Chapter Three
1135 Words
Fighting had become my daily routine with Noor after my mother's death. Eight months ago, things changed between us when that tragedy stroke my family. On that night when mum was killed, Amatullah was the only person present at the scene. She was the only one who knew the killer's face and what had happened. She was also brutally beaten before she ended up in a car accident that led to her miscarriage and she went into denial. My family was broken and kept in the dark. The investigation on mum's death was closed since no one knew what happened. Mom's murder became a mystery to us.
My sister had changed and kept blaming Amatullah for everything. My father became quiet, my grandmother got sick, and the twins had refused to talk about it. Our only hope was on Amatullah but there had been no improvement in her health. She kept getting worse day by day. My heart clenched with pain at the thought of her. She was so innocent maybe not entirely but beautiful inside and out. She was strong. Her dazzling smile melts my heart like a butter placed on a hot frying pan. Her funny and cunning personality had drawn me to her. Her mesmerizing eyes that I can't resist when she bats those eyelashes while trying to get something from me that I can't forget. She was like a rare flower in a desert. My lips curled up into a smile as I stared at her picture on my office table. The buzzing sound of my phone brought me out of my thought. I looked at the screen and my lips broke into a wide smile.
"Assalamu alaykum" Amatullah's cheerful voice came from the other side of the phone. I laughed.
"Walaikum salam, Onitemi (mine)" I answered with a smile.
"Yusuf, where do you think I am right now?" there was joy in her voice. I imagined her face glowing with joy which flustered my heart.
"Where are you?" I asked almost trailing off. Lines creased on my forehead turning into a frown.
"Guess" I cracked my brain for a while.
"You are in front of my office" I got up and walked to the window.
"Arrgggh" I imagined her hitting her forehead with a hand. "Can't you say something different?" she hissed.
"Seriously, I don't know" I sighed tired of the whole suspense.
"I am at the hospital right now"
"Doing what?" I scrunched my nose getting worried as I walked back to my table.
"I told you yesterday I felt the baby kick but you refused to say something" I closed my eyes with disappointment. "So I decided to see the doctor today. So I am in the hospital waiting for the doctor. I just want to see if our baby is doing fine" she beamed.
"Subhanallah" I said under my breath. This lady will not cease to amaze me "Amy, which hospital are you?" I picked up my car key and headed to the door walking as fast as my legs could carry me.
"How many hospital do you know Yusuf? I am at the hospital I registered for ante natal, our family hospital. Any problem?" she sounded confused.
"Wait for me and don't see the doctor until I arrive" I answered her immediately.
"Why?"
"Just do as I say. Duro de mi (Wait for me)" I said with gritted teeth before hanging up the call.
I did not bother to tell my boss about my departure. What was on my mind was my wife who had decided to visit the hospital when she is not pregnant. My mind drifted back home. My grandmother and Noor were at home. I became so tensed, my pulse accelerated. I knew how Noor hated her but she should still try to understand her and care for her. Passing by my colleagues at work without telling anybody where I am going to, I left my office almost running. Ya Allah, please help me.
I stopped right in front of the hospital almost forgetting to switch off the ignition before getting down. I rushed into the busy foyer of the hospital, my heart thumping in my chest. Most people were seated waiting for the doctor and some were walking around. Everybody was busy doing something. The choking smell of disinfectants and medicines filled the air. I scanned the waiting room with my eyes, my heart beating fast. I could not imagine what would happen if the doctor tells her she is not pregnant. That will be a lot of problem. I sighted her seating on the chair in the waiting room fiddling with her phone.
"Amatullah" I called her. She looked up from her phone.
"Yusuf, you are here" she beamed as she got up. I walked up to her. She threw her hand over me hugging me so tight. We got some weird looks from people.
"Amatullah" I pulled her away from me feeling so uncomfortable with the stares. She looked at me with twinkling eyes.
"This will be so good. We will both know about our child's condition when we meet the doctor. I am so happy" she squealed
"What are you doing here? Does anyone know you are here?"
"Grandma was asleep and Noor was watching a movie in the living room. She ignored me when I passed so I did not bother to tell anybody" she shrugged nonchalantly.
"When are you seeing the doctor?" I looked around.
"It's my turn after the woman inside" She leaned on me.
"Alright, we are leaving now" I pulled her by the wrist gently.
"Why?" she asked with bewilderment grabbing her bag.
"Don't ask" I headed towards the door but she hesitated.
"I will see the doctor soon" She protested but I did not answer. She tried freeing herself from my firm grip but she did not succeed. "Yusuf" she grits teeth. "Leave me alone. Ki lon se e? (What's wrong with you)" she freed wrist from my grip.
"Amatullah, we need to leave" I told her calmly.
"Why?" she shouted. I thought about a suitable excuse.
"We are going to have lunch together" the tightness on her forehead loosened slowly which meant her anger is fading away.
"Can't we go after my appointment" she whined holding my hand and putting on a baby face.
"No, we can see the doctor another day please" I pouted. She looked at me for a while without a word. I prayed silently it works.
"Alright" she said finally. I sighed before putting my hand around her shoulder. "So, we are having lunch together" she looked at me eagerly.
"Yes" I said with a smile. We headed towards the door interlocking our arms into each other.
"Did you come with your car?"
"No"
"Why?"
"Just like that"
- Writer
