Days passed by much faster than Yasmeen anticipated, and yet at the same time, it was too slow for her liking. How could it not be slow when she's all alone wallowing in self misery?

Nana, Tauhida and even Farrah flew back to Nigeria two days after the death—that was the earliest they could make it leaving her all alone. She could've gone with them, though no one made the offer but she had school and she couldn't just leave like that.

She had tried to think of possibilities and any chance to do so, but one is still yet to come up so she's stuck all alone until a solution presents itself.

She had never felt lonelier than she did then. She's all alone in a foreign country, whilst stuck in such a sad episode of her life. She'd been counting the days, and so far, she'd counted twelve already.

Twelve days since her mother-in-law, Ama's passed away. Twelve days since that beautiful soul left them all.

Her death was unexpected and sudden. No one expected it because she was perfectly healthy and was involved in no activity that would've been a threat to her life. The most beautiful part though is that she passed away whilst in her sujood. The very same prayer she bid Yasmeen her last farewell saying she would do so. And that was it.

Lokacinta ne yayi.

From the frequent phone calls she had with her mother who had obviously went to pay her condolence, apparently everyone spoke good of the deceased. Hardly anyone spoke ill of her, which from the little Yasmeen knows of the woman, knows has to be true.

How could anyone hate Ama?

She was kind to everyone, regardless of whether the person on the receiving end was good to her or not. And yet, no one could testify to her good qualities other than her husband and son, Asad.

Asad.

No one has heard from him since her death. It's like he has wiped himself out of existence.

Unlike Nana and the others, he was able to pull some strings and go back home on that very day. Much to his dismay, he missed the Jana'izah, but he still made an appearance—as if to check whether all of it is true or not.

Truth be told, he didn't believe it. He was already finding it hard to accept everything he had learnt that day, and in his wildest thoughts, he could accept it all except Ama's death.

No.

He couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it.

There's no one Ama had died. His Ama. His mother!

The last time he spoke to her was the day before. She helped him prepare for Yasmeen's birthday and was even the one to recommend him changing one of the extra rooms they have to a library for the woman. It was her idea—one that had his teasingly asking whether she loves Yasmeen more than him.

Her response was, "How can I not love my daughter? Tell me, how?"

"So, you prefer her to me kawai?" He went on to ask, despite knowing the answer. He wasn't upset she's showing affection towards his wife, how could he? It's one of his greatest joys to see his mother and wife close in just a short amount of time.

The only problem was; the time was too short. The time he had with her was too short, and the same with everyone else.

To answer his question, she smiled through the FaceTime—a look that hasn't left Asad's mind since then. "I love you both equally, of course." How could anyone question her love for Asad? "But, I'll love my grandkids more." She gave him a look that he understood quite well.

Asad chuckled, looking away for a brief second. Leave it to Ama to bring up something like that. It used to be the 'bring me a daughter home' talk, and now it's 'I want to see more grandkids'. As if she doesn't spoil Farrah enough.

God knows even he doesn't spoil his kid as much as his mother does. He has no doubt that if he and Yasmeen are to have kids, she would spoil them as well.

"One day." Was his only reply to her statement. What else is he supposed to say? Soon? He wasn't sure about that so it's better to not give any false hopes.

Luckily, Ama wasn't one to press such issues. Her smile only widened into one of understanding. She doubts there's anyone more understanding of such situation like her.

"Remember to take care of that girl, Asad. We all trusted you with our daughter." 

Asad was used to her giving such advises, but that day seemed different. She sounded more serious, and her expression was stern too.

His smile fell slightly, wondering whether he did anything wrong for her to hold up that look. "Ama, lafiya? Did I do anything wrong?" People may not see it, but it's always been like that for him.

Whenever he feels like she's acting different, he's quick to inquire whether he's the one at fault. Perhaps, he did something to upset her unknowingly. Truth is, he could handle anyone being upset with him but not her.

What would he do if his Ama is upset? She's the one person that always has his back, so if he loses her what is he supposed to do? Call him his mother's baby, but their relationship is a lot more complex than what meets the eye.

Ama sighed, shaking her head in the process. He wasn't the one that did something wrong, but she wanted him to correct the mistakes committed by his own family. They shouldn't keep ruining people just like that. Yes, their reasons might be justified but why should innocent people suffer for other's mistakes?

But of course, she couldn't tell him that.

Instead, she opted to say "No, you didn't do anything wrong. But, in case something does happen," She knew trouble is inevitable. So, it's better to be on the safe side. "I want you to fight for your marriage. Yasmeen is a good girl, she's good for you. Don't let her go for any reason."

She's always been a good judge of character. So, she could tell from the time she'd spent with the girl that she truly is a beautiful soul.

She wouldn't want him to let go of her. History shouldn't repeat itself for any reason.

But Asad didn't see any of that. All he could see was how weird his mother was acting. Nonetheless, he voiced out his response. "Okay..."

"Promise me, Asad. Promise me that you will do as I said. Promise me you wouldn't let go of her whatsoever the reason would be. Fight for her and don't let go unless she's the one that asks for you to do so."

Could Ama see the storm brewing up ahead? No. But that was the last thing she asked of him in her life.

Of course, he was in too much pain to even remember that. On arriving at his home, he ignored the troop of people there all sending him pitiful looks. He went straight ahead to her room that's vacant of people. He hoped to see her there welcoming him with a warm smile.

But she wasn't there—only traces of her were left.

Still, he waited.

He waited for seconds, minutes, and eventually hours. It wasn't until his father came was he forced to accept the truth. Others tried to get him to accept it, yet all it took was a look at his father's face for him to break down completely.

She is gone. Forever.

~*~

Stepping out of the apartment, Yasmeen closed the door behind her with the intention of taking a walk outside to get some fresh air. She had locked herself up in there, only leaving for school and returning soon after.

Another day has gone by, and by the next, it would clock two weeks since the death. She was slowly getting better. If anything, she's no longer a crying mess. Of course, she still shed tears when she remembers the woman and the fact that she will never see and hear from her again. But, she no longer spent hours doing so.

As long as she doesn't spend the entire day in that apartment alone, she knew she would be okay. She had tried calling Asad times without number but it wasn't going through. She thought of giving him space at first, but even as she called afterwards, the phone had been switched off.

Tauhida told her he's nowhere to be seen there either. No one has heard from him. But, Yasmeen has a feeling his father must know where he is. He just chose to give him time too, to heal because it's obvious the death affected him more than anyone.

She doesn't know who else to ask. All she can do is wait too—wait for when he'll finally turn up. He obviously can't disappear forever, right?

A sigh escaped her lips as she turned around just in time she saw a person approaching from the elevator. At first, she fully intended to walk past the woman and go about her life, since she doesn't have the energy to argue whatsoever.

But, then she saw the woman sway and almost kissed the floor if not for her hastily reaching out to steady her.

Her brows squished together, eyes taking in the lady's pale expression. "Are you okay?"

Zoya looked away, though her mind was barely there. She knew she's sick, it's always been like that this time of the year but she still went about. Now though, she has to be seconds away from blacking out.

Not wanting to be seen in that condition, especially not by Yasmeen, she weakly pushed the girl's hands away and tried to walk a few steps further, only for her knees to buckle and fall.

"Subhan Allah." Yasmeen was quick to murmur as she fell on her knees too beside the now unconscious woman. "Zoya..." She shook her, trying to see if the woman will regain consciousness. "Zoya!"

She wasn't moving, she had completely blacked out. Yasmeen panicked, as she tried to see if she can spot anyone there but there was no one. In the midst of her jumble mind trying to come up with a solution, she suddenly remembered Rafael stay next door too.

She hastily got on her feet and all but ran to his door, before ringing the bell repeatedly. When she got no answer, she went on to bang her fist on the door, not scaring that she'd look like a crazy woman like that.

She came to a realization that the man isn't home when even that brought zero response. Whilst trying to not hyperventilate and end up making the situation, she luckily spotted a woman walking towards them.

She recognized the woman, having seen here there a couple of times. So, she was quick to go to her and ask for help. Luckily, the woman offered it and in no time, they were both trying their best to get her to a hospital.

~*~

Yasmeen's head perked up when she spotted movements from the corner of her eyes. Turning her head around, her gaze fell on Zoya who's regaining consciousness judging from how she's stirring on the bed. To confirm her thoughts, the woman's eyes fluttered open slowly.

Releasing a small breath she didn't know she was holding, Yasmeen tapped the button that will notify the nurse station before she got on her feet and closed the distance between them—helping her get into a sitting position.

Still caught in a dazed state, the woman didn't even notice that the one helping her was Yasmeen. While trying to collect her thoughts and understand where she is, her thoughts were put to a pause when she saw a hand reach out with a cup of water.

Raising her head up slowly, her brows drew in as she moved her gaze from Yasmeen's blank face to the cup of water. She wasn't sure what to think of this situation exactly. Is this all a dream or what? Because there's no way Yasmeen is helping her.

"What?" Yasmeen questioned, seeing the wary look masking Zoya's features. "It's for your parched throat. And no, I didn't spike it. I'm not that petty." Her tone gave nothing away to prove otherwise because she's being honest.

Still wary, Zoya reached her hand out slowly to collect the cup from Yasmeen, before bringing it to her lips because she truly is thirsty. What started as slow sips turned to gulps and in just a minute, she had emptied the cup.

She placed it back on the bedside cabinet while Yasmeen moved to the edge of the bed, looking at her with a look she doesn't quite understand. This girl is difficult to read—she's also unpredictable because truth be told, if their roles are reversed, she wouldn't do all these to her.

But she can never be sure of Yasmeen's intention. Why is she doing all this? Does she want to mock her or something? Or is she planning to use her weak point against her? After all, that's what she would've done if she was in her shoes.

It's only rational to do so. They are enemies. There's no room for a middle ground.

Yasmeen's gaze felt uncomfortable though, and maybe that's because she's in a vulnerable state but she doesn't like it. She doesn't like how the woman is seeing her in that state, and she most definitely doesn't like the look she's getting from her.

So, she pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes with the little strength she can muster. "What?" Her tone came out harsh.

If Yasmeen felt offended, she didn't show it. Instead, she simply held up that emotionless visage of hers, and then voiced out. "I called your mother."

"What?" Zoya couldn't help herself. Her words came out much harsher than she wanted to let out. She couldn't help it though. She has zero control over her emotions when it comes to this.

Especially not on that day when she feels like she's losing everything all over again.

Yasmeen had her thoughts after the phone call she had with Zoya's mother, but seeing the woman's reaction, she can put two on two together. Nonetheless, she plans on hiding nothing from her.

So, she nodded. "Yes, I called her." Is the woman's murderous glare supposed to scare her? It wasn't working one bit. "You fainted. I obviously had to call your family and she's on your speed dial so..." She tried to not sound indifferent, because she truly isn't.

For the first time since she met Zoya, she's seeing her in a different light. She isn't seeing the woman after her husband and marriage. No, she's seeing someone else. Someone that's hurt.

Seeing as Zoya has no plans on saying anything again, Yasmeen added though it took so much from her to do so.

"—She said she wants to hear nothing about you." This time around, she tried to be passive but her voice came out bitter. She couldn't help it. She had wondered all this while whether that woman truly is Zoya's mother. How could she be so dismissive towards her child? Unable to hold herself, she let out a scoff. "I'm sorry but that woman has no feelings."

Zoya didn't say anything, though the words felt as though she was being stabbed. She wasn't surprised because that's probably the kindest thing her mother could've said. She wouldn't be surprised had it been she said something much worse.

Yet, she couldn't bring herself to hate the woman that did nothing but belittle her since she was born. The woman is on her speed dial for Allah's sake despite all this. To think she added her in hopes that if something happens to her, she would show the littlest bit of care.

It seems she was wrong.

Tearing her gaze away from Yasmeen, she turned her head to the side as she blinked back the tears that are threatening to escape. She feels as though she's two seconds away from breaking down, and truth be told, she no longer cares if Yasmeen sees her that way.

Her heart hurts, and she had been holding it in all this while, she isn't sure she can do it again. She wants to let it all out. For once, she doesn't want to be seen as someone strong, or wicked. She doesn't even have the strength to be that.

It already is a bad day, and this just had to happen.

Yasmeen didn't miss the change from the woman. Her brows drew in, as her lips slanted into a frown. She hoped Zoya didn't take her last words to heart because she didn't mean to offend her, she was just saying the truth.

Yet, for some reason, she felt Zoya wasn't acting that way because of her mother alone. Something has been troubling her. "Are you okay?" She questioned, unable to hold herself.

Is it stupid to care about this woman? If it is, call her stupid ten times over.

"—If you want to talk to someone, I can do that if you don't mind." Considering what she went through, she knew first hand that sometimes, getting your problems off your chest by saying it out makes you feel better. Though the concept is far-fetched, she wouldn't mind offering Zoya a listening ear.

She waited, as the woman refused to spare her a glance. She couldn't even see her face anymore, so she couldn't tell what look the woman is sporting again.

When about a minute or two passed, she came to another conclusion. "Or I can give you space--"

"Today is her death anniversary." Zoya's voice came, her tone so low Yasmeen barely got it. Turning her head around slowly, she stared at Yasmeen with teary eyes and a torn expression. "Today is the death anniversary of my daughter."

~*~

Unedited late night update because mad people deyyyy!

If ykyk.

Moving onnnn, what is going on between Zoya and Yasmeen? Do I smell a friendship brewing?

And the kid Zoya is speaking of? Remember when I first introduced her, you lots kept saying she's Farrah's mother. Well, we shall know it all in the upcoming chapters.

Abeg feel free to slide into my dm and say whatever you want, aradu I need some entertainment in my life as this school dey give me headache. Fair warning though, sometimes I get sense sometimes I don't so...

Have a goodnight.

Love, Jannah.