When Kamal said he got her, Amal knew without a shadow of doubt that he did. That night she had cried out her sadness and her frustration and Kamal was there: holding, caressing and consoling her. Afterwards Kamal had taken her to cloud nine: a place where only love, happiness and peace reigns: a place where worries and sorrow were alien.
Kamal's alarm beeped at 2:00am for prayers, he stretched and searched for his in the bed to wake her up but Amal wasn't in bed. Kamal frowned a bit, where was his wife? He thought as he got out of the bed. He checked the bathroom but she wasn't there, he resolved to extended his search to the sitting room and as soon as went out of the bedroom, he heard her voice: she was in the kitchen, cooking and singing, at 2:00am.
Kamal smiled to himself, it has a been a while since he heard his wife singing like that. Amal's singing, most of the time was so vexing to him especially when he was sleeping but right then, hearing her sing like that was paradise to his ears. He smiled again and made his way to the kitchen.
Kamal stood by the kitchen door, his arms rested on his chest, he watched for a moment with adoration, his wife working and singing nonchalantly.
"Looks like someone had a goodnight, singing at 2:00am" he teased and Amal turned from the working table to see him.
"Oh my God! I didn't wake you, did I?" Amal giggled as she took a towel and wiped out her hands. She hurried to Kamal.
"With this voice, you can wake the whole city" he said as picked her up.
"Oh I'm sorry" she apologized with a kiss
"Don't be, you didn't wake me up. The alarm did" Kamal said fondling her ear
"It's 2:00am Amal, people are trying to get up for tarawih prayers and you, my wife are singing"
Amal jaw dropped, she gave him a hard eye. Kamal sure knows how to spoil a good moment, how dare him criticize her singing.
"I love your voice though" Kamal added, he wasted no time in perceiving trouble.
"Let me down" Amal said trying to free herself from Kamal, he held on and when she struggled, he let her free. She eyed him again, fiercely and went back to her cooking, she began chopping mercilessly on some vegetables.
"Ahhh" Kamal sighed heavily, he followed her. He leaned on the island table, a safe distance from Amal.
"You know I didn't mean it the way you thought I did" he started.
Amal turned, the knife she was chopping the vegetables still in her hand.
"You didn't?" She asked pointing the knife at Kamal, he recoiled into himself. His back was at the table, there was no where to run, he was trapped.
"Do you know how boring it is to cook without singing?" Amal continued, still pointing the knife at him "No, Kamal you wouldn't know. How would you? You never cook anything in this house"
"Ok" Kamal mumbled "we shouldn't play with knives"
"Who said i'm playing" Amal enquired
"Sorry and I swear I love your voice" Kamal apologized and Amal smiled, she put away the knife.
"Thank you" she acknowledged and she kissed Kamal lightly on his lips. She resumed chopping.
Kamal walked to the door before he dared say another word
"Ah Amal, you are a mean little woman"
"Am I now, Kamal?" Amal purred lovingly "I love you too"
Kamal swallowed hard, even from the distance between them, Amal knew exactly how to stir on his switch. He made a face between a pout and a scowl.
"I'm going to shower, you want to join?" He invited and Amal made a thinking gesture.
"No" she answered "I will finish up with the cooking"
"You know you want to" Kamal cajoled and Amal grimaced. Of course she wanted to shower with Kamal, she loved showering with him and he knows it but right now she had to make a decision. It was already after 2:00am, she was yet to be done with the cooking and there was prayers to be performed. No, she can't afford one of Kamal's long showers right now, time wasn't on her side and also she had hers an hour ago.
"No Kamal, you go ahead" she said reluctantly
"Are you sure?" He pressed and Amal gave him a cold look.
"Ok, fine" Kamal relented and went out of the kitchen. Amal tried not to look at him as he walked away least she forgot what she was supposed to do right then and embark on what she wasn't supposed to do.
They prayed tarawih together then they ate for sahoor together and this day wasn't like the past few days where it was gloomy and they ate in silence. This day was all merry like the days before the sad news. Oh! How much both of them had missed being together like that: being silly together. Amal had almost forgotten about her ailment, and Kamal? Kamal was just happy his wife was herself again, even if it was just for that moment alone: he was glad that Amal was honoring him and their house with the sound of her laughter.
* * *
Ramadan had ended, Amal was in no mood for Eid celebrations anymore but Kamal wouldn't have it. His wife had talked and prepared for Eid since Ramadan started, He wasn't about to sit back and watch as what was going on prevent Amal from celebrating the Eid which she so much loved.
Amal was not having any feelings for celebration but her husband had insisted. If left to her, she would have preferred to be in bed all day eating or sleeping.
However, with Kamal's persuasions and help, Amal hosted a walima for friends and family on Eid day: and at the end of the busy day, sitting tiredly on the sofa with her husband, Amal was nothing short of happy and grateful. She was glad that Kamal had not let her ditch Eid celebrations, she was thankful for him and to him.
As she was happy, still she can't help but worry about the next day. Tomorrow she and Kamal were going to her parents house, tomorrow they would tell her parents about her relapse. Amal had begged Kamal for him to go alone, to inform her parents but Kamal had flatly refused. There was no way on earth he was doing that. Amal would have to come along.
She wanted to be angry at him but Amal knew Kamal was right: she was the one to tell her parents, and no matter how much Kamal told her it was going to be alright, Amal was worried, too worried.
On the second day of Eid, Amal sat on her dresser putting on her makeup slowly but carefully. She wore a brown lace material sown into a fitted peplum blouse and a straight skirt. Kamal was already dressed in a brown kaftan, a zanna bukar cap adorned the crown of his head, on his wrist was a Rado watch and on his feet he wore a pair of Maserati shoes.
Kamal sat and watched as he waited for her to finish with her dress up. He glanced at his watch and it was almost 5:00. He tried not to look impatient but Amal have sensed that already: still she kept dragging on, she was in no hurry.
Amal was finished dressing up, her mind was pacing back and front. She dazed at Kamal.
"Kamal" she called
"Yes Love, are you ready?" Kamal asked
"No i'm not, can we postpone this. Please Kamal" she pleaded with him, her eyes were already pregnant with tears. Kamal hurried to her, he knelt by the dressing stool which she sat on. He took her hand in his.
"Oh my Love" He said as he played with her fingers "you look so beautiful, are you sure you want to spoil your makeup with tears?"
Amal shook her head, indicating no. Kamal was right, she definitely don't want to spoil her makeup. She raised up her eyes in an attempt to suck back her tears.
She almost did a good job with taking back the tears save for one stubborn tear that found its way down her cheek.
"Oh oh!" She exclaimed "my makeup"
"Wait, let me get it for you. I will be careful, I promise." Kamal said, he took out a tissue paper and carefully, he wiped away the tear from Amal's face.
Amal looked at the mirror, she turned to Kamal smiled.
"Thanks" she expressed her gratitude and Kamal nodded.
"Are we good to go now?" He asked and when Amal hesitated he continued "hey, I'm going to be there. It's going to be fine"
"Yeah" Amal stated. Everything was going to be fine, she hoped.
"I love you" Kamal said
"I love you" Amal replied.
* * *
When she told them about her relapse: Abba had closed his eyes and kept beseeching God's intervention. Umma had burst into tears, the twins had hugged her and cried, Maryam had stood, frozen at first then she had ran into the room and started crying. Kamal maintained his position, head low: watching silently with pity as his wife and her family pour out their hearts.
It had been ages before Abba finally addressed Kamal. They were the only ones not crying, they might as well talk about the situation.
"What did the doctor say?" Abba asked Kamal.
With his head still ducked Kamal spoke
"She said Amal will be admitted, she'll need surgery. We will be back at the hospital on Monday InshaAllah, we will have the details then, Amal will probably admitted then"
"I think Amal should come stay here till she's better" Umma suggested in her tears even before Abba could speak and both Kamal and Amal raised their eyes to look at her.
What? Kamal thought, Amal to go stay at her parents house? This is not happening, but what can he do if her parents insist. Oh God, he prayed: he can't live alone without his Amal, it will be hell without her. He began to sweat.
No, no, no, Amal thought. What was Umma saying? Tab! There was no way she was leaving Kamal alone to come stay in their house.
"A'a, Hajiya" Abba's voice called, interrupting their thoughts "we can't make such decisions for them" he said.
Umma wiped away her tears with the edge of her wrapper.
"But Abba..." she started and Abba cut her mid sentence.
"You and you" he pointed at the twins "go to your room, I will talk with your mother and those two" he said and the twins reluctantly let go of Amal, they stood sullenly and walked to their room.
"Amal" Abba called her name.
"Na'am Abba" she answered
"Come, sit here" he said, pointing to a place close to Kamal. Amal stood obediently and went to sit beside her husband.
"Do you want your wife to come stay here until she is better? Abba asked Kamal but instead of answering the question, Kamal raised his eyes to glance at Umma.
Umma did not miss Kamal's pleading glance, she smiled.
"Kamal" she said "do you want Amal to stay in your house?"
Kamal nodded slowly and Abba smiled too.
"Good" Abba uttered "what about you Amal, do you want to stay here or at your husband's house?"
Amal stared down at fingers, she didn't know what to say. How would she tell her parents she prefer to stay at her husband's rather than stay at their house, without sounding somehow stupid.
"Amal?" Abba's voice rang in her ears, she raised her eyes cautiously to look at him, then at Umma.
"Abba, Umma, I would want to come stay here but, but Umma please..." She started to cry "Please let me stay with Kamal, please Umma. Kamal will take care of me, not like you always do but he will try. Won't you Kamal?" She babbled as she turned and looked at Kamal. Kamal nodded.
"I will take care of her, I promise" Kamal said looking at both Umma and Abba.
"MashaAllah" Abba praised the Lord and Umma despite the circumstance couldn't help but laugh silently. Children of this day, she thought to herself.
"It's ok, wipe your tears now Amal, no one will force you to leave your husband's house" Abba joked and Umma laughed with him. "We will pray for you from here like we always do, and we will come see you all the time. You are a strong girl and you will beat this too InshaAllah" Abba preached and Umma nodded.
"Kamal please do update us on everything" Umma requested.
"InshaAllah Umma" Kamal confirmed "Thank you very much Umma, I appreciate everything Abba, thank you" he added.
Amal's parents were not in the least disappointed at Amal's decision to stay at her husband's house, if anything: they were happy, happy that their daughter had found a husband who was making her so happy that she wouldn't want to leave him to come stay at her parents house. Even with the news of their dear Amal's relapse, her parents were happy for they knew that their daughter was happy and she was in good hands.
That night Kamal laid on the bed and watched as Amal came and go around the room, getting ready for bed. Amal never ceased to amaze him and everyday, without even trying, she makes him fall in love with her all over again.
"Now seriously Kamal, stop starting at me like that. You're making me uncomfortable" Amal complained, Kamal had been excessively staring at her and his eyes were like fire on her skin.
"Haha" Kamal laughed "and you were the one crying you want to stay with me" he teased.
"Haaa" Amal exasperated, I knew you will bring that up. Really Kamal, nothing get pass with you?" She asked as she came to kneel on the ground by the bed, she looked at Kamal in the eye "ok Kamal, that, never happened. Bring it up again and I swear, Kamal I will end you" she threatened.
Kamal smiled, his kind of smile then he said
"I love you for standing up for us, I wouldn't know what to do without you in this house"
Amal blushed and made to leave his side, even she can't believe how she pull that off. Kamal held her arm, he pulled her to him.
"We will be fine, you are going to be alright Love" Kamal assured her and she kissed him.
"Aha!" Kamal pitched "now who would kiss me if you go stay with your parents"
Amal laughed heartily
"Yeah? And who will do this?" She asked "and this...and this" she continued as she worked slowly on him. Kamal was silenced by pleasure, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
* * *
Dr Salma was impressed when Kamal and Amal appeared at her office. Amal seemed almost fine except for the little apprehension that was hard to miss. The doctor was glad she gave Amal the time she requested to process her situation even though it wasn't really the best option.
"How are you, Amal" Dr Salma asked
"I'm ok, aunty" Amal returned with a smile and the Dr smiled too.
"Any complains?"
"No, I feel fine. Just a bit tired sometimes"
"Ok, that's good. When are you coming in for admission, we need to start on chemotherapy as soon as possible"
"Tomorrow InshaAllah" Kamal answered and Amal nodded in agreement.
"Ok," Dr Salma said "You know you'll feel sick once we start on the chemotherapy right?"
"Yes Aunty, I remember" Amal said, a shiver running through her spine at the thought of that.
"I'm going to make sure to give you medicine to manage the pain and make you comfortable"
"Ok"
"And about the surgery, it will be scheduled two weeks after the commencement of the chemotherapy. The remaining of your left breast tissue will be removed"
Amal felt faint, she tried to breath. Her eyes started to brew tears. She had been strong till then, she had promised herself not to cry and now her tears were giving away. Kamal search for her hand and held it tightly in his.
"The whole left breast, Aunty?" Kamal asked
"Yes, we can't do any conservative Surgery, the risk is too high. The more tissue we remove, the better: in this case, all the left breast" She explained "there is always a breast reconstruction option if you want" She added, removing a leaflet on breast reconstruction from her drawer, she handed it out and Kamal collected it.
"How long is she going to be on admission" Kamal enquired.
"A month at least, two weeks before the surgery and two weeks after the surgery"
Dr Salma answered and Kamal nodded.
"So are we ready to do this?" She asked addressing both Amal and Kamal.
Amal looked besides her, at Kamal then they answered in unison
"Yes, we are".
P.S 💜
Salaam alaikum
Dearly beloved readers 😘💜
So here we are again, how is Untill My Last Breath so far. I need feedbacks really. Drop yours in the comment session, yeah all of you including the ghost readers 😁 I need some reviews.
Till next Friday InshaAllah
May the ink of my pen continue to grace your pages😘💜
-SophisticatedDoc💋