him. She wore a beige ankara with touches of maroon and ash, and draped a big veil over her head, wrapping it all around her upper part. Being not the make up type, she just applied kohl and a colourless lipstick, but still looked dashing, Al-amin almost said she wasn't working anymore.

They had their breakfast in a haste, as Ummi kept nagging that they would be late for work. She took her handbag and necessary credentials before she drove out of the house, feeling fresh and euphoric.

He first drop her up, telling her to call him when she's done. He would squeeze to come and take her home, even of he isn't done with his work. She made some supplications and entered the humungous building, praying that all would go out well for her.

***

Her head was resting against the bed head, she was intensely looking at fuming Hajia, whom has her phone in her hand, but couldn't even dail the number she wants to, and Laila was just laughing at her.

"Wallahi Laila, if you didn't call Aminu for me, I'll make sure you didn't marry him, useless girl," Hajia bellowed angrily. She had been begging Laila to call Al-amin for her, so she could throw her tantrums on him, but her answer was "He might have been busy, Hajia. I don't want to get on his bad side again."

Laila knew Hajia was capable of doing anything, especially when she's angry. So, she sat upright on the hospital bed and stretched her hand towards Hajia "Bring the phone, I'm not ready for another heart break," with that, she collected the phone and dialed his number.

"He isn't picking, Hajia," Laila said, handing her back her phone, but Hajia wasn't ready to accept the fact that Al-amin won't pick her call.

"Keep calling, until he picks," Hajia said presumptuously and yawed her gaze to the television fixed on the wall opposite her.

He didn't pick until the fifth call, "Hello," he answered, which sounded more like a grunt.

"Weldone, Aminu. You've did a great job for starving me whole night and this morning also. Who do you think will bring breakfast for me?" Hajia yelled from where she was sitting, as the phone is on speaker mode.

Al-amin dilated his eyes wide, Hajia is so incorrigible, she can look for fight from Nigeria to China. "Assalamu Alaikum. Good morning, Grandma," he greeted sarcastically, he knew Laila must be hearing their conversation now, so he has to leave a message enshroudedly.

"Ubanka Aminu! Nufinka ban iya Sallama ba ko me? (Aminu, your father! Do you mean I don't know how to greet or what?)" Hajia yelled angrily, stomping from the sofa and sat beside Laila; whose gaze was glued on the phone, as if it was a video call.

He let out a chortle, his mission had been accomplished. He wanted to provoke her, and it went well without any difficulties. "I'm sorry, Hajia, didn't mean it that way. But why wouldn't Ammi bring breakfast for you? My wife is not at home, and so I am. Why would she even be cooking for the people that want nothing but to rift her apart from the love of her life? She has many important things to do you know," his voice was laced with pain, he felt his heart twinging____what he saw in that envelope ebbing in his brain.

They both looked at the phone in utmost surprise. So Al-amin has finally have some liver huh? "Aminu, I am the one that says your mother should not bring breakfast but your wife. Go and take her from the so called work of hers, she should cook pounded yam with vegetable soup for me, and anything light for Laila. I'll be waiting for it in the next one hour!" She declared with a tone of finality. She was seriously seething with rage. Al-amin had been pushing her to the wall lately, and she should teach him a lesson, he must know she is the mother of his father; talkless of him.

Al-amin laughed, more like a snicker. "So you think just because of the so called breakfast, she'll leave her work? She's even sick and can't cook. So I can help you call Ammi and tell her to bring the breakfast for you, if you're shy," there was a sneering and enraging tone in his voice, as he was still chuckling, he still can't believe Hajia's guts.

"Ohh she can't cook? And I will bring the one that can cook. Wait for it, Al-min," with that, she ended the call herself.

"That's left to you, old woman," Al-amin muttered to himself and ducked back to his work.

"You need to be discharged today, I will surely show this boy what it takes to be a grandmother!" With that, she stood up and headed to the doctor's office herself. If it was a normal day, she would've called or send Laila. She was seriously and clearly angry.

"Yaya, you're in trouble," Laila muttered, with a fear of what Hajia would do to Al-amin clearly evident on her face.

***

Ummi finished her work around 2pm, she called Al-amin and informed him she was done. As promised, he stopped his works and walked out of his office, a loving smile on his lips____he knew he would be tired of office's story today.

She found a sit at the reception and sat down, checking her snapchat stories; when her new colleague walked to her. "Miss Aysha, aren't you leaving?" She asked friendly, she loves Ummi with just a first glance.

Ummi looked up from her phone and smiled warmly at her. "Yes. I'm waiting for my husband, he will come and pick me up," she answered with a smile on her lips.

Her colleague; whom Ummi got to know as Asiya____gasped her eyes wide enough. There wasn't any evidence to say Ummi was married. Yes, she looked matured, but still glowing with beauty and class. "I would never believe that, anyways; my regards to your Mom and may be your fiance," she waved at her and scuttled towards a mercedes benz that entered the building. Ummi smiled when she heard Asiya shouted his name, he was probably a loving brother to her. That serves as a reminder to Ummi, as she dailed Ya Yusuf's number with her phone.

***

Al-amin was sitted on the rug sprayed on the floor in Hajia's living room_____his face was hung low, as Abba was ranting scolds on him, how could he disrespect Hajia?

"I'm sorry, Abba, but she misunderstood the whole thing, I didn't meant to disrespect her, but just told her that____Ummi is sick, she can't cook. The breakfast she cooked yesterday made her dashed out for about thirty minutes," he explained and hung back his head, as the look Mami sent his way peirced directly through his eyes.

"She can't cook huh? Then Laila will follow you, she'll be living with you from today onwards, and I shall be eating the breakfast made from your house every morning," Hajia declared, ignoring the surprising looks they were all flashing her____including Laila.

Al-amin wanted to scream, how he could wish he still hadn't came back to Nigeria? This old woman wouldn't have disturb him so hard. And now____Laila in his house? How would they cope? Ummi_____how would she feel, he knew she'll feel betrayed and broken all day.

"I can't take her to my house, she can't live in my house. We will have a way of making the breakfast, but not Laila!" Al-amin replied in a little high pitched tone.

"Isma'il, it's either she lives at his house, or both I and her are living this state to Bugaje, I have my family to cater for me and the orphan left to me," Hajia muttered, letting her crocodile tears rolled down her wrinkled cheeks.

Abba and Mami got tensed, they seldom sees Hajia cry, the last time she cried was on Al-amin's wedding day, when Laila texted her that she was sick. Laila couldn't be more euphoric, she might not love Al-amin anymore, but Ummi has to pay for marrying him.

Before anyone could talk, Al-amin felt his phone vibrating, he knew it was Ummi, for she have been waiting for almost an hour now. He wanted to go for her, when Abba called and ordered him to come, he has no choice but to come without even calling her. He knew she's tired of waiting.

"Would you switch that phone off?!" Abba roared, making Al-amin to slid the switching button without a second thought.

"Al-amin, if you want peace____take Laila to your house, and she should live in peace!" With that, Abba went to his knees and started asking for Hajia's forgiveness. And right there, the problem begins.

***

Ummi hissed and tossed on the chair she was sitting on, she had been calling Al-amin; at first he wasn't picking the calls, but now; his phone is switched off, she wonders if all is right.

"Again!" A voice scared the living daylights in her. She shrieked and turned to look at him, as a smile curved her lips.

"Mubarak! You startled me again," she informed with a smile on her lips.

"Needs a ride again? Ya Yusuf has left again?" He asked, chuckling at the reminisced memory. He had been observing her from his office, and from her expression, how she was hissing and dialing a number, he knew she was waiting for someone.

She shook her head sideways, chuckling softly. "No. I'm waiting for my husband for almost an hour now. Been calling his phone but it was switched off, don't know what happened," she spoke worriedly, dailing his number again.

Mubarak looked at his wristwatch and spoke a little bit worried. "Let's go then, let me drop you," he said, without waiting for her answer____he walked towards the parking space.

Ummi knew she would walk for another hour before she could find a public transport, she has no choice but to enter Mubarak's car, making a mental note that he will drop her where she can find a public transport_____because she could vividly see those bloodshot eyes of Al-amin when he drop her up the last time.

Meanwhile; Al-amin was driving to his home with Laila sitted on the drivers sit, he was too overwhelmed with thoughts to remember his switched off phone, or his awaiting wife. They came to a traffic; Laila was roaming her eyes, as if looking for something she had already been told would be there, her eyes landed on Ummi sitted on the passengers seat of a stranger's car, smiling factitiously at a memory they both reminisced____for her attention was completely on Al-amin, is he okay?

"Yaya! Take a look," Laila almost screamed out of joy, pointing at them through the window.

Al-amin hissed and yawed his gaze to where she was pointing at, not that he was interested, but he knew she wouldn't call for his attention to something useless. His heart stopped beating at the sight of them_____and that was when the trappic shows a green light, and all the cars moved to different directions.

They arrived before her, as she entered a public transport and drove back home. She salaamed with a felicitous smile on her lips, as she has many things to tell Al-amin, and many complains to lodge.

She turned the door knob and entered, removing her veil from her body, ready to fling it together with her hand bag on the sofa. "Babyyy," she called out, for she saw his car in the parking lot. Her voice became guttural, euphoric mood swiftly turning into sombre_____upon the sight of a broken, distraughted and wrathful Al-amin, as his piercing gaze was unshaken on her face.

"You need to go back to him, don't you dare enter my house!" He yelled at the top of his voice.