Next day
ASMAU
It was already morning, and I had just finished getting ready to go to the hospital. Rukkaya and Summaya had stayed overnight at the hospital, while I returned home. I hadn't been feeling well for the past two days, and the argument with Abubakar had only made things worse.
Abubakar hadn't come back to the hospital, nor had he called or messaged me. Not that I was expecting it, but at least he should show that he really regrets what he did.
His mother and Maryam had visited the hospital yesterday to check on Aunty. Ibteesam was coming to Abuja today, so we planned to pick her up at the airport. She was extremely worried about my mother's health.
I entered the kitchen to inform Indo that I was heading to the hospital. "Indo, I will take—" Suddenly, I felt dizzy and had to grab the door for support.
"Asmau, are you okay?" she asked, quickly pouring a glass of water and handing it to me.
"I just felt a bit dizzy, but I'm alright," I assured her as I sat down.
"Are you sure?" she inquired with concern.
"I will get going now," I said as I stood up.
"Are you sure you can drive? I can call the driver to take you there," she offered.
"No, chill, Indo. I'll be fine," I replied before leaving the kitchen. I grabbed my bag, went outside, and got into the car.
IMAN
"Abubakar hates me, Salma! He doesn't want anything to do with me. He doesn't talk to me, he doesn't look at me. He hates me with all his guts; he hates the sight of me," I sighed, feeling the situation weighing on me.
"And do you blame him? You literally ruined his marriage. My sister now lives with us for the meantime, but he visits her almost every day in the hospital. It's so frustrating," Salma replied, rolling her eyes.
"Please, stop telling me all this; you're adding to my pain," I fanned myself exaggeratedly.
"That's not even part of my problems right now," Salma hissed.
"What happened?" I asked, taking a seat beside her.
"I did something terrible. I pushed my stepmother, Asmau's mom, down the stairs, and now she's in the hospital in a coma," she confessed, and I gasped in shock.
"But why would you do that? That wasn't the plan," I questioned.
"I had no choice, Iman! She overheard the conversation between you and me about all the things we've been plotting. When I tried to beg her not to say anything, she refused, so I pushed her by mistake."
"Oh my God! You're going to get in so much trouble when she wakes up," I warned.
"Excuse me? You mean we will get in so much trouble, not only me. Remember this, Iman, if I go down, I'm going down with you," She threatened.
"Okay, whatever. You don't have to threaten me. I'm going to the hospital; I need a checkup," I declared, picking up my bag.
"What happened?" Salma inquired.
"I don't know. All I know is that I'm not feeling well," I replied.
"Hmmm, sorry," she offered her sympathy.
"Thanks. I'll be back later," I said, heading to the door. Then, I paused and turned around. "I hope she doesn't wake up," I whispered a prayer, and Salma muttered an "Ameen."
Asmau
I arrived at the hospital, walked inside, and spotted Doctor Munnir engrossed in conversation with a nurse. He looked up and smiled as he noticed me.
"Asmau, welcome. Good morning," he greeted warmly, dismissing the nurse.
"Thank you, Doc. Good morning to you too," I replied with a smile.
"I actually wanted to talk to you," he mentioned.
"Sure, I'm all ears," I replied.
"I never knew you were married until two days ago. Why didn't you tell me?" he inquired.
My brow furrowed in confusion; why would I tell you about my personal life? "Well, I didn't find it important to tell you. Besides, I knew you would find out sooner or later."
"Ah, I understand," he nodded. "Well, I'm really happy for you."
"Thank you so much. I'll get going now. See you later," I said, preparing to leave. However, he called me back before I could go.
"Please, Asmau, if you need anything, let me know," he said sincerely.
I nodded with a warm smile. "In shaa Allah, I will. Thank you again," I replied before heading into the room to join my family.
**
"Ya Ma'u, we should get going," Rukkaya urged, as we prepared to pick up Ibty from the airport. I was excited to see my best friend again.
"Are you sure you can go?" Ya Aminah asked for the umpteenth time, her concern evident.
"Ya Ilahi! Ya Aminah, I'm okay. I'm totally fine, I can go," I reassured her.
"Ma'u, you need to rest. Don't forget you threw up earlier, and your head is aching," she persisted.
"Ya Aminah, I'm not. You're overreacting. I just ate something that my stomach didn't like, and a headache is normal. Let's just get going, please," I said, gently grabbing her hands, as we left the room together.
**
"Ibtyyyyyyy!" I waved my hands excitedly as I spotted her looking around after their flight had landed. Her face lit up with a wide grin when she saw us.
"Bestfriend!" she squealed and enveloped me in a tight hug.
"Amarya bakya laifi," I teased, and she rolled her eyes, muttering a "come on."
Ibty then turned to Ya Aminah and Sumayya, hugging them warmly. "Ibty, looks like marriage is treating you really well. You look so beautiful," Ya Aminah complimented her, causing Ibty to blush shyly.
Wow, Hajiya Ibty is shy! That's something. After the pleasantries, we began walking back to the car.
"Asmau, you are really glowing. Is there anything I need to know?" Ibty asked, wiggling her brows mischievously.
"What do you want to know? There's nothing," I replied, smiling.
"Are you sure?" She persisted, giving me a suspicious look.
I rolled my eyes and sighed, "Would you stop asking me questions I have no answers to? Such a pest."
"I'm not a pest because you missed me while I was gone."
"I did none of that. By the way, how's Kaduna? Are you starting to get used to it there or?"
"Well, it's alright. But just like I told you over the phone, Tj is getting his full transfer here permanently, so we are moving back to Abuja," she squealed.
I laughed, shaking my head. Ibty is always crazy. "Well, I'm happy for you but sad for me because that means I'll be seeing your face more often."
"Well, you got that right. So, how are the kids? And the twins? You told me Afeen and Afeena are walking really really well now, right?"
"Yes, they are, and they all have two front baby teeth."
"Aww, so cute. I can't wait to see," she said excitedly. Suddenly, my phone rang, and when I checked, it was Abubakar calling. I rolled my eyes and switched it off.
"Won't you answer?" she asked, and I shook my head negatively as we entered the car. The phone kept ringing persistently, so I switched it off and stashed it inside my handbag.
"Asmau, here," Ya Aminah, who was at the front with Sumayya, turned and handed me her phone.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Abubakar wants to talk to you," she said. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. After ignoring me for days, now he wanted to talk.
"Hello," I said nonchalantly as I answered.
"I have been calling you; why weren't you picking up?" he asked, his voice tensed.
"My phone battery was low, so I switched it off," I'm so sure he wouldn't believe this lie.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going out?" he asked again, sounding frustrated.
"Check your messages; I messaged you to inform you, but I didn't want to call because I didn't feel the need to," I said, honestly.
He was quiet for a few seconds before replying, "Okay, then. Just please let me know when you guys return." With that, he hung up.
I knew I had hurt him with what I said, but he deserved it.
"Asmau, what you said wasn't right at all..." I held my hand up to stop Ibty from continuing.
"Ibty, please, I know what I'm doing. Just let me be."
I held my forehead and rested my head. This headache was getting worse. I closed my eyes to rest for a few minutes.
"Asmau, we're here," I felt a hand tapping my shoulder.
I opened my eyes and saw Ibty, so I grabbed my bag and got out of the car, then walked straight into the hospital to my mother's room.
"Ya Aminah, I think I'll go home. I'm not feeling well," I said, feeling sick.
"Okay, go and rest," she urged.
"I'll leave the car with you and Ibty since you're going to come back a little later," I explained.
"No, what about you? You should go with your car," Ibteesam suggested.
"Don't worry; I'll call Junior to pick me up since he's nearby."
"Okay, then. Take care." Since we were the only ones, I said goodbye before heading outside.
**
"Asmau, what are you doing outside?" Doctor Munnir asked, spotting me at the hospital's exit.
"I'm waiting for my brother. I've been calling him to come pick me up, but he's not answering," I replied.
"If you don't mind, I can take you home."
"No, I wouldn't want to be a burden, Doc,"
"Of course not. I'm done with my shift, and besides, I'm heading home too. It wouldn't hurt to drop you off, right?" I shook my head negatively. "Please, agree. I insist," he said.
I hesitated for a moment before agreeing. "Okay, then," I nodded.
"Good, let's go," we walked to his car. Just as I was about to step into the passenger side, I heard Abubakar's voice from behind. I froze in my position. "Asmau!"
"This won't be good," I said to myself.
"Where are you going with my wife!?" Abubakar questioned Munnir with his voice laced with anger.
I turned around to face him. "Calm down, he was just going to take me home."
"And who is he to take you home? Uh?! Answer me!" He yelled at me, making me flinch.
"Look, Abubakar, don't make a scene, please. Your wife wanted to go home, and I offered to take her. There's nothing wrong with that," Doctor Munnir said, trying to defuse the situation.
"Did I ask you? Mind your business. This is a family issue, and I don't remember you being part of the family," Abubakar snapped at him.
"Please, Abubakar, don't be rude. He was just trying to help, and—"
"Stop defending him!" He interrupted me angrily.
"I won't because what you're doing isn't right! You just can't make a scene because you feel like it. We didn't do anything wrong. He was just being helpful, nothing more," I retorted.
"We're not going to argue in front of this man," Abubakar pointed at Doctor Munnir. "Now, let's go to the car," he said and grabbed my hand. I pulled away from him.
"Let go of me. I'm not going anywhere with you," I said, taking a step back.
"Don't test my patience, Asmau. You better do as I say. Now, let's go," he insisted and took hold of me again.
"Abubakar, let her go. She doesn't want to go with you. Didn't you hear her clearly?" Doctor Munnir interjected.
Before anyone could react, Abubakar went over to him and landed a powerful punch on his face, knocking him to the ground.
"Abubakar, stop!!!" I yelled, trying to hold him back.
Doctor Munnir got up and retaliated with a blow to Abubakar's face, sparking a fistfight between the two men. A crowd gathered around, some trying to separate them while others watched in shock.
"You all should stop, please!!!" I cried out, tears streaming down my face.
"Ya Allah," I muttered, clutching my pounding head. The pain was becoming unbearable. And then suddenly, the world faded to black as I collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Asmau!!!" That was the last thing I heard coming from Abubakar's mouth before losing consciousness.
EDITED VERSION✨