Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Slowly and reluctantly, She uncovered her eyes. She blinked, closed her eyes, and blinked again. Streaks of sunlight penetrate the window and blind her. She sits up, drags her feet off the bed, and rubbed her knuckles onto her eyes. She stretched her arms above her head and yawn, reciting her morning supplication. She watched her legs dangle above the off-white polyester carpet.

She stripped down and step slowly into the tub, turning the water on high and letting it beat over her head in steamy rivulets. Closing her eyes to the water as the heat soaks into her pale skin, she leaned against the cool tiles as her weak legs threaten to buckle.

The shower curtain was ripped back and she flinched, she gasped, covering her chest as the water cascading down her body and massaging muscles long past cramped.

"Babe." He sighs, the exasperation clear in his tone. "What are you doing?" She asked panicking and raised her brows at the same time, watching him. "Standing here." His concerned eyes flash down her body to her knees before flashing back to her face. "Habiba... oh, baby."

He watched her as the water runs over her skin like a caress. Her heart skipped beats by the way he was looking at her seductively. "You should go please, I'll soon be out," she said pushing him away with one hand. He chuckled, holding her hand. "What are you hiding? Isn't that my property now? Okay you have to kiss me before I go," he spoke, gently. His eyes roaming around her body.

Slowly, she raised a hand and cup his cheek, leaning close to kiss him gently.Feeling his hands glide over her water slick body, pulling her close to him and disregarding the fact that she was naked and wet and he was clothed as pulls her deeper into the kiss. She pushed him away gently, blushing. "I'll be waiting for you in our room and don't stay too long else I'll come join you." He gave her a quick kiss before sauntering out.

She finished up with her routine and came out. He was on the bed, surfing through his phone. He looked up at her and smiled. She plumped down on the vanity stool and faced the other side to avoid meeting his eyes. He chuckled softly and shook his head. He sauntered into the bathroom to have his bath.

She dressed up in a sky blue lace adorned in eight pieces skirt and peplum blouse. She couldn't remember when last she wore something like that. She only wore abaya or jeans and a long shirt. She brought out a sky blue kaftaan for him, a matching hat and cuff links.

She sprayed her body with different designer perfumes and tied her head tie even though it was difficult. She was doing her makeup when he sashayed out wear a towel around his waist while drying his hair with a small one. He beamed, looking at the kaftaan she kept for him. "Matching colours hmm?" He asked settling down on the bed. "Of course, we would be wearing matching clothes everyday."

She picked up the lotions he used and helped him apply it. She helped him get ready. She sprayed perfume and helped him with the cuff links. Who knew an American girl would take care of her husband this way. "I know you must be wondering how I know all this," she read his mind. They descended down the stairs to have their breakfast Ummah sent earlier. "I really am," he admitted, holding her hand.

"I always see my mother helping daddy with everything, she had thought me a lot." He beamed at her. He was proud that Habiba was brought up to be a very obedient and responsible woman. They had their breakfast together and later moved to the living room. "I want to call mommy," she spoke looking at him. His eyes fixed on the TV. "Which reminds me," he said getting up from the sofa. "I'm coming," he said and walked upstairs. He came back with a pack of SIM card and her phone. He switched her old SIM card with the new one and gave the phone to her.

"I have already recharged for you, so you can call her." She beamed and nodded. She dialed her mother's number, excitedly. "Assalamu Alaikum, mommy. Good morning." She chirped in happily. He smiled at the glow of her face. He loved seeing her happy. "Wa'alaikumus Salam, Habiba. I called your number yesterday but it wasn't going through. Hope you landed safely and I hope everything is fine."

"Yes mommy, we're fine Alhamdulillah. I just switched my sim with a new one now."

"That's good. Your remaining luggage would arrive by next week and Mahmud would claim it for you, in sha Allah." Mommy explained. They talked a bit before saying goodbye. He looked at his phone, "where's your drugs?" He asked averting his gaze from the phone to her face.

She smiled adorably. "I will go get it now, it's in my handbag," she stood up but he stopped her. "Sit down, I'll go get it for you but if you forget to take your drugs again, I'll bite your lips." He whispered gently. She smiled, knowing full well that he was about to seduce her. Even before he touched her, she felt his hands and her lungs expanded with briny air. His voice had the lilt she knew so well - his words soft with the smile that already played on his face. With the kiss came electric tingles, the desire to play.

He slipped his lips out, "I'll be right back." He walked to the stairs and head to their room upstairs. He came back with the pile of drugs and she groaned. She pouted a bit, slumping into the sofa. "What?" He chuckled, he loved it when she acted like a small child. He brought out a bottle of water from the fridge and fetched a cup from the kitchen.

"Please don't make me to," she whined. "But you have to babe, I promise mommy I would take really good care of you and I would never break that promise." He handed the first drug to her and she hesitated before taking it. It took him more than ten minutes to make her take all the drugs.

"Next time I'll tie your hands and tickle you to open your mouth," he teased wrapping his arms around her. "You said we are going to visit your relatives today," she reminded to avoid falling into his trap. "Ah, yes. Thank you for reminding me." He set her free and sat up. He looked at his phone, "it's almost time for Dhuhr prayers, after we pray we would head out," he announced.

After a while, he went to pray at the mosque while she headed upstairs to their room to pray. After she had prayed. She fixed her makeup and tied her head tie even though she wasn't that good at it. She took a matching veil, bag and shoes. He came in all set to head out. "How do I look?" She asked wrapping the veil around her petit body.

"You always look beautiful, my love. But today, I can't take my eyes off you," his deep voice came, making her knees to go weak. He placed his hands on her waist and kissed her forehead softly. "Shall we?" He asked and she nodded blushing.

They first went to his parents house. Intisar was the first person he met playing outside. She squealed and jumped on him. "I missed you, I missed you. I missed you...." she kept repeating hugging his neck. He couldn't help but laugh. "Look at how you've grown taller and beautiful, Masha Allah," he exclaimed. "You said you were coming back yesterday but I didn't see you," she pouted. "I did, you slept early yesterday," he answered as they walked into the house.

Intisar glanced at Habiba following them from behind. "Who is she? Is she your wife? Yaya Fadila told me you have a wife now and she's also our sister," she whispered to him but loud enough for everyone to here. Mahmud laughed at the way she whispered. It was nothing like a whisper. "Go hug her, she's also your sister," he said dropping her down. Intisar did as he told her. She blabbered as they walked up the stairs to Ummah's bedroom.

"My name is intisar but you can call me Inti because I like you. What's your name? I like you." Habiba chuckled a bit, holding her hand. "I'm Habiba. You're so adorable," she cooed. "My sister said we have to call you Aunty Habiba, but I prefer to call you cupcakes, because I love cupcakes and I love you," her eyes glittered as she spoke. "You can call me anything you want."

They entered the room and met Ummah on her sofa, watching a program from the tv. "Mahmud, Habiba. You're welcome," she greeted smiling at them. Habiba squatted and greeted her. "Come sit here please," Ummah motioned for her to sit beside her. Habiba smiled sheepishly and sat beside her. She was beyond shy whenever she remembered their first night. She fiddled with her ring, her head ducked.

"I hope you guys have not eaten yet because I've cooked for you already," Ummah said, picking up the intercom to call the kitchen maids. Intisar left the room saying she had something for Habiba.

Few moments later they came into the room with varieties of food and drinks. They arranged it on the center table and left.

"How is your health now, my dear? I hope you're feeling better now," Ummah spoke with so much care. "I'm feeling better now Alhamdulillah," she spoke smiling sheepishly. "Alhamdulillah, May Allah grant you more strength."

Ummah left the room for them because Habiba couldn't be free with her being around. He motioned for her to come sit on the carpet with him. He served them some waina and vegetable soup with peppered chicken. "Have you eaten this before?" He asked taking a spoon of waina to her mouth. She opened her mouth and slowly chewed it. She smiled after taking the first bite. "This is so good," she admitted.

He fed her till she was full before eating. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. The door was barged open by intisar and his other sisters came in. Habiba quickly sat up right, fixing her veil. "Cupcakes, I made this for you," intisar spoke beaming. She handed the paper to her that was written 'Welcome to our family Cupcakes' on it. Habiba's eyes glittered with tears as she looked at the painting. She reminded her of her sister, Adila. So much love.

"Welcome, sister. I didn't know you guys were around. Good afternoon," Fadila spoke, interrupting her reverie. Habiba blinked back the tears and looked up. "We came not long ago. How are you?" She asked. Aydah also greeted her.

"Hmm, so I guess I'm officially invisible in this house now," mahmud spoke feigning hurt. "I no longer receive welcome home notes from intisar," he spoke still faking hurt. "But I still love you," she said crawling up to him and hugged him. She planted kisses on his cheeks. "You will always be my favorite brother," she added.

Ummah came into the room after a while. "You should take her to your grandparents first then to your uncles' house and then visit your brother and Doctor Mahdi's house." His heart skipped two beats at the mention of Maryam's house. He masked his confused expression with a smile and nodded.

They stood up and got ready to leave. She saw the uneasiness on his face and wondered what could be disturbing him. "Is there something bothering you?" She asked with a worried face. Last thing she would want is to see her husband unhappy. He smiled softly and he locked their hands. "What could possibly bother me when I'm with you?" He cooed, his eyes fixed on the road. "Are you sure? Your mood changed the moment Ummah spoke to you," she said, massaging his hand. "Baby, I promise, nothing is wrong with me. Don't worry," he gave her a reassuring smile.

He took her to his maternal grandparents house before they went to his paternal grandmother's house. They visited his uncles house like Ummah asked him to before they headed to mujahid's house. He wasn't home nor his wife was. He was glad about that because he didn't wish to see his brother’s face at that moment. Lord knows he wouldn't be able to control his temper.

He exhaled sharply as he parked the car where he always did whenever he came to see his best friend. He suddenly felt awkward that he came to the house with his wife. He stepped out of the car same time Habiba did. "I feel like there's something you're not telling me," she spoke gently grabbing his arm as the walked towards the entrance. He gave her a reassuring smile without saying anything.

He pushed the doorbell button and in less than a minute the door got opened by her. He saw the shock register on her face before she could hide it. She puts on a fake smile to hide her pain. "You're welcome..... please.... co.... come in..." she stammered. They walked into the living room while Maryam headed up to call her mother.

Maryam furrowed her brows, entering her mother's bedroom. "What is it now?" Mommy asked looking at her. She folded her arms on her chest and hissed a bit. "You have visitors," she spoke irked. "Who are they? Hope you've taken some refreshments to them," mommy spoke getting up from her bed to get her veil.

Maryam stormed out without saying another word. She went downstairs and ordered the maids to take some refreshments to them. Mommy stopped her, "you take it yourself!" Mommy glared at her before she left the kitchen to the living room.

"Salamu Alaikum, oh Masha Allah, Mahmud." She exclaimed upon entering the living room. She knew Maryam wouldn't act that way for no reason. They both squatted down and greeted her. "Ummah told me you guys were coming to Nigeria yesterday. How are you?" She asked. They both answered her question.

Maryam stepped into the living room with her heart widely beating against her chest. She kept the tray in front of them with a shaky hand. He never looked her way to even know what was going on with her. Mommy gave them some space. She noticed Maryam following her and she turned. "What's the meaning of this? Will you go back to that living room and sit with them before I slap you." Mommy thundered. Maryam felt the urge to scream and cry but she restrained herself. She simply did a U turn and went back to the living room.

She met them sitting dangerously close to each other. Habiba had her arms wrapped around his strong arm while he whispered something funny to her ear, making her to giggle. And there she was sitting and hearing them whisper to each other and shamelessly acted like there wasn't any other person there.

And then she looked at Habiba. Dangling from her perfect lobes are diamonds set in white gold. They are exquisite, accentuating the length of her neck. They cost more than she thought. She realized she have held her gaze too long. She didn't want to admit but Habiba was so beautiful.

He gently kissed his wife on the lips, smiling. At that moment Maryam felt light headed as her heart skipped beats. She felt dizzy and angry for looking at them. Anger boiled deep in her system, as hot as lava. She hated herself for loving him. She hated herself for having any relationship with him before. She sharply stood up and left the living room. Hot, angry tears cascading down. He looked up to find her already gone and averted his gaze back to his wife.

It was a bit after Maghrib when they left the house after mommy filled them with gifts. On their way home, Habiba asked him who Maryam was. "She looked really angry. Like she doesn't like me," she spoke uncomfortably. "Just forget about her please. She's not anyone important."