"You think so?" Jumaimah asked, tilting her head to the side as she touched the texture of the hijab she is holding.
"I know so." Mu'ayyad grinned and continue to remove stacks of hijab from the vendor.
She was silently sitting in her room when he called her and ask her for a stroll which she gladly accepted. While walking around the streets, they saw a middle aged man walking with rows of hijab in a hanger and Mu'ayyad stooped them saying the mint green one will look beautiful on her and that is how she find herself changing from this colour to that colour while the man only stared at them happily thinking the will buy a lot and they did.
At the end of it, they took five hijabs and added tip to the man who kept raining prayers and praises on them because he will no longer hawk for the day and will take the money to his family so they could eat. They haven't had anything since the pap they took in the morning and that pap has no sugar in it so what better way than to go back and get them something healthy and heavy to eat. He will do a lot of shoppings before reaching home, it will be enough for three weeks.
"I should really go back home before five pm." Jumaimah whined already tired of walking since she can't even see the Borkan's mansions so she could only think about the more walk that awaits her.
"Let's go." And he turn around then make his way back to the mansion many thoughts running through his head but he didn't know which one to bring forth first.
"I was thinking about asking for your hand in marriage if that is okay by you that is." After much thoughts he finally said what he has in mind for a long time. His parents have started pressuring him about getting married and he is also ready to settle down but only with Jumaimah, they've asked him if they should find a bride for him but he flatly declined and said he has someone in mind but if that doesn't work, he will let them do the rest. "I will totally understand if you are not ready." He was quick to add not to put more pressure on her.
"Uh..." Jumaimah trialed off having being caught off guard. She never thought she would hear those words, not from a handsome geek in the least. She is a widow who just recently found out that will be able to give birth but has a lot of restrictions and he was there to hear everything about her but he still asked her to marry him. Isn't that weird? "Can I think about it?" She asked in a small voice finding it hard to look up at him.
"That is okay. I didn't actually expected an answer instantly." He grinned to ease the tension and that brought a smile to her lips.
"And I never expected to hear those words coming from you." She raised a questioning brow at him and he only nervously touched his nape trying to evade the question but can't as the house is still fare away from their reach.
"Well, I've liked you since back in Zaria and also Nana but when I found out that both of you are married, I maintain my distance. So when I saw Nana here and she didn't remember who I am, I went though everything and found out that she's lost some of her memories and is married to my cousin brother so... And when I saw you again, I felt what I felt when I was in Zaria so I think I'm falling for you." He cleared his throat at the end and turn to look at anywhere but her eyes.
"The big bad boy is nervous eh?" She chuckled when he blushed and walk faster than her so she won't see the pink tent.
°°°
"Mom, I'm going out and I won't be back early today." Ja'afar lean down to give her a kiss on the cheek before standing back straight ready to walk out but stopped when he heard her voice say.
"Are you going to see Hidaya?" She raised a teasing brow at him and grinned coyly when he blushed and look at the brown tiled floor lacing her room.
"Yes, Mom."
"Come sit here, my son." She patted the pace next to her and he hurriedly sat down as though the floor is itching his legs. "I've never seen you so serious about a girl and you never even talk about any lady to me. This is the first time you are serious and I'm glad you are thinking about settling down. I will support you hundred percent if you think she is the right woman for you and don't forget to pray. Right wife can lead someone to Jannah so be careful who you choose." She took his hand and close it with both her hands.
"I get that. Thanks, Mom." He kissed her cheek again before leaving the room.
It's been three weeks since he's met Hidaya and he is just about to pop the question out. She is a nice girl, cool and very understanding. He even gets to talk about business with her, about his childhood pranks and his quietness during highschool while she share how mischievous she was. She told him she likes trying new things and doing new stuff so he agreed to take her to a lot of places but, that is when she becomes his halal.
He started the drive to Borkan mansion and reached there in no time. The gateman let him through since he knew who he was because of how many times he's been there. He also went to her parents and ask for permission to be seeing her and they agreed coolly. Since after checking her on internet and found out she is popular, he knew she is rich but didn't know she is that rich. He didn't even bother telling him that she is a part of Borkan's because if she had, he would've known how wealthy they are. She didn't like flaunting their richness since she didn't tell him about her last name.
"Hey, bobo!" She said as soon as she picked the phone. Yes, that is the nickname she is giving him because she thinks any sweet one will be cliché.
"I'm outside." He grumbled since he told her to change his nickname but she didn't.
"Coming, bobo." She laughed from the other side and hung up.
She came out two minutes later adjusting her heels and almost stumbled down the small flight of stairs that is in front of their main door making Ja'afar laugh loudly so she could here and she did then glared hotly at him. She finished adjusting her heels and finish walking down the stairs taking in her outfit once again. She is wearing a bandage smart waist loose jumpsuit with lantern sleeves and v-neckline. She added a black after dress abaya on top then her jam red pumps encased her feet. She has a black purse in her hand and silver earrings adorning her ears.
°°°
"Cherub, don't let me throw this things on you. Stand up please." She begged as she restlessly sit up on the bed feeling that something is deeply wrong.
"Mami, go back to sleep please." He grumbled with his voice thick with sleep but she is not having it. She has some bad feelings in her guts and she can't wait to find out what is going wrong.
She try lying down on the bed but sleep didn't bother coming her way no matter how hard she try to beckon it into her but she never get to lure it. Tired of that, she took Qur'an from the bedside drawer and started reading it silently before her voice opened as she continue to read suratul naml. She finished the sura and kept the Qur'an before checking the time on her phone, it read two in the morning. Why is she up so late at night when everyone is asleep and the owls are the only beings alive at that time.
She was about to stand up and pray when Zayn's phone rang making her stomach drop together with the sound. She knew the bad news is going to come after picking that phone call but none the less took it in her hand and answered the call with shaky fingers. Pressing the phone to her ear, she send silent prayers to Allah before taking a huge deep breath and then listen keenly after finding out that Muhammad is calling him, Naazwa's husband.
"Hello, Zayn, please come to the hospital right now. I just rushed here with Naazwa, I sent the address already." And he hung up after saying that.
"Cherub, Cherub, wake up. Naazwa was rushed to the hospital, you need to wake up." She hold onto his shoulder and shook him very fast and was afraid she will startle him.
"What?! Let's go." And he stood up so fast like a lightening before taking his car keys and let her take hijab from their closet before rushing out of the house to his car. He didn't bother changing from his vest and sweatpants but Nana thought about bringing a button up shirt to him.
The drive to the hospital us filled with silent supplications and tensed shoulders. Nana doesn't know what to think about the hospital thing in the night because everyone will be in there pajamas and getting into labour in the middle of the night is no good but then again, what does she know about labour and giving birth when she can't even remember much from her own. They called Jumaimah and ask her to please bring Khumais with her as they don't have time to wait for him to get ready and remove traces of sleep from his eyes.
Arriving at the hospital, they rushed to where they saw Muhammad sitting and sat down silently next to him. They didn't exchange words and only stare at their feet as the rest of the families all pile up into the hospital. The girls are all wearing hijabs while the men are wearing either robe or thobe. Nana didn't even greet anyone because her mind is going around and around while her heart is mingling to where it shouldn't.
Muhammad was called by the doctor and said he could stay there with her if he wants and that Zayn should go because she wants to see him together with Nana and they did. The two of them both came back looking more heartbroken and sad making the other people around the room more worried but no one said anything again.
They waited for four more hours before the doctor walked out of the room with sagged shoulders and they didn't see Muhammad's grinning face telling them that it is a girl or a boy, there was no sign of him.
"We are sorry, but we couldn't save the mother. The baby girl is safely fine but under observation." And everyone's heart literally broke with cracks.