Hajia Fati was seated by the corner of the room. Her mind haven't been at rest since Zainab isn't yet conscious. Raising her head up, she saw Zainab turning her head side to side in pain.

"Hu...mair..a Hu..mai..ra." Zainab lips managed to call the nane. She placed her head on her head as she whimpered silently.

Khalid's mum rushed to her immediately. Standing right next to her sick bed.
"W..where? God where am I?"

Hajia Fati softly held her face in her hands.
"Oh... Poor thing. You're okay my dear. You're in the hospital."

Zainab tried to lift her head.

"My head." She sighed softly, trying to endure the pain that comes with it. Ugh God, it hurts. She gently placed it back to the pillow.

"Just relax my dear, relax."

"Hmm..." She made another painful sigh.

"Umm... if I may ask. What's your name?"

She took blank glances at the woman that asked, trying to remember her name but everything seemed empty.

"What's your name?" She asked again.

"Umm... My name." She's closed her eyes painfully as she searched for answers in her clouded mind. The more she thought about it, she feels like drawing into nothingness. Everything suddenly went back, she couldn't even remember yesterday.

"I don't know. I don't remember. She murmured and gently opened her eyes

"Who are you?" Zainab asked confusedly, staring at the wealthy looking woman in front of her.

"I'm Hajia Fatima Maikuddi. My son got involved in an accident with you but don't worry. Everything would be alright." She replied with a calm smile.

Just then, the door opened and Khalid entered. With him were two big bags with food and fruit. So far, he was only concern about his mother. She refused to go home so, he had to get food for her and Zainab.

Zainab and Hajia Fatima turned towards the door as Khalid entered.

"And... Who's that?" She asked.

"Umm... That's Khalid, my son." She introduced with a small smile.

"The careless driver?" Zainab muttered.

"I'm not careles_!" Khalid tried to defend himself but his mother turned to him with an awkward look, making him shush immediately.
Khalid rolled his eyes at her even though it's the first time he's hearing her speak. He doesn't care who she is, he just rolled his eyes at her disgustingly and dropped the baggage beside the corner of her bed.

"Ugh..." Zainab moaned in pain. "My head."

Khalid's mum turned to her son annoyingly. He just entered and he's already complicating things. She looked at him disappointedly...

"You need to be friendly to her." His mother warned as she turned to back Zainab.

"Just relax my dear, rest uh? I'll call you Aliyah for now... I'm sure with time you'll remember and be able to go back to your family. What matters to me now is your health." Hajia Fati muttered emotionally.

"Am I in the hospital? How did I get here?"
Just relax my child, there's nothing to worry about. Relax. She held Zainab's hands and patted on it gently.

"Khalid, get the doctor please." Hajia Fati instructed.

Khalid glared at her from the corner of his eyes, annoyingly. He stepped out of the ward almost banging the door.

Minutes later, he came in with the doctor. Two other nurses followed.

"I hope you don't mind. I need to privately examine the patient."

"Yeah, sure. Of course... Let's go out Khalid." Hajia Fati instructed her son as they stepped out.

Hajia Fati grabbed her son's hand to a corner outside the ward. She felt agitated with his attitude towards Zainab.

"What's that all about?"

Khalid turned away with a frown on his face.

She knows her son to be stubborn and spilt but she don't expect this from him.

"I don't want you to cause more harm to Aliyah than you've already done. Mind how you speak and act towards her. It's heartbreaking knowing that she's lost her memory. As if that's not enough, you're acting like an idiot! Can't you take responsibility for once in your life?"

Khalid let out an heavy sigh.

"Whatever mum, don't blame me for anything. It's not as if we should take responsibility for her or something. It was just a mistake and an accident."
He hissed. "I just can't wait for her to leave..."

"She's not leaving, Khalid. Let that sink into your head, okay?"

"What?" He felt a bell ringing in his ears. "Why are you so concerned about this girl mummy?"

***

After a couple of treatment and checkup, the doctor called Hajia Fati's attention.

"She much better now. We are discharging her tomorrow." The doctor announced.

"Alhamdulillah! Wow! This is good news, Aliyah! What do you think?"

There was a wide smile of Zainab but the smile faded by the second. She felt alone all of a sudden.

"What's is my dear?" Hajia Fati cupped Zainab's face in her hands. "Is anything wrong?"

"I'm just so confused... Where would I go when I can't remember home?" Tears gathered in her lost eyes.

"Awwwwn... There's no need to worry my dear. You're coming home with me. I will love and care for you like my own Aliyah, I promise. You're my daughter now, at least, till we find your family. Even after then, you'll still be my daughter so you see, there's nothing to worry your pretty head about." Hajia Fatima caressed her head like a newborn baby.

Zainab fell speechless at her words. Hajia Fatima is just so nice and welcoming. She accepted her in without second doubts.

Thank you so much ma. I'll forever be grateful to you for this." Zainab hugged her. Happiness was boldly written on their faces as they hugged each other.

***

How are you?

I'm better now ma. All thanks to you ma.

I hope you don't mind. I have some questions I need to ask you

"No, I don't mind my dear. Tell me what's on your mind?"

"My head is in a storm right now ma. For some reasons, I feel safe here but I'm worried. I don't even know what in worried about. Ma, I know I have a sister and her name is Humaira. I seem to remember some things yet, other things are fulgy. I don't even know my name or where I live..."

"You know you have to take it easy. Like the doctor said, it's just temporary." Hajia Fati reminded her.

"I can't wait to get well. You're such a good woman ma, you're so kind and understanding and I'm so grateful for this. You make me feel at ease and even paid the hospital bills. I feel at rest yet, I know someone is missing me somewhere. I really wish I could remember though. It baffles me why I don't seem to remember."

"You see my dear, you don't have to worry about anything okay. Just take each day as it comes and you'll get better... Uh?" Khalid's mum assured.

"I just wish I would remember."

"You would my dear. I hope."

Hajia Fati held her in a soft hug and served her breakfast. She made sure Zainab are as much as possible, complementing every food with lots of nourishing fruits and vegetables. They discussed about life as Mrs. Maikuddi made sure Zainab felt so happy and at ease. Leaving no room for her to get bored or worry about her present condition.

***

The Following Morning...

Zainab got discharged from the hospital. Hajia Fatima along with her driver helped in carrying the luggage into her black Honda Jeep. And for the first time, Khalid's mother he felt the joy and love of having a daughter she'd always have to share things with and gist with whenever she feels like. Even though they aren't blood related, there was a connection between the two of them.

The Maikuddi's mansion looked like the president's Villa. The tall white building stood out in the middle of the glorious sight. There were Fountains in front for their house, something that Zainab haven't seen before. The driver helped them take the bags into the house as Hajia Fatima gave Zainab a side hug, leaving her into the living room.

"Wow! Your house is so beautiful ma. It looks like heaven." Zainab complemented.

"Thank you my dear." She replied her. "You're welcome home... Feel free Aliyah, you're part of our family now. Since you're going to be living here. I suggest you call me mum."

Zainab looked at her confusedly. A shiver ran through her spine as as her  heart raced with a million thoughts. She felt so happy as tears of joy gathered in her eyes.

Thank you ma. I can't believe you just accepted me as your own." Zainab hugged her with more tears pouring down her eyes.

"Wipe away your tears my child. You deserve everything good. Like I said, you're welcome home Aliyah. Let me take you to your room."  Hajia Fati suggested as she took her upstairs.

Just then, Khalid came out of his room. He looked stunned as he watched his mum leading Zainab into her her new room.He couldn't believe what his eyes was seeing.

" She's going to live here? What the fuc_"

***

Author's Note

Hajia Fatima is referred to as Mrs. Maikuddi, Khalid's mum or Hajia Fati. So please, don't get confused.

Also note that Zainab's new name is Aliyah.

I hope you understand and enjoy the story as well. If you're confused about anything, please, leave a message in the comment box.