—————————Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
——————————————— Six Months Later( Firdaus's House)
" Remember I took a leave yesterday ammie, please just send what you need me to look over, I'll get back to you, I'm going to the hospital today with Raihannah, I can't check them out now please, I'm sorry, I'll do it later" I said into the phone as I gelled my body. " Fine, Make sure our baby is okay, please call me when you're done okay, I really need your review on all what has happened in the industry this month" Miriam said into the phone as I powdered my face a little. " Sure Ammie, I have to go okay, she's waiting for me downstairs, I'll see you soon" I said as I was about to end the call. " Alright, my regards to Raihanna, Ma'assalam" She greeted. " Bis'salam" I answered and finally ended the call as I applied a little mascara and eyeliner for my eyes and brushed my brows a little. I wore my Nivea lip balm and I was good to go. This was my day to day makeup routine now. I dried my hair quickly and combed it. Then lastly gelled and fixed it into a bun.
I had an appointment in the hospital today, my baby was already six months old. I had three months left to go and my baby was going to finally be with me. Deep down I wanted my child to be a boy. I wanted him to Khalid's features. I always waited for his call or text or a mail or anything for the past six months. I honestly missed him so much. He had moved on, we all moved on. I just hoped and prayed that he loved me as much as he used to, cause what I felt for him never changed. It never thought of changing. It was still intact. I really wanted him to come back to me and apologize for everything he said to me, I had already forgiven him, forgiven all of them. All I wanted was for them to face me and accept their mistakes.
They were all doing fine, I still talked to Sophia and she got married to Ethan like a month ago, December. They all moved on from everything, all the hardships. They left them in the past year. We were in a new year now and we were all determined to do the best with our lives. She said Khalid was doing fine, that he became a workaholic and had no time for women. A part of me was happy that he closed his heart to other women and another part saddened me. He wasn't supposed to be in that kind of situation.
I went into my closet and took out a long flay pink skirt and a white long-sleeved lace shirt. I put them on after wearing my underwear and took out a pair of sneakers and socks. My baby and I were healthy. Very healthy. The baby bump made me look like a pregnant bamboo stick. I mean I thought when people got pregnant, they added weight and everything. But I didn't add a pretty noticeable weight. I only added about 2 to 3kg. But me and my child were alright. Khalifa was always here for me and my baby even though he was in Dubai. Anytime I needed a friend to talk to, he was always a call away. We grew closer after Raihannah told him all what happened to me. He blamed himself for everything but I told him not to worry and that Allah knew what was best for all of us. He worked at a Gold Mining Industry in Dubai. He was pretty successful.
I wore my socks and looked at my Nike sneakers that Miriam got for me. She took care of my wardrobe. She was a woman with a nice sense of class. She was Indonesian and my friend that grew to trust since I became the Head of Administration for Nivea Malaysia. She was my assistant and she helped me during my hard times at work. I really appreciated her friendship. She did a lot for me and my baby. She made sure I never got stressed out at work and I was forever grateful.
I threw on a white sweater and styled my plain grey satin scarf. It was cold in January, very cold. I quickly took my Aldo handbag from my desk and took my phone and stopped to look at the full length mirror in my room that Firdaus let me have. She was doing pretty well in her modelling career and she was the one that helped me get a Job in Nivea after I disturbed her. I didn't want to stay in her huge house alone without doing anything. She got Ummi a spot in a Plaza and she turned it into a restaurant. That was where she was most of the time. We were still happy even though Grandpa wasn't here. But we've all moved on. It was all in the past now.
I walked out of my room and carefully closed the door. Firdaus's house was pretty large. It had Four rooms, a big kitchen, a study, a pretty nice garage that made me force myself to learn how to drive. It was actually pretty easy. No hassle. Her house also had a nice swimming pool, It wasn't that interesting. There was also a room she reserved for a gym and games. I really never thought she was a fan of Video games but she taught me. She and her Fiancé. Yes Firdaus was getting married soon to Naim Navruz. An engineer she met on one of her projects. He was Turkish and handsome. I was glad she found her happiness with him. They were hopeful getting married in March and I was also planning on finding a house for myself in March. She was planning on staying with her husband and leaving the house to me and Ummi. But I really wanted my own too. Even though it was small.
We had maids that only came to clean the house and do the laundry, after that they all left. We also had a security guard and a gardener. We didn't need too much help around the house. The house was painted white on the outside and had a wooden interior decor. It was beautiful though. The sofas were black and white, everything was mostly black and white. But I had to make sure my room was colourful. Mint green and pink stripes wallpaper. With butterfly prints. It was beautiful.
I walked down the stairs and found Raihannah in the kitchen preparing something . " RiRi, Assalamu Alaykum, Good Morning, hope you slept well?, we need to leave very soon, our appointment is by 10:30am and it's already 9:30" I said as I dropped my bag on the kitchen counter. " Well good morning boss lady, I slept very well thanks for asking, and it's just 8:57, here have some pancakes" her sense of humour always got me. " where did you leave your math sense, and thank you" I answered as she passed me a plate of pancakes. " They look so yummy, thank you" I thanked her with a wide smile as I threw a blueberry into my mouth. " Milk or Orange Juice?"
" Milk" I answered and she instantly passed me a glass and she sat in front of me with a plate of pancakes and orange juice. " Thank you" I answered and smiled at her. " You've taken a leave already right?"
" Yea but Miriam still gives me little work to do, she sends her regards also"
" Oh, we need to go shopping with that Chick again" she said with a smile. Miriam was the brains behind our wardrobe. " Yeah, that'll be nice, how's work too?" She worked with her parents in a Gaming Company. " Fun as always"
" Uhmm, hurry up with that, we need to go to the hospital early"
" Sure, I can't wait to see my everyday crush" She declined a lot of guys, just because she was crushing on someone that didn't know she existed in this life. Farouk Edwards, a paediatrician in the hospital my gynaecologist was. But I've never seen him. " My doppelgänger" I sighed as I rolled my eyes. " Yes, you need to see him for yourself, he's so handsome Masha Allah" She said with dreamy eyes as she stuffed her mouth with pancakes. " I can't wait to see him, can I ask you something Raihannah?"
" Sure"
" If Farouk is married or almost married you know engaged, what will you do?" I asked and watched her sigh as she dropped her fork to fully look at me. " I know you guys think I have a crush, that I'm just daydreaming and all that, but I feel deep down that Farouk is the one for me, that's exactly what I told my Ummah and she said I could have a chance. He's not married or seeing anyone, so all I need to do is to see him again today and make sure he sees my charm" oh.
" so you're not really going to the hospital with me"
" oh I am, we're going to meet him together when you're done" She answered as she drank her juice. "Okay then, I can't wait to meet your doppelgänger" I said with a smile as I continued eating. " you know something?"
" what?"
" There's a lot going on back in Nigeria, you see my grandmother thinks Khalifa is ready for marriage and she's starting to disturb him to get married" Khalifa was old enough actually. He was just three years older than I was. He was 25. " Isn't she supposed to wait until he's ready?"
" That's not what my grandmother thinks, let me tell you something, I don't know if Khalifa has told you all these, but let's see, Khalifa's Father, Uncle Muhammad, is from Edo state in Nigeria, the south, he's from a royal descendant or so, I'm not sure, they have this family name, Danesi. Okay so, When Uncle Muhammad and Aunty Arafah were getting married, there were lot of issues, cause my Aunt, that's Khalifa's mother is from the North, Katsina to be precise, so it was like a North South thing and tssk tssk, the families of the couples weren't really on good terms, but I guess eventually they had to accept each other, but the grandparents were competitive, the grandmother's actually , the grandfather's are late, so you see these two grandmothers, they are bugging Khalifa to get married early, Khalifa's dad, Uncle Muhammad is the first child of his mother and father, so the two want Great grand Kids, my aunt is just the number three, but she still wants great grand kids from her, even though she already has, my family back in Nigeria is super complicated but funny, very funny" I could already imagine. Grandparents and drama. " The two are competing to see who'll be the first to encourage their grand son to get married, crazy right?" She added and I laughed a little. " it really is crazy, but why does it have to be like that?"
" well I don't know and I don't want to know and get all in their business before they come for me too, I am so not ready for them" she said as she ate a blueberry. She was almost done with her food. " Your Dad's Parents are still alive?" I asked and she nodded. " Yes, they both are, but they don't really have much issues you know, they're easy-going, unlike others" She was done with her phone. " you should come to Nigeria sometime" I would honestly love that but I was pregnant. " I will, after my child is born" I answered and got down from my stool. I was done and ready to go. " oh good then, I can't wait, my niece is going to be so beautiful" she wanted my child to be a girl. Well anyone Allah gives me, Alhamdulillah. " Put the dishes in the dishwasher and let's leave, I hate being late" I said as I used a napkin to clean my lips after I gulped down my milk.
" Please don't drive fast, I'm begging you Raihannah, please don't, for your niece's sake" Raihanna drove like James Bond. " fine, I won't for my nieces sake, I'll drive carefully, but it's boring, driving a white Porsche isn't supposed to be boring" Yes. She owned a white Porsche she always loved bragging about. " You can be James Bond when I'm not in your car, let's go" I answered and she laughed a little as she turned on the engine and drove out of the garage.
Kuala Lumpur was the biggest city in Malaysia. It was also the National Capital of Malaysia. It was a very beautiful place, when we arrived here, Raihannah took me to see the Petronas Towers, we made sure we made our Friday prayers at Jamek Mosque and The National Mosque. I really felt like I knew all these surroundings. Deep down I knew that I was soon going to find my real family, I just had to remember their faces. What they looked like. My headaches were still on and off. One minute I remember something, the next minute it was gone, I got very angry anytime that happened, but I always managed to eventually get over it. I wanted to avoid any cases of me being depressed or having any mental disorders that I couldn't get rid of when it was too late, it was better I started early. I didn't want anyone to know about this, not Firdaus, Khalifa or anyone. I wanted me and my baby to be healthy. I didn't want my baby to have mental issues, but I knew I could do it on my own. I booked an appointment today with a Psychologist, apparently she was Farouk's mother. I really hoped and prayed that I was alright.
——————————Al-Muta'akhir Specialist hospital (11:00am)
" Masha Allah Miss Faryah, you and your baby are doing perfectly fine, this is quite impressive, you obeyed every rule to the last word, I wish I had more patients like you" Doctor Salamah complimented as I sat upright and processed what she said. " Thank you doctor Salamah, me and my baby are happy we obeyed you, and tell me who wont want their child to have the best" I said as I looked at the screen and tucked my shirt back in. " It looks like a girl" Raihannah said as she took a closer look at the scan. " why don't you want to know the baby's gender?" Doctor Salamah asked as I got down from the bed and tucked my shirt back in.
" cause it's not always a 100% accurate and I just don't want to know, anyone Allah gives us, I'll be happy" I answered as I got ready to leave. " Yeah you're right, so I'll see you next week?, Be careful okay?" Doctor Salamah said as we walked out of consulting room. " Yes we will be, Ma'assalam" I called. " Bis'salam" she answered as Raihanna closed the door. " So, that's that, let's go see Farouk" she squealed as she rushed towards the nearest elevator. I rolled my eyes and followed her to the elevator.
She knocked gently on the door that boldly read,
Head of Paediatrics.
Doctor Farouk Edwards.
" Assalamu Alaykum" She greeted as she made her voice sound softer, calmer and nicer and opened the door. I rolled my eyes again at her actions. She really didn't need to fake all that. " Wa'alaykumussalam, Raihannah!, what a pleasant surprise, it's nice to see you again" I heard a deep, nice masculine voice answer as she opened the door and walked in. I followed behind her slowly and my eyes took in the cute office. There were lots of toys around. Comfy bean bags, I really wanted to sit on one. The office was pretty large, it was painted blue and pink with lots of cartoon stickers around. His desk was right and the back of the office.
" This is my best friend Faryah, she came for a check up, she's expecting soon" Raihannah said nicely as I looked at the tall figure in-front of me. My heart sank and I really felt the urge of hugging him really tight. I had no idea why but I really wanted to. His dark eyes were just like mine, his brows were fuller. We had similar nose shapes, and our lips, exactly the same. I really did look like him. She wasn't crazy after all. " Nice to meet you Faryah" He greeted as he smiled softly at me and I smiled back. I really had this strong feeling that I knew him from somewhere. Could he be my twin brother?.
They had the same name and we looked alike so it was really possible that he was my twin brother. Farouk. Farouky.
" Farouky" I whispered slowly. " Excuse me?" He asked and I snapped out of my thoughts. " oh sorry, don't mind me, it's nice to meet you too, Raihannah talks about you almost every time, it's nice to finally see the famous Farouk" I said with a wide smile and I could see Raihannah blush from beside me. " she talks about me a lot huh?" He asked as he looked at Raihannah. They really could be more than what they are now. " well not really a lot, just most times" she said with a wide smile.
" she talks about you nonstop, the real reason she came to the hospital with me today was to see you" Heh. She was going to be angry now but I was 98% sure she was going to thank me later on. She sent me a stink eye as I heard Farouk laugh a bit. " Don't mind her please, are you busy?, I wanted to talk to you" Raihannah asked as we walked further into the office. " Sure I'm not busy, I'll always have time for you, do you two want anything?" I had an appointment. " Uhmm no I'm okay, I have to go meet someone downstairs now, I'll be back in an hour or two, Raihannah I'll be back" I said to them as I turned to leave. " oh okay then, we'll see you later?" Farouk asked. " Yes later, It's best if I give you two space also, Byee" I called. " okay, thanks girl, please don't forget me here" Raihannah said and I gave her a thumbs up and walked out of the office.
They could really make a cute couple. Even though they were of different races. I took the elevator and found my way to where I had my appointment.
Doctor Aleeyah Edwards
Head of Psychology.
This was where I had to be. I looked towards her door as I moved closer to where her secretary sat. " Assalamu Alaykum, I'm here for my appointment, miss Faryah Mustapha" I greeted as she gracefully smiled at me. " Wa'alaykumussalam, yes Doctor Aleeyah is waiting for you, you can go in" She answered. "Thank you" I said with a warm smile and walked to her door.
I knocked gently and a tall woman with nice skin in a black dress covered with a white lab coat opened the door for me. She was wearing a pink scarf and she held a pretty familiar smile. " Assalamu Alaykum Miss Faryah please come in" I've heard her voice before.
The voice kept on ringing in my head as images flashed round. I was beginning to feel dizzy as I walked in and sat on her couch. My head really hurt a lot. I couldn't bear the pain for long. Why was this happening now?.