PEOPLE CALL IT LUST, I CALL IT INFATUATION. My view on Ibrahim changed completely. The smallest thing he did was attractive to me and I was becoming the secondary school girl with a crush. It wasn't like the wattpad books where I got butterflies in my stomach but I might have the few chills run down my spine sometimes.

I wasn't a person to voice out my feelings or concerns so it was something that happened but wasn't made a deal out of. We were both adults and what we did was something married couples do so there was no use dwelling on the fact.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror assessing my outfit unsure. It was nice but I was just not feeling confident in the dress. I would've changed but I was running out of time for our lunch. I huffed snatching my sunglasses off the dresser clutching it with my phone descending the stairs.

Ibrahim wasn't at home so it was just me which was kind of a bummer for me. It was obvious he wasn't one to stay idle and it wasn't a plus for me. He could be needed at anytime and wouldn't come back for months, yet the few months or weeks he has off, he's off getting something else.

My heels clacked against the polished floors as I exited the house letting the door slam behind me. I couldn't contain my beam when I noticed my car looking as good as new, glinting under the sun.

My father decided to gift me the car although he was anything but apologetic, it was a wedding gift apparently. I never had the privilege to object so it was a great thing I was able to get a car out of nowhere. Something I didn't even expect I would get.

I pressed on the button making it beep, the lights flashing for a second. I slid into the car connecting my phone to the Bluetooth playing a random song driving to my next destination.

It didn't take time to get to the park finding a spot to park my car. Frustratingly, there weren't any slide slots so my car was parked a bit far fork the entrance. I kissed my teeth steeping out of the car pulling the backseats door open to retrieve my pic it basket stocked with different kinds of snacks and me being the healthy junkie I was, I threw in a few sour green apples.

I slammed the door shut walking towards the entrance taking my time, careful not to scratch the nude heels I launched today on my feet. I stepped into the wide space looking around before spotting a person waving making me squint my eyes in the direction spotting a familiar face. I grinned raising my hands to show I spotted them waking towards them.

My feet skidded to a stop when I got to my destination not uttering a word before someone wrapped their arms around me engulfing me in a bone crushing hug. I laughed wrapping my arms around her slender figure as our excited laughs echoed the open space.

We pulled away giving me the opportunity to scan the three other women sitting on the mat, different baskets and food sprawled over the mat. My eyes landed on Hadiza grinning at me like I was her father who just have her money for sallah, Munira looking up to throw me a goofy smile with a packet of M&M'a in her hands, Ummie raising her hands up in the air dancing in her seat and Eedah faking a grimace before focusing on the basket nearest to her taking the last bucket if multesers placing the basket by the side.

I plopped on the mat placing my basket beside theirs, popping a grape in my mouth from the tray sitting in front of me. "I didn't think you were coming." Ummie glares earning a chuckle from me as I lowered my head.

"I was caught in traffic." I effortlessly brought up an excuse as they threw their synchronized knowing stares at me making me whine.

"I didn't know what to wear." I tried making a valid point earning a disapproving glare from Hadiza.

"Isn't that always the case with you? With your indecisive ass." She said making me gasp splaying my hand over my chest glancing at the others for support but they only nodded in agreement causing me to kiss my teeth.

"I still don't know how you manage a house." Eedah shook her head. I threw her a playful glare snatching a samosa off another tray stuffing the whole thing in my mouth.

"I still can't believe you're married." Hadiza let out a breath as a laugh.

"Trust me. I also don't." I mumbled, my eyes raking over the mat to pick on next. I reached my hand to scoop a few multesers but a hand slapped my hand before I could. I raise my head to meet Munira who clutched onto the bucket.

"That's mine." She defended.

My friends were one of the first people to know about my marriage. I wasn't sure about other people know my but I consulted them first. They didn't know the intimate moments we shared because I felt like that's supposed to be between just me and Ibrahim. I have never been the type of person to share intimate moments with other people. No matter how close they are to me.

"Tell us what's been happening lately. We've been worried. Kind of hyped too. I never thought my friend would live a wattpad story like that." Hadiza wiped away a fake tear making me giggle as I placed my hand over my mouth forgetting I had a meat-pack in my mouth.

Ummie tapped her impatiently. "Girl don't care about looks or anything. It's even sunna. Love comes after marriage." She beamed clasping her hands her hands together to rest her face on them.

"You're all creepy. That's not how it works. I never hated him." I faceplam at their wild imaginations.

"That's what they always say when they're wipped. There's no going back. Soon there'll be little Sumayya's running around eating all our food." Eedah cooed.

"I hope they don't take her features though. Tough luck." Munira looked up in thought earning laughs from the group and I couldn't help but join in.

"That one wasn't lucky with that." Munira bobbed her head towards Eedah's direction making me burst out laughing. Hadiza following soon after.

"Wait till you see yours first." Hadiza filed a brow, her eyes dropping to Munira's tiny baby bump. She gasped placing her hand over her stomach staring up at us with wide eyes.

"How dare you?" She gasped throwing a stray grape at her.

•••

My sore feet couldn't take the pain much longer as I was quick to take it off as soon as I got into my car, opting to drive barefoot.

It wasn't long until I was waking down the familiar pathway leading to my house. Ibrahim's car was parked so I was safe to assume he was already back. I pushed the door open heading straight for my room to take a shower, not for Ibrahim to see me looking all sweaty.

The sound of glass shattering  startled me as I was removing my jewelry. My movements stilled for a few moments wondering what happened. My eyes widened the size of saucers when I realized the sound was coming from Ibrahim's room.

I rushed out of the room, the care to check my appearance out the window as I pushed the door open meeting Ibrahim breathing heavily as he frantically searched the room.

"Ibrahim." I called out but got no reply as his eyes shot behind me to the dresser, squinting his eyes waking past me to the dresser. He retrieved a key sitting under one of his caps.

I released a breath walking towards him, placing my hand on his arm. "Ibrahim." I called his name once again and his eyes snapped to mine. What's wrong?" I said softly, my eyes searching his in worry.

"I need to go to the hospital." His voice sounded strained walking past me letting my hand fall to my side as he walked out of the room.

I rushed to my room picking up a random veil lying on my bed wrapping it around myself with a pair of slides I usually wear at home. Ibrahim was already situated in his car ready to drive off when I rushed in, slamming the door shut.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly but I couldn't hide the worry and urgency in my voice.

"Mama—" His voice cracked and I noticed his Adam's apple bobbing as he prepared his next words.

"There's something wrong." His eyes were still on the road as he took a turn, the car speeding up once we pulled onto a highway.

My eyes are stuck on his tense body as he shifted gears, his jaw clenching and clenching due to the pressure. I've never seen him this stressed before so it worried me. By his reaction, I knew something was wrong.

We finally arrived at the hospital and Ibrahim quickly got out not bothering to turn off the car. I pushed the button turning off the car taking the keys with me following him into the double doors he disappeared into.

I took the stairs not having the time to take the elevator because it was occupied and I was worried for Ibrahim's well being. As soon as I got to the floor his mother was situated in, I stopped in my tracks when I noticed the waiting room was full, Ibrahim's family were scattered around in the uncomfortable chairs all spotting the same expression as Ibrahim's; fear.

I walked towards Ibrahim's sister, Rashida who sat beside her cousin, Nasir, his gaze glued to the floor. I lowered myself embracing her and she immediately latched onto me, hugging me tightly.

"This can't be happening Ya Sumaya." She sniffled and I rubbed her back as a sign of support.

"Don't cry. She wouldn't want to see you like this when you come in. Let's not worry. Okay?" I pulled back looking into her bloodshot eyes.

She nodded reaching her hand to wipe her tears, leaning her head on Nasir shoulder who nodded at me as a sign of greeting, unusually quiet.

I went to sit beside Ibrahim as rested his elbows on his knees, his legs bouncing showing his anxiety and I would've placed my hand over it if it weren't for his father sitting across us.

A doctor walked out and Rashida was quick on her feet with Nasir following closely behind her, his expression solemn. It was only then Ibrahim raised his eyes to the doctor and he instantly froze, the same way I tensed as soon as I saw the solemn expression on the doctors face as she shook her head, her lips parting to say something she always dreaded to say.

"I'm sorry. She didn't make it." Her words echoed around the hallway and a piercing scream ripped from Rashida's throat her legs giving out and Nasir was quick to hold her preventing her from falling as she sobbed, clutching onto him.

My father-in-law blinked standing to his feet, slowly striding down the hallway disappearing into one of the doors. Ibrahim's reaction was non existent. The leg that was continuously bouncing stilled as his eyes dropped to the floor.

Rashida's cried echoed the now empty hallway as we were the inky four people remaining. One by one, they excused themselves to mourn and grieve privately, afraid to trigger the deceased persons children.

I placed my hand on Zaheer's shoulder which earned no reaction from him. His gaze was stuck on the doors his mother was rushed into hours ago. My eyes welled with tears as I scooted closer to him, the metal arm restricting me.

His silence worried me.

His mental health worried me.

I was worried about him.

I hated seeing him like this. It felt like needles piercing into my skin. I hated not being of any help to him. I wanted to help him, take the pain away but I knew I was incapable of doing that.

I jolted out of my thoughts looking up at him when he slowly pushed himself to stand. I was on my feet moments later, my eyes looking at him questioningly.

He walked to the doctor speaking in a low raspy voice even I couldn't hear. The woman furrowed her brows before nodding her head hesitantly, waking towards the operation room with Ibrahim following behind her.

I could only guess he wanted to see his mother and it further broke my heart in two when my thoughts were confirmed when two doctors and some nurses were filling out of the room.

My teeth clamped down on my mouth as I resisted the urge to flee into the operation room and wrap my arms around Ibrahim to console him. Tell him everything will be alright.

Instead, I stared at Rashida pitifully who seemed to calm down as she was now sitting in her chair letting out sniffles occasionally, whilst Nasir sat beside her, his hand holding hers delicately as he stared off to space. His mind painfully elsewhere.

I could only bite down on my lips in sorrow for the deceased woman who Ibrahim loved and cared for with everything in his heart.

CHAPTER EIGHT FINISHED.

Ibrahim's mother died? That was a turn of events.

2000 reads!! Thank you so much for the support I can't believe the book has reached to 2000 reads but it wouldn't have been possible without you.