CHAPTER XXXIII

The pregnant woman was quickly rushed into the hospital as it was time for her delivery. It was time for her baby to be welcome to  this world. She trashed and trashed as she struggles with her contractions. Anyone who says labour was simple, that person need to be locked up in jail. If labour was as simple as she has thought, she would'nt  have  let this pregnancy go far coz right now she is facing hell upon hell.

She regret ever doing all wayward act in the past. She never knew that all that will result in her giving birth out of wedlock.

I have sinned my God, I have sinned him. Isn't it to late to ask for forgiveness?.

Those sitting around her thought she was only crying because of the contractions, what they weren't aware is that she was crying out of regrets, regrets on what she had done in the past. Which eyes would the world begin to look at her if they come to know that she was no different from a prostitute?. She weep and weep Uncontrollably.

I'm finally doom.

She has been on the hide out ever since she found out that she was pregnant. All her friends who she thought would help her, ran away from her. Infact, they kept spreading rumors on how she spread her legs open for everymen . She doesn't blame them for spreading the rumors because they were right. The only mistake they made was that,she only slept with one man and him alone. This is what love had blinded her to become. She thought if she does what Mansir request of her, he will fall overly inlove with her but the reverse was the case. He only uses her as a sex machine.

The last time she had a conversation with her brother ,Jafar, at a restaurant ,that was the day she repented all her atrocious act. She regret it all. She remembers how her brother looked at her, he was so disgusted by her. She can never forget his last words ,he said " when you finally change your ways, you can come looking for me" he had said. That words alone hunted her day and night. Since that day, she spent her time on the praying mat asking Allah for forgiveness. He alone can hear her, he alone can forgive her coz his forgiveness matters alot.

Now that her misfortune has led to the creation of a baby, how will she face her brother, how?. Won't he spit at her when he sees her?. Won't Jafar spit at her?.

Her wailing increases . I'm finally doomed

" please you need to stop crying, kamilah. I know the contractions is painful " sumayya said. Sumayya was like a God sent to Kamilah. At the time she was suffering from everyone's abandonment,even her parent disowned her when they found out she was pregnant.

Sumayya who she never expected to be there for her actually did found pity on her and helped her. Sumayya was their Nanny's daughter, and they have never been in good terms not after the pregnancy incidence .

Sumayya is kamilah's mate and they also attend the same university. Kameela's parent are the one sponsoring sumayya's education out of respect for sumayya's mother. Her mother had been working for kamilah's family for over twenty years now.

She could vividly remember how sumayya always warned her on the types of friend she was following. She remembers how she lambasted sumayya with hateful words and now, the same sumayya she lambasted was the one helping her out. Her weeping increases at the thought. I was so stupid.

Not even her parent knew that she lives with sumayya and her mother.

" the tears refuses to stop sumayya, why? " sakeena asked in sadness. Only she knew the inner battle she was fighting

" it's the contractions, just bear with it "

" I'm trying "

" it will be over soon, kameela. Don't give up so soon"

" I won't "

The doctor came out of a ward close by " Mrs abdulazeez?"

" we are over here, sir" sumayya answered.

" it's time for delivery "

***

The glass cup unexpectedly slipped out of his hand. Mansir stood shock, looking at the broken pieces on the floor. He wonders what is happening to him. Since he woke up this morning, he hasn't been himself. He has this feeling that someone close to him was in danger or pain or some sort. He knew it wasn't any of his parent or badiyya cos he just saw them five minutes ago. Could it be that sadiq is in trouble? He thought. If it was sadiq then I don't care, he shrugged.

He called out his secretary's name and she was in the office immediately.

" clean up the mess over there" he commanded and went out of the office.

As he got out, he dial in rahama's number to check on her.

" hello? Mansir? "

" hello love ,how are you doing? "

" I'm fine.. Mansir can you please call me later? I'm in a meeting right now "

" Oh OK. I just called to check on you"

" we will talk later" she hung up immediately

He blew out a breath. At least she isn't the one in trouble or pain either. Definitely it's sadiq.

Another thought came to him.

But come to think of it, I haven't been seeing sadiq over at rahama's office. Could it be that he isn't working there any more .He shrugged, I think I have to find out from rahama.

***

" it's been long since we've seen each other. How have you been?"

"yeah. I've been good. " badiyya answered. The waiter came over to serve their food. They both dig in.

" Hope you've been hearing from your brother ? "

" of course I have. And you? Have you been hearing from Jafar? "

Sakeena smiles warmly " you should trust me on that. We've been communicating.

" love wan tin tin" badiyya teased

Sakeena shot her a look " see who is talking about love. Aren't you and my brother also in love. There is no day that passes that yaya sagir doesn't talks about you. I'm already getting fed up with it self"

Badiyya blushes " hey"

" it's the truth. But matter of fact, my brother loves you so much that he surprises me. I've never since him so much inlove as he is with you. "

" really? "

" don't pretend as if you don't know. You two are just so perfect for each other, wallahi " sakeena laughs.

" same as you and Jafar "

" I won't deny that I love Jafar because I really do love him. But can you say it out loud that you love my brother? I can't believe that you're still making him suffer for over six months now . I understand that you're playing hard to get but please cut him some slack girl, that guy truly loves you. " sakeena said

Badiyya sighed " I know he does. Even I myself do not know why I'm delaying from confessing my feelings for him. I guess it's because I'm scared of heart break. I do love your brother too"

Sakeena nodded in understanding " I know it feels surreal to you. You think everything is moving fast but it isn't . You need to give yourself a chance for love ,I understand that all this love thing scares you ."..

" OK I will give him a chance. Can we atlease drop the love matter for a second and say something about us?"

" yes sure"

" Good. So when do I get to meet your friend, the one you once told me about? "

" oh you mean, ram? "

" yes. I just hope I won't be nickname after an animal?"

Sakeena burst out laughing " don't worry, it depends on what your actual name gives. Since your name is badiyya, I think 'bird' would be a suitable nickname "

" no ..no I disagree. I do not want any of it. Why aren't you nickname after a animal then? . You once told me that yours was Sana, right? "

" yes" sakeena nodded " that's because there isn't a name of  an animal  that is close to my name "

" Hm, is that so? "

" I'm serious "

" OK . Back to this ram girl,is she someone I know ?" badiyya asked

Sakeena gave her a mischievous look " of course, you know her damn so well".

" ermm OK. Who is she then? "....

" that, you will know when she arrives" sakeena wiggle her brows

" just tell me who she is already " badiyya groan

" you'll get to see her soon. Just chill"

Badiyya pout " atlease you should tell me so I can prepare myself for the worst"

" you have nothing to prepare yourself for, she isn't that bad. " sakeena check her wrist watch " moreover she should be out of meeting by now and definitely on her way here. "

Badiyya rolled her eyes

***

" you need to be fast about it please" rahama instructed her secretary

" OK ma" the secretary nodded

" you can leave"

Need not to be told twice the secretary left.

It wasn't long rahama left the boardroom after the long meeting they had. It was a real success after the last investors they lost. And the most surprising thing is that this  new partnership was going to bring them alot of interest . Alot more than that of the judo's company.

She smile at the success " thank you Allah" she praise

In seconds, her eyes wide in realization. She had totally forgotten that she had somewhere to be. By now sakeena and her friend would have been waiting for me. She blames this on the stress, how could I have forgotten.

She quickly took her bag and left the office immediately.

Twenty minutes later

Rahama was at the restaurant. She entered  inside and survey the room ,looking for sakeena. A wide smile stretched on  her lips as she caught sight of her from afar, talking endlessly with the lady facing her. Rahama tries to see the lady's face from where she was standing but luck wasn't on her side because the lady's back was facing her. I just hope they won't think I kept them waiting purposely. She sighed and then made known of her presence.

" rahama" sakeena scream at seeing her. She stood up to hug her so tightly. " I miss you, dear"

" I miss you too" rahama replied with a chuckle

Sakeena withdraw from the hug " come. Meet my newest friend, badiyya" she gestured at badiyya who was shock at the fact that the woman she has been sitting waiting  for was the fiancee of her big brother and also sadiq's love.

Rahama looked  surprised. Already, she had met badiyya once, and that was the day she visited the ringim's house. She remembered the cold way badiyya welcomed her with and that got Rahama thinking whether she had done something horrible to her. She doesn't know why badiyya was so cold to her.

" hello badiyya"

" hello Rahama " badiyya replied icily

Sakeena noticed the tense greeting " ermm since we've now introduced ourselves, can you two just stop the coldness ?"

" excuse you, I wasn't cold to her" rahama said as a matter of fact

" and I wasn't cold too" badiyya retorted

" no, you were"

" no I wasn't "

" Enough you two. What is all the drama about? I don't get why you're even cold with each other? You two would soon become In laws for crying out loud " Sakeena whispered yelled

" she isn't my in-law " said badiyya with a snort

" look here little girl, I don't know what drama you're trying to portray but whether you like it or not I'm getting married to your brother so bear with it."

Badiyya glare " I don't give a damn about that and moreover you and Mansir does fit each other. "

Sakeena quickly interfer before rahama could retort " OK, enough you two, enough. I get it you two have some issues going on amongst yourselves but please can we drop that aside for now and just enjoy this outing? Please? "

She looks from Rahama to Badiyya

" I don't think I can do this. I'm so sorry Sakeena " badiyya took her belongings and left without listening to Sakeena calls.

" OK, that was something "

" yeah it was"  Rahama agreed

Sakeena watches rahama with a stern look

" what? Why are you looking at me like that? "

" why wouldn't I? Hm?. What is this nemeses amongs you two?"

" I don't understand you. Do you mean that I'm the one at fault? "

Sakeena shrugged " what else do you want me to think?"

Rahama tried her best not to lash out. " I understand that I was so rude and proud before but you can't just blame me for something I haven't done!"

" I never said I was blaming you. All I'm asking is for reasons. What exactly led to this hatred between you two. Badiyya has never acted that way. That girl is a very calm and charming. "

" so I'm the uncalmed and the uncharming one right? Look sakeena, I don't understand where you're driving at. I might have been reckless and stupid before but I swear I'm trying to change!. I swear . But now I can see that you still look at me the same way you always look at me three years ago." rahama tried stopping the tears

"You look at me as if you are disappointed with me! why?. This shows that you haven't forgiven me completely, you still hold some grudges against me" the tears refuses to stop

" no no please don't say that rahama. I didn't mean it the way you see it. I have forgiven you, I swear. "

" then why are you blaming me without even knowing my side of the story! "

" I asked, remember? I asked you but you gave me no answer!"

" that's because I don't know what happened. I have only met that girl once and she was as cold as an ice to me. Even I myself was surprised at the cold shoulder and today again she does same and the lease you could do was blame me!. "

" OK I'm sorry for __

" no, I don't need your sorry sakeena. I don't need it because no matter what happens you will still blame me and I can't bear it anymore,I can't. Goodbye"

" rahama wait! ,rahama!, rahama! "

Rahama didn't wait.she left with so much sadness.

***

How was it?