chapter 3
1115 Words
“Abba,” they repeated after him, just as he told them to.
“By Allah, I’m ashamed of myself! Everything that happened in your lives was my fault. I ruined you. I despise myself for watching my children suffer and doing nothing to help. I could kneel before you right now to beg for your forgiveness…”
Before he could finish, he began to drop to his knees — but the children rushed to stop him.
“Abba, please don’t do that! Don’t blame yourself for everything. It was already destined by Allah. Please don’t kneel before us — we’re your children!”
Seeing that he truly intended to kneel, they dropped to their knees first.
He stood there, watching them silently.
Azmee and Hajiya Azeema were also watching, both deeply moved by the scene.
“Abusufyan!” Hajiya Azeema finally called his name.
He turned to her.
Gently, she said, “Now is not the time for sorrow or regret. It’s a time of happiness. I want to see smiles on your faces — not tears. Right, Azmee?”
Azmee smiled. “That’s true. Abusufyan, congratulations! I’m so happy — words can’t describe it. I’m so glad that Sehrish is your daughter… that they are all your children. God’s plan is truly wonderful. No one could have imagined this. I even used to see your facial resemblance in Sehrish without knowing she was your daughter…”
As she spoke, tears of joy rolled down her cheeks.
Abusufyan could only smile quietly.
By now, Sehrish, Hosana, and Jahad had all stood beside him.
Hosana clung tightly to his hand, as if someone might take him away.
Hajiya Azeema said, playfully, “Azmee, I think we should give them some privacy. The father of these triplets looks too excited to be with his daughters.”
They both laughed softly and left the room.
Abusufyan sighed deeply, turned to the girls, and asked, “Did you get any sleep last night?”
He asked because their faces looked exhausted, their eyes sunken.
In unison, they replied, “Yes.”
Then Hosana asked, “Abba, is it really true you’re our father?”
He pointed to his face. “You can see it for yourself.”
They all laughed.
They stayed standing there, talking awkwardly — still getting used to each other. It all felt strange, almost like a dream.
Then he said softly, “Go back and rest. If you feel any pain or discomfort, tell me — I’ll call someone to check on you right away.”
That statement alone warmed their hearts.
“Abba, we’re fine. Nothing’s wrong,” they said together.
He nodded and turned to leave.
But Jahad quickly grabbed his hand and said, “Abba, please don’t leave us. We need you close. We want to stay with our father.”
Sehrish added, “That’s true, Abba. Come back and live with us. We need your care and attention.”
Hosana whispered, “Please, Abba… for my sake.”
Abusufyan’s heart melted. He smiled, and without hesitation, went back to sit between them on the bed.
He wrapped his arms around Hosana, pulling her close. Each time he remembered the story of how she lost her sanity, his eyes filled with tears.
“If Allah spares our lives till tomorrow,” he said softly, “I’ll braid your hair myself — two braids each — just like I used to when you were little. You probably don’t even remember it…”
Their hearts trembled, and the room filled with quiet emotion.
---
Meanwhile, Aunty Babba’s phone started ringing loudly.
She was fast asleep, barely able to move from the deep slumber that held her.
Ishaq, who stood by the mirror adjusting his clothes, cleared his throat and said,
“Madam, please wake up and answer that call! It’s been ringing non-stop — must be something important.”
Aunty Babba groaned, annoyed, and slowly sat up.
She was in her purple sleeping outfit, face swollen from sleep.
She reached for her phone on the bedside drawer. When she saw Hayaam’s name on the screen, she frowned even more.
She answered harshly, “Why are you calling me, you shameless girl! Do you want to insult me again?”
On the other end, Hayaam said gently, “Oh, Aunty Laila, I’ve already forgotten what happened between us…”
Before she could finish, Aunty Babba snapped,
“If you’ve forgotten, I haven’t! Tell me why you’re calling, or I’ll hang up!”
Ishaq watched her silently and thought, She curses like a wild woman. No shame at all. May God help me.
Hayaam’s voice trembled with worry.
“Aunty Laila, we’re in trouble — big trouble! All our plans have failed!”
The moment Aunty Babba heard that, her heart began to pound.
“What happened, Hayaam? What kind of trouble?”
“Aunty… that housemaid girl — she’s actually Abusufyan’s daughter!”
The words hit Aunty Babba like lightning.
“What nonsense! When did Abusufyan ever get married? That’s a lie — whoever told you that is a fool!”
Ishaq, startled, asked curiously, “Which Abusufyan are you talking about?”
Panicking, Aunty Babba jumped up, forgetting he was even in the room.
In confusion, she started heading toward the bathroom — then changed direction and almost walked into the wardrobe before finding her way out.
She ran downstairs to the old storage room — the same place where she had once locked Hosana.
There, she continued the call.
Hayaam said, “I swear it’s true, Aunty. I was there when their uncle told Junaid everything. And Aunty Azmee confirmed it herself. The shocking part is — the children are triplets! Three beautiful girls, exact copies of Abusufyan!”
Aunty Babba pressed her hand to her head.
“I don’t believe this! How could that be? The man was never married! You’re lying to scare me, Hayaam!”
Upset, Hayaam hung up.
Aunty Babba stared at her phone and muttered,
“I knew it. She’s lying — just trying to frighten me. Foolish girl.”
---
Then her daughter Hafsat walked in, smiling — which was rare for her.
Seeing the smile, Aunty Babba immediately sensed something was off.
She forced a crooked smile and asked, “Why are you smiling like that?”
Hafsat replied, “Everything’s fine, Mommy. I just have some good news — something that’ll make you happy too.”
“Oh really?” said Aunty Babba. “What is it — did they increase your salary? Promote you?”
Hafsat laughed. “No, Mommy, it’s bigger than that. Here, take this tea and drink some first.”
- Writer
