*FAREED JARMA'S POV*
Hotel de Crillon,
France🇫🇷 🇫🇷🇫🇷
"Bro, I think someone is calling you on the phone," Louis announced as he entered the Gym room. Setting the barbell back into the bench rack, I sat down, wiping the sweat off with a towel after hours of intense workout to distract my mind. Grabbing a bottle of water from the freezer, I gulped it down before pairing my AirPods to my phone and answering the call from Khalil.
"Rjay, I hate to say this, but you are a genius!" He exclaimed the moment I answered the call.
"I know I am a genius, but may I ask why?" I responded with a chuckle.
"That girl, what's her name? Meenah's friend, Aysha—yeah, Aysha Bashir, released a video online explaining what happened that night at the birthday party. She spoke of how it was all her fault, not Meenah's, so people need to stop blaming Meenah and It worked wonders; now people are sympathizing with Meenah, not pointing fingers as they did before." He explained.
"Yeah, I personally called Aysha and she detailed everything that happened to them that night. I instructed her to make that video so the public would grasp that Meenah wasn't partially at fault. It's time for everyone to cease falsely accusing her and hurling dirty names her way," I replied. Instead of words, I heard sniffs from his side, or perhaps my mind was playing tricks on me. "Are you sick or something?" I asked with wrinkled brows.
"I'm not; I'm just emotional because your love is something I've never seen before, but you both are too stubborn to accept your mistakes and get back together," he said in a mocking voice. My hand instinctively met my face in frustration; Khalil could be such a fool.
"You are sick, Khalil," I pointed out. Just then, another call came through, and I paused to check who it was. The caller ID revealed it was none other than Billy, Meenah's best friend. Puzzled about why she was calling, I promptly hung up on Khalil and answered her call
"Assalamu'alaikum, Rjay," she said.
"Wa'alaikum assalam, Billy. How are you doing?" I asked.
"Alhamdulillah. Uhm, I called on behalf of Meenah," she began, her tone sounding serious.
"If you want to plead on her behalf, please, you don't have to—" I attempted to interject, but she cut me off.
"Meenah has been admitted to a hospital," she announced, dropping the news like a heavy bombshell, leaving me momentarily breathless as I tried to process her words.
When I finally gathered myself, I asked worriedly, "Why? What happened?"
"Well, it's nothing very serious. The doctor said it's because she's been worried, dehydrated due to lack of eating and she's showing signs of depression," she explained. I sighed, running my hand through my hair; I'm responsible for this. "I just thought to inform you about her condition because I know, no matter what, she still matters to you, and you care for her a lot. Fareed, I really hope you can see how much Meenah loves you and is really heartbroken right now," she added, her voice carrying genuine concern.
"Thanks for informing me, Billy,"
"You are welcome, bye," she said, ending the call. I returned to my conversation with Khalil, narrating everything that she had said.
"Subhanallah! That's bad. May Allah grant her quick shifa," he prayed, and I muttered an Ameen before he continued, "Guy, please na beg I dey beg, try forgive this girl. She has paid for her mistakes already. Ameena is one of a kind. You'll never find someone as good as her. Look at me for example, I still haven't found the woman for me and it's all because they are the same, after my money. But you got the blessing, Meenah loves you, and you are allowing her to slip away."
"Khalil, you've never been this right. Meenah means everything to me. I love her so, so much, and In shaa Allah I'll fix things between us. My life has been upside down since we broke up, and I really need her back. But do you think she will forgive me?" I asked, genuine worry lacing my words.
"Forgive you for what?" he asked.
"For leaving her. For almost giving up on us," I sighed yet again.
"Come on, dude. Of course, she'll forgive you. She loves you a lot, so you still doubt that?" he responded, and I shook my head even though he couldn't see me.
"Khalil, I need you to do me a favor, please," I requested.
"What?"
"Find out which hospital she is, and when she's better, I have a job for you."
"How much are you gonna pay?" he asked jokingly.
"Any amount, as long as Meenah will be happy," I replied, with a smile on my face. What this woman does to me..
"Werey lover boy," He teased, while I rolled my eyes.
"When are you returning from France?" he inquired.
"As soon as we are done here. If I could, I would fly back to Nigeria right now, but then we still have a meeting with the sports minister, so I can't right now."
"Don't worry, finish off there, I'll take care of everything here," he assured.
"Please do, Khalil. I hope my queen gets better soon."
"You are a goner," he laughed.
"And I'm very proud of it," I declared, my pride in Meenah's love evident in my words.
"Anyhow sha. I should leave you to return back to training."
"Alright, safe."
"Safe bro." With that, we ended the call.
NIGERIA🇳🇬
Meenah's point of view..
"How are you feeling now?" Billy asked, concern etched on her face as she handed me a glass of water. I couldn't believe that I fell unconscious until I opened my eyes a while ago, finding myself in a hospital room with a drip placed on my hand and a monitoring machine tracking my heartbeat. The doctor assured me it was just dehydration, nothing serious. My family have been so worried until the doctor assured them that it was just dehydration, nothing serious, and now they stepped out, leaving me in the care of Billy.
"I'm good, Alhamdulillah," I responded, "So, when you spoke to Fareed, what did he say and what was his reaction?" I asked eagerly, as she took a seat beside me.
She smiled, shaking her head at my curiosity, and began, "Meenah, you won't be the end of me. Okay, so I called and explained to him that you've been admitted because you are dehydrated, and you are showing signs of depression," she shared the last part in a whisper, giving me a nervous glance.
I gasped lightly, my hand smacking her lap, "Depression, Billy? Really?"
"I wanted him to be so freaked out and worried," she confessed, and I couldn't help but laugh, face palming myself at her attempt to stir emotions.
"You are really crazy Billy, but then did he say if he was going to come see me?" I asked, hoping to hear that he would come see me.
"He didn't say so, but I'm sure he'll come of course, because if only you would hear how worried he was through the phone. I felt pity for even lying about it," she said with a pout.
I leaned back on the pillow, a smile playing on my face. I know he will come see me; I'm sure of it.
Suddenly, there was a soft knock at the door before a nurse walked in. "You have a visitor," she announced with a smile.
"Who is it?" I asked, returning the smile, and glanced at Billy. We both held excited looks. Was he here already?
But it was the one person I never expected to see anytime soon. She walked in with a smile on her face, and I blinked my eyes severally to be sure I wasn't hallucinating or something. It was really her—my mother, Zainab.
"Mama?" I called, my eyes widening in surprise.
"Ameena," she responded, a smile radiating her face as she approached us by the bed. The nurse made her way out, and Billy greeted my mother before quickly excusing herself to give us privacy. I sat there, still trying to figure out if it was really her I was seeing after three whole years of being apart. "Why do you look surprised to see me?" she asked, taking a seat on the chair that Billy had occupied.
I didn't reply; instead, I abruptly leaned over and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her by surprise. She hugged me back, and in that silent exchange no words were needed. When we pulled apart, she placed a kiss on my forehead and cupped my cheeks in her hand.
"Mama, thank you so much for coming. I really needed you here at this time," I said, my emotions building up.
"Don't thank me for anything, my baby. It's my responsibility to be here with you at this tough time," she responded, and I nodded, the smile still plastered on my face. I was genuinely happy to see her after three years. She looked really happy and glowing; I'm very sure my stepdad must be looking after her so well.
"How's your fiancé?" she asked curiously, referring to Fareed. I knew she was curious to know our current state together.
I shrugged, "He's fine, I guess. He hasn't come to see me since I got admitted to the hospital," I admitted, a pout forming as I looked down at to my hand.
A light chuckle escaped her, "Meenah, you got admitted just a few hours ago. Where are you rushing to? I'm sure he'll come pay you a visit."
"I don't think he loves me anymore, Mama." I confessed, even though it hurt a lot.
"And who said so? Do you really think love disappears just like that?" she inquired, her eyes studying me as if observing my emotions. Tenderly she placed her hands on mine, and continued "Look, my darling, love is a journey, and within that journey, there is pain which lingers. But despite the wounds, forgiveness finds its way and heals you. Ameena, you've both built a unique love story with him; don't throw it away just like that; it's one of a kind."
"Mama, I've never loved any man as I have loved Fareed, but I'm human too and I get tired. But if by any chance, one day he forgives me and chooses to return, I hope it won't be too late for us."
She sighed, taking a paused, "I know I haven't been the best mother lately, but I promise that everything will change now; I'll make it up to you," she assured, with a small smile.
"How?" I asked, my brows furrowing with curiosity.
"Just watch," she said, a reassuring smile gracing her face.
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Who wants a double update?🤭🌚
I know I do!😌