Chapter 59: Chapter 59

She looked askance at him; as in he expected her to act all normal with in? Does he think of her as that cheap or what? Not after his Lily moments, the suspectings and all. Al-amin surely has some annoying nerves.

Ummi scrunched up her nose and glared at him, that was when his last words struck him. 'Half crazy mother?' He really thinks of her as a crazy woman or what? Al-amin is really annoying. She promised not to talk to him_isn't his Laila enough for him? She disgusts him remember? Why would he come and sweet talk her now? Because there isn't his Lily now or what?

"You really look beautiful when you scrunched up your face," she heard his deep husky voice that sends shivers down her spine uttered.

She looked at him and glared at him; before she stood up_just when her eyes fell into Meeno's orbs, and she flashed her the 'Don't you dare' look. Ummi pouted her lips and mouthed 'He isn't worth my time, Meeno.'

Meeno had to make a begging gesture with her hands from where she sat together with Ya Yusuf, Ummi smiled ruefully at her and looked at Al-amin_whom was looking at her as if he was going to eat her raw.

"I have somewhere to go, bye." Without a glance, she walked past him and entered her car; not looking at Meeno's way_for she was sure Meeno would be glaring at her. She felt tears dripping on the steering wheel as she drove to Yayah's crib, she was so exhausted and tired of the day_she wants to feel herself one more time, as in everything and nothing were happening randomly.

She entered Yayah's house and parked her car in the parking lot before entering the main living room_there wasn't anyone in the house, and she wondered what got into Yaya's head that she left her house insecured.

Lazily dragging her bag and veil inside Yayah's room, she dropped them on the couch and slumped on the bed with a loud thud, her brain was literally on fire. Heaving a sigh, she sat upright and slide her head gear off her head, revealing her soft long and silky hair_that was when her eyes landed on his muscular figure that was leaned on Yaya' s room's door.

She was startled to the extent that she abruptly went to the middle of the bed and screamed, before finally realizing it was him. She let out a silent hiss and angrily looked at him_he was seriously getting on her nerves. So Laila isn't here, she can do whatever she feels like huh?

"What are you doing here? To scorch the remaining peices of my heart or to show some other evidences?" She spoke sarcastically and glared at him_feeling as if she could strangle his throat_but a proximity with him is the last thing she wants.

He smiled, rather; smirked. Ummi looked deep into his eyes and got startled_the orbs have turned into bloodshot_and they screamed desire. She yawed her gaze and looked away, but got startled as she heard him closed the door behind him and walked inside the room.

"What are you doing here? Don't you know it's my grandmother's room not yours? Kindly get out of here!" And she moved to the far end of the room_it seemed he wasn't even listening to her rambles.

"I came here to see my wife_I missed her for days," was all he uttered and sat on the bed, few inches away from her. She looked cute with her hair that was alluring to his eyes, the fear glinted in her eyes gave them an attractive sheen, and how she scrunched up her face made her cuter than usual.

"Al-amin, you don't need to see my other side; you knew me more than anyone else! And mind you_you don't have a wife; but the most disgusting woman on earth! The woman you can slap because of your Lily isn't your wife, and also the woman you suspect of being in an affair with another man isn't your wife. Calmly get out of this room before I loose my sanity, Al-amin! Remembered what you said? You hate me! So I hate you more!" She yelled, as tears of anguish washed down her face! She doesn't want to think about those things, those painful sights and words_it hurts so bad to even reminisce.

"Aysha!" He warned, and placed his palm on his forehead. He wanted pushing back those thoughts_he doesn't want to think about Mubarak_but now; she made those images and sights roamed through his mind.

"What, Al-amin? You're surely not regretting all you've done_nor would you ever do. You're getting married soon, remember? To the Lily flower of your life, the decent woman that will bore you beautiful and handsome kids. I'm sure I wouldn't have seen you if we weren't here, get out please_I'm used to your absence!" She was choking on her words with her tears_it hurts so much to think about him being married to Laila in just weeks to come. How would she cope? How would she live with Laila as a co-wife?

He moved closer as she moved backwards_she was afraid that the died emotions in her heart would be set ablaze upon a proximity with him. She doesn't need him, she's perfectly healing her broken heart.

"All that talks should be pushed aside. Islamically, you're my wife_and I followed you here for my right!" He couldn't resist her glowing skin, and how even a smile from her will light up a darkness filled space; surely_she was a damsel.

A sarcastic yet painful chuckle made it's way to her lips; through her agonizing tears. "So someone finally revealed the secrets in his heart. Ha'an, what of the beautiful Lily? Isn't she pure and decent? And this body you're aiming for; your Grandma had already tagged it as a cheap and already sold out body. For the right, this wasn't your first time having it forcefully," she cleared her tears that weren't stopping anytime from now and folded her hands across her chest. She wanted to scream, cry and kill herself if possible_but how could she, when there isn't anyone 10 metres to the house sef?

He was finally very close to her, his knees brushing her hips. "Don't ever say that words to me, it makes me feel like strangling you_the thought of you being with another man is enough to blind my sight; talkless of the proofs I've seen myself. Now shut up, let me have it forcefully, as you proclaimed." And he sealed their lips together, without waiting for a response from her. Ummi just closed her eyes and let more tears flow freely. She finally gave up, as his hatred filled her heart.

***

She came out of the bathroom with Yaya's ankara wrapper enclosing her body, she was crying profusely_and her heart was bleeding non stop. She stroke her hand through her wet hair and think of a way to dry it up before she goes back; just the thought of that made more tears rolled down her cheeks.

A probably remorseful Al-amin, sitted on the edge of the bed_as his face was ducked into his palms_Ummi felt frustrated at the sight of him-she stood beside the bathroom door and pointed at him angrily.

"What are you still doing here then? Or are you not done? Eh? The most cruelest husband to live on earth! Are you not done!" She yelled and slumped on the ground, her body shaking as she cried as if she wasn't going to cry anymore in her life. She was slowly hating Al-amin, and she doesn't like what she feels towards him. It was hatred_but she doesn't want to hate him, she wants to love him till her last breathe!

He looked at her, and she saw tears rolling from his eyes_that was when she saw her phone in his hand. And a part in her stomach crunched; what is he doing with her phone? And what would possibly make him cry?

"You called me cruelest? What of you? What of an unloyal wife that was to be called a slut? I don't like this coming out of my mouth, but you scorched me, Ummi! I have to get this out of my mind! Why? I wanted not to believe all they've told me, without seeing a proof. After seeing the proofs with my eyes; a part of me still wanted to trust you, and now this? Do you ever think that I; Al-amin Isma'il Bugaje will ever trust you? Now way!" And he flinged the phone towards her before walking out of the room_tumbling on his feet. He couldn't even see where he was placing his feet neither his eyes.

Ummi took the phone with trembling hands; what she was on the screen_made her suspected herself also. She rummaged through her brain for the answer of her question but couldn't come up with one. Why? Why is this happening to her? Ya Allah! She doesn't know what to do neither does she know who to tell. She ducked her head between her laps and cried to her satisfaction.

It took her more than an hour before she finally roughly combed her hair with her hand and tied it into a messy bun before she wore her clothes and left to Katsina_she couldn't even go back to where they were having the event; for she knew she looked like a zombie.

On arriving to Katsina, she drove directly to Meeno's sister; Umma's house and luckiky met the housemaid clearing the house mess. They exchanged pleasantries and Ummi entered the guest's room, locked it up before slumping on the bed_she needs to cry more before her brain burst out.

"Al-amin why? Why wouldn't you listen to me? Wallahi I too suspect myself at this point-please Al-amin!" She was shaking the bed and crying profusely! She needs Al-amin; but she knew he wasn't in a better situation also.

She saw Meeno's and some of their friends missed calls; they were probably looking for her so they could come back home. She texted Meeno that she was in Umma's house and will spend the night there before she switched off her phone and kept it inside her bag_it was the last thing she wants to see.

The next day was the Kamu day, whoever knows Ummi knew she wasn't herself anymore; she walks like a living corpse, smiling factitiously when it's necessary. Ya Yusuf, Meeno and some close friends have asked her, but her answer was she was fine but a little bit sick. That made them leave her, not that they were convinced_but they knew how reserved she can be.

It was finally the Nikkah day, and also the day Meeno is to be conveyed to Kaduna first for the walimah and all before she would be taken Abuja were her matrimonial home resides. Ummi tried her best in reaching Al-amin but his phone was off since that day; she asked Ya Yusuf that she wasn't reaching his phones and he told her he have went back to Abuja, an emergency emerged. She knew the emergency; he wanted to clear off his mind through his Lily. She tried all the best she can and acted all normal on the wedding day_she had to, even if she don't_because they would be leaving for Kaduna today, and she doesn't want Mama'a or Baba's questions on her.

Meeno was taken to Kaduna, and through out the one day stay there_Ummi was practically running away from her parents; they only met when Meeno was brought and when she was to be taken to Abuja. All their friends went back to their various homes from Kaduna, only a little followed them to Abuja and they left afterwards. She made sure Meeno's house was sparkly clean before she left_with a hammering heart that could erupt out of it's enclosure.

On reaching her house; even the ambiance of the car changed from peaceful to hazzy, she knew alot awaits her in there. She prays Hajia isn't there_and right then_Baba and Meeno's advices came back to her mind as they were telling her now.

She curved a factitious smile on her lips; parked her car before taking out her luggage and made way to the main living room_palms getting sweaty, eyes wetty, and heart breaking. She turned the door knob with a salaam and entered the room.

She just spent five days away, but even the ambiance of the whole house has changed, and some furnitures were changed from their actual positions. She knew she would work alot to put Laila back into her position, for she would take anything without her belongings being involved! She was just to live in the house; and that doesn't give her the damn right to mess with her things.

Letting out a soft hiss, she walked over the staircases and directly went to her room. She bathe, wore a loose cotton gown and wrapped her hair in a veil before walking downstairs; so she could make Al-amin something to eat, albiet she isn't sure wether he would even talk to her talkess of eating her food.

"Mi Ciccino! This is amazing! I love it already!" She heard Laila's shreak, when she was midway through the staircases.

Swiftly, her eyes turned to the direction she heard the voice; it was coming from nowhere but the garden; which entails the swimming pool. With every step she takes down; she feels her heart shattering_for in the garden; being ensconced in the lovely weather for two_was Al-amin and Laila_their legs were dipped into the water; they were so close that she could feel the proximity in her chest-at the same time watching something in Al-amin's hand.

Not knowing why and how, she felt her legs dragging her to the garden. She entered and stood there like a statue; before she finally found her voice "Assalamu Alaikum," for that was the most peaceful word that came to her shambled mind.

They simultaneously looked up, and their eyes dilated as if she was a zombie or some sort. Majestically; she walked over them and stood beside Al-amin; trying so hard to curve a smile on her lips.

"I was checking the house but couldn't find you all, I was back some minutes ago," she spoke halting, looking at him; with the hope that he will look at her also; but no_Al-amin's gaze was fixed on the card that was in his grisp.

"Oh yeah, we were having a glinpse of the beginning of our joy!" Laila chirped, with the smirk Ummi came to knew to be her signature, she was always smirking_and that makes her mischievous.

"Ohh really? What is it then? I'm happy for you," she felt a loud thud in her brittle heart; and the heart threatened to break; yet again.

Al-amin stood up and handed her the card in his hand; Laila also stood up and entwined their hands. Ummi looked at their entwined hands and felt as if a knife was diced into her throat. She looked away before Al-amin's words deafened her ears.

"We're getting married on Friday, that's Five days to come. You can invite whoever you feel like inviting." And that was it, Laila took his hands and together; they walked out of the room_with her soul also.

She stared unbelievably at the card, and surely; in it was written their names, date and venue of the wedding fatiha. She doesn't know what to feel, her heart was as cold as a mountain during a snowy fall. She looked at the card one more time before a lopsided smile curved its way to her lips; a smmile that could set the house ablaze_it was filled with emotions. She couldn't believe this.

She found herself walking towards his room, she doesn't know what she's doing_but she knew she has to do it. Wether he's there or not, that's the least she could care for. But she must surely erupt the volcano that was bubbling from the rock she calls her heart.

She turned the door knob and entered without even saying her salam, she had even forgot about that. Ummi stared at him as he kept pacing to and fro in the room. There wasn't tears in her eyes; but she surely is bleeding within.

He halted midway when he saw her rooted in a spot, staring at him as if she was a zombie. He watched as she walked towards him, but what she did next took him unawares.

She struck a painful slap on his right cheek and uttered "This, is for not ever hearing my side of the story, for never giving me a listening ear, for never believing in me, after you promised that numerous times!"

She slapped him hard across the left cheek and spoke; she wasn't crying, nor was she showing any sign of an emotion. "This; is for bringing a third party into our lives, for being a fool and stupid for ever believing whatever you heard or sees; without asking about the truth. You will surely regret this, that I'm sure of!"

Al-amin wasn't moving, he was just looking at how scorched and lifeless she seemed. And, that's exactly what he wants her to feel, he wants her to feel the pain!

Another slap on the right cheek jolted him out of his reverie, he stared as she spoke. "And this; was for breaking my heart after you promised you will never break it! It was for making me lifeless even when I'm breathing!"

And she leaned in and hugged him, she still wasn't crying_but only acting as if she was being controlled by a remote. "I have to hug you, because you alone calms me down. I love you; but this would be the last time my heart will ever love you." And she lifted up her face and placed her hand on the position enclosing his heart; she fondled it softly with a painful smile on her lips.

"Thank you, Al-amin's heart_for loving me once; and scorching me for the rest of my heart. Thank you. But I'm afraid that I hate you, Oh you dear Al-amin's heart." Without a single glimpse, she walked out of the room and slowly closed the door behind, just like her life was slowly drifting away.