Strings Attached

~Chapter 14~

My bump is pretty visible now. And why not? It's been six months! Six months of sparkling happiness and of the knowledge that I'm to be a mother. The greatest happiness is to be mine for life in three months more and just the thought of it makes me giddy.

Three months more, and my darling shall be in my lap. Inn sha Allaah (SWT). I can't thank Him enough. I've been blessed with far more than I could ever imagine. And the responsibilities ahead are only too welcome.

Is it weird that I think it will be a boy? I don't know but I always imagine it as one. I've even given him a name... 'Daniyal'. The first time I heard that name, I fell in love with it. And I resolved right then that if I ever had a boy of my own, I shall name him that. Daniyal Hasan. How perfect it sounds!

I talk to Daniyal about my day when we're alone. I was in the middle of recounting Molly's little kitchen fiascos to him when he gave me a punch. It got too boring for him, I think.

And ever since then, I'm certain that it is to be a boy. A temperamental one, at that. But I hope he will keep it in check. For it harms the person having a temper more than it harms others.

I shall not think these depressing thoughts anymore. For He (SWT) is the best of planners. And I entrust my cares to Him.

The second reason for my happiness is the phone call from Papa that told me Mamma and him are coming from Dublin on the weekend. And they are to stay till the baby comes. So you see, my darling shall not feel alone when his Mamma is snoring off the exhaustion of nine whole months. Winks.

Hasan asked his mother to come to England from Pakistan, so she could at least welcome his child but she has refused. She sent her blessings though. It makes me sad. I wish I could talk to her again, persuade her, but it's just like Hasan to take everything to his ego!

We went to the mall today, and it was fun buying pretty little clothes for our baby. I've bought all sets of clothes and the saleswoman was quite amused by my choice of colours. But I don't care. I'm prepared. If it's a boy, all the girly clothes shall go to charity. And vice versa.

I feel I've got to go vomit the queasiness out of my stomach. Sorry for grossing you out!

G'bye for now,

Love,

Inayah Abdul Majeed

(Previously Ingrid Mc Malone)

_____

That night, I shoulder my guitar and get out my Harley to go to the Iridescent. If I wanna have a job at an obscure place, where I can have no encounters with my schoolmates, Josh is my go-to man. I just hope he doesn't lead me to a casino.

I am a determined man now. Alcohol isn't gonna get me outta here. Besides, it's burnt a hole into my pocket that I'll never be able to cover. If I go on like this, I'm never seeing the light of freedom. And that's enough to keep me sober.