"I just don't get why he acts like that every time it involves Kulsum"

"They were friends" Sabrina's mother stated calmly, "His reaction is understandable. Besides, I'm sure you only speak ill of her" She narrowed her eyes at her daughter, still not able to understand how the girl could act in such way. She's an adult now, who has kids by the way. Shouldn't she be more mature?

Sabrina looked away from her mother's piercing gaze. She came to her so she can complain about her husband not to get scolded. By the looks of it though, things won't go her way.

"Exactly" Her mother took her silence as her answer, "Do you now understand why he reacts in such way?"

Sabrina released an exasperated sigh. "Mama...I barely talk about her because I don't want to. She's gone already. Aren't we supposed to forget about people that died? Because lately I feel like everyone's conversation revolves around her" She shook her head; hands thrown in the air to show her exasperation. She didn't want to reminiscence the past. Why can't they all just do the same? What's the point of dwelling in the past?

Her mother dropped her hands on her thighs, eyes slightly squinted at her daughter. "Forget about the people that died?" She repeated Sabrina's words, disbelief coating her tone.

Sabrina blinked, then gulped when she realizes how what she'd said sounded. "Mama..." She was too caught up in her anger that she didn't notice the slip off she made.

"Sabrina I lost a child!" Her mother cut her off, her voice raising slightly. "And you're telling me that we're supposed to forget about the people that died?" Her lips curled into a deep frown, her brows drawn in. She's barely able to contain her anger at the moment. The girl just crossed the firm line her mother didn't want anyone to dare cross.

But she did.

Sabrina blew out a low breath, lips parting to utter something but, nothing came out. "Um...I..." She couldn't figure out the exact words to explain what she meant. She understands how her mother feels. She feels the same way too but...the situation is different.

Her mother held a hand to stop her, "Enough" She said, eyes still narrowed at Sabrina, "I don't want to hear a word about this again"

Sabrina blew out a breath, then nodded knowing that she better keeps quiet in situations like that. She wouldn't want to irk her mother more—it wouldn't be a good for anyone; especially not her.

Her mother looked away, then took long calming breaths to calm herself down; eyes still narrowed at her daughter.

Just how could the girl say that? Does she have any idea just how much she did for the child she lost? Just how much it affected and changed her?

Of course she didn't, because she only enjoys the benefit.

~*~

"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" Dr. Batoulah's friend, Dr. Zainab asked the minute the woman took her seat beside her desk, dropping her bag next to files of patient she has to see that day.

Batoulah shook her head, glancing at her friend whom she shares and office with as they are both fellows in the Obstetrics ward. Realizing that she did not put on her white coat, she stood and extended her hand towards the coat hanger where she had draped the coat and then shrugged it on. "I honestly don't know anymore..." She muttered; still stunned.

Zainab chuckled. She knows her friend to exaggerate stuff way more intense than they really are and she expected the same thing at the moment. That to say doesn't mean she dislikes it. Batoulah brings the life out of everything—especially a long, exhausting day at work.

Swiveling around to fully glance at her colleague and friend on her swivel chair, she crossed her legs, leaned back and crossed her arms under her torso. "Tell me, what happened"

"Well..." Batoulah sat back on her chair, facing Zainab. She didn't intend to hide anything from her because despite being her co-worker, she is also her best friend, "...you-know-who accidentally broke some random stranger's car window and I had to apologize"

Zainab chuckled. She expected something similar to that. "I was kind of expecting that someday. I just didn't think it'll happen today"

Batoulah scoffed; shaking her head. "You know the weirdest part, the owner just dropped the topic without asking for anything in compensation" Her brows drew in for she still couldn't believe that actually happened. "Like, who does that?"

"Shouldn't that be a good thing?" Zainab rose a brow; holding back a smile at her friend's expense.

Batoulah puked her lips, shaking her head. "No, you don't get it. I really thought I'll be in trouble because the guy looked like one soldier or something. I was really scared, and them..." She snapped her fingers, "...nothing"

Zainab hissed lightly, chuckling at her friend. "You overthink stuff way too much. Worry about the surgeries you'll handle if you have that much time"

Batoulah hummed, deciding to drop the topic and do as her friend suggested. She has a surgery to do and another to assist so she has a lot on her place that day. Besides, just as Zainab said, it's a good thing that she doesn't have to worry about that. All she can do at the moment is to try and avoid such stuff from happening again in the future.

But with her situation, it's next to impossible in her living dictionary.

~*~

"Honestly Dad, we both know Sabrina won't stop being curious"

Alhaji Danbatta stared at Hanif, his son in law, then exhaled loudly as he buried his face between his two palms. He took in a long inhale, then looked up, "She's the least of my worries"

Hanif didn't need the man to elaborate, he understood what he meant. "You're worried about Zayn, aren't you?"

The old man nodded, the wrinkles on his face becoming more apparent these past few days. "He's stubborn. I guess that's one of the traits he inherited from his mother" A small smile donned his lips at the thought of her, but as the reality of their situation dawned on him again, he sighed, "He won't stop digging"

"But..." Hanif thought about it and choose his words carefully, "...would that be such a bad thing? Wouldn't it be better for him to find out?"

Alhaji Danbatta stared at Hanif, a forlorn expression taking over, "If you were in his shoes, and you found out the truth, how would you react? Do you think it would be a good thing for you?"

Hanif's silence was the answer he needed, and it proved his point.

"Exactly. That's what I'm worried about" He pointed his index finger at him to prove his point, "For his sanity, he does not need to find out"

Hanif placed his arms on his thighs, intertwining his fingers, "The problem is he won't stop looking for the truth. He won't leave if he does so"

"He won't find out anything if you don't tell him a word" Alhaji Danbatta said the one thing he is sure of in the entire situation. As long as Hanif keeps his mouth shut, Zayn will go nowhere. "This whole thing is better this way. The minute it's open up, people will get hurt. He will get hurt, quite frankly, way more than he is"

Hanif gulped, cracking his knuckles—something he does when he is deep in thought. "I won't tell him anything" He promised, even though he wonders tow which extent he can keep it.

Alhaji Danbatta smiled in appreciation, his eyes dropping.

"Are you okay?" Hanif was quick on his feet, as the old man leaned back on his seat.

He held a hand to stop Hanif before he can help him, "I'm alright" He responded, "Just a bit exhausted. Nothing serious"

Hanif didn't agree with his words one bit, "You should at least go to the hospital for a full checkup" He can do that for him in the confines of his home but it would be better and more proficient in the hospital. "You should stop by any time; I'll do that for you"

Alhaji Danbatta waved it off. "You worry too much" He opened his eyes, though they were hooded, "I'm just old and exhausted. You know, the usual" He chuckled.

Hanif shook his head. And the man spoke of Zayn being stubborn. He didn't press the issue further anyway. The Danbattas are really naturally stubborn. Kulsum was a living proof of it, and now the rest of her family members are living, breathing proof of it.

Hoping to deter the topic away from him, the old man spoke, "Just do as I said, keep this away from Zayn because I know it's only a matter of time before he comes to you"

"And Sabrina?" What he and his father in law are speaking of is something only the two of them know, and no one else in the family knows the truth of the matter.

"The less she knows, the less complicated this is for everyone"

"What about Mama?"

Alhaji Danbatta waved it off, "She's harmless" He fixated his eyes on Hanif, "But this stays between us nonetheless. No one else shall know"