26. HABIBY
2195 Words
Chapter 26: Habiby
Ammar's POV
I woke up and found myself in Ahmad's room. Remembering how I got there I turned around to look for Naseer and found him sleeping on the other side of the bed.
Yesterday.
Yesterday was so blur yet so real. What exactly was I thinking?
I was feeling really weak and I had throbbing headache but my lips automatically moved on hafsat's I really don't know why or how. I was shocked as much as she was.
It's really hard to not think about it.
I was sick and I'd lost my appetite but I pushed down food cause that was the only natural thing k could do.
Due to my very uncomfortable state I decided any conversation was okay to ease my awkwardness.
I was going to take a course in Lagos for a month and in the processes of registering for that I also found a house for us. When I told her, I was expecting a comment or an opinion but she didn't say anything. That was so unlike her.
I woke up weaker today and I only remember till Naseer came in the morning after Ahmad and Hafsat left.
I sat up from my lying position and touched my head with the back of my hand. Realizing that my fever was gone and I had little or no headache, I set to get off the bed.
" How do you feel now?" I heard Naseer's sleepy voice ask.
I stood up before answering.
"Better I guess"
I noticed it was already 2:30pm and I hadn't prayed zuhr. I quickly entered Ahmad's bathroom, took a short shower brushed my teeth, (I have a spare brush there, it was my bathroom too before I got married) and performed abolution and then came out wearing one of Ahmad's Jalabiya. I waited for Naseer to do his wudu'u before we prayed together.
We sat down talking about random stuff before my stomach made a grunting sound, then we decided to go and eat.
We came out of the room laughing to one of Naseer's silly jokes.
"You two are finally up I see" Mummy said coming down the stairs.
We greeted her and she inquired about my health which I replied with a 'fine'
"Salamu alaikum" we all turned to the direction of the door where the voice came from as we replied in unison.
She came in and greeted us all before going to stand near mummy by the stairs.
"Ammar is feeling all better now Dr. Hafsat. Turns out he was just exaggerating his illness. Nothing serious." Naseer said earning a smack from me and a smile from Hafsat.
"Naseer you are the doctor but you just slept beside the patient. Is that how you work in your hospital Hafsat? " Mummy said mockingly.
We all laughed.
"Mummy it's not like that." He said defensively with a chuckle.
"Anyways, Dr. Hafsat ... or can I call you Hafsa? Nice to meet you outside the hospital as Ammar's friend...... "
"You are my doctor today" I interupted
"Shut up" he glared at me.
Hafsat smile at him
"Nice to meet you too" she answered and he smiled back.
Is it just me or has she been avoiding my gaze?
"Mummy we are hungry" I quickly said before Naseer says 'Let me formally introduce myself'
Because thats what they always do.
Amrah, Ahmad, Naseer, Sakina and Safiya. Even the Hafsat herself. They are a talkatives.
How did I end up being surrounded with people like that?
"Okay. Lets go to the kitchen. Hafsa you too." Mummy ordered.
"Mummy, I will come down after I change. I smell like paracetamol today. " she answered her and hit the stairs to our room.
"She always complains of smelling like a different drug everyday." Mummy commented shaking her head.
We finished our lunch while chatting with Mummy. Hafsat only came down when Naseer was about to leave.
"You should come and visit my wife some time okay. Or should I bring her to you?" Naseer asked Hafsat and she grinned but didn't give a verbal reply.
My siblings came back from wherever it is they went and that's how I spent the evening with them. They were making a hell of a noise including Amrah who was put on speaker phone. Hafsat wasn't left behind either. She talked like the chatterbox she is.
After playing x-box with Safiya and Sakina I went to my room and found Hafsat sleeping in the middle of the bed so I just made myself confortable on the window seat. I don't know but it seems like she's been avoiding me all day.
"Mummy when is Abba leaving for Umrah?" I heard Hafsat ask as I entered the kitchen. Everyone was already up and some where already eating the delicious breakfast of kosai and kunu ( beans cake and pap)
"First week of Ramadan. Insha Allah" Mummy answered her as she dipped her kosai in yaji (spiced pepper) then into her mouth.
I said my salam and greeted everyone. I sat down beside Aisha and started eating her breakfast with her. Soon after Ahmad joined me in Aisha's plate.
"Mummy!"She cried. "Ya Ammar and Ya Ahmad are finishing my food"
Ahmad and I quickly removed our hands from her plate.
"Ahmad and Ammar please leave her alone. Why are you eating from her plate?" Mummy scowled. "Stand up and change you seats."
"What did we do?" Ahmad asked innocently.
We moved our stools and sat at either sides of Auwal.
We looked at his plate, then gave each other an evil grin, then turned and gave Auwal a cheeky grin and looked at his plate again .....
But before we could put our intention to action the kid cried to mummy.
"Mummy! They want to finish my food"
Seriously what's with kids of today. They don't know how to share.
"Ahmad and Ammar. You big for nothing. Stay away from my kids please. I don't want Auwal to give me a headache this early morning." She warned and we nodded after glaring at Auwal of course but it didn't even affect him cause he stock his tongue out for us.
"Hafsat please give them their breakfast before they make the kids cry"
"No mummy, we've been waiting longer than them. We even let Zainab have her kosai before us even though we woke up before her" Sakina whined.
"If you're patient we will all have our breakfast soon. Its just that the frying pan is small and I didn't think everyone would be up so early. I should have used two pans." Hafsat explained.
"Zainab woke up same time as you. Why didn't she help you?" Mummy asked.
"I had to get ready for school. I'm running late already. I hate school on weekends." Zainab answered.
"Where is Ammi? " Ahmad asked.
"She left early to her cousin's " Hafsat answered.
"Aahh. I'm so hungry" Safiya cried. Her head on the kitchen island facing Hafsat.
Mummy left the kitchen.
Okay I don't know why Safiya and Sakina are not helping with breakfast but ...
"Sakina get me another frying pan and Safiya, oil from the store please" I ordered the girls.
I decided to help fry the beans cake and make breakfast faster.
Well the person using the other burner was totally ignoring me now I know but why?
"Awwn . You two look so cute together." Safiya commented with dreamy eyes.
"They make me wanna get married" Sakina shrilled.
"You two have lost it." Zainab said as she appeared back into the kitchen. She took her phone and bag from the working surface.
"She's probably imagining her and Mustapha making breakfast together" Sakina said after Zainab left.
Mustapha is Ahmad's friend's friend's brother -yeah. I know Ahmad has complicated relationships like that- who saw Zainab, I've really forgotten how, but he said he liked her. I don't know how but Ahmad told me that Abba allowed him to be seeing Zainab. So I guess things have been going fine for them.
Safiya looked at Sakina and they both looked at Hafsat then they all burst out laughing.
Did I miss something?
I looked at Ahmad confused but he gave me the same look too.
Aisha and Auwal were already out of the kitchen too.
"Why are you laughing?" I asked.
"Nothing" they answered in unison but burst out again with laughter.
Seriously girls?
After eating, Safiya and Sakina cleaned the dishes and left after Ahmad, leaving just the two of us. I drained the last set of kosai from the hot oil.
I was already full from eating while frying so I just served for Hafsat on a plate and turned to keep it on the island.
I forgot that I left the handle of the frying pan hanging. If anyone mistakenly push it, hot oil might pour on them. Before I could turn and push it back Hafsat had already reached it and was about to hit it when I quickly moved her towards me.
"What are you doing?" She shouted.
What's with her.
"You almost got burnt" I shouted back and pointed at the pan then I noticed it has already been shifted back.
What happened?
Hafsat moved away.
"Don't act like you care now, when you never really did. And you just decided to leave on your own so don't worry I am more than capable of taking care of myself without your help. Instead why don't you take care of yourself since you can just fall sick after an over night shift. So please .."
She held her hand up.
I was taken aback by her atitude.
Hafsat can ba a chatterbox, she can be sarcastic a times buts she's never been rude. She's never yelled at me or be this mad.
My phone rang and the ID showed 'Iman' calling. I finally saved her number.
Hafsat saw it and rolled her eyes. "Oh great." She grunted.
She stormed out of the kitchen and I noticed Ahmad by the door. She didn't even take her breakfast.
Ahmad and Hafsat were the first people I told about my plans before I told the whole family yesterday night.
She most have been mad at me because of all that.
But why? We are not in a relationship where one would be sad when the other is leaving right?
See why I don't want to get too attached to anyone. One always ends up getting hurt at the end.
"Stop thinking too hard. Go and listen to her problem atleast leave in good terms. You have just a few more days." Ahmad tapped my shoulder and left.
I went after her and found her in the attic dressed and ready to leave for work.
"Hafsat, I - "
"I have to go to the hospital now or I would be late" she cuts me off.
I thought she didn't have to go till 1pm and it's just 11am but I didn't want to argue with her anymore.
"Atleast eat before you leave"
"I will eat in the hospital"
"Okay, when are you coming back?" I knew what time but I had to make sure.
"10pm" she answered after taking her bag and labcoat.
"Okay can we talk when you get back?"
"Okay" she said simply.
Uhmm.
She left.
I had clinic duty from 3-5 pm only today so I spent my time watching Avengers for the hundredth time.
After work, I took my sisters and Auwal out because I thought I should spend some time with them before I leave for Lagos. We prayed Isha at a masjid before I finally drove us home.
The girls quickly rushed to Ammi's apartment the moment we got home. I adjusted my parking then stepped out with Auwal. I held his hand and walked to the house.
I met Ahmad and an unfamiliar guy standing by the door. I shook both of them and said salam.
Ahmad carried Auwal up and put him back down saying "What did your brother feed you? You've become heavier" Auwal giggled.
"So you are Ammar. Hmm it's finally nice to meet you." His friend said.
"Thank you" I replied but before I could ask who he was Ahmad interrupted.
"I met him in our Masjid and he asked me if I knew Hafsat that he has been looking for her for a very long time. He can't wait to meet her."
Oookay? Why does he want to meet my Hafsat?
My Hafsat?
Okay Ammar.. you can't get too attached.
Ahmad welcomed him in.
"But Hafsat is at work, she won't be back till 10pm" I informed him hoping he would leave and never return.
"No, she's back. She came back since 8pm. I saw her when I was leaving for Isha salat" Ahmad confirmed.
Why did she come back early?
"Okay. I will call her but who ..-" I asked for his name.
"Habiby Masoyi. Please tell her that her habiby is here to see her. I'm finally her for her!"
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- Writer
