Hajiya Binta and Yusuf are sitting in the hospital waiting for any news from the doctor. For a few seconds, Hajiya Binta felt like she was suffocating, she shut her eyes and focused on her breathing.

People around them scrolled on their phones, leaning on the chairs or staring sightlessly at the television mounted in the corner of the room, some are absent-minded, some munching on their snacks.

She heard the doctor calling the family of Maryam Abu bkar, a sob rose in the back of her throat, she tried to keep it down but her voice cracked when she replied that she is her mother.

The doctor's voice was filled with calmness, "You have nothing to worry about, Maryam is in good condition. She's having a mild fever and it's mixed with stress that's what provoked her fainting. It won't take more than a week for her to be great. Have faith in Allah, everything will be fine,"

"Can I visit her?" Asked Hajiya Binta, her voice desperate.

The doctor nodded. "Right now she's sleeping, I advise you to be careful because she needs to sleep,"

"Insha Allah, we'll be cautious,".

She got to see her daughter that's all she needed now, she walked inside the room, and an iv was snaking from Maryam's arm and crooks of her elbow, the blue hospital gown was large for her body.

Hajiya Binta approached the bed slowly afraid she might wake her, it was kind of freezing in the room and she wondered if she was warm enough.

She thought back to the best day of her life; when Maryam was born. The memory hit her. An involuntary cry escaped her lips, tears clouding her vision, she took a step towards the bed and tried to find a spot to sit on.

She find a spot and sat gently and quietly as she can be. "Maryam," She choked. "I'm here, I'm right here... your mother is here,"

Her voice broke and she had to gather herself. "I'm so sorry, I'm sorry this happened. Maryam...," a faint laugh escaped her lips. "I've never called you Maryam... because it's your granny's name, your father's mother. Hajiya Nana raised me and took me in as a daughter even though I was sent to her as a young housemaid. She made sure I attended the same school as her children, your dad was always there for me that's how we became friends, inseparable and we ended up falling in love. We fought to be together even though nobody want us to be together except Hajiya Nana, Hajiya Jamila, and of course your extraordinary Uncle Yusuf. We got married it was the second-best day of my life. Do you want to know the best day of my life? The best day was when I held you in my arms... I never want to let you go because you are my life. Without you, life will be living like a dead person,"

Hajiya Binta shut her eyes and started praying to Allah to bestow her daughter good health and strength to deal with her hardships in life.

She felt hands envelop her in a long hug that crushed the breath out of her.

"I'm sorry," said Maryam.

Hajiya Binta opened her eyes and embraced her back. "No need to apologize, I just want you to be alright, my darling,"

Maryam disentangled the hug. "Do you want to know something, Mum?"

"What?"

"Having you as my mother is a great strength in my life. Every moment I feel like the world is falling apart, you assure me that you will catch me when I fall. No one can ever replace you, not now and in the next million years to come. I love you," said Maryam, tears spilling down her cheeks.

A soft sob escaped Hajiya Binta's lips as she smiled, pecking Maryam's forehead.

"Never stop smiling, Mom. You look the prettiest when you smile,"

"Seeing you grow up so talented, beautiful, and brilliant fills me with so much purpose. I just love the fact that you are my daughter, and you were the best thing that ever happened to me," said Hajiya Binta "Whenever you start doubting yourself, always remember that you have me and I will always have your back,"

"May Allah bless you, Mum,"

Two days passed by in a blur, Maryam's health has become better though she's still in the hospital. Hajiya Binta insisted she won't leave until she was fully healed.

On the hospital bed, Maryam is leaning on the hospital soft pillows with a miniature table in front of her, on it is a small bowl of soup that she had been devouring and savoring.

Inaaya next to her on the bed was facing Hajiya Binta who was on the chair with her phone scrolling through her Facebook feeds.

"Mummy, Alhamdulilah our Mairo is getting better," said Inaaya with a bright smile.

Hajiya Binta perked up from her phone. "Yes, she's better. Inaaya, Let me leave you two. Because I have noticed you're wishing that I'll leave because you want to tell her something but you can't with me here,"

"No, mum, it's not like that, please stay. I have nothing to say to Mairo," said Inaaya, an unintentional laugh escaped her lips; as always her laugh filled the whole room and it made Maryam and Hajiya Binta join her.

Inaaya bit her lips tightly. Maryam grinned, staring at her mother whose lips corner rose in a smile.

"Ke de ki fadi gaskiya, sai anjima (Just say the truth, see you later)," said Hajiya Binta as she stood up and walked out of the room.

"Meh za kice min? Mummy har ta gane ki (What do you want to tell me? Mummy already knows you),".

Inaaya laughed and suddenly her face faded into a serious one. "Bes, I don't like seeing you sad much less for that man,"

"What can I do, Bes... Why did he insist on getting to know me anyway, why did I have to meet him? Why does he? Why does he cause me to have all mixed feelings inside and how am I supposed to forget his voice when I have it in my head. How am I supposed to forget his face when all I do is see him even with my eyes close, how can one stop loving," Maryam cried, her heart felt heavy, like a stone sinking in quicksand with every word she said.

Inaaya gave her a tight bone-crushed hug, which says I'm always here for you whenever you need me. "Ohh my poor best friend... noo, please stop crying,"

"Karki sake min magana shi. Bana son ji koh sunanshi, koh ayi magana shi (Don't ever talk to me about him. I hate to even hear his name or someone to talk about him),".

"I'm sorry, Insha Allah,".

As Hajiya Binta stepped out of the room, she came across Uncle Yusuf who was walking towards the room, he stood in front of her.

"How's her health?" He asked.

"Alhamdulilah...,"

"Hajiya, Za muyi magana ne (Hajiya, I want to talk to you),".

"Muje waje toh (let's go outside),".

They walked out of the hospital and stood near some flower hedges. "Hajiya, has Maryam accomplished her masters yet?" Uncle Yusuf questioned.

"No, only her degree".

"I think she should go abroad and complete her studies. Even if it's for her health. She'll have a change of environment, and do what she loves; studying. It'll occupy her mind. What do you say?"

"What you said makes a lot of sense. But right now, I don't have the money to send Maryam abroad to study,".

"Don't bother about it, everything is in my hands. Maryam is my daughter too,"

"Yusuf, Although I don’t say it enough, you should know how grateful we're to have you in our lives. Thank you for all the things that you do for us."

"No Hajiya, You don't have to thank me. You are my sister, and Maryam is a child to me,".

"Allah ya bar zumunci, Yusuf. Allah ya kara budi - Allah ya saka maka da gidan al-Jannah,".

"Amin,"

"Chakwala Chakwala," Inaaya teased - tickling Maryam as they laughed. The door swing opened, and Yazid walked inside holding a brown weaved basket. "Assalamu Alaikum,".

"Wa'alaykumu Salaam," Inaaya answered.

"Sannu da zuwa yaya (welcome big brother)," Maryam said with a smile.

"Naga jikin ma da sauki (I can see you've gained your strength)" Yazid said.

"A gata nan lablab (Here she is, fit and fine),".

Yazid kept the basket on a table close to the bed. "Here it is. I cooked the food myself. It's your favorite,".

A smile spread across Maryam's face. "You're nice,".

"Let me leave you two," Inaaya said with a tease in her voice.

"No, Just sit down. I can come back later," Yazid replied.

"Are you already leaving?" Maryam asked.

"Don't worry, I'll come back later," Yazid assured her.

Maryam beamed with a smile. "Okay, come back safely,".

"Come back safely," Inaaya said.

"Insha Allah, My regards to Uzair,".

"Insha Allah," Inaaya replied.

Yazid opened the door and stepped out of the room, after glancing at Maryam. Inaaya playfully elbowed Maryam and raise her eyebrows.

"What? You'll never change,"

Inaaya gave a thin laugh, but couldn't hold her laugh, and burst out laughing.

🦋 🦋 🦋

I wanted to update on eid day... anyway, here it is.

Will Yazid find a place in Maryam's heart?

This is the second longest chapter I have written so far, *drumrolls*

Thank You to all the people that support me, I never thoughts I had supporters but Yeah, I do. So thank you so much and I love you. ❤️

What lies ahead in Maryam's journey... continue reading to find out.

Where's Abaan?

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