AT AT THE HOSPITAL (7:20 A.M.)
Aishat: (gains consciousness, her eyes still closed. Pain is the first thing that welcomes her back to life. She groans softly as she hears whispers around her) Hmmmm… hmmm… (groaning, then forces her eyes open)
Maryam: (stands abruptly) She’s awake!! Doctor!!
Junaid: (moves closer, grabs her hand) Baby… welcome back.
Aishat: (groaning in pain) Hmmmm… hnmmnn…
Maryam: Doctor!!
Junaid: Sorry, dear… how do you feel?
Aishat: (tears stream down her dry face as the pain intensifies)
Junaid: (realizes her state, turns to rush out to call the doctor, then bumps into him) Please come! She’s in pain!
Doctor: Welcome back, strong woman. (smiles as he moves closer, wears his stethoscope and checks the drip) Please excuse us while we attend to her.
Nurse: Yes, please.
Junaid: Can’t we stay? I mean… she needs us too.
Aishat: (groaning)
Maryam: I think it’s best we leave. Let’s go, sir. (leads the way out)
Junaid: (follows her, turning back sadly to watch Aishat in pain)
They move to the reception and find many people around.
Junaid: (finds a place to sit, lost in thought) I made a huge mistake… just one day of sin, and I lost my son for it. How will she ever forgive me? And no one knows the reason behind her pain. I messed up badly. (sobs silently)
Anas: (moves closer and taps him) Hey… brother.
Junaid: (startled, quickly wipes his tears) Uh… oh, sorry…
Anas: How is she? Is she awake?
Junaid: Oh, yes… she is. The doctor is with her at the moment. I just… uhmm… (rubs his face)
Anas: (concerned) Brother… are you alright?
Junaid: How on earth am I supposed to be alright? I lost my son. My wife is in pain… this is all my fault.
Anas: Never blame yourself for this. (touches his shoulder) I’m so sorry for what your family is going through, and I’m sorry for your loss. Allah will give you a better one, in shaa Allah. Just be strong for your wife. She needs you...especially now that she hasn’t found out the whole truth.
Nurse: (approaches them) Uhmm… Mr. Junaid?
Junaid: Yes!!!
Anas: (alert) What happened?
Nurse: Your wife needs you right now. You need to follow me. She’s asking for her baby.
Junaid: (panting heavily) What happened? (follows her)
Anas: Can I come too?
Nurse: No. We don’t need a crowd.
Anas: (watches them disappear from his sight) Yaa Allah… (checks his watch) I guess my client has to wait. (finds a place to sit)
Aishat: (weakly) I said I want to see my baby. Why is everyone giving excuses? Ummu Yusuf… where is my baby?
Maryam: Please, take it easy. Your baby is fine. Just focus on getting better.
Aishat: (roars weakly) Don’t tell me that! (grabs Maryam’s dress) I was cut open for the first time in my life just to bring my child into this world… so please...(tears stream down her face)...bring me my baby. Please. And where is Junaid? Where is he? Where is my husband??
Maryam: (getting emotional, sits on the bed) Please, Aishat… please… take it easy. Please.
Junaid: (bursts in) Baby… baby… are you okay?
Maryam: (grabs him tightly, voice breaking) Bring me my baby… or you kill me. (hands shaking)
Junaid: (gently embraces her on the bed) I’m so sorry… for everything, my love. This is all my fault…
Maryam: (wipes her tears and steps back, giving them space)
Aishat: (eyes widen in shock as she stares at Maryam)
----------
Two weeks later. On the road
Haneefah: (holding the car seat tightly, wincing slightly) Baby slow down please, those potholes are making me sick.
Anas: (sighs softly and slows down) Okay.
Haneefah: (relieved) Thank you. So baby, do you know what I’ve been craving lately?
Anas: Baby not now please. Whatever it is, type it to me and I’ll get it on my way back home. It’s too early for cravings, please.
Haneefah: (pouts slightly) But that’s what the baby wants, not me.
Anas: (sighs deeply) Haneefah. (glances at her briefly)
Haneefah: (looks away sadly, eyes moist, murmuring) I don’t even know if you love me anymore.
Anas: Oh come on. It’s Tuesday morning now, ehn? These hormones are getting out of hand honestly.
Haneefah: (turns sharply) Then why are you yelling at me?
Anas: Wait what? I wasn’t yelling, I was just saying…
Haneefah: (folds her arms and stares out the window) It’s fine.
Anas: (softens, rubs her baby bump gently) Look, I’m sorry. It’s just that… I’m sorry okay?
Haneefah: (pushes his hand away quietly)
Anas: Okay. What are you craving?
Haneefah: (voice trembling slightly) You know sometimes I feel like you take me for granted. Lucky for you my pregnancy journey is a good one, no sickness, no spitting. You wouldn’t even know I’m pregnant. But I can’t even crave for things in peace?
Anas: (exhales slowly) I’m sorry. I’m sorry. What do you want?
Haneefah: (shrugs) Never mind.
Anas: (tries to remain calm) Okay.
Haneefah: (glances at him angrily, then looks away, whispering to herself) I will sort myself out.
Anas: That reminds me, I heard Ummu Nusaybah will be discharged today?
Haneefah: Yes.
Anas: Alright then.
Haneefah: (suddenly gasps) That reminds me. There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you and I know you are going to love it.
Anas: Alright then, let’s hear it.
Haneefah: (adjusts her seat, turns fully to him) I’ve been thinking about this idea for a while now. You know the family has been through a lot in the past seven months of my presence in that house. Couple palava, new wife, chief’s health issues and all. We’ve all gone through rough phases lately. I was thinking if we could go on a picnic, all of us. The four sons and their wives and chief. Just the nine of us.
Anas: (raises his brows slightly) Ten actually.
Haneefah: (confused) Who is that?
Anas: (raises his eyebrows knowingly)
Haneefah: (sighs) Yeah, with Rahmah as well. So what do you think?
Anas: (hesitates) Uh… I don’t know.
Haneefah: (leans closer, voice gentle) Baby think about it. The entire family coming together, having a great time, filled with laughter and memories to be made. Most of all, this will mean the world to your dad and you know it.
Anas: (takes a deep breath, nods slowly) Yeah, that’s true. (parks the car in front of her shop) We’re here.
Haneefah: (unbuckles her seatbelt but pauses) Before I get down, please say yes to this.
Anas: I don’t know. It’s a great idea, but I’m having mixed feelings and I’m not sure they’ll turn up.
Haneefah: (brings out her phone confidently) Let’s find out then.
Anas: (glances at her) What do you want to do?
Haneefah: Alhamdulillah we have a group chat. (types quickly) And sent. Let’s see how many turn up by evening.
Anas: (shakes his head lightly) Despite your condition, you still have time for trouble. Please go to your shop.
Haneefah: (smiles knowingly) I know it will work out. I will prove you wrong.
Anas: (admiring her quietly) Okay then.
Haneefah: (leans closer, stretching her lips playfully) I’m waiting.
Anas: (chuckles, leans in briefly) Take care baby, don’t stress.
Haneefah: (opens the door, pauses) So you’re seriously not going to attend to my cravings?
Anas: Please get down, I’m running late.
Haneefah: (steps down sadly and slams the door) Honestly you don’t love me.
Anas: (calls out) Watch your khimar please. By the way baby… baby!
Haneefah: (turns back) What?
Anas: (lowers his voice, smiling) I love you.
Haneefah: (hisses softly and walks away)
Anas: (shakes his head, starts the car) Women and problems are five and six.
Haneefah: (phone vibrates, she checks WhatsApp, gasps excitedly) Hmmm… yes! I knew they would love the idea.