Aishah

IT WAS ALREADY 1:30 in the afternoon I already had my bath wearing a black abaya with gold veil,I was feeling so anxious and afraid of meeting my family after a long time

What if they don't accept me anymore

I was so afraid and much more scared about my dad's condition and not able to see him if anything goes wrong

I checked myself in the mirror for the last time before going down stairs,I sat on one of the sofas watching an opera before the door suddenly opened

Ibrahim walked in and smiled at me which I found weird

"Let me change I will be back in a jiffy"he says and I nodded

Few minutes later he was back,he was wearing a black kaftan,Ibrahim looks good in everything he wears and then I suddenly realised I'm on black too so I wasn't that pleased with the idea we are wearing the same colour though I brush it off

He took his car key and we left the house without him talking to me,I was at the back locking the door while he honked the car letting the gateman know we are leaving the house

The gate man opened the gate for us and we drive out of the compound into the busy street of Zaria in silence when my phone suddenly start ringing

"Salam Aleikum"I greeted as soon as I took my phone

"Waleikum salam"it was the agent I asked to help me look for house at Abuja

"I wanted to let you know I already found the perfect place for the kind of description you made,I'm sure you are going to like the house and don't worry I will be sending you the pictures on WhatsApp"

"Alhamdulillah thank you so much I appreciate"

"We will talk later then and if you like the house we will talk about the price"

"Insha Allah no problem"the call came to an end

"Who's that ?"Ibrahim asked when I was putting my phone back in my bag

"An agent"I replied

"For?"

"House"

"What do you need house for?"he asked and I felt like rolling my eyes

"Am I supposed to live in the street after the divorce?"I replied his question with a question

"So you were serious about the divorce"

"Why won't I?"I looked at him like he was asking a stupid question"we are living a loveless marriage this marriage is a clearly a burden to the both of us and the best solution is for us to go on our separate ways and make life easier for us"

"What if I don't want the divorce?"he asked looking at me directly in the eyes and I felt like laughing

"Of course you will I'm sure of that"I replied and he look at me for few seconds and end up shaking his head before placing his gaze back on the road

The rest of the drive was silent and I texted Qadirah about my visit to the hospital,she texted back she was there and happy to see me

Ibrahim parked the car at the garage and we stepped down from the car,I got scared immediately my hands shaking and visibly nervous,he look at me and smiled gently before holding the both of my hands

"Calm down Aishah nothing will happen"

I nodded my head and he started moving tagging me along while holding one of my hands in normal cases I would have pull my hand from his grasp but I have no power or will to because I need the support

We met the reception at his residence area and tell him who we are here for,we started walking through the wards till we see the number we were looking for room 204,we stopped at the front of the room and I inhale deeply my hands shaking one more time

Ibrahim grip on me got stronger but gentle,I look up at him and he gave me an assuring smile,I try to reciprocate but I couldn't,he knocked at the door and we heard my mom's voice telling us to come in

I felt like crying immediately I never knew I missed my mom so much,Ibrahim opened the door and we entered the room,I met my mom sitting down beside my dad on the bed and my sister and brother standing near the window side

My mom look so surprised to see me and before I knew it she stood up and embrace me in a very tight hug with tears streaming down her face,I started crying immediately hugging her back as much I could letting her know I missed her so much

"I'm so sorry mum I'm sorry please forgive I was stupid"I chanted while she covered my mouth with her hand stopping me from saying any other thing

"Your dad will be so happy to see you here"she said and I slowly left her embrace moving closer to my dad,I kneel down holding my dad's hand and couldn't control myself from crying again,my dad look weak and fragile it felt like this wasn't my dad laying on the hospital bed,I started crying harder chanting in my heart for Allah's forgiveness

My dad slowly opens his eyes and was surprised to see me,at first I thought he was going to reject me or ask me what am I doing here but he slowly calls my name

"Aishah"

I cried and laughed at the same time having a mixed feelings,I hugged him and he encircle me in a hug with his weak hands

"I miss you"he says with his weak voice and I wipe away a tear from my eyes

"I'm sorry dad I'm so sorry I'm sorry for everything I did I'm sorry please forgive me"I begged and he stopped me

"I was wrong my daughter I shouldn't have forced you to get married to someone you don't want,I'm happy you're here"I smiled and hug him one more time

My sister came closer and hugged me,I hugged her back and laughed a little

"Your belly is getting big"I say and she winked

Abdul came closer and hugged me"I really feel like beating you for leaving the family"he says and everyone laughs

"I missed you"he finally said placing his head on my shoulder

"I miss you too"I replied

"Ibrahim"my mom said and everyone's gaze landed on him,he was quiet all this while I forgot I came here with him

"What's he doing here?"Abdul was the first to talk I could see he wasn't pleased to see him

"He was the one that convinced me to come"

"How are you?"my mom asked him

"I'm fine ma"he replied and went ahead to greet my dad who only replied with a nod,he look too tired to talk

"Are you too good now?"my sister asked

"No we are not,we will be getting divorced soon I think it will be best for us"I replied her

"Anything that makes you happy"my dad replied weakly and I smiled

Suddenly the door opens and it was Faiza and her father

I look so shocked when I saw Faiza,she is now a big girl with two doe eyes,she looked at me and went ahead to hug her mom

"Mummy we are back"she said with her tiny voice talking to her mom,I smiled and a tear escaped my eyes

She's now a big girl and doesn't remember me anymore

I greeted her father and he responds with a smile and a nod

"Faiza do you remember anty Aishah?"her mom asked

"No"she shakes her head

"Oh my my baby doesn't remember me anymore, I use to be your favourite aunt"I say and she look at her mom trying to confirm if I was saying the truth,her mom nodded and she opens her arm wide and I picked her up

"Aunt Aishah the one that use to call me baby Faiza"she says and i nodded,she giggles and hug me "mom talks about you a lot"she said and I was pleased

I muttered a thank you to my sis and she smiled,we all remain quiet for awhile and for once I appreciated Ibrahim for forcing me here

After awhile my dad finally talks

"I want to talk to Ibrahim alone"we all nodded and stand up leaving the room except Ibrahim I look at him and he gave me an assuring smile

Ibrahim

I was surprised when Aishah's dad wanted to talk to me though I enjoyed seeing Aishah happy with her family it was visible she was important to everyone of them that I didn't mind even though I was treated like I didn't exist

I smiled at Aishah after looking at me like I was going to get into trouble and I was happy at least she showed she cares a little

They all left leaving me alone with the sick man

"How are you doing?"he asked

"I'm fine sir"I replied like a well mannered man

"I saw your face when you Aishah spoke about divorce"he said and I remembered that I wasn't so keen with the idea but I wasn't sure it showed in my face

"Do you love my daughter?"he asked after awhile and I felt like a bomb was thrown at me, no one had ever ask me that question directly,I think for awhile before replying

"I don't think so sir"I replied

"Or you don't know?"the man said

"I'm not sure"

"Ok what do you feel about her?"he asked with his voice visibly low that I have to strain my ear to hear what he said

"I do care about her it started awhile ago at first I got angry with whatever she does,how close she is to my friend,the truth sir is I am jealous of seeing her with someone else maybe it's because we are married and I care about her a lot"I confessed

"Should I tell you something you need to know"

"Yes"

"Ok"