Maryam woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. She was moody, cranky, and mostly worried sick about Muhammad, she could barely sleep last night.

She sat up from the bed, massaging her temple and looked at the time. 8:30 am she read silently. She then looked around the room to see if Amma and Yasmin have woken up, Yasmin was still asleep, whilst Amma was on the phone. She groaned and got up, heading straight to the toilet.

Ya amma watched her as she entered the toilet and smiled to herself. Maryam came out shortly after, yanked her towel, and went back to the toilet. "Well, someone seems to be in a bad mood today." Ya amma thought shaking her head.

Maryam bathed and got dressed. She sat on her bed and picked her phone from the bedside drawer. "Damn it!!" She groaned when she found the phone's battery is dead. She has forgotten to charge it last night. She threw the phone on the bed, but only after she had measured the distance perfectly so her phone won't go flying off the bed.

She opened the drawer looking for her charger, but couldn't find it. "Now where did I keep this?" She asked herself whilst looking around for it. She couldn't find it anywhere which annoyed her even more.

Just when she was about to give up, ya Amma looked at her and said, "Maryam is it your charger you're looking for?" Maryam knitted her eyebrows as she looked up at her.

"It's right here, I'm using it." She raised the bottom of her phone to show her the charger. "You knew I was looking for that and you didn't say anything all this while?" She asked walking towards her. Ya amma quickly disconnected the call she was on, and dramatically got up saying, "I did but I didn't know you needed it urgently."

Maryam heaved a pillow she had picked up at ya amma who was fortunate enough to dodge it before it hit her. "Just...what kind of stupid excuse is that?" She was now really mad. "Maryam don't..." she shouted before she took off running. Maryam followed her until they reached mama's room.

They found mama standing by her bed trying to zip up herself. "Mama!" Ya amma shouted running to hide behind mama. "Meye haka? What..." before she could finish, ya amma held her and stood behind her. Maryam eyed ya amma as she tried to grab her.

"What kind of stupidity is this?" Mama shouted. Maryam halted. "What happened? Why are you behaving like this?" They both started explaining but mama couldn't understand a single word they are saying, "enough, one of you should talk."

Ya amma quickly told mama what happened before Maryam could even open her mouth. After she was done, she finished it off with, "she has been like this ever since she woke up, and she's just trying to vent it all on me."

Mama looked at her meaning for her to explain herself. "No... mama she watched as I look for something that was with her, and I asked her why she didn't say anything, she said she wasn't sure I needed it."

"Toh, what's there to be angry about Maryam, isn't she older than you? Ke kuma Amma why didn't you tell her?" Mama asked looking between them.

"She didn't even ask fah mama." Ya amma pouted. "Nidai bansan iskanchi a gida na." Maryam gave her one last glare before leaving to room. She heard mama asking amma if she was sure she didn't do anything to her because she seemed pretty upset. Amma swore that she didn't do anything.

She hates speaking when she's angry because she might start crying. She headed downstairs to fix herself something to eat. She was about to enter the kitchen when she remembered that she didn't plug her phone. She hissed and headed back to their room.

She plugged the phone and went to the kitchen, made oat and sweetened it with banana, something she enjoys eating. She poured water into a cup and took it with her to the dining area.

"Bismillah." She was eating but her mind was elsewhere, she wonders how Muhammad is now.

                       ———————
    Abdallah walked into the hospital room holding a bag containing all of the necessary things that Muhammad will need when he wakes up.

The room was quiet and warm, outside the birds chirp monotonously. Muhammad was still not awake and mummy was just watching him as she does her tasbih. By the side, Aisha was lying on the sofa asleep.

"Assalam Alaikum." He silently salaamed, mummy turned and looked at him. "Abdallah." She called with a hoarse voice. He smiled and walked towards her, "Mummy good morning." "Morning, how are you?"
"I'm fine Alhamdulillah, how are you?"
"I'm fine, we all are." He kept the bag on the floor beside Mummy and looked at Muhammad. "How is he now?"

"Insha Allah he is fine."
"Allah ya bashi Lafiya." He prayed. Mummy mumbled Amin. "Ya su Ruslan?

"They are all fine, they ever even sleeping when I left. Ruslan cried himself to sleep yesterday." He chuckled. "Allah sarki babyna. Is Nafisa back yet?" Abdallah shook his head saying, "no but I think she'll be back later."
She nodded, "Toh Allah ya dawo da ita Lafiya."
"Amin."

She let out a sigh and lowered her head muttering some duas. Abdallah came and sat on an ottoman. "Mummy."
Mummy looked up at him. He cleared his throat, "how serious is Muhammad's illness? Please tell me, because I know there is something you are not telling us."

"There's..."
"Please tell me, mummy, I can't stop worrying about him. Please mum."
She closed her eyes and shook her head saying, "what do you want me to say, Abdallah, it is what it is, Stomach pain as the doctor said."

She doesn't know how to begin to tell them, because it's something unspeakable. It is stomach pain after all.

Abdallah nodded saying, "May Allah grant him quick shifa." They heard a soft groan from Muhammad, stirring awake. They all quickly rushed to his side. "Muhammad!" Mummy called placing her hand on his forearm. He slowly opened his eyes and laid them on his beloved mother. He let out a small crooked smile.

"Muhammad, are you okay?" She teared up, and placed her hand on his forehead to feel his temperature, it was neither cold nor hot, just warm. She heaved a sigh and took his hand in hers. "Mummy," he called silently.

"Yes, Muhammad, what do you want?" She asked, "do you need to go to the bathroom? Come on Abdallah, help him up." She added hastily.

Muhammad shook his head saying, "no...no mummy I just want water." She motioned for Abdallah to get it for him, he got it and they helped him up, probed a pillow behind him, then gave him the bottle. He said bismillah and gulped down half the bottle.

"Careful," Mummy said collecting the bottle as he passed it to her. "How are you feeling?" She asked watching him. He moved into a reclining position, "I'm fine Alhamdulillah, how about you? I know you have been worried about me all night long, you must be exhausted."

"I'm fine Muhammad, Abdallah please call the doctor" . Abdallah nodded and called him on the landline. 

Muhammad smiled softly, "da gaske fa mummy I'm perfectly ok, I'm fit to even jump around now." Mummy sniffed and wiped her nose. "Muhammad quit playing around and...why am I even asking you this? Bari doctor din yazo." She held his hands and stared at him.

She was so scared, not knowing what this illness might do to him and the fact that he isn't taking it seriously scares her the most.

"Mummy seriously I'm fine. InshaAllah."
"I hope so."
"He is on his way." Abdallah said as he dropped the call. "Ya jikin Muhammad?" He asked standing beside Mummy.

"Good, same as always." Muhammad flinched a little, but quickly masked it with a smile. He doesn't want his family worrying too much. Abdallah and mummy noticed it but didn't say anything. They watched him as he changed the topic to a completely different one.

A knock sounded on the door. Mummy quickly dabbed her face with the side of her veil and adjusted it over her head. "Come in." She cleared her voice.

The doctor pushed the door open and walked in carrying a soft smile. "Good morning." He greeted cheerfully. They all answered. After an exchange of pleasantries, he looked at Muhammad. Mummy moved to the sofa and sat beside Aisha who was still sleeping.

"I'm doctor Mathias, Doctor Aslam is not available, so I filled in for him." He explained, Muhammad nodded. "Is he okay?"

Dr. Mathias nodded, "yes, and hopefully his wife too. She had a miscarriage." Muhammad shook his head feeling pity for him, "Allah sarki, May Allah help them go through this, together."

"Ameen." They chorused. He had a bit of a moment to reflect on it because being a doctor, he has seen several cases of this and it is painful and depressing. Some don't even ever recover from it.

The doctor cleared his voice, directing all the attention to him and did a little physical test on him. He asked him some questions and also cautioned him about his illness. "Muhammad I'm sure doctor Aslam has told you about your condition..." Muhammad nodded listening intently.

"Your case is worsening, it might develop into a vesicle cancer." Mummy's eyes widened as that sunk in. There it goes, the word she despises the most, 'cancer'.

Abdallah was shocked beyond imagination, he never thought not even once that that was going on with him. So that is what they have all been hiding.

Innalillahi wainna ilaihi rajiun. Muhammad kept muttering quietly. "It is most likely to happen you don't take care of it ASAP." The doctor finished. He prescribed a few more medications. Muhammad thanked him, and then he left.

An eerie silence descended over the room, different thoughts were just running through their heads. Mummy was like why shouldn't she get him married as soon as possible when it can cost his life? She is just going to get it done if he doesn't want to do it. Abdallah was just left aghast. He didn't know what to say. Aisha who was also pretending to be asleep was just silently crying, Subhanallah. He has been going through all of this alone. Muhammad however was just petrified. Now he has got to find a bride.
                  ————————
It was 3:45 pm when Mubarak pulled up at the hospital compound. He found a spot and parked, they all got out. Mubarak, Maryam, ya amma, and Mama. "Mubarak, the boot," Mama said holding her bag. "Ooo." He said and pressed the car key.

The boot opened and they all grabbed one item or the other. Maryam grabbed a basket containing food, ya amma took a fruit basket,  and Yasmin a bag of water. Mama called mummy and asked her the room number, she told her and they all headed there.

Maryam's heart was hammering hard in her chest, she is anxious and terrified, she just wants to see him and know if he is ok as they all say he is. As they neared the door, her heart began beating even faster.

Mama knocked, they were a few shuffles from inside before they were asked to come in. She opened the door and they all entered. "Peace be upon you." They said. "Waalaikum Assalam." They answered.

In the room, Mahmoud was seated on the couch, Mummy was folding the blanket on the bed, and Muhammad was nowhere to be seen.

Maryam stretched her neck searching for him but he was nowhere. She looked down saddened. "Where is he now?" She whispered, her hold on the basket tightening.

Ya amma looked at her and chuckled, clearly seeming to have heard her. "Ina wuni." They greeted. "Afternoon, how are you?"

They exchanged pleasantries, Maryam kept the basket on the fridge and found a seat. "Where is Muhammad?" Mama asked keeping her bag on the bed and taking a seat beside mummy. "He went for some tests, Abdallah accompanied him."

"How is he?" Mama asked, the way Mummy looked at her indicated that something was wrong. "He is fine Alhamdulillah." She said regardless.

"Allah ya kara sauki."
"Amin ya rabbi. Yanzun nan su Hauwa ma suka tafi." Mummy said coming to sit beside Mama. "Oh yes, we met them at the gate."

Mummy and Mama went outside to the lobby and just talked about Muhammad, and how worried and freaked out mummy is about him. She told her how worse his condition has gotten.

Mahmoud, Mubarak went out and Maryam and ya amma stayed behind. Maryam just sat there looking mindlessly at her phone. "Maryam stop worrying so much, Insha Allah he is going to be ok."

Muhammad and Abdallah met the mothers at the lobby, they spoke for a while, Mama inquired about his health and prayed to Allah to grant him quick shifaa. The way she sees him has changed after she heard the possible outcome of his illness, she cannot even imagine what he is going through.

"Zamu shiga." Muhammad said and they all nodded in agreement. "Assalam Alaikum." Abdallah salaamed as he pushed the door open.
"Waalaikum Assalam." They all answered and their attention turned to the door. Abdallah came in holding Muhammad's IV pole and pushed the door wider for him.

He walked in holding the IV pole for support. He looks very sick and yet has that cheerful look on his face. He was wearing a white and blue hospital gown. He looked at Ya amma and smiled when his eyes laid on the coolness of his eyes. (😅)

He went and sat down and Abdallah rolled the pole and kept it beside the bed. "Ina wuni ya Muhammad, ya jiki?" Ya Amma asked. Maryam was just looking at how he has lost so much weight compared to the last time she saw him. She blinked, her eyes watering.

"Lafiya Alhamdulillah." He answered trying to pull the blanket over his body because he was cold. Abdallah helped him and covered half his body with it. "Thank you," Muhammad whispered. He nodded and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Masha Allah, May Allah grant you quick shifaa."
"Amin Amin." He then looked at Maryam who quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "How are you feeling?" She asked. He smiled, "Alhamdulillah, I'm doing just fine."

"Are you? Seriously? Because you look bad." She spoke in a whisper. "Ouch Maryam! thank you." He chuckled. Abdallah and Ya amma also laughed but Maryam was not having that.

"No, ya Muhammad I'm serious."
He smiled saying, "I'm serious too." Only that his smile lacked sincerity. He wished that he is as ok as he claims to be. "I'm fine, really. How are you?"

"I'm fine Alhamdulillah. Please get well soon. May Allah grant you quick shifa."
"Amin. Thank you."

"Maryam ba magana?" Abdallah teased reclining against the wall. Maryam looked at him and cleared her voice, "oh, ya Abdallah Ina wuni." She greeted. "I'm fine Alhamdulillah, you?"

"Same." Muhammad was just looking at her. She looks gorgeous as always today. It's really sad, his condition. Daddy has given him one week to find a bride or he will find her for him himself.

He knows who he wants to marry, the problem is, he doesn't know if she wants to be with him.

.
An update y'all💃🏼💃🏼💙
I am so sorry for taking so long to update.
Please, it should be noted that there is no scientific evidence that supports the diagnosis of Muhammad's condition, it is purely fiction.
Love, Fatima🥀