Chapter Sixteen: Precious Than Gold.

The past can't be changed, forgotten, edited or erased. It can only be accepted.

Halaat's POV.

The silence is killing me. I haven't talked to my sister for three days. We only greet each other and that's all. She's been ignoring me, I have tried making small talk. But I can't get her attention. What have I done? I am enduring Ayats silence. This is the first time and I hate it.

I have to talk to her and make things right. I looked out of my bed room window and I saw her in the garden talking on the phone. When I got to the garden she was done with the phone call.

"Assalam alaykum," I greeted her.

"Walikum Salam," she replied looking at the ground.

"I am sorry Ayat, if only I had known."

"It's okay Halaat ," she said.

"I am sorry, it's just that..."

"Halaat stop I said it's okay," she glanced at me and walked away.

"If it's okay, why aren't you talking to me? You haven't forgiven me Ayat," I told her.

"Halaat stop!" Ayat yelled," Just stop. Since you were born I made sure to always care for you, it was always about your happiness... I only shared my happiness with you. I loved that I got a little sister to share secrets with, to play dress up and love..."

"But we always shared secrets. I can handle the truth Ayat, I am not a kid anymore," I argued out interrupting her.

"Halaat this wasn't a silly secret this is my life, it happened to me. I have accepted my past even though I am haunted by it everyday. I didn't tell you because I was protecting you."

"Protecting me from what?"

"Protecting you from the bitter part of world. I know you Halaat, when  father left us you thought all men were not trust worthy and evil. What if I had told you I was raped. You would have shut down your emotions. It was my decision not to tell you and I don't regret it," she explained.

"Ayat you're my sister and I love you. You know me more than I'll ever know myself. But you won't always be able to protect me from the world," I explained.

Ayat kept quiet. I knew what that meant. Whenever Ayat is angry or sad, she remains quiet her silence is her scream.
I walked away, I couldn't stay any longer. I decided today I'll have to go to my in laws. So I got dressed and my suitcases were taken to the car. It's time for me to go to my new home.

I hugged my mother goodbye. Ayat was in the living room and I told her I was leaving. All she did was nod and fake a smile. 'With time Halaat, with time.' I kept repeating it to myself. I got into my car and drove off. I missed driving, in Dubai I never got a chance to drive. It was either Adam driving or the chauffeur.

As I was sitting in my car, waiting for the traffic light to go green. I got a notification from the period calendar, the app that tracks my cycle.
I just realised that I haven't gotten my period. Does this mean I might be pregnant, it had been a month. I have to do a test to clear my doubt.

So I decided to go to the pharmacy first. I got out of the car and got in the pharmacy. A lady asked if she could assist. So I told her that I needed a pregnancy test. She gave the box to me and than we went over to the counter, she started explaining how to use it and all.
I left the pharmacist and got in my car. I wonder how Adam will react... We haven't really discussed about the baby plan.

I got to my in laws place, the large gates were opened, I drove in and I parked my car. The maids came and helped me with the suitcases. As I got into my 'new' home. There was no sign of anyone in the house. I could hear a distant laughter. I followed the laughter and it lead me to the huge garden. That has a swimming pool and  cute furnitures.

I saw my mother in law sitting and talking on the phone. When she saw me I could see she was happy to see me. I walked towards her and stood infront of  her.  She hang up the phone and immediately stood up and hugged me.

"How have you been?" She asked still hugging me.

"Hah Alhamdulliah good," I replied. She held my hand and dragged me to sit besides her.

"Mashallah eurus( bride) you look so radiant. How was the trip to Dubai?" She asked excitedly.

"It was amazing Ummi. We visited so many breathtaking sights in Dubai it was nice," I told her.

"Alhamdulliah. Sorry about your father Halaat," She said in a somber tone.

" It's okay ummm," I said.

"You didn't tell me you were coming. I would have prepared lunch earlier," she said.

"I am fine. Don't worry yourself."

"Okay, is you say so. Yesterday I called Adam. I asked him about work but Subhanallah for the first time he didn't talk about business and  he started asking about you Halaat. It seems my son is under your spell," she said and started laughing.

I blushed and started fidgeting with my hands.

"Where is Jamila?" I asked her trying to change the subject.

"Jamila is in her room," my mother in law said.

"Ohh okay," I replied.

"Halaat go get some rest and I'll start preparing for Lunch," She instructed.

"I am okay I'll come help you."

"No, you go rest you look tired," she insisted. I got up and headed to Adam's bed room, if I remember the door. I managed to find the room. I got in the room and my suitcases were there and everything was exactly where it's supposed to be. I removed my abya and went to the bath room to do the test. The pregnancy test.

I read the instructions and did as instructed.
I stood in the bathroom waiting for the results. Time was up and two pink strips showed. I felt so excited yet so nervous. I don't know how I'll tell Adam. A baby? I am going to be a mother and he is going to be a father, we are going to be a family. I can't believe it.

I heard someone knocking the door... I threw the box and stick in the dustbin and went to open the door. It's Jamila with her warm smile. She hugged me and I hugged her back.

"I missed you," Jamila said.

"Hah I missed you too. How has it been working without me?" I asked jokingly.

"Torture. Everybody is busy doing their job nobody is free to listen to my hilarious jokes," she said in low tone.

"Well I am here now," I said.

"How was your honeymoon avenue?" She said with a sly look.

"Umm it was beautiful, I loved it," I said. Jamila and I sat on the sofa and started talking. An endless conversations. Now I have four sisters: Ayat, Mina, Hanan and Jamila. Alhamdulliah. I wonder how Ayat is doing, I just feel so hollow. We have never been so distant for this long. I guess only time will tell.

Later my mother in law came into the room and told us lunch is ready. We went downstairs and we started eating. After eating I felt nauseous. I quickly ran to the downstairs bathroom and started vomiting. My mother in law followed me and cared for me. It might be the pregnancy... I feel so weak and helpless. My mother in law helped me to my room. She told me to rest, I got on the bed. She then went to get me a glass of water with ice cubes in it.

"Have some water it might help. You vomited a lot we'll have to  go to the hospital after you wake up," my mother in law said.

"No Ummi," I said.

"Please don't argue. We have to know what caused this sudden nausea. Unless...unless your pregnant?" she spoke, her tone laced with excitement.

I didn't say anything. I just looked at her with helpless eyes and she hugged me unexpectedly. Knowing silence answered her question.

"Mabruk ( congratulations) you're going to be a mother. Adam is going to be so happy. Have you told him?" she said excitedly. I don't know why my mother in law is excited, she already has four grandchildren. But I am glad she is.

"I just found out today. I want to tell him in person," I explained.

"Okay you get some rest. We'll talk later," she said than left the room.

I couldn't sleep, all I was thinking about is how I'll tell Adam about my pregnancy. Knowing Adam he'll probably be over the moon. After a while I fall asleep. When I woke up it was four o'clock so I decided to pray.

After prayers I started having a painful migraine. I started crying due to the pain. I got in my bed and tried to rest. I wish Adam was here.

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