26. 𝑨𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒉𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒉, 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒉𝒐𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝑯𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒉?

As I sat in the doctor's office next to Hassan, the anticipation was almost suffocating. My mind was a whirlwind of worry, my heart pounding with every passing second. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had been lingering ever since we arrived here. I was feeling okay until the nurses took me to a room and took some blood tests and I started getting nervous.

Now hassan and I are sitting in the doctor's office waiting for her to come with the test results.

Beside me, Hassan sat silently, his hand a comforting presence as he intertwined his fingers with mine. His eyes reflected the same apprehension that I felt, but he offered me comfort.

The room seemed to shrink around us as we waited, the ticking of the clock on the wall the only sound breaking the heavy silence.

I stole a glance at Hassan, finding solace in the steady warmth of his gaze. His mere presence grounded me, offering a lifeline amidst the storm of uncertainty. I squeezed his hand tightly, silently conveying my gratitude for his support.

Finally the door creaked open and the doctor entered with a warm expression. I felt myself relax as she greeted us with a smile. That must be a good sign right? She wouldn't be smiling if I were dying right?

"So Halimah, we have your test results here. I can't help but notice the somber expressions on your faces, there's no bad news to be expected in this matter" She continued as she patted the white file she came into the office with.

Okay so I'm definitely not dying.

Hassan's grip on my hand lightened, his exhale carrying the weight of his relief. I read her name badge which had Dr. Gomez written on it.

"You're killing us here, doc," Hassan remarked with a nervous chuckle.

Dr. Gomez mirrored his chuckle, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Sorry, I tend to like building the suspense in such good news like this," she confessed, her tone gentle yet playful as she retrieved the papers from the file.

The tension in the room seemed to dissipate with her words, replaced by an anticipation. And then she delivered the news that would alter the course of our lives forever.

"You guys are pregnant," she announced, her words ringing out like a symphony of joy in the quiet room.

A gasp escaped my lips, a reflexive response to the tidal wave of emotions crashing over me. Beside me, Hassan remained silent, his shock noticeable in the air between us.

"W-what?" His voice trembled with disbelief, echoing the turmoil swirling within me.

Dr. Gomez's gentle confirmation washed over us, "Yes. As a matter of fact, she's three weeks pregnant," she affirmed kindly, her gaze shifting to me with a probing yet compassionate look.

SubhanAllah. As Dr. Gomez listed the symptoms, everything fell into place like the pieces of a puzzle. Nausea, fatigue – I had been experiencing all of it.

"How about forgetfulness?" I interjected, a surge of frustration bubbling up within me. "I can't seem to retain simple information lately, and it's been so frustrating."

Dr. Gomez's eyes lit up with understanding. "Ah, you're also experiencing that?" she exclaimed, her excitement contagious. "All normal signs of your first trimester," she assured me.

"Weird food cravings?" Hassan's question cut through the tension, his voice steadier now, though laced with a hint of curiosity and amusement.

I couldn't help but laugh at his question. Of course he would ask that.

Normal Halimah wouldn't be indulging in such concoctions, but these were anything but normal times.

Dr. Gomez joined in our laughter, her own chuckle echoing in the room. "Definitely part of it," she confirmed with a smile, her words adding another layer of reassurance to the moment.

Yet, beneath the laughter, a flutter of excitement mingled with a tinge of anxiety as the reality of what was happening began to sink in. I had a human growing inside me. I was becoming a mother.

Dr. Gomez's words enveloped me like a warm embrace,

"Now at 3 weeks pregnant," she began, her tone gentle yet filled with wisdom, "an ultrasound may not detect your soon-to-be-baby. That super-teeny fertilized egg is smaller than a grain of salt and is on the move."

"The first trimester will be an emotional rollercoaster" she continued, her voice a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves. "And the physical changes are just as dramatic. Your body is working overtime to grow new life, and major things are happening on a cellular level every single day."

I felt myself becoming filled with excitement at this journey to come.

"The first trimester can feel overwhelming," she acknowledged,  giving me a gentle reminder to take things one step at a time, "Just take it one day, and milestone to-do, at a time. You've got this," she concluded, her smile filled with encouragement as she rose from her seat.

And as I sat there, a grin spread across my face.

"I will let you two have some privacy," Dr. Gomez declared,"I will have my assistant set up your first prenatal appointment. Your first prenatal visit usually happens around your eighth week of pregnancy."

"We're also gonna need to get you started on prenatal vitamins," she added, her tone practical yet caring. "I'll get my assistant to help you with that and much of everything you need to know."

I nodded in understanding, grateful for her guidance and support in this new chapter of our lives. "Please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I am your obstetrician after all," she concluded with a smile.

As I listened to Dr. Gomez's instructions, a grin spread across my face, bubbling with excitement for the journey ahead. Rising from my seat, I couldn't contain my joy any longer, and I enveloped her in a hug filled with gratitude.

Her chuckle echoed in the room as she returned the embrace. With one last smile, Dr. Gomez left us in the room.

Hassan's arms enveloped me in a gentle embrace, his touch reverent as he lightly caressed my stomach. His eyes, filled with wonder and awe, gazed down at the small bump with a mixture of disbelief and joy. For a moment, he was lost in silent contemplation, as if trying to absorb the magnitude of the miracle unfolding within me.

"We're gonna be parents?" His voice, barely above a whisper, trembled with emotion, sending a shiver of excitement down my spine.

My heart swelled with love as I placed my hands atop his, feeling the warmth of his touch against my belly. "We're gonna be parents," I echoed, my voice thick with tears of joy and gratitude.

"Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah," Hassan repeated the dua, his voice a soft murmur.

As he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close, I felt the weight of our newfound reality settle upon us like a comforting embrace. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the world around me as I hugged him tightly, unable to contain the overwhelming rush of emotions.

And then, amidst the embrace, amidst the tears, the nurse found us.

In that moment, as we stood locked in each other's arms, tears streaming down our cheeks, I offered a silent prayer of gratitude to the Most Merciful. For despite the trials we had endured, He had blessed us with the greatest gift of all – the gift of new life.

"Alhamdulillah", I whispered, my heart overflowing with gratitude for the miracle that was unfolding within me. And as we left the doctor's office, hand in hand, I knew that our journey to parenthood would be guided by the mercy and wisdom of Allah.

~

"Are you sure she's already there? I can come in and stay with you till she arrives," Hassan's concern was clear across his face as he glanced out the window at the restaurant where we were parked, albeit illegally.

We had come here straight from the hospital. Ayesha had suggested we grab brunch, knowing our shared love for food, and naturally, I agreed.

"She's already in there waiting for me, see?" I reassured him, showing him the text from her.

Bestie: I'm already at the table by the window. Hurry!

"Okay, fine," Hassan relented, planting a soft peck on my cheek. "I'll see you when I get off work, okay?"

"Okay, baby. Stay safe," I replied with a smile, returning his hug. His hand brushed over my stomach, eliciting a blush from me, before I stepped out of the car. As I closed the door, he blew playful kisses at me, and I couldn't help but giggle at his antics.

Just as I was about to enter the restaurant, I heard him call out my name, causing me to turn back in confusion. Did I forget something?

"I love you!" he shouted, his goofy grin melting away any remnants of embarrassment I might have felt.

My face flushed red as laughter bubbled around us, the passersby amused by our exchange. Summoning my courage, I shouted back, "I love you too, Hassan! Now go!"

He chuckled as he pulled away from the driveway, leaving me to make my way into the restaurant.

Inside, I approached the receptionist and gave her the name of the reservation Ayesha had texted me the day before. Following her lead, I made my way to where she was sitting, her excitement evident as she waved me over. I approached her and she got up as we embraced each-other.

A waitress came over quickly and took our order. Engaging in small talk while we waited for our order, Ayeesha's gaze turned curious. "So, what's new?" she asked with a grin.

I tried to play it cool, shrugging nonchalantly. "Oh, nothing, just normal stuff," I replied, hiding the excitement bubbling beneath the surface.

As Ayesha continued to scrutinize me with narrowed eyes, I maintained my demeanor, trying to hide the excitement bubbling inside me.

"Although I have been developing a craving for pickles with chocolate lately," I casually revealed, hoping to drop a hint without giving too much away.

Ayesha's expression twisted in disgust at the mention of the unusual combination. "Pickles are disgusting, and then with chocolate? Why are you eating what those cliché pregnant women in books eat?" she exclaimed with a laugh, her disbelief evident in her voice.

Sighing internally, I realized my subtle hints weren't getting through to her. It was time to switch tactics. Any other time and she would link anything I say to me being pregnant but this time that I actually am, she's doing the opposite.

"All I can say is, if alcohol was allowed in Islam, I still wouldn't be able to drink it at this time," I remarked cryptically, hoping she would catch on. She'll definitely get this one.

"Astaghfirullah, why are you talking about alcohol now, Halimah?" Ayesha's shock was evident as she reprimanded me.

Y'Allah, how can someone be so oblivious?

"Months from now, I won't be able to fit into some of my clothing," I tried again, hoping she would catch on.

"Huh?" Ayesha responded, clearly still puzzled.

I gave her a deadpan look, feeling a twinge of frustration at her obliviousness. Motioning for her to lean in closer, I took a deep breath before whispering excitedly, "I'm pregnant."

Ayesha gasped, her hands flying to cover her mouth as her eyes widened in shock. I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, relieved that the news had finally sunk in.

As Ayesha processed the revelation, her eyes filled with realization. "Who even tells someone something like that in the way you did? You couldn't have just said it straight out?" she laughed, joining in my amusement.

I shrugged sheepishly, acknowledging the validity of her point. "I guess I got a little carried away with the theatrics," I admitted with a chuckle.

Grasping my hand across the table, Ayesha's face lit up with happiness and excitement. "I'm so excited! You're gonna be a mom, and I'm gonna be the coolest aunt ever!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious and I was filled up with excitement once again.

Allah has blessed me with the gift of motherhood. I am filled with so much anticipation to embark on this journey with Hassan and my family and see what blessings it brings. I can hardly wait.

And whatever blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah

~

Three updates in less than two days? I'm on a roll🤌🏾.

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And peace.