AFTER 168 HOURS [BOOK 2,168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 54: The Departure😭🥺😭

He was still receiving drips and a huge plaster covered this neck

"You're here wifey. I thought you'll never come." He started.

"I heard about your confessions. It's a good thing indeed. I see you've changed... I hope it's for the better?"

"Almirah. There's a lot I need to tell you. But first, there's a secret I've been hiding from you. Please, sit right next to me. I want to tell you a story."

She sat on his bed as she helped him sit upright with the pillows adjusted to his back.

"Okay, I'm listening."

"Long ago, during my youth. There's this girl I liked. I liked her so much but I didn't have the courage to speak to her. Later on, I met Ahmad and we became friends. He helped me in the field of business and we became business partners.
One evening, he introduced to me his wife to be and...it was the same girl. The one I liked and couldn't talk to. Too bad she didn't know about me or my feelings but I later got the courage to tell her all of it. She told me it was too late because, by then, It was already a month to their wedding."

"Are you talking about Binta?" She asked

"Yes dear. Binta was that girl. She got married to Ahmad and had to stop working. I met and married you there after. You've been a loyal wife to me, Almirah... I've been the jerk for too long. He chuckled at his words and thoughts.

It took ten years before Binta was able to bare her first child, Humaira. Despite the hardship of family drama and the hardships, she had to go through all that pain, all alone. Ahmad's sisters were still on his neck, that they wanted another child from Binta. Probably a male child...but nothing worked. Ten years later, I called her to meet me along the street. That I wanted to discuss something important with her. Meeting me in my car, I... I drugged her. Then I took her to an hotel to get intimate. She got shattered when she woke up beside me. I had no choice, Almirah. I did that just because I loved her so much and I wanted to save her from all the maltreatment she received from her in-laws. Hopping that it would be a boy... I begged her not to tell Ahmad about it, else. It would end our friendship, business and my chance of survival in life. With lots of convincing, she agreed to keep it a secret. Until she gave birth to the child, Zainab."

"W...what?! You mean what happened then was really true? You were responsible for her pregnancy?" Tears pierced in her eyes as Almirah asked her husband.

"Yes dearie. I just had to deny her that day. When Ahmad learnt about it, he threatened not to stop doing business with me. So, after he confronted me, I had to act before things gets worse so, I planned for his death. I offended Ahmad and his family so much, Almirah. I impregnated Ahmad's daughter; Humaira, and she had a son for me.

"S.. subhanallah! So what happened back then was true?" She shed more tears.

"That which I've come to regret but yes, my dear. It was all true. I've done a lot of wrong in my life, I don't even think I'll be able to make heaven right now because I can't remember doing a good deed. Telling the truth might serve a way for me." He coughed.

"Wait... Musa, why are you telling me all of these? Too bad, I just realized the kind of man you are. You must be proud of your achievements."

"I'm not telling you this because I'm proud of myself. I'm telling you this because I need your forgiveness as a wife. I also need your forgiveness before I leave this world, Almirah. Again, Humaira's son is with me. I'll give you an address to help me give Humaira her son." He suggested.

"W..what? What are you talking about?"

"Maybe you could help me, Humaira. As my death wish." He letbout deep, whooping coughs.