Chapter 6
449 Words
St. Mary's Specialist Hospital, Lagos
Hajiya Aisha Maikudi's POV
I adjusted my hijab as I stepped out of my friend's hospital room.
"Alhamdulillah," I whispered.
The surgery went well. Now all that remained was her recovery.
I smiled politely at one of the nurses before making my way toward the lift. Just as I was about to press the button, a shaky voice drifted from the room beside me.
"Doctor... how much will everything cost?"
I wasn't trying to listen. But the fear in the man's voice made my feet pause. "The evaluation, treatment, travel, accommodation..." the doctor replied gently. "You're looking at tens of millions of naira."
Silence.
Then a woman began to sob.
"It's impossible." Another voice spoke, trembling.
"I'll sell everything I have if I must."
My heart tightened. I glanced toward the slightly open door. Inside stood a family that looked completely broken.
The young lady on the hospital bed couldn't have been older than my own son.
She looked pale. Weak.
Yet she was trying to comfort the very people whose hearts were breaking because of her.
"No, Daddy," she whispered.
"I'm tired of being everyone's burden."
Ya Allah…
The words pierced straight through my heart.
Without realizing it, I found myself whispering,
"May Allah ease your hardship." I quietly walked away. Some pains were too personal to watch.
MAIKUDI MANSION
Suleiman looked up from the newspaper as I entered the sitting room.
"You're back earlier than I expected."
I nodded but said nothing. He lowered the newspaper.
"Aisha?"
I sat beside him. "I saw something today."
His expression softened.
"What happened?"
I leaned closer until only he could hear me.
"I want to discuss something with you..."
I whispered my thoughts into his ear.
His eyes widened. He looked at me as though he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"Aisha..." "I know." "It's a big decision."
He remained silent for a long moment.
Finally, a slow smile appeared on his face.
"You've been planning this already, haven't you?"
I smiled without answering.
"Let's wait until the family dinner this weekend."
I nodded. "Then we'll talk to Zayn."
As I stood to leave, I couldn't help but think of the young woman in that hospital bed.
I didn't know her name.
But somehow… I felt our paths had crossed for a reason.
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