Khalid's POV

Last night felt so good with my personal queen, my Asiya, the love of my life. I wished we weren't going through all that we were right now. I didn't want her to feel pressured to bear a child because i have seen first hand what she had gone through. Of course we want children, in fact she probably loves kids more than i do. The trauma she went through after losing the first one and the manner in which she did, my accident, us not knowing she was even pregnant...all this was still fresh in her head. I never wanted her to feel like our relationship was just rotating around children although yes it's one of the purpose and arguably the most important aspect or reason why we get married but regardless there's a lot more to a relationship.

About a week back, while we were still in London, Baba kept calling me to tell me shamelessly that he expects to hear some good news on our return, he kept calling and when i stopped picking his calls he kept sending messages. Honestly i feel he is just being selfish. There's a business deal he wants to close down with some of his international partners, he has shared the percentage profits among all if us including Mama and Mummy, there is a huge chunk of the percentage profit left which he doesn't want to risk giving a high percentage to everyone hence he insisted he gives it to his grandchild, that is what brought about the pressure.
The text that got me all worked up was the one he sent me on a night i was spending with my love.

'Khalid, you no longer return my calls or texts, I do not know what that woman has done to you but I'm telling you now, immediately you come back and there's no feedback, i have a woman to marry you off to,' i was dumbfounded.
I contemplated telling Asiya about it but i was scared of her reaction. She would lose it completely and looking at her mum was with us in London I didn't want to cause a scene so i decided to cut my course short and return to Nigeria immediately. I had to keep my distance from Asiya because i was scared I would just say the truth to her and not be able to handle her response.

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I decided after I returned from work today, I'd go and visit baba and mama and talk to them in a calm situation, after which I'd speak to Asiya to convince her to try for a baby once again.
It was around 4:30pm, i had just prayed asr in my office mosque and i headed to the car park. I then decided to go home first and talk to Asiya before going to my parents. I met her upstairs napping in her living room. She looked so innocent and fragile.
Ya Allah I don't want to hurt her feelings.
I thought.

I think she sensed my presence, she fluttered her eyes open as she stretched and sat upright on the couch.

'You're back,' she murmured.

'Yeah, hope i didn't wake you up,' i moved to sit next to her. She shook her head to indicate no as she rubbed her eyes.

'Let me get you some food, go and change,' she said and was about getting up before i held her hand stopping her.

'I'm not hungry, sit please,' i said. I crisscrossed my fingers and placed them under my chin in thoughts as i heaved a long sigh.

'Is everything okay? Is this about—,' she asked.

'Asiya, i know how adamant Baba can be, like I've always told you i do not want to pressure you into anything but i think we should try again, it's been long enough now. I know you're really scared and traumatized and all that but I promise you'll I'll be right here with you through every stage. Whatever happened during the first pregnancy it was just a test and Allah's plan, do not let it be a basis of you not having the courage to go again...i know you as a strong woman, it's a fearless woman i married Asiya.' Now she was silently sobbing and i wiped her tears.

'Okay then. I've been so scared when baba was talking about another woman. I cannot even bear the thought of sharing you, no it's impossible. We'll go again and InshaAllah everything will be okay and Baba's predicament will subside,'

I gave her a side hug and smiled. 'Now that's my girl,' i said. 'Let me freshen up and go to them, let me try and talk to them, Baba especially. When i come back I'll have your delicious meal.' I said as i got up and took my blazer.

'I'm coming with you,' she said.

'No! No way. Just let me handle this i promise to come back with some good news for both of us. There's nothing dialogue won't solve. Let me just freshen up and head out,'

'But I'll just be worried sick over here!' She whined.

'Please try not to worry I promise you it'll all be fine,' I don't know why I felt something strange in me after i said that. Something I could not explain.
I left her sitting on the couch as i headed to the bedroom. I quickly we t to the bathroom to take a quick shower. When i came out she had brought out something comfortable for me to wear. It was just a pair of brown chinos trousers and a white polo ralph lauren t-shirt. She packed my office wear and out them in the laundry as she continued to put away other stuff and arrange the room which wasn't even scattered. I knew she was only doing that to divert her attention from the whole situation.

'Let me get going,' I uttered as i put my card holder in my back pocket.

'Let me at-least serve you something to eat before you head out you must be hungry. I don't want you to go out on an empty stomach baby,' She said and i agreed with her as we went to the dining table.

I watched her as she graciously maneuvered between the kitchen and the dining with food flasks, a jug and tumblers. She served me some yam porridge and a cup of tiger nut drink.

'Won't you eat with me?' I asked when I noticed she didn't serve herself.

'Not now, you eat, since you're going out now,' I simply continued eating. It was almost 6pm so i headed out, i wanted to be there just before Maghrib so we'd pray Maghrib at the small mosque in my parents house.

Asiya's POV

Khalid had just finished eating and left to talk to his parents about the pressure his dad was placing on us. I prayed that everything would work out and there would be no issues. Well, Khalid gave me hope and i trusted him completely more than myself in fact. I decided to leave everything to God and move ahead. I decided i should no longer be scared or traumatized to carry a child anymore...whatever happens is part of life and one's destiny.
I went back upstairs to go through the accounts of my skincare store which I'd been away from for a while. I worked on all that till Maghrib when i decided to quickly round up and pray.
After praying, i rose my hands in supplication and i begged Allah to guide me and my husband, choose whatever it is that is best for us, and also make Baba more understanding towards the whole situation.
Just then, my phone rang and it was Maa.
Oh just when i needed your beautiful words of encouragement the most.

I decided not to answer and just head straight to her. I was already missing her a lot. I didn't bother changing into anything i just picked my cardholder and phone and headed out in the hijab I'd just prayed with. 

About 12 minutes later i was at my mum's house. I met Ya Sadiq downstairs who was with his friend and were about heading out. After exchanging pleasantries i went to the living room upstairs where i knew Maa would be at.

'Maaaaa!' I exclaimed. I went on to give her a hug. Ya Rahma also just came out of the room.

'Sannu fah hmm it's not easy...this one that you're walking like a penguin,' i laughed as she found herself a comfortable chair to sit on.

'It's not your fault Asiya, your time will come,' she said then closed her eyes and slouched, relaxing.

My face immediately turned gloomy and i think Maa noticed.

'Is everything okay? You look worried. It's unusual of you to come just after seeing my call. I hope you didn't fight with your husband?' She asked sternly.

I kept quiet for a moment and looked down as i fiddled my fingers.
Ya Rahma adjusted her sitting position to concentrate fully on me.

'What is it Asiya, talk to us,' She urged and i slowly started crying but wiped the tears away.

I narrated the whole story to them as they listened. By the time i finished i was crying uncontrollably.
Maa patted my shoulder as she tried to console me.

'You see Asiya, these are the things you face in marriage, it's never easy. I understand the situation you're in it's never easy to lose a child in the manner that you did too and for your father-in-law to be this insensitive and not understanding, that's harsh gaskiya,' Ya Rahma said.

'Asiya, i want to tell you something. Maybe it's time you leave all that behind you and give having a baby another shot, i mean it can't be all that bad. You have a good support system, a loving husband, a caring and understanding mother-in-law. We are all here for you kin ji?' I hugged her as I really needed that.

'Thank you Maa,' i said.

'It's okay my dear. Now where is Khalid?' She asked.

'He went over to their house to speak with them and get his dad to calm down. Also to talk them through that we're ready now,' I explained.

'Toh InshaAllah all will be fine,' Mama said and patted my shoulder. 'Toh it's time to pray Isha, Asiya come and pray and start going, he is probably back home, you can't be here till this late,' She said and got up to her room.

'Maaa want to be with you,' i whined.

'Keh! You have a husband to get back to,' Ya Rahma said almost like reprimanding me. I hissed and went to her room to perform ablution and pray.

Immediately i prayed, i had a quick dinner before i bade the family goodnight. It was around 8:40pm now. Immediately i got to the car, i saw 4 missed calls from Khalid. My phone was on silent so i never saw the calls.

He's probably home and is waiting to tell me he has managed to calm Baba down. I thought, with a smile on my face. I zoomed of and arrived at my house in no time. I opened the door and the lights were off so i thought he was upstairs already. I went up to the room and found Khalid sitting on the floor with his hands crisscrossed over his his mouth and his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes landed on mine immediately i walked in. He kept staring.

'Heyyy, what's wrong?' I sat next to him and held his arm.

His eyes turned red and tears started to stream down.

'What has gone wrong Khalid?! Talk to me, i am getting anxious!' I exclaimed in a very agitated tone.

'Asiya I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise please please please find it in your hear to forgive me pleaseeeee,' he cried and cried. My mouth was left wide opened and I couldn't even talk. I was just too shocked. What could have happened?

'Khalid please pull yourself together and tell me what happened over there!'

'Your worst fear Asiya, your worst fear,' He shut his eyes and placed his left hand on his head.

'You have a co-wife now my love,'