Nick and I eloped in a simple solemnisation ceremony with less than 10 people, at the end of the year during the COVID-19 pandemic which seriously impacted the global economy, infecting thousands of people, killing hundreds of lives.

Our early years of career and marriage with Fatima during her infancy was a pure struggle that it almost shattered us. Nick's ego and mine rocked both of our marriage that pushed us to an edge of separation. However, my grandad's series of counselling sessions and Nick's patience and perseverance were the main reasons the bond stayed intact.

Our bond strengthens after my grandad's death a year later, knowing that I have no one else but Nick and my four-year-old Fatima. Having Siddique during the second trimester was where we had a turning point of our lives.

I get better jobs with good pay and less stressful working environment. Nick, with a help from my colleague who became his best friend, was offered a substitute teacher position at an all-boys public school which later converted him into a full-time teacher on a conditional contract basis due to his excellent work performance and his PR status.

Siri prompted us on the delay of the Grab driver with an additional time of five minutes. Nick takes note of the delay and continues rubbing Siddique's back.

"Where's your kampung (hometown), Pa?" Siddique asks curiously.

"In Manchester," Nick replies. "Far away from here. Kakak (older sister) Fatima is there."

"Kakak's inside Manchester United with that old man?" Siddique asked again, recalling the event where he and Fatima were being approached by Hussaini's people two days before Fatima went missing. "Are you taking Kakak home? Can I go with you?"

If Siddique is my mini me, Fatima is the female version of mini Nick. When I conceived her, Nick suffered from what they called couvade syndrome, so I guess that's how she grew attached to him.

Not only she's the copy paste version of Nick, her slanted hazel eyes, pointy nose, full lips, and high cheekbones, she picks up his attitude as well. Fatima was born a happy and jovial child, but she turned dark and began to develop his dad's fearless, reserved, reclusive, firm, strong minded manner when she turned 10, two years ago. And just like Nick, she would put the ones she loves first before her, which include taking up her younger brother's place.

Before Fatima disappeared, we learned that a man and a woman approached Siddique and Fatima at KL East Mall last week when they both were on a movie date with Erna, our next door neighbour. They separated the kids from Erna and was about to take Siddique away but Fatima, being the protective big sister fought for him.

According to Siddique, "After that, they talked something to Kakak and let us go." We also learned that the couple were Hussaini's crew and they had connected Fatima with her grandad which later arranged her traveling plans to Manchester to meet him.

Fatima is also a curious child, like Siddique but she does sleuthing secretly while Siddique's more of an active interrogator. She often yearns to know her dad's dark past especially on why Nick refused to return to Manchester. I caught her checking Nick's emails and going through documents in our study room.

She constantly asked questions about Nick's parents which Nick often replied, "They both died in a freight container". So, having Hussaini's people to pop in, satisfies her curiosity of her paternal lineage.

Fatima's disappearance was the most devastating thing that ever happened to us after marriage. And to eventually find out that she made the decision to follow the couple to Manchester angers me, especially at the negligence of the border authority who weren't picking up any anomalies when Fatima and the couple passed through the airline gate.

Despite Hussaini's sudden call last night ensuring us on Fatima's safe arrival, we feared for her security. And on top of all, we feared for her future. We just prayed Fatima wasn't sold to child traffickers by her own grandad.

"Sid, you going to be abang (older brother) soon. So, you need to protect Mama and baby sister. Make sure baby sister doesn't come out from Mama's tummy while I'm away," Nick says softly to his son.

Siddique begins processing his thoughts and keeps quiet for a while before he asks, "Are you coming home tonight?"

"Manchester is far away. I won't make it for a day," Nick rationalises.

"But Auntie Erna can go to Australia in the morning and come back at night," he argues.

"Australia is nearer, Manchester is very far," I explain.

"Can-lah, ask the driver to drive faster," Siddique suggests. We both smile wearily at his silly idea.

Erna's Bengal cat, AXF-52 enters the house through the open front door like this is his second home. It meows, informing us of its arrival and hops straight to the sofa where Nick and Siddique sit. We greet the cat while Nick gently pets it.

"Asif," Nick calls out to the cat and gestures at Siddique, "Abang Siddique stays home with Mama and baby. You help Abang look after the house, boleh (can)?

AXF-52 responds to each of his enquiries with variations of meows and purrs. Siddique reaches out to pet its head gently. "Can I go if Asif (AXF) takes care of Mama and baby sister?" he asks.

"No, Asif is a cat. Mama needs you," Nick answers.

"Okay, but how about you? Don't you need me?"

"I can take care of myself," Nick said. "Maybe I can get something for you in Manchester."

"Can," Siddique concurs. "Can you tapau (take out) some satay? Then, we eat together when you come home."

"I don't think they have satay in Manchester," Nick tries to contain his laugh.

"Then what do they have?" Sid creases his forehead.

"Hmm... good question. I don't know," Nick chuckles. "When I reach there, I'll call Mama, okay?"

"Okay," Siddique surrenders but shoots a random question, "Do you think Kakak Fatima is dead?"

"Choi (bad luck)!" Me and Nick exclaim simultaneously.

"Be careful with your words, Sid. You don't want your words to be prayers for Kakak," I caution him.

"Then, who's that old man? Is he Atok (grandad)?" he asks again.

"You ask too many questions!" Nick quips.

"If I don't ask, I won't learn," he argues.

"I'll cut your hair off if you ask again," Nick threatens, combing Siddique's thick hair and gathers them up into a small ponytail.

"I'll call the police if you do," Siddique bites back.

Nick immediately covers Siddique's ears and looks up at me. "He needs to get his haircut tomorrow. Change the wifi password, he already knows this one. Cut down his sugar intake. This Friday is his Iqra (reading) report card day," he whispers at me.

"Okay," I whisper back.

Siddique releases his ears and turns to us, "What are you two talking about?"

"About me kissing Mama while you and Asif go play outside," Nick answers bluntly.

"Eww," Siddique sneers and jumps off from Nick's lap before landing his both feet on the carpeted floor. He calls for AXF-52 to play with him outside.

The Grab driver arrives in his Perodua Kembara D5ZT-i as per schedule. Siddique rushed towards the driver while Nick loads the luggage in the boot.

"Uncle, make sure Papa comes home tonight, okay?" Siddique politely informs the driver. Then he walks towards Nick to embrace him for straight two minutes.

"Sid, you can let go of me now," Nick requests but Siddique's stubborn grip tightens.

"Siddique, the faster Papa leaves the earlier he comes back," I said to him.

"Okay-lah," Siddique loosen his arms around Nick's no-longer-slender waist and kissed his dad's hand. "Say hi to Kakak for me. Tell her I miss her."

Nick pecks on Siddique's forehead, then turned towards me for a hug before I kiss his hand. We watch Nick opens the door of the passenger seat to enter as we wave him goodbye. The vehicle with Nick inside drives away further from us towards the main road before taking a left turn and disappear.

                        🎇🎊🎉🌟🎇🎊🎉🌟

Finally you've come to the end of the story. Thank you so so much for reading till the end! 

I hope you ❤️the story. Do let me know your thoughts on it.

I'm planning to take a break from writing, will continue somewhere in October 2021. I'll keep you posted. In the mean time, you can check out my other works like Babysitter Cougar and My Envy. Or go ahead and check our my crochet project. 🥰