25. A LITTLE INSIDER
1597 Words
Chapter 25: A little Insider.
Hafsat's POV
"Hafsat"
"Hafsat"
I heard a faint voice calling my name.
I managed to open my eyes. I found my phone on the cushion and checked the time. Seeing that I was almost late for Subhi prayers, I quickly tried to get out of my blanket, only to twist myself more in it.
'Alhamdulillahi lazi ahyana ba'adama amatana wa ilaihi nushur' I said my 'wake up' supplication.
I finally got out of the blanket and went straight to the bathroom.
'Gufranak' I said as I came out of the toilet with my right foot first.
I noticed Ammar still sleeping.
Wasn't he the one that woke me up?
"Ammar have you prayed?" I asked and he muttered a yes.
What's with him?
He slept early yesterday and that's still not enough?
I went to the parlour and prayed. I recited the Qur'an then started getting ready for work.
I met Ahmad in the kitchen and he informed me that Ammar asked him to take me to the hospital in his car so that I return with Ammar's car later in the afternoon because he has an off day today and he's not feeling to well.
The guy does whatever pleases him. Who asked him to come back in my car yesterday and leave his behind?
Anyways he's my husband and I have to obey I guess.
I went back to the attic to get my bag, labcoat and Ammar's car keys.
I found him kneeling by the bed when I entered the room.
Okay now what?
I moved closer. He looked weak and very sick. And vulnerable.
That reminded me that Ahmad said Ammar still wasn't feeling good.
"Ammar, are you okay?"
Even though I was angry at him I was still concerned and worried.
I touched his head and he was burning. I almost panic but remembered to act professional.
"We need to go to the hospital Ammar. You are sick"
He tried to stand up but failed.
"Its just a slight fever, I will take a cold shower and some meds and I will be fine" He managed to say, barely audible.
"No, we are going to the hospital. I'm calling Ahmad to help." I insisted.
He held my hand before I could move away.
"Don't" he said weakly. "My wife is a doctor. I will be fine." He tried to joke and I rolled my eyes. That was so fake. He isn't the joking type.
Like I'm going to listen to you mister. I'm still mad at you but now you are sick and I'm freaking worried.
I removed my hand from his weak grip. I took his phone and called Ahmad.
After a minute Ahmad came up and tried to convince Ammar to go to the hospital but to no avail. Instead he called Dr. Naseer to come and check on him, just to convince us to leave.
Apparently he is worried that I would be late. He practically sent us out.
Imagine the guy...
I was worried and angry at the same time. I was still definitely angry about yesterday and I still hated Ammar but I'm still worried about him. Its just annoying because he's still acting like a jerk.
I got into Ahmad's car and he drove me to the hospital in silence.
Well not for long because be broke it.
"Don't worry, he will get better soon. He's a doctor too you know" he assured me.
Who said I was worried?
"I'm not worried"
He chuckled and I cringed
What's funny?
"You know, it's written all over your face" he commented.
No it's not.
"I'm glad that you two are getting along really well. I thought it would take longer. I can't even believe he just let you drive his car. He never let people behind his wheels, especially not women."
What's he saying?
"It takes Ammar forever to actually get use to people. If you noticed, he doesn't have friends. I think only Naseer and Muhammad are his close friends, everyone else is either a classmate or work colleague. He has fear of losing people."
Fear of losing people. I've heard that before.
"Fear of losing people? He wasn't joking when he said that?" I asked myself but loud enough for Ahmad to hear.
Ahmad looked surprised.
"He told you?" He smiled. I nodded.
"Wow. My brother is now totally used to you and is beginning to trust you. That you will never leave him. I mean he's even letting you drive his car which by the way, you should take care of or you might never get to hold the keys again."
Leave him?
Now I'm confused.
"Explain please?" I requested.
"You've heard of my mum right? Mama. She passed away when Ammar was 5 years old. Ammar was very close to her. I can say he loved her more than his mum. He was always with her. You see mummy is kind of strict and Ammi is an overly sweet person. Mama was in between. She was stern when need be and always playing and pampering us every other time. Ammar was rarely with Mummy, he was always with our Aunt that used to live with us or with Mama or other times with Abba.
He likes the people that pamper him. He was never a kid that plays alot. Even then, he had basically no friends. Whenever kids his age come to play in our house, he sticks to Mama and never comes out. Amrah and I always end up playing with the kids. Mummy is usually the one that force him out to play. I think he easily gets addicted to a particular person, I don't know thou but that's how I see it. I was even so jealous that he snatched my mum so I got his mum as mine but he didn't even mind. Amrah has always been an independent person so she never cared as long as she gets food to eat.
But unfortunately one day, he went to see Mama." His voice changed to a sad one. He tensed. " She was asleep or that's what he thought, he tried to wake her up but she wouldn't even budge so he started crying. He went to our aunt crying that Mama wouldn't wake up. He even promised to never do anything bad again as long as she wakes up but she didn't. He was five but he cried alot to the point of getting sick. He was the first to see her dead body and when he found out that he would never see her again, all hell broke loose. After about ten months or so, our aunt got married. She was the only one that he agreed to feed and bath him after Mummy since Mama's death. Her getting married and leaving made him feel betrayed. Since then he's been keeping his relationship with everyone in this house neutral. And as for outsiders, he deosn't even try to be friends with them ....... " he chuckled and shoke his head.
I didn't know how to react to the new story so I just gave him a small smile and nodded. That was a very sad story
"You know how sweet and lovely Ammi is right? But it took him 3 years to say a complete sentence that wasn't a greeting to her. Another 3 year to sit and have a conversation with her. At first he only talks to her in the company others but with time he got used to her alone. I think it took him that long because Ammi was always in Lagos and he sees her only once a year for two months or so. " he stopped the car and I realised that we were already at the hospital.
"You might feel frustrated because of his atitude but I hope you understand him just a little bit more now. The main reason why Abba wanted you to stay in this house was so that you don't have to live with a doofus like Ammar alone. And he wished that you two would get along and Ammar would change before you decide to move out. You see, Abba was scared that you might ask for a divorce or something after a week into marriage if he let you stay alone with Ammar before understanding the person he is." he chuckled.
"But yesterday when he came back from the hospital he told me you two would be moving out after Ramadan. I was so happy because that's a positive sign. I'm really happy that you two have each other. " he smiled. I smiled back and nodded.
My eyes landed on the car time and
'Crap I'm late' I muttered under my breathe and rushed out of the car after thanking Ahmad for the ride and the little insider.
Only one person was on my mind through out the day. It didn't help that people kept telling me that they couldn't believe I'm Ammar's wife.
I don't know if they were asking because he's too good for me or because I'm too good for him or whatever. I really didn't have space in my mind to think of what they were thinking because that husband is sick at home.
I didn't waste a single minute after work hours as I quickly got into his all so precious car and drove home carefully and hurriedly. I wanted to call and check on him but I resisted. My pride was switched on.
- Writer
