Chapter 75: Chapter 75

A small Authors note before we dive in!

Dear readers, I'm likely apologizing for the sudden changes of events. But as a writer of this book; I have lots of secrets hidden on each line and sentences that would be unveiled in the book two. Who's excited for the book two? Raise a finger if you are!!!

Ummi felt as a string holding her heart in a tight grip started loosing a bit. She knew Mama would cry hearing about this. She knew Baba would have to sit with her in his room and ask for her reasons over doing this. She knew some of her relatives would ask her and some would taunt her, some would even insult her in her face. Because; she is an Arewa Woman, and all that's expected from her is-Patience.

She has to be patient even if she was to be diced up every day by the man she was hooked up with. She has to endure all the insults, the secrets she have found out; all for the sake of her 'children' and at the end, she'll have her life ended in sheer anguish. She's a northern woman, and it's expected of her to keep her mouth shut about everything, she doesn't have to cry when the need comes, she has to endure; as far she's 'married' and Ummi want to ask, even if she's married to the devil himself?

The past six months, she've discovered things that weren't to be discovered by the possessor of a frail heart as hers. But still; she lived patiently with her smile fixed perfectly as it was expected of her. She's an Arewa woman afterall.

Today; this revelation brought back something anew in the red flesh of her soul. She knew something was amiss, she knew there has to be something that would emerge from it, and it shall beat she had endured in terms of pain, that she is sure of.

She knew the society would snitch on her, that's why she wants to be out of this country and the continent in general. But she is an arewa woman that has to endure all; so her parents have to agree for all this to be done.

She knew before Al-amin would be forced to divorce her, her parents and his parents would have to sit together and discuss, and what? She isn't willing to share these secrets with a single soul. She needs to die with them to her grave. Only something has changed; does true, painless and pure love exists? If it does, she needs to find it where ever it is, be it a journey of hundred days by foot.

She gulped down the chord of bitterness that blocked the pipeline of her throat. Looking at a profusely crying Maami; a slow painful smile graced her lips.

"Maami, advice me on what to do. Tell me the right thing to do, other than seeking for a divorce." She drawled, intently staring at the sparkling marbled floor that was staring at her with a blush.

Maami heaved a sigh and cleared away her tears. She doesn't want to force this on Ummi; that's why she was willing to do this as she likes. "Can I be your friend for a moment?" Maami asked, warmly looking down at Ummi with a fresh feeling of empathy towards her.

Ummu nodded her head and Maami continued. Maami advised her as a friend, as a mother, and even some part as a father. Ummi was grateful, and she took to heart all the words being uttered from Maami's lips, and surely, she will put her words into action.

"Goodnight Ummi, I hope you sleep well." Maami kissed her forehead and stood up to leave, briefly looking at the tickling clock on the wall.

"Insha Allah, Maami. Thank you so much." And she smiled genuinely at her, tucking herself into the duvet Maami lifted up ti her chest.

Maami left the room with a heavy heart, if it isn't because Ummi begged her not to tell anyone about a single thing they discussed, she would've moved to Abba's room and vent out the heaviness in her heart. Such a cruel world we live in, and she can't believe the Al-amin she gave birth to can hurt a woman as much as he hurt Ummi.

Ummi did all but kept tossing and moving around the bed; she couldn't sleep. She's having mixed feelings. These secrets she unveiled from the blanket of her mind are smiling at her, wanting to be told out to the world, but she would never!

She heard as her phone started ringing, as much as she thinks she hates him and she's ready to detach herself from him; she loves him and needs him whenever she wants to calm herself down.

She picked the call and placed it on her left ear, "I couldn't sleep." She heard his muffled voice, as though he had been crying for long.

Alarm rose within her, and she squirmed to the right side of the bed. "What happened? Your voice sounded drained, and you don't seem to be in a good mood_though you didn't left in a good one too."

"It's actually hard, but can we talk about you now?" He tried to divert the attention from him to her. He was anxious and eager to know wether Maami talks to her or not. He could imagine, and each tiles of the house could tell the amount of pain Ummi sipped from him in the house.

"What is it about me? I'm fine actually, just had a pep talk with Maami; that's all." And she sounded as though there was a battle going on in her heart, brain and mind.

"I'm sorry. I don't have the exact words, but I hope you forgive me soon, not today_but in days to come, weeks, months, or even a year." He sounded impotent, a lost puppy in a dry saharan desert.

"You don't have to worry; but I have one request to make_no matter what would happen in the future; try to hear me out. Please." Her voice cracked, and she felt a salty liquid feeling the opening between her lips, it still hurts.

"I believe the last six months of our lives are hectic. I believe they're the worst six months I'll ever have in my life. I was the source of your pain, Aysha I'm apologizing on my knees. Please forgive me, I know I was never close to being a perfect husband, but could we start all over please?" She heard the blues of his cries echoing through the walls of her ears, singing and slowly rhyming to the song being played by her heart.

Her tears intensified on their own. "Haven't I told you to be a brave man? Would you wipe away those tears of yours and embrace me tight through this phone or not?" And she chuckled at the slight relieved breath he let out. He knew she has forgiven him.

They spoke about everything and nothing. They reminisced their old days in NTIC, their phone calls in school and the first time they met. They laughed, cried and danced to the tune of love. He told her he will be in their house after subh with her clothes, so she could get ready and they'll leave for Kaduna; to show Mama and Baba their little bundle of joy.

***

"Mama please, why can't you let me stay here? I'm six months along fah; I can't take care of myself much. Please Mama, I'll talk to Baba myself." She've been trying to make Mama let her stay and deliver her first Baby in their house; as tradition requires but Mama had been proving stubborn.

"Ummi why? You can stay in Hajia Asiya's house if there's need for you to be supervised by an elder woman. That's no more a tradition, it's illiteracy, what if your husband needs you? For four months just in the name of delivery?" Mama scowled, she's getting annoyed of this conversation.

"I'll rest my case, Mama. But you'll go to Abuja and see the child ko? And also, after the 40 days, you'll let me spend at least two weeks here before going to Mashi." She couldn't just let Mami win this argument without laying out some things to be done in return.

"Yes I'll come and see my grandchild mana. But you can only stay a week, that's if I don't change my mind when the time comes." Mama chuckled at how Ummu pouted her lips, staring at her like her old little 10 years old baby girl.

"Time should tell then, I love you; Mama!" Ummu echoed and hugged Mama tightly, feeling as though she was the luckiest human to ever live on earth, for having a mother as amazing as her mother.

"Yalla, it's getting late already; The road isn't as good as before," Mama said and broke their hug. She stood up and helped Ummi stood as well.

"Just say that you don't want your grandchild to be kidnapped, that's it." Ummi chuckled and swiftly dodged the smack Mama sent her way.

"Had it been he or she were alive, but who would I miss now? I'll just worry myself over my son inlaw. Yalla Ummi!" She took her hand and dragged her out of the room, where they met Baba and Al-amin having a man-to-man conversation.

"Baba! Mama had been chasing me out of her house for the past one hour!" She whined and went to straight to where Baba was seated, hugging his hand in hers, and she placed her head on his shoulders.

"Why is Mama doing this to us? You should stay as long as you want. Why won't you rest today and leave tomorrow?" Baba directed his question towards Al-amin that had been sending Ummi a signal that emotes she should stand up so they could leave; but she snubbed him.

"Baba it's because we all have work tomorrow, we would've stayed for the night." Al-amin answered and scratched the back of his head, looking down onto the lush carpeted floor.

"You should get going then, Ummi get up baby and leave_the road is bad now. I'll come visit you whenever I come to Abuja!" Baba promised and stood up, lifting her up with his hands.

"Really?! Mama Baba is going to visit me! Al-amin let's go and start shopping!" She screamed at the pitch of her voice and hugged Baba.

"Leave him alone! Al-amin carry your wife and leave please. This girl is crazy!" Ummi ran to Al-amin before Mama's smack could land on her back.

She laughed all their way back to Abuja, she couldn't wait to see Baba in their house; even Mama just visited once. She kept telling Al-amin about the things she would prepare for Baba, and that's how they safely got to their house.

She took her hand bag and walked inside the house; and she felt a pang in her house. Would she be able to face Laila without venting out on her? But surprisingly, she felt his hands slipped into hers.

"It's going to be alright, just try and ignore her." She nodded her head and Al-amin pushed the door to the living room, muttering out a faint salam.

Laila rushed over the door at the sight of him, she needs to apologize! "Yaya!" She said briskly and tried holding his hand when her eyes landed on their entwined hands, she looked at his back and saw a pregnant Ummi standing with so much confidence.

Didn't he said he took her back home because he doubt if the pregnancy was his? What kind of a game is Al-amin Isma'il Bugaje playing? She's in a deep mess.

She lifted her flying hand and tried touching him when he stopped her and stepped back, "Don't you dare," he spoke through gritted teeth and side hugged Ummi as they walked towards the staircases.