Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Mom took in a deep breath, she too was flabbergasted as to how Adyan hasn't forgotten about this Hayfah for about four years now. What kind of love is this? They aren't even in touch with each other, to say that's what intensified the love between them. But she prays, if Hayfah is the best for him___may they be united in a simple way, not until he's hurting too much.

"Calm down, Adyan. Calm down and tell me what happened. Why are you crying like you've lost me or Dad? What kind of life have you choosed for yourself because of love, Adyan?" Her voice was soothing, but she sounded vulnerable and hurting inside. It always pains to see him suffering because of the girl he might not have.

Adyan cried to his satisfaction, before he wiped away his tears and began talking, his voice was choked and husky. "I had a dream, Mom. She was really in pain, she first saved me, before I realized the pain she's going through. I wanted to hold her in the dream, but the pain I felt upon touching her hand was so unbearable. She smiled and bid me adieu, before she vanished into a thin air___crying ruefully."

Mom smiled lopsidedly, and rubbed her temple. How he was talking to her, reminded her of the times when he was young. If he had a dream, she would be the first person he would narrate the dream to. Bulging his eyes when it comes to scary scenes, or smiles when it was a beautiful scene. And now___she could imagine he was bulging his eyes terrifyingly.

"It's okay, Adyan. A dream is just a dream, as I've alway told you. You don't have to be scared and be crying over just a dream. Man up dear, stop crying over a dream," those were the exact words she had always been telling him. But Adyan being Adyan, he would always cry over a scary dream.

Adyan shook his head sideways as if she was seeing him. "Mom, this isn't a normal dream. It felt so real; wallahi. I think I'll come back in a month time," he avowed, without scuppering how he would handle the remaining work he has in office before going back. But all he has in mind is____he needs to search for her, find her, protect her, and make her his; so she could be shielded under his custody.

Mom let out a scream, it was a felicitous one; "Are you sure, Son? In a month you would be home? I can't wait dear, I'll have to start preparing," she jabbered in one breath, long forgetting what he was going through, or the reason he wanted to come back for.

Rising onto his feet, Adyan cleared the sweat that formed in his forehead; even though there was an AC humming. A lopsided smile curved his lips, upon hearing her enthusiastic voice. "Yes Mom; and I want my room to be renovated. I would be embarrassed if I see those furnitures now, they are so colourful and girlish," a grin broke his lips, reminiscing his purple with touches of maroon and ash room.

She let out a chortle. The time has come. She had been telling Adyan that one day, if he grows up; he'll be embarrassed at his colourful room, but he had always denied it, saying it isn't girlish and so on. But her little boy has now grown up___apparently.

"Ohhhh....so my Baby boy has finally grown up, it's time for renovation!" She squealed like a teenager; whom was gifted with the lastest phone together with an exquisite phone case.

"Ohh Mom, I'm not a little boy. Wait for my little boy, so you could call him that," he jested, knowing so well that his words would make her shy.

"Adyan! Are you telling me your boy? Aren't you shy?" She shrieked exaggeratingly, placing her hands on her chest.

"What would I be shy of? Ofcourse I'll get married, and you don't expect be to be just looking at my wife. Or do you think I'm that innocent?" He laughed naughtily.

"Adyan!!!!" She yelled and ended the call, pouting her lips at Dad that had been laughing at her.

"This boy is the exact replica of you, he isn't shy even for a second," she nagged for what seems like forever.

Seeing that Dad would not say anything, he had even took out his newspaper and began reading. She stood up and head to Adyan's room, before she yelled "And it's time for the renovation!"

***

Hayfah woke up to a slight tap on her shoulder. Squinting an eye; her gaze fell on ruefully smiling Fareeha. She didn't know when, how, or where the tears came from, but she just felt them streaming down her scaled cheeks.

Fareeha stood up and hugged her, finding it so hard to suppress her tears too. "It's okay, Hayfah. I'm here," she didn't know how to console her. From the mere look of her, she knew she had been going through alot. She knew there was a lot of pain enshrouded beneath those doe like orbs.

Fareeha helped her, so her back was resting against the bed head. Hayfah looked around the room, there wasn't anyone, but she spotted a food basket, probably brought by Fareeha.

Seeing the look in her eyes, Fareeha chirped through her thought. "Addah Amna went to take a shower, she has something special to do in the market. Abba and Ya Tahir went to the market too, something also came up. They say I should look out on you before they comes back," she explained, taking hold of Hayfah's cold and pale hands.

Hayfah just nodded and yawed her gaze to the other side, vacantly staring at the floor____as different thoughts kept rummaging her brain. She wants to see him, to see if the dream she had was real.

"I need to see him, Fareeha. Even for once. This eyes are tried of scouring, the heart yearns for his love, my body craves for his embrace, I'm longing to hear his mellifluous voice once again," Hayfah's husky voice roared through the confines of the room, as it sounded more huskier.

Almost when Fareeha gave up, she heard her voice. Hearing the 'Him' she knew it was no one but the guy that stole her friend's heart, whom she still didn't even know his name. She tilted Hayfah's face with her thumb and sat down beside her on the bed; her heart breaking at the bags she saw under her eyes. She looked lifeless.

"Hayfah, you are a muslim, you believe in Allah and destiny; don't you?" Fareeha spoke softly, holding her hands and squeezing them lightly.

Hayfah just nodded, finding it so hard to stifle back her tears. She felt so ashame, crying infront of Fareeha, not that it's something new, but she couldn't point out the reason she is crying for.

"Hayfah, have faith; if you guys are meant to be, wallahi you will. Nothing is beyond Allah's power. Have faith Hayfah, I know you're going through alot, but have faith in Allah," Fareeha spoke placatingly, rubbing Hayfah's palms.

Hayfah turned around and cleared her tears, curving a factitious smile on her lips. She see no reason to cry over something she isn't sure about having. He might be happily living his life, then why would she be crying over him?

"Thank you so much, Fareeha. Anything new? Like I'm sick and tired of this town, take me out of it, please," she made a sick face, with lips pouted, tears stained on her cheeks.

"Ohhh it almost slip out of my mind, Hayfah. NYSC list is out, I've checked ours. We have been posted; but unfortunately____to different states," she chuckled at the pain expression Hayfah made. How would she go somewhere without Fareeha? Like she feels so vulnerable.

"I don't want to go. But where are we posted to?" Hayfah sombrely asked, just the thought of going to another state without Fareeha by her side feels terrifying.

Fareeha stood up and sat back on the chair. "You were posted to Abuja, whilst I was posted to Enugu," she informed with a glum expression.

At the mention of Abuja, Hayfah felt something twinged her heart. How would she live in Abuja? The lifestyle, everything there is expensive. What of accommodation? The NYSC camp would be the last accommodation she could think of. And beside that____she has this feeling about Abuja. She just couldn't fathom what it is.

"Fareeha, I don't want to go. Where would I stay? You know I don't like mingling with alot of people; so I can't think of staying at the camp," Hayfah whimpered, closing her eyes, for she didn't welcome the idea of going to Abuja. Abba too would hardly agree.

"That isn't a problem, Hayfah. My Momma has a friend that lives there, they're very close, so we've already talked to the woman about you____and she has agreed," Fareeha joyfully informed, she had Hayfah covered, she couldn't sit while knowing Hayfah might need something she has the power of helping with.

Swiftly, Hayfah flickered her eyes open and hugged the living daylights out of Fareeha, before breaking into tears. "I don't know what I would've done without you, Besty. You're my life saviour. I love you so much," she muttered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Fareeha broke their hug, feeling her eyes getting misty upon the sight of her broken Best friend. "You don't have to cry, Hayfah. You shall find happiness in your life, Insha Allah. And you have to promise me something," Fareeha cajoled, intensely staring at her. She knew Hayfah is going through alot, and she isn't ready to open up, but she hopes one day____just one day, she would open up to her. Holding it onto herself won't help.

"Yes, Besty. What is it? And it shall be granted," Hayfah let the gratuitous smile escaped her lips. She's more than thankful.

"Promise me, you'll stop letting all these pains bothers you, they're eating you up; Hayfah. And the last thing, before we get married, you'll tell me 'His Name' I owe you that," she smacked her shoulder playfully, reminiscing how she would be nagging at her to tell her his name, but the only thing that would come out of Hayfah's mouth would be 'It's a treasure, and treasures are meant to be pleasured.'

Hayfah laughed for what seems like forever, though she felt a twinge at her heart, but it was quite funny to her. So all this while, Fareeha didn't forget that she still hasn't told her his name. That's quite the Fareeha's nature.

"All accepted."

***

Hayfah spent five more days in the hospital, before she was discharged, which was on Friday, and it she has to report on Monday.

She has finished packing her clothes, with the help of Amna ofcourse. Umma hasn't been answering her greetings, nor had she talked to her. Abba too wasn't free with her anymore, not that he was angry with her, but she could see the guilt written all over his face. And she wondered why. Why would he be guilty?

Hamma Tahir and Amna were her two friends, siblings and all. They would chat for more than two hours with her. Just to curve a smile on her face, has became their priority. It was Tahir that talked to Abba about her NYSC post. He only wished her luck and gave her a quite amount of money.

Amna and Tahir were the ones that took her to the car park, as the woman's driver; whom Hayfah learnt to be Hajia Shatu, but she prefered calling her Aunty. The driver would be waiting for her at Abuja park, so they were less tensed. They prayed for her safe trip and drove back home with hearts full of worry.

Throughout the cruise, Hayfah had been sleeping peacefully, not that her heart was peaceful; but it was full of thoughts and restlessness. The car came to a halt, when Hayfah pulled out her legs and dropped them on the ground____surprisingly, she felt unscathed. A feeling of solace kept gliding through her restless soul. She felt as it she had been looking for something, and was now an inch close to it.

The driver's call came through her phone, she picked the call and saw him waving at her. With a smily face, he came and took her luggage, as they sauntered towards the car. They hopped in as he ignited the engine. Heaving a sigh, Hayfah palmed her face, as an 'Alhamdulillah' escaped her lips. It's the beginning of a new phase in her life.