Ever since Idris proposed to me, we had been so close to each other like family. Amani would at times spend a day or two with me in Hajiya Siyyamah's house, she liked being around me and guess what? I had heard that Rumaisah was whom she regarded as her mother but things changed the moment I came into her life. A day wouldn't pass without us seeing each other, I became her mother in short...

"But when are you going to tell your parents about us?" Idris said through the phone. It was night and we were having a very long conversation about our future together.

"I am still thinking..." I said as he cut in.

"Thinking? Me I can't wait o" He bewailed.

"Hmm, okey I will try and talk to them" I said.

"Thank you, Manal" He said.

"You're welcome" I said.

"So, any topic?" He asked.

"No topic o, and I think it would be better if I allow you to concentrate on your work" I said.

"Hmm, are you sending me away?" He said.

"No, I want you to work ne" I said.

"Alright, I will call you in the morning In Shaa Allah. Goodnight, my heartthrob!" He uttered.

"Goodnight, my oga" I yawned.

"I love you" He said.

"I love you too" I sighed and ended the call.

Just as I was about putting my phone on flight mode in order to sleep, Ya Salim bounced into my room. I was practically frightened by him.

"Manal, we have to take Hauwa to the hospital" He uttered shivering like he was catching cold.

"Is it the baby?" I asked.

"Yes, please lets go!" He said and bounced out.

I didn't even know when I withdrew from my bed, put my hijab and ran out of my room. It was indeed the baby for Ya Hauwa already broke the water. We took her to the car and thus drove her to the hospital. While on our way, I had contacted Idris so as soon as we arrived he helped us with a stretcher...

"Let us takeover from here" A midwife said as soon as we reached the entrance of the labour room. Thus, Ya Hauwa was wheeled inside.

That moment, my heart began beating fast. I had to leave the premises because the way Ya Hauwa was screaming, I was really scared. The thought of Idris' late wife kept lingering in my mind. I didn't want the same for Ya Hauwa. No, she shouldn't die this young. Not now and...

"Where are you going to, Manal?" Idris cut in.

"I also don't know" I sighed and continued. "The thought of Safinah is making me to..."

"Hey, babe" He held my hands. "Everything is gonna be alright, okey? Hauwa is not Safinah"

"Yeah," I sniffed allowing the tears in my eyes to roll down to my cheeks. "I pray she make it, I also pray to make it after our marriage, Idris"

"You all will make it In Shaa Allah, lets just keep praying to Allah" He said as he gently embraced me warmly. "I love you, Manal"

"I... I love you too, Idris" I sniffed.

Thus, we returned back to where Ya Salim and Hajiya Siyyamah were. And in less than an hour later, a midwife came out of the labour room wearing a smile. "It's a boy, and both the mother and the baby are fine..." She said

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Thank you for reading #InsideArewa

Goodbye for now, till I come back In Shaa Allah.