Chapter 46: Chapter 46

ABUJA, NIGERIA.

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Colossal smiles took over everyone's face at the release of Bushra Amani, all her family members came forward to rejoice like every other. They were fully confident that Allah will help them through this and he has helped them, she is out of that awful place for good. But she wasn't rejoicing herself, she is looking at her fingers clasped in front of her on the wooden chair she was asked to sit on after being cleared of all charges. They are now worried about her, she is not showing any sign of improvement or any signal that will show she is back to herself again. The happiness and jovial moment is short lived.

"Why is your husband not here with you?"

"Both your husband and cowife are absent, why?"

"How do you feel about this, Ma'am?" The media keep pushing their electronics to Bushra's face and thank God Kauthar thought to bring her something to wear to look presentable in front of the media.

"Can you all disappear from here? Can't you see we are still grieving? Please, just leave." Mujaheed stood in front, scaring the media away with his uniform and his two other brothers stand like a shield in front of her like they always do. The media reluctantly turn away to do their thing and they manage to get her to the car.

They all drove to the Danbazau mansion since she can't exactly go back to her house or her in-laws, she can't take so much by herself so they all decide that her father's home is the best option. Everyone is with her from Mika'il's family, her family and some of her friends. The maid that lied about seeing Bushra killing Hajiya Khadija was also given punishment for lying and being a hypocrite for she denied everything in the court. The worst part is, no one asked her to do that, not even Zara did nor Fuzail, she just wanted to cause drama.

No one asked for Mika'il or his wife, he was tossed aside for the time being and they want to concentrate on making sure Bushra is okay. She should at least show some emotion, cry or throw things out but she was motionless, that is the worst it could be. They are not worrying about their mother anymore, her soul will definitely rest in peace since they bring her justice, she was a nice woman. And when Fuzail told them she died saying those beautiful words, every burden was lifted off their shoulders. Not all of us are or will be given the chance to die with those words and the few that manage to say it are the luckiest to ever exist.

They dismounted the cars and file inside the house like a party, thank God everyone was fasting they don't need to eat anything. They scattered around the house, trying to find things to take her mind off struggles and to help her cope with her emotions. Her mother was the most worried followed by her father, they are all restless even after getting her out from the jail. Bushra is never one to close her emotions, her doing it now is just heartbreaking. She'd yell out and put the blame on someone, she don't shut people down to cope, she never does.

And since she's never done that, no one knows how to help or where to start from. Some went as far as to browse it in google but it was useless, not everything google answers goes. Bushra is sitting amongst them in the living room but you hardly notice her, she is shrinking with each passing second and not even her daughter could help bring her back. Anaan has been crawling around her mother like a cat seeking attention from it's owner, Bushra didn't once look down at her or show that she knows she was around her.

"Zainabu, get the bath running in Amani's bathroom." Hajiya Mariya suddenly yelled out to one of the maids lurking around grieving with them. She perked up at the mention of her name then smiled brightly knowing her madam's idea.

"Yes, Ma'am." And she ran up the stairs to get the bath running for her, it was a new bathtub placed for her, she didn't know about it. She's always loved soaking herself in hot water if she is tired or just stressed out so this will have to do.

"You girls can go stay with her in the bathroom, I don't trust her alone in this state. Strip Anaan and let her join her inside. Off you go." She commanded the three ladies sitting in the living room with her, Kauthar, Afrah and Fayha. They were quick to stand up, anything to help get back their old friend.

Kauthar and Fayha help her up the stairs while Afrah took Anaan in her arms and they did exactly as they were asked. The magic rock crystal bathtub is on and it illuminate with ruby colour, she would've definitely flipped at the sight of her favorite colour had she not being in that state. They strip her off her clothes, she was not concentrating and then gently place her inside the water, she only gave a small flinch before she relaxed back her slothful muscles. Afrah placed equally bare Anaan on top of her mother inside the water and she started playing around with water.

Fifty minutes passed, the girls will either talk for a short while then stare at Bushra or try playing with Anaan so she won't be bored with her unresponsive mother. Amani didn't move, the water is getting colder and they are becoming more anxious if she is ever going to come back to them. Her bathroom is quite spacious, it was enough for them to roam around touching things or playing with their phones to not get bored. If they start thinking, they won't ever stop so they were startled when she opened her mouth and said;

"Can you take Anaan now? And leave me alone in the bathroom, I want to bath now." Elated that she finally opened her mouth and even recognised them, Afrah took Anaan in her arms and turn to look at her sisters, they are sharing equally large smiles on their faces.

"Please come out soon, we shall have tons of fun then." Fayha beamed then ushered the girls out of the bathroom and closing it behind them. Their hearts feels light, she is finally coming around after so many hours of being detached.

"I don't care who she is. If she is the one who killed Mom, then she should serve the punishment. And tell her to stop pretending after killing my mother, I won't forgive her."

Bushra sink further into the water unconsciously, she couldn't believe that the one person she wanted to believe in her turned out to be her greatest enemy. The only man she's ever wanted in her life, the only person she has trusted more than herself turned out to be a green snake. Her thoughts ran around, she couldn't help but regret not concentrating and returning those hurtful words to him. She felt her world slipping right underneath her feet, she was so sure she was going to follow her mother in-law once upon a time.

She didn't get any sleep neither could she eat, she didn't do anything and it is just not her time, she was sure she had died. His words slice through her chest in a way even a revolver won't, it hurts a lot.

I hate you, Bushra Amani. I don't want to see your face ever again in my life, I hate you so much. I despise the mere mention of your name."

Keeping aside that she was also mourning and grieving her mother in-law's death, he had to go as far to hate her for something she hasn't done. Never in billion years would she have believed he was going to agree to such thing said against her. Yes, his mother was the one dead and she understands if he was going through that stage of denial, but hating her? That was extreme and the last blow she could take from that man, she has had enough of him and his wife already, she's took in so much.

The way he said he hated her sounded so real, so genuine and the honest truth that has been wanting to claw out. She won't judge him, she will let him hate her all he wants, that is all she was there for. The punching bag to all his mental breakdowns. He doesn't handle simple emotions, he makes sure to take the extreme measures that will hurt him and the people around him, it was his dark weak and toxic side.

She's endured that too when he got married but suddenly, he hates her at the mere mention of her killing her mother in-law mistakenly? She's wanted to stop the police officer from accusing her but when she heard that Mika'il filed an FIR against her, she gave up all hope, she didn't want to fight anymore. If he is the only one who doesn't believe in her when he should be the first person to fight the world for her then what is the use of proving herself innocent? He wasn't even there to see her getting cleared of all the troubles.

He should be the one standing firm upon believing she would never do that even in her dreams or even if she is hypnotised. He should not believe she will kill an ant but he agreed that she killed his mother! How stupid and delusional was that? The man is supposed to hug her even if he sees her with a bloody knife atop his bloody mother!

"You are blinded but I am not, she is going to be punished. If she is done with the charade, tell her about this, I have no relationship with her, I divorce her."

He has severed all ties with her right? Then good for him, she got to be with her daughter even after that. It's not like the world will end because he has left her, this is just the beginning of it, or is it not? Is she slipping into depression or what? No. She won't give him the satisfaction of seeing her depressed and sad because of him. Any person who doubts you in that situation should never be in your thoughts again.

Just then, she heard distant voice calling out her name, yelling at her to stand up from the water and open her eyes but she didn't, she couldn't, she don't want to. She felt safe in the arms of the water caressing her whole body, suffocating and asphyxiating her, helping forget her horrible nightmares. Slowly, she started losing consciousness, seeing black and white dots appearing before her eyes before she felt two strong arms taking her away from the water. She was far too gone to check who it was, she has lost consciousness and is in safer darkness. The hallow pits of fathomless depth, where she belongs.

"Was she trying to commit suicide?" Her mother's worried voice cut through the air, taking the question right out from their thraots. That is what everyone in the room has been thinking but it's not like they can say anything, she didn't act like she was going to commit suicide when she asked them to leave the bathroom.

"No, she only said we should leave so she could take bath." Afrah furrowed her brows, her eyes puffy with so much crying. As soon as she started crying over almost losing Bushra, she started crying over her dead mother again, it was too much. Anaan was trying to wipe away her tears the whole time, she can't help it. Even the baby was crying when they brought her mother's lifeless body from the water, she wouldn't move nor breath.

Anaan acts like she knows everything that is occurring and most of them feel their hearts surging out to her. The girl cries till her head hurts and her body went numb and hot from all the crying. She fell asleep crying for her mother.

"And she didn't look like she was going to do something like that. She genuinely wanted to take bath." Fayha confirmed, she don't want to think her friend was thinking about taking that drastic step, she wouldn't do that, would she?

She has never been mentally unstable so she don't know how it feels like to be tired of everything in the world. It's just a feeling that you can't keep aside and think you can walk around the earth with your head held high. Being mentally unstable means your life is in shambles, chaos, filling in each crevice of your brain even if you are not doing anything to have it filled. The feeling of your chest tightening, the zeal to end everything in one go and just enjoy the afterlife. The thrill of knowing you are keeping everything behind, it is not easy.

"I think she is thinking too much into this, Mom. We need to do something before it escalates, I'm worried." Murad was sitting beside her on the hospital bed looking worried as their father.

He was the one who took her out of the water, he couldn't hide his fear when she stopped breathing and her head lull back against his chest making her body heavier than it was. He's held so many dead bodies of his fellow soldiers but it wasn't like holding his little sister's. His world literally crashed right in front of his eyes, he couldn't believe he was holding her dead body. Tears prickled the side of his eyes when his mother ran to check her pulse and didn't find it. Everyone was holding their breaths and when she found the pulse, the world continue to turn in it's axis.

Kauthar was the first person to think about checking on Bushra ten minutes after they stepped out of the bathroom and she found her head inside the water releasing small bubbles which means she has been there for awhile when she entered. A cry tore from her throat at the sight and that shrilling sound has reached downstairs, before they knew it, heavy footsteps galloped into the room and scooped her out of the water. It was a sight they never wish to see in any lifetime.

"I'm sorry." Bushra's voice darted into the room and bounced across the quite frost walls earning attention of the people inside the room with her. She thought they didn't hear her but the quietness in the room made it easy for them to hear her breathy apology.

"It's okay, dear. You were out of it, it was not intentional." Her mother was right beside her, her fingers caressing her head in that way her mother in-law always does. It brought tears to her eyes, she's missed that woman so much, it squeezed her heart in the most painful way.

"It is not okay, Mom. I didn't think about committing suicide, I really wanted to bath and pray but then, when my head was soaked into the water, I didn't want to leave it. It was so selfish of me to think I'm going to end all the pain there when I have so many people caring for me out here. I didn't know what has gotten into me but wallahi I didn't want to commit suicide. I was just confused and clueless, it was too much for me to take in. The death of Belle Meré, the accusation, the hatred and divorce, it was too much." She cried, tears falling endlessly down her cheeks since she is now sitting down with the help of Murad.

"We understand, just take deep breaths when it gets too much, hmm? And also, talk to someone whenever you feel down." Her mother continue to caress her hair only bringing back memories she want to suppress, at least, for that moment.

"Can you stop doing that, Mom?" Her mother removed her hand from her hair but has a confused look on her face so she explained, "It reminds me of her, Belle Meré." Her eyes teared up again and this time around, she didn't hold back, she cried like a baby in her brother's arms. Murad hold onto her tightly, caressing her back while muttering soothing words to her.

And soon, the whole room is depressed and the tears rush down most of their cheeks. Amir, Fayha, Kauthar, Afrah and even Hajiya Mariya. It was such a great loss, the woman was the real definition of buoyant life filled with greenery and flowers. There was never a dull moment with her and Hajiya Mariya will forever be grateful for how she welcomed her daughter and made her feel at home. The woman gave her the motherly love she wasn't able to fully give her due to work, she couldn't thank her enough.

May her soul rest in flawless peace.

"It's time for iftar, let's go home." Her father announced walking into the room with discharge papers and gave her to sign. Bushra did that eagerly and change into much more comfortable clothes before they leave the hospital.

From station, to court and now hospital? She is not going to cause so much trouble to her family again, she will show them she is strong and has moved on from the past. Being weak and letting shaitan take over her mindset is not what she needs, her family is there by her side and she couldn't ask for something more. They are more than enough for her not to forget her daughter, the girl is currently snuggling herself around her.

"You are welcome to stay here for as long as you want." Hajiya Mariya welcomed Kauthar, Afrah and Amir when they began squirming at the thought of leaving to go back to that house that haunts them. Their mother won't be there to welcome them and Bushra won't visit them either, what is the use?

"Really? Thank you so much, Aunt." Afrah beamed, she is not going to leave anytime soon. Kauthar and Amir can go back from time to time to stay with their father but she can't, she won't be able to handle it.

"An accident took place earlier in the afternoon and the couple spotted inside the car are dead, no bodies found except for some limbs. They were said to be going to court for a case this afternoon. Please if you know about any of this, call this number or come to the address written below..." Everyone's blood ran cold hearing the news, they have a whiff of who that person could be but don't want to believe what their guts feelings are telling them.