AT THE HOSPITAL (10:34PM)
Haneefah’s POV
It was a cold, late night. Everyone was scattered around the reception, sitting quietly and waiting for the good news of a safe delivery. But it had been three hours of labor. As time dragged on, the pain intensified, and fear slowly settled into my heart. I kept asking myself if this was really how labor looked.
Her husband could not take it any longer. He forced himself into the labor room.
Jamil and Maryam sat patiently at the reception, waiting for the doctor. Zainab was left at the mansion to watch over the kids. Jamiu and his new wife were present too, but I barely noticed them.
I paced around the stairs, whispering duʿāʾ repeatedly, my eyes constantly searching for my husband, but he was nowhere to be found.
I moved downstairs to the family car and found Chief and his assistant already asleep. I paused there with a heavy heart, then turned to go back inside when I suddenly heard my husband’s voice. My heart felt relieved immediately.
Anas: Were you looking for me?
Haneefah: Well… yes…
Anas: Is the mother and child okay?
Haneefah: (moves closer to him) Still the same oo… is this how long it takes to deliver a baby?
Anas: I should be asking you (holds her hand as they walk back in)
Haneefah: I’m really scared oo… ahhh! It’s taking so long now…
Anas: Let’s just be positive, okay? (climbs the stairs slowly) And stay calm.
Haneefah: I just pray they are fine (joins them at the reception)
Anas: Let’s sit here (helps her get seated gently)
Haneefah: (forces a small smile) Thank you dear
Maryam: (watches them quietly, her eyes filled with concern)
The doctor finally comes out.
Anas: (first to notice him, rushing forward) Doctor! (moves closer urgently as everyone gathers) Doctor, please… how is she?
Doctor: (sighs deeply, exhaustion visible on his face)
Maryam: Please say something! (sights Junaid coming out of the labor room, weak and drained) Abu Nusaybah…
Haneefah: Doctor please tell us… what is going on?
Doctor: Well… uhmmm… the mother is fine and healthy…
Haneefah and Maryam: Alhamdulilah!
Jamiu and Rahmah: (move closer, listening carefully)
Anas: (studies the doctor’s face, then glances at Junaid) What of the baby?
Haneefah: (voice tense, eyes widening) Yes… baby nko?
Doctor: (stares at them silently, unable to speak immediately)
Jamiu: (rushes out, heading straight to the parking lot, scanning everywhere) Dad??!!!
Chief: (opens his eyes as his P.A opens the car door) What’s the news, son?
Jamiu: (panting heavily) We lost the baby… it’s a stillbirth.
Chief: (closes his eyes slowly, pain written all over his face) Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiʿun…
Jamiu: It’s really sad. She had been in labor for three hours and the baby still died? It reminds me of Zainab when she wanted to have our twins… it was a hell moment for her (pauses briefly, lost in thought, then stops talking) Uhmmm…
Chief: (sits upright immediately) Open the door for me… I want to see her, Aishah. What of her parents?
Jamiu: She’s the one without parents, but her sister is here.
Chief: (steps down slowly)
P.A: Careful sir…
Chief: (moves closer to Jamiu and lowers his voice) This is the most powerful thing God has given women, to bring life into the world, something no man can ever do. A woman carries your children, raises them, and still gets treated like trash for selfish desires. And the worst part is that she is still there. The moment she can no longer bear the pain, she will leave your life for good. Then you will know the real pain of being a single father. Taking a second wife isn’t the problem, but are you doing your duty well to your wives and children? I won’t say more than that. (walks away with his personal assistant)
Jamiu: (stands still, deeply affected, then speaks) Dad wait! (runs after him)
Chief: (enters the reception and finds his family mourning silently) Anas.
Anas: Sir (lets go of Haneefah, who is sobbing quietly)
Chief: So it’s true…
Anas: Yes dad… but the doctor said she is not aware of the news yet, and we must not break it to her now until she fully recovers.
Chief: (takes a deep breath) But how is that possible?
Anas: In fact… this is so sad, and my wife won’t stop crying because of her condition.
Chief: Alright then… just go to your wife. I will be the first to see Aishah. Take your wife home, she needs to rest as well.
Anas: Alright sir… P.A, careful please.
P.A: Got it sir.
Jamiu: (gets seated at the reception, shoulders slumped)
Rahmah: (sits close to him and rests on his chest, rubbing gently) Baby… this is really a sad news.
Jamiu: (stares into space, thinking of Zainab)
Anas: (moves close to his wife, holding her gently) C’mon baby, you will be fine. Nothing bad will happen to you, insha Allah.
Haneefah: (crying softly) Easy for you to say, because I have two heads abi? Wallahi women go through a lot oo. I’m so scared. Losing the baby is unbearable.
Anas: (soft tone, reassuring) I know… I know. (places his hand on her baby bump) What happened tonight has been written, and we must keep hoping for the best. Let’s stay positive. C’mon, let me take you home so you can get enough rest.
Maryam: (watches them quietly)
Haneefah: What about her? Who is going to tell her? What state will she be in when she finds out? Someone needs to be here for her.
Maryam: (interferes calmly) And you think the person is you?
Haneefah: Well… uhmmm…
Maryam: I will stay with her. You all should go home, it’s late already.
Jamiu: Are you sure you can?
Maryam: Yes now, was I not the one that stayed the last time?
Rahmah: If that’s the case then let’s go home baby. I’m exhausted and weak. I need to find something to eat first.
(All eyes turn to her immediately, filled with aggression)
Rahmah: (notices their reaction) What? Did I say anything wrong?
Maryam: (hisses) I will follow you guys home to get her flask and food. I will be outside.
Anas: Let’s go. (grabs Haneefah’s hand and leaves)
Rahmah: Baby, you see what she did now abi?
Jamiu: So you seriously just want to create a scene in this devastating moment? Of all days? (walks out)
Rahmah: (folds her arms)
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The next morning (4:40am)
Zainab wakes up early, determined to prepare something delicious for Aishat and her kids. The general kitchen is filled with work and quiet tension.
Zainab: (turning amala on fire) Hmmm… (suddenly realizes the rice is burning, drops the turning stick and hurriedly grabs a rag)
Haneefah: (yawning as she joins her) Ummu twins, why are you doing this all alone? You should have called me ma.
Zainab: I didn’t want to stress you jare. (turns off the gas stove and grabs the turning stick again)
Haneefah: (moves quickly to help, trying to take the turning stick) Let me continue ma.
Zainab: Don’t worry dear, please. Pity your condition now.
Haneefah: But I can’t watch you do all this alone.
Zainab: I know if Ummu Yusuf was here she would help, but she’s at the hospital with her. And I know you want to help, but I can’t let you.
Haneefah: Please, are you still mad at me? I’m sorry, but please let me help ma.
Zainab: Why are you apologizing? You never offended me. (drops the pot of amala and turns it well) You’re just worrying for no reason.
Haneefah: I want to help please. Please don’t push me away.
Zainab: (pauses, sighs deeply) Okay fine. Wash those dishes, then make rice stew. I’ll handle the swallow.
Haneefah: (bright smile, excited) Thank you so much ma. (moves happily to the sink)
Zainab: (smiles and shakes her head) Uhmmm… by the way, I’m sorry for how I treated you all this while. I didn’t mean it like that.
Haneefah: (shocked) Ma?
Zainab: I’m definitely not going to repeat myself oo.
Haneefah: (smiles brightly, blushing) Thank you ma.
Jamiu: Why is my throat dry like this? (yawning as he comes downstairs) What’s that smell? Is someone cooking by this time? (moves toward the freezer, pauses, turns around and sees them) Aha… as salam alaykum oooo.
Zainab: (turns toward the door, hisses, then resumes cooking)
Haneefah: Walaykum salam sir.
Jamiu: Ekushe oo hajia.
Haneefah: Thank you sir.
Jamiu: (notices his wife) Iya beji, ekushe oo.
Haneefah: (turns back to her work quietly)
Jamiu: Zainab, you are the one I’m greeting now.
Zainab: (uses her leg to shut the door loudly)
Jamiu: Ah ah ah!