The spoilt brat

His spoiled brat

AREEFA'S POV

I watch AJ and Sagan playing while I sat beside them on a chair. They grew up so fast, AJ was exactly like his dad while Sagna took after me. 

AJ

Sagna 

"mama AJ stole my barbie". 

"shut up Sagna, what am I going to do with that girly thing?"

"can you two stop fighting please? mommy Is tired today. "

Aj's face fell realizing why I could see the sadness in his eyes. AJ is 8 and for his age, he was sharp and seem to grasp on situations easily, just like his dad. 

" Sorry mom, I'll give it back to her. "

I smile at him weakly, I hear the gate open and Asma stepped in heading in our direction. She stops to talk to the kids before sitting next to me. 

"for a pregnant woman, you sure roam about. "

"come on it's just 6 months, get over it, will you. "

"don't forget she's the first girl out of 3  boys. Plus she's my niece so I have to be worried. "

She smiled at me a bit shy, I could see her eyes asking if I was ok. 

"are you going to keep staring at me that way? "

"Are you okay areefa? "

"it's been 3 years, of course am fine. "

"I'm just worried, they say crying relieves pain and you haven't shed tears since that day."

"I promised I won't. "

⚡ flashback ⚡ 

I held ashraf's hand tightly, I could see the pain he was going through and It drove me crazy to know that there was nothing I could do to help. His breath was heavy and painful. I felt tears swell in my eyes, I want to be strong but it is just too much. 

"hey stop crying would you. "

"why? "

"You look ugly, I should have married a woman who looks pretty when she cries?"

I smiled "well I'm sorry but you're stuck with me for the rest of your life. "

"where are the kids? "

"at home with Asma, they wanted to see their dad. "

"call Asma to bring them over please"

"as you wish"

........... 

The kids arrive not long after my call. 

Ashraf struggled to sit carrying Sagna who turned 2 last week. 

"you keep getting prettier just like your mom, you look like her a lot"

AJ stormed into the room running into his dad's arms. 

"Abba you haven't been home in 3 days, I thought you left us"

"oh common AJ you know I can't do that"

We sat there talking and occasionally playing with Sagna. 

Ashraf turned to look at AJ. 

"AJ I need you to take care of your mom and sister when am not around. Your mom named you after me because when it comes to family am overprotective so live up to that name ok?" You're probably wondering what AJ stands for, it's Ashraf junior. 

"yes, Abba don't worry I'll take care of mama and baby Sagan until you come back home. Don't worry leave it to me."

I and Ashraf both laugh out, I could see the pain and sadness on ashraf's face. Shortly after our little discussion, AJ slept off laying next to his dad while I held Sagna who's sleeping as well. 

"Areefa am sorry, my body isn't strong anymore. I wish I could stay more with you guys."

"ashraf don't say that. "

He starts coughing chronically.

"These past 18 years have been the best, we've had small fights and arguments but I've always loved you. You've supported me when I felt like I couldn't do things and you've put up with my anger, for that I'm thankful. "

"what are partners for, I would do it again in a heartbeat...."

"Promise me one thing "

"what? "

"whatever happens if I couldn't make it don't cry when you remember me, I want you to smile when you hear my name. Promise me you'd do that for me? "

"I promise baby"

"I love you my spoilt brat"

"I love you too ashraf"

He smiled looking tired and weak, he stared at me and the kids, he starts coughing again but this time it wouldn't stop. I started screaming and calling for the nurse. I turn to look at him and smiled at him saying everything would be ok. He smiled back before the heart monitor went blank. And just like that, the love of my life was gone. 

⚡ End of flashback ⚡ 

"you know I've regretted not seeing him that day. When I brought back the kids I should have stayed, I didn't think he would go so quickly."

"Asma doesn't blame yourself, at that time sultan was barely a month old, you had to go back home as soon as you could. Am just sorry that Sagna has to grow up not knowing such a wonderful person he was"

"that he was, my brother was quite handsome and cocky wasn't he?"

She turned to look at me thinking I would cry, but I smiled widely. 

"he was, every time I stare at AJ I remember him, he's like his dad's carbon copy. Their personality is the same. "

"I guess he'd always be in our memories, especially you his SPOILT BRAT "

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