Fatimah story side
Fatimah’s parents were also seated in the hospital reception, waiting for the doctor. But next to them, another family was in chaos, crying and praying over Khadijah’s situation. The atmosphere was heavy, tense, and confusing, like sorrow was sharing the same air.
After a while, the doctor finally came to attend to Fatimah’s parents.
Dad: Doctor, how is my daughter?
Mom: Please tell us, how is she?
Doctor: We ran the necessary tests and the result came out positive. Your daughter is eight weeks pregnant.
Both: What?!
(The words hit them like a shockwave.)
Doctor: Yes. She will be discharged tomorrow, but for now she must remain under observation. There are concerns she may have hit her stomach before coming in, so we need to monitor her and the baby closely.
Mom: Doctor… are you sure? You must be mistaken. We are talking about Fatimah, our daughter.
Doctor: Yes madam. We are very sure.
(He adjusts his file calmly.)
Doctor: If you will excuse me, I have other patients to attend to.
(He walks away.)
A heavy silence falls between them.
Dad: So we live in the same house and you don’t know what is happening to your own daughter?
Mom: I didn’t know… she was fine.
Dad: When last did she see her period?
Mom: She doesn’t tell me such things.
Dad: What kind of mother doesn’t know that about her own child?
Mom: It is because she barely prays…
Dad: And you are saying it like it is normal? You failed to train your own daughter. I was even planning to pay for her NECO and this is what she brings to me? Shame!
(He shakes his head in anger.)
Dad: Let’s go.
They stand up and walk into Fatimah’s ward.
Fatimah is lying on the bed, looking confused and weak.
Fatimah: Mom… Dad… how did I get here?
Dad: The doctor said you are pregnant.
Fatimah: (eyes widening) What?
Mom: Yes! After all my warnings, you still went behind us to a man’s house. After everything we suffered for you, you still disgraced us like this?
(She suddenly moves closer and hits her in anger.)
Fatimah: (crying) Mommy please…
Dad: Who is responsible?
Fatimah: (shaking) I… I don’t know…
Dad: What do you mean you don’t know? Are you saying different men slept with you?
Fatimah: No daddy! I swear it’s not like that!
Mom: Then who is it? Speak now or I will ruin your life!
Dad: Tell me the truth or you are finished!
(The room becomes silent as other patients begin to stare. Even Khadijah on the next bed hears the tension but cannot speak.)
Stranger: Please lower your voices. This is a hospital.
Mom: Sorry…
Stranger: What has happened has happened. Focus on solution, not shouting.
Dad: You are right.
(He turns back to Fatimah.)
Dad: We will deal with this at home.
(They walk out.)
Fatimah: (crying softly) Aghh… temitibami… what have I done…
Mom: (gritting her teeth) I feel like strangling you right now. Look at the shame you have brought to us. Who is the father?
Fatimah: (weak voice) It’s… it’s…
Mom: It’s who?!
Fatimah: Abdulateef.
Mom: Who is Abdulateef?
Fatimah: My… my ex boyfriend…
Mom: You had a boyfriend?! Fatimah you have finished me! Where does he live?
Fatimah: You want to go there?
Mom: Do you think I want to go and greet him? Tell me his address!
Fatimah: His house is near Lateefah’s house… brown gate, brown roof… not far from the bakery.
Mom: I know it. I am going there now. How many times did he sleep with you?
Fatimah: Just once.
Mom: Just once and you are pregnant? Was he the first?
Fatimah: Yes…
Mom: (shaking her head) I don’t even believe you. I will be back.
(She storms out.)
Fatimah’s mother later explains everything to her husband and they both decide to go to Abdulateef’s house immediately.
They arrive and knock hard on the gate.
Abdulateef’s sister: Who is there?
Dad: Open this gate!
(The gate opens.)
Abdulateef’s sister: Good afternoon, how can I help you?
Dad: So he lives here…
Abdulateef’s sister: Who are you talking about?
Mom: Are you not Abdulateef’s sister?
Sister: Yes I am.
Dad: Where are your parents?
Sister: They are inside. Please come in.
They are led into the house. His parents are sitting in the living room watching television.
Sister: Dad, Mom… you have visitors.
Father: Visitors? I am not expecting anyone.
Mother: Me neither. Let them come in.
Dad: As salaam alaykum.
Father: Wa alaykum salam warahmatullah. Good afternoon. Please sit.
(They sit, tension already filling the room.)
Dad: We are Fatimah’s parents.
Mother: Fatimah… which Fatimah?
Mom: Your son Abdulateef dated our daughter. To make it short… he has impregnated her. She is in the hospital.
Father: Subhanallah… my son?
Mother: I know her. I have seen her with him before. But pregnant?
Mom: Yes.
Mother: Basirah, call your brother.
Basirah: He is at work.
Mother: Call him now. Tell him to come home immediately.
Basirah: Okay ma.
Twenty minutes later, Abdulateef arrives.
Abdulateef: Good afternoon sir, good afternoon ma.
Father: Sit down.
(He sits, nervous.)
Father: These are Fatimah’s parents. They say you are responsible for their daughter’s pregnancy.
Abdulateef: What? She is pregnant?
(He lowers his head.)
Mother: So it is true. When did this happen?
Abdulateef: I… I can explain.
Father: Are you sure the baby is yours?
Abdulateef: Yes… it is mine.
Mom: She is eight weeks pregnant.
Abdulateef: (voice shaking) I am responsible sir. I made a terrible mistake. I swear I love your daughter, but temptation came my way. I thought she was not a virgin… I kept trying but she always refused me. I became confused… and I forced myself on her.
(The room erupts in shock.)
Everyone: What?!
Abdulateef: I regret it every day. I took her innocence without her consent. I have been living in regret since that day. Please forgive me.
Dad: (explodes) You bastard! You raped my daughter!
(He grabs his neck in anger as everyone rushes to separate them.)
Abdulateef: (coughing) Please sir… I am sorry…
Father: (slaps him hard) You destroyed an innocent girl!
Mother: (crying) This is my fault… I failed her…
Dad: Your fault?
Mother: I never listened to her. I never gave her attention. Now she is suffering alone…
Abdulateef: Please… where is Fatimah? I need to see her…
Mom: She is in the hospital. The doctor said she hit her stomach and her baby is in danger.
(Abdulateef’s face changes immediately.)
Abdulateef: Please… take me there… I need to see her.
Abdulateef’s mother pulls her husband aside.
Mother: I have never seen him like this before. We must support him… and the child.
Father: You are right.
They turn back.
Father: Everyone, let’s go to the hospital.
Basirah: I will bring the car keys.
(They all head out together, rushing toward the hospital.)
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