The comments shocked me no lie.

This chapter is respectfully dedicated to Diijahyb she flooded my comment section like dieeeee.

Second place has to be Kheedy for commenting almost as much. Thank you girls so much, it means a lot to me.

I'm seeing 400 comments.

I'll pretend I don't see y'all that are voting and just walking past, it's alright.

Sha, I kept my promise it's not Monday yet.

Let's see those that will try and comment, the person with the most comments gets to ask me one question, anything you want to know and I'll answer.

Happy reading.

•••••

Fahad stared at the doctor wide eyed, wondering where to get started.

How was he supposed to know that for Allah's sake? He almost rolled his eyes at himself, she was his wife so of course he was expected to know those things.

He knew she was praying presently, heck he didn't know when she wasn't praying, she prays in her room, how is he to know? Multiple similar questions ran through his mind.

"I'm not sure," She gave him a pointed look and he ran his hands through his hair, trying so hard not to tug at the edges. "Is it very important?"

"I need to know there's no possibility of pregnancy so we'll know what test to leave out." He wanted to scream why don't they take a freaking pregnancy test then.

"No, she is not pregnant."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," His reply was clipped and she nodded letting it go.

She watched him, how his features hardened though she could still see the worry in his eyes. She considered asking if he was her husband or brother because he acted more like the latter but she felt like she was intruding so she let it go and instead and changed the topic completely.

She asked him a few questions about Khadijah's behaviour and when he gave her replies to her satisfaction she nodded and kept her pen down.

"Has your wife ever been tested for PTSD? Or maybe she has gone through anything that might trigger that." She hesitated and he saw the question in her eyes.

"I.....I think, yes?" He ran his hands through his hair, the image of Khadijah in tears when she told him about her daughter replaying in his head over and over.

"It might be possible." She nodded letting it go because he didn't look like he wanted to talk anymore.

"You can go and see her now, but please Mr. Barkindo." She handed him a card. "This is a good therapist you should consider seeing him with your wife and your wife has an appointment with our gynaecologist in a few months, the receptionist will explain more."

He took the card and excused himself after asking for Khadijah's room.

He met her sitting on the bed staring at the wall with a lost expression on her face.

He said the taslim and that brought her out of her trance, she replied and adjusted the hospital gown.

The first thing she had done when she regained consciousness was ask for her belongings, she desperately needed to wear something, tired of seeing her arms that she believed to be ruined.

There was no way she could cover herself and her heart almost stopped when he took her in.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Fine alhamdulillah." He nodded satisfied and replied with masha Allah.

His eyes moved to her hands again trying to assure himself it wasn't what he thought.

There is no way someone would do that to a person right? Certainly not a human with a conscience.

But even as he told himself that it wasn't possible and he was just jumping to conclusions he knew his hunch was right, he knew it was the truth because why else was she always wearing long sleeves, regardless of the weather or anything, she always covered up wholly.

He saw how she was moving definitely uncomfortable so he looked away and placed his leg on top of the other in a way guys do.

What he saw messed up his plans and he didn't know what to do go again. At first he'd been thinking of how to tell her of her father being in the hospital but as he looked at her now, he didn't have it in him to give her any more bad news.

"So, erm I spoke with Abdulrahman earlier he said they are coming back to Kaduna tomorrow in the morning, are you busy with work or we should go and welcome them?"

A smile made it's way to her face and his heart broke knowing that smile wouldn't last.

"Yes, thank you. When?" She asked looking around the hospital room pointedly.

He nodded with a small smile.

"They are not admitting you, just advice to see a doctor and another appointment. Not anytime soon so, yes we're free to go."

She moved from the bed ready to get down and he found himself getting to his feet, he helped her and watched as she squirmed against him, trying to move her hands.

He didn't take time looking at her so she wouldn't feel anymore uncomfortable as he helped her up, he told her her things were in the bathroom and she entered to change.

His phone rang and his heart almost stopped when he saw Sadiya. When Abdulrahman had called, he didn't tell him about Khadijah being in the hospital, they were already worried as it is and he didn't want to be insensitive since it was nothing serious.

At least right now, he had a feeling there was more to it than meets the eye, he had aunts as doctors so he knew how they acted when it's bad news.

She walked back out in the hijab he had brought her to the hospital in.

The doctor had stopped him again when he was looking for Khadijah's room and gave him options of antidepressants but she advised against it saying it might make her reliable on them.

He said no and asked if there's another option, her reply had been quite daunting because she said to get Khadijah to talk and tell him what's bothering her.

He only nodded and left it at that, he would try his best but he wasn't sure it would work.

Nai'a came to his mind, having her open up had been challenging but she had eased up to him and told him because she considered him a friend.

Now they were friends with Khadijah quite alright but the only time she had spoken to him was when she told him of her daughter and that had been because she felt overwhelmed and he was the available person, at least that's what he thought.

He opened the passenger door and when she was seated he closed it and walked around to the driver side, his phone rang again and he saw Sadiya's name.

He waved to Khadijah before moving a bit from the car and answering.

They exchanged pleasantries, he felt a sense of calm wash over him when he heard how calm she sounded, she didn't know her father was in the hospital too, Abdulrahman had told him that.

"Is Khadijah near?" He sighed and told her he would go give her the phone.

He'd thought maybe Abdulrahman told her and she wanted to talk about thier father and he didn't want Khadijah to know now, not until she was at home with her mother, he didn't have the heart the tell her, call him a coward but he has seen her in tears more than once, he didn't like the sight of it talk less of being the one to cause it.

He handed Khadijah the phone when he got into the car and turned on the ignition.

He zoned out of thier conversation his attention fully on how to get her to Kaduna without her knowing her father was sick.

"Ya Sadiya, I'm fine stop worrying." She has been in better shape yes but she has been worse too.

She knew the man beside her helped a lot too.

"I can't help it, I just.....I feel somehow Khadijah. Almost like I did the day before Basra died. I hate this feeling." Her voice broke at the end.

Khadijah had felt like that but she'd related it to all the things that have been happening to her and now that Sadiya was feeling the same, she didn't know what how to feel.

She assured Sadiya that everything will be fine, "Just pray now before fajr and we'll talk okay. I love you, take care." When Sadiya replied in the affirmative, she hung up and held the phone in her hands mindlessly playing with it.

Fahad pulled up to the front of the house and parked at near the door, they were going to leave in a few hours anyways.

As usual he walked to Khadijah's side of the door and opened then before they both walked inside.

She was so used to him opening the car door for her, she doesn't even attempt to do it herself anymore.

"I have a few phone calls to make, what would you like for breakfast?" He asked rolling the sleeves of the shirt he'd thrown on before he left for the hospital.

"You don't have to cook, I am fine." She protested and from the look in his eyes, she knew he wasn't going to listen to her.

"I can see that you're fine, chips?" She nodded with a resigned sigh and plopped on the couch.

She thought he was going to leave and her heart started beating erratically but he sat on another seat and made his phone calls.

She overheard part of his conversation and her mouth hung agape.

What did he mean they were taking a helicopter?

•••••••

Fatima Batool closed the door to her room and took off the veil. It's a good thing Farhan isn't home he would've asked a hundred and ten questions by now about her whereabouts.

Though she missed him, he may act over protective over her and he annoyed her a lot when he was around but she found she missed every part of him, even when he insisted on going to his apartment where he didn't know how to cook and he'll survive on fast foods instead of her home cooked meals.

She has accepted that was a part of growth because he did visit every Friday and he spends his weekends with her, though now it seems something has caught his interest in Kaduna, she smiled to herself knowing quite well what it is. She was just waiting for him to tell her himself so she can go all out for her only son's wedding.

It would feel strange welcoming a third person into their lives, it has always been ammi and Farhan, for more than twenty years but she liked company and she couldn't wait to welcome her.

Her phone rang and she smiled when she looked up at the grandpa clock and saw it was the same time everyday.

"You do stick to a schedule." Barr. Salima's laugh echoed through the room before she replied.

"I like planning my day," She nodded to herself loosing the turban too.

"That I know."

"How did it go?"

"I know he'll stay away for now, at least you know you can never tell with Hassan."

Barr. Salima laughed though it wasn't funny in the least. "You did have the most complex taste in men. How is the brother?"

She sighed, running her hands through her braided hair, the knot less braids reached her shoulders when she pulled the hair ruffle out.

"He came a week ago, Farhan is still refusing to speak to him." She sounded exhausted, she was tired of everything that was going on.

"Poor child, do you think he'll forgive him?"

"I honestly don't know, sometimes he acts like be would then he simply doesn't, I am so tired of this. I need a break."

"I know you do."

After a few seconds of silence she stated with laughter in her voice, "The kids can't stay in one place and I'm not comfortable leaving them alone with Adnan, he is too work focused and they'll just disturb Fahad and Khadijah so I'm coming with them." She told her best friend eliciting laughter from her, at least she was coming, that was comforting.

"I'll be expecting you, when will that be?"

"Maybe next week, I'll let you know. I have a court sitting before then."

She asked about the case and Barr Salima went into details, she was the person she would say she was closest to in the world.

She had been her best friend since they were kids and even now with their own children, they still kept the friendship alive though miles away from each other.

"Have you spoken to your son?" Barr. Salima asked referring to Fahad, they called each others children thiers because they saw it that way.

"I know he is coming first thing tomorrow, I do need him to tell me what they were doing in the hospital tonight."

"Subhanallah, is everything okay?"

"Yes I guess since they will be discharged. I had Raliya take on the case. I don't trust Khadijah in the hands of just any doctor."

"I understand, any news?"

"She said she only advised them to see a therapist, Layla's former one. I'll make sure he does."

"And the other issue."

"Leave that to me."

Barr. Salima breathed out and Batool heard the smile in her voice as she spoke.

"Sometimes I just sit and it feels so overwhelming about everything that's happening."

Batool smiled, her eyes glazed over with tears.

"A mother's prayer never misses its target right?"

"It doesn't, and when you prayed for the best, seems like they are the best flr each other because after everything that has happened, they still found each other"

She nodded and wiped the few tears that managed to slip past her lids.

"Alright, have a blessed night B. I see to check on Huda." Barr. Salima said, she heard the sound of a door opening or closing, she wasn't sure.

"Is something wrong with her?" She asked pausing her movements, she heard her friend's laughter and knew it must just be the teenagers usual antics, it was.

"I told her she was staying here until Eid when the whole family is going and now she is sulking." They only laughed at that.

"That my baby is very dramatic."

"She takes after you Batool." She didn't deny it.

Her home phone rang and they said their good byes again, this time actually hanging up.

"Musbah what do you have for me?" She didn't seem fazed he had called that late, she has received calls much later than that from him.

"I'm sorry but it's not good news ma'am." She felt a ringing in her ear and her heart lurched, she said a prayer under her breath and told him to tell her what's wrong.

"Your husband has been rushed to the hospital."

"What?!" She exclaimed already on her feet.

"I'm at the hospital with them now ma'am, that he suffered a heart attack."

•••••••••

Fahad's initial plan was to visit his aunt before they left for Kaduna but she wasn't at home, the fact is she's already in Kaduna which he found surprising.

So, they went straight to the airport rather with Khadijah who was doing much better.

Zayn said he had exciting news for him but he said it can wait for when he gets back, this was more important.

When they got to Kaduna by twelve in the afternoon, thier first stop was Baraka's house. They received warm reception and the kids huddled around Khadijah.

Afnan was glowing already, her wedding date has been fixed which was two weeks after Eid-el-fitr, two months and a few weeks from then.

"Ya Allah, see how you're glowing." Baraka cooed studying her sister like she was a piece of art.

"You're being over dramatic ya Baraka." Khadijah shook her head as a reply to her sister's statement.

They were in Baraka's room waiting for Sadiya's arrival, they would be there any time from one.

"I'm serious, Abuja weather fits you." That made Khadijah laugh.

Baraka was really a mood when she wanted to be.

"How's the preparation for Afnan?" She sighed with tiredness but you can see the enthusiasm in her eyes and excitement in her voice as she spoke.

"I am tired Dee, this is so stressful and it's because umma is even helping. How did she manage?"

"She's a super woman and I think she just enjoys chaos and all that." Barakaw nodded in agreement.

"Mummy, the woman just called about the laces, that she has the color you requested if you want to check it out." Manal said after knocking.

She went and sat beside her aunt who pulled her into a hug.

She didn't realize she had missed home that much but now that she was around them, she didn't want to leave.

"Manal you're stubborn, you can't buy Eid clothes right now, it's almost two months away, they'll be outdated by the time Eid comes by."

Manal wasn't hearing any of it and she pouted a frown taking over her features.

"But I like this one, aunty Dee look at it." Khadijah did take a look and she nodded in agreement, Baraka turned and muttered she wasn't buying it.

Manal left the room to go and show her father being the daddy's girl she is while the whole encounter only made Khadijah laugh.

"She is so stubborn and bratty, that one."

"She takes after you." Baraka glared at her but she had a smile on her face because it was true.

While Afnan was more her dad, the patience and everything, Manal took after Baraka, her attitude and everything was her mother.

Baraka had argued with major over who would tell her sister's what happened to thier father, she had received the call in the middle of the night from her mother and she had no idea how to deliver the news to them.

She hated being the bearer of bad news but there were some things she had to do as the eldest, that was why as they spoke with Khadijah about everything that has been happening in the past months she was away, though they've spoken about it on the phone, they liked speaking in person more, her mind was more on how to break the news to them.

She was certainly more worried about Khadijah than Sadiya, she was closer to their father and she knew without doubt it would break her.

•••••••

"Ammi, you should've called ahead of time." Farhan complained hugging his mother, he towered completely over her but somehow he felt small in her presence.

"You don't know how to cook so it doesn't matter." She waved him off and the sighed, his lips stretching into a wide smile.

"I missed you."

"Not very much since you didn't visit." She was not angry, the woman could never stay angry at him.

He guessed it's because he has been with her for a long while, and most of his life he knew all they had was each other.

He groaned when she made for the kitchen, ready to start feeding him with food until he gets fat, that is her only aim in life and he has told her just that times without number, she didn't care for his measly opinions as she called it.

"You need to.rest before you start cooking, ya Allah I am not hungry." He exclaimed literally pulling her out of the kitchen, she followed dejectedly.

Well she feigned a frown and followed him because she had him right where she wanted, he wanted her to rest so he'll do anything to make sure she rests even if it means talking about topics he pretends he doesn't know about.

There's a lot of them which is why she'll go easy on him.

"So, when can I finally meet Kamla? I've heard quite a lot about her." Farhan groaned regretting his choice instantly.

He should've just let her cook, but he knew his mother and one way or the other she would've had that conversation, if it didn't work out, she'll force it.

"Ammi...." He drawled, looking away.

"What? Are you shy all of a sudden?" She teased making him more comfortable.

"I'm not shy." He mumbled almost inaudibly, wondering why he was having that conversation with his mother.

"You don't have to deny it, it's okay to be shy." He grunted lowering his head in his hands, one question on his mind, why? That's just the question, why?

"I understand it's awkward to talk about this with your mother but look at Fahad, he is happily married now. I knew you would come around on your own will."

"Ammi please let this go. This is strange having this conversation with you, not only awkward." She laughed heartily.

After he was done listening all the words that the situation was, she asked him a single question that shut him up.

"Have you spoken to your father?"

She sighed and moved to the chair he was sitting, he begrudgingly moved so she was comfortable.

"Farhan, have you spoken to your father?".

He rolled his eyes before nodding. Sure he did speak to the man, when he had more or less ambushed him outside his apartment in Abuja and forced to go to that restaurant but that's about it. She didn't need to know that.

"When?"

That he couldn't answer because even he didn't know.

"You do know he is in the hospital right? Farhan, doesn't he deserve at least that courtesy. Go and check on him." Her tone left no room for arguments and he nodded though disinclined.

She breathed out relieved, he would at least see him.

Asides from stopping HSM, the one thing she wanted was for her son to stop being angry at his father, she wasn't asking him to forgive the man, that was all up to him, she needed him to make peace with the man that birthed him, the man she was sure loved him even though he made mistakes, unforgivable mistakes.

"I'll go see him later." He replied after a while. she brushed the back of his head with a happy smile.

"Thank you." He didn't say anything after that and they let silence reign.

She had been quiet for too long and now, she was ready to take back her family. She was going to have her family back the way it was supposed to be, and she'll do anything to make that possible.

••••••

"Kaduna air is just different." Sadiya said to her sister's, biting into the samosa Manal had made with extra love, she had made a heart shape when she was saying that.

"You're also very dramatic. I'm the only normal person in our family." Khadijah waved dismissing thier upcoming argument.

"Last Borns, am I right?"

"Exactly." Baraka nodded in agreement.

After they prayed asr, they met up with the men in major's side of the house, he was seated with a novel in hand, a new hobby he has adopted much to Baraka's dismay since he was quoting them every second.

She'd told him to retire since he has taken such great interest in literature, he didn't reply and that made her happy. They were petty and childish when they wanted to be.

Even after almost twenty years of marriage, they still craved each others company.

That's why it had been quite difficult for her to put herself in Khadijah's shoes, she simply couldn't imagine that happening to anyone, and when it and happend to her sister, she didn't know how to deal with it so she said insensitive things.

Major had sat her down and told her not all marriages were rainbows and cotton candies and if she couldn't help someone then she shouldn't break them either.

She was grateful for having him in her life, he was the perfect balance between her mothers sort of mentality and the modern one that made her, her.

Major had been the one to break the news and needless to say, Khadijah took it quite well, as well as she could have since she could see her hands shaking.

"We can go and see him after isha, he is out of the ICU and doing much better alhamdulillah."

"But a heart attack? Baba didn't....he...I don't..."

"Hey, it's okay. They said it's age." That was from Baraka to Sadiya.

Khadijah was quiet her mind now completely out of the room and on her father, she needed to see him.

She fisted her hands until her nails dug into her palm, no one noticed, well except Fahad who was studying her.

She excused herself and he followed her, she was heading for the door when he called her name.

"You knew?" She asked in disbelief and he nodded slowly.

"Since when?" She wasn't yelling but she could as well have because her tone showed just how angry she was.

He wasn't familiar with that tone and he was sure he didn't like it, not one bit.

"Last night." She threw daggers at him with her eyes before opening the door and exiting, with a resigned sigh he followed.

He'd had someone bring his car to the airport so he knew she had no means is transport to go to the hospital where he was sure she is headed and he was her only hope.

Walking to Baraka's gate is a challenge itself and she didn't have that energy so she got into his car with a frown and even proceeded to fold her arms like a child throwing a tantrum.

At least that part he liked. Being at the receiving end of her glare was bone chilling and he used to pride himself with not being scared of glares since he was quite used to his mother's own, Khadijah's own with her mismatched eyes scared him, a lot.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Her tone wasn't hostile, thank God. He thought glancing at her momentarily.

"You were in the hospital then and it would have been insensitive." She huffed knowing he was right.

The rest of the car ride was silent and when they got to the hospital, the first person they saw was Dr. Sakinah or ummi, Layla's step mother.

She hugged Khadijah and told the she has been expecting them.

"You didn't go home then?" Home being the Aliero's residence.

Fahad answered for both of them with a no and said they were at Baraka's and would go see the family the next day.

She understood and showed them to the room, where she hoped the occupants were a lot less then when she was last there.

•••••••

Farhan didn't know where his mother got the amazing idea for them to go to the hospital together but he sure wasn't happy about it and no matter how much he grumbled or groaned, she ignored him and went on with  her marvelous idea.

Now they were seated in his Black BMW on the way to see his father, none of which he was happy about.

Though the thought of running into a certain someone was the only thing that kept him going.

"You can seriously change your mind right about now and I'll drive you home with a smile on my face." He tried again, knowing it was going to be futile.

"Let's go, Farhan Sadeeq Mustafa." He didn't like the name but he wasn't so foolish as to tell her that.

He had no choice but to accept the name, since it was his father's name.

She met her sister by the door, she knew she would be waiting for her there, she was that eager to see her.

Batool pulled her sister into a hug feeling like she was home again.

"Ummi please tell her to change her mind." She smiled at her nephew apologetically.

"I would have my love, but I'm in support of this. Go on, you came at the right time because he just woke up."

Part of him had hoped he was sleeping so he would just breeze in and out like he had done the night before but now that he actually needed to speak with him, it didn't sit very well with him.

He wasn't going to tell his mother of course but he was in the hospital the second he'd heard from Kamla that he was in the hospital.

He'd seen her for a few minutes but he wasn't calm, she would've noticed had she not been in panic herself, it was good since he wasn't ready to explain why he was so worried.

He'd spent the whole night praying for the man that he used to know, the man that he used to love and adore, his Idol before he had ruined everything when he left them, but the multiple times his forehead touched the ground in submission to the most high, his heart had softened and he accepted that he couldn't deny how much he loved the man, because there's still a very big part of him that loved his father, even after all the mistakes he has made.

Hajiya Ladidi was sitting on one of the visitor's chairs in the room when sh thought she heard a knock, she'd thought it was the nurses or Baraka and Khadijah, maybe Sadiya had arrived and they were all together.

The thought warmed her heart, all her girls together, like it should be. Though she would've wanted it to be in better conditions but she was so happy she would see them again, together. Just like when they were kids.

Malam Sadeeq was praying on the other side of the room, he was a stubborn man and he'd refused to pray on the bed like the doctor's suggested.

She wouldn't have known how to deal with life had all her children been as stubborn as him. Only Sadiya inherited that trait thankfully.

Khadijah was the calmest though much people wouldn't have believed that because she was moutsy, you simply can't win an argument with her, especially when she knows she is right.

Actually, she used to be that, now she just seemed so unbothered about everything.

Hajiya Ladidi wanted on more than one occasion to speak with her but she didn't know how to start the conversation so she let it go too, she hadn't realized she was making a mistake until it was too late.

She was grateful now though that Allah had sent salvation for her in the form of a man she hadn't liked very much at first when she realized who his mother was but she saw how at peace Khadijah had looked when they visited after the wedding, she was glad she hadn't stopped the wedding like she initially wanted to.

Malam Sadeeq cleared his throat in prayer and she looked up at his form, pulling herself from her reverie.

She heard a knock and realized the first one must've been real too so this time she stood up to open it herself, wondering who the hell wouldn't just come in when they knew quite well the door wasn't locked.

Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the woman she could say she hated more than anyone in the world.

Batool smiled at hajiya Ladidi before motioning for her to step away so she would enter, she didn't know what moved her but she did as instructed and she walked past her, her perfume hitting her olfactory senses.

If that wasn't enough to off put her, the man she had been seeing a lot stepped in and greeted her respectfully after the woman and she wondered what it was that had blinded her the first Hundred times she had seen him that she missed the resemblance he had to his father.

It wouldn't end well. She felt as though her heart dropped from her chest and to her stomach.

She swallowed before closing the door and taking her initial seat.

Hajiya Ladidi studied the woman that sat on the bed, she fought the urge to tell her they had chairs for a reason.

Her gaze ran over the modern woman's face and body, she never liked her, how she looked educated, the confidence in her gait and everything else that showed how different they were from each other.

She was everything she wasn't and that made her resent the woman because one of those her qualities had to be why her husband loved the woman like she was air.

The reason she never made it to his heart was because it had already been occupied by this woman and it seemed, she didn't like to share.

She sat and watched the woman that she convinced herself had ruined her marriage, the one woman her husband loved more than life it itself and the mother of his only son.

••••••

Assalamu alaikum my lovessss.

Hope you all are good.

If you didn't read my small rant at the beginning of the chapter please go back and read💀

Vote comment and share.

Want to talk about everything you have figured out in this chapter? I'm here to listen.

So what did you guess right?

Farhan isn't a competition, to you all that  wanted his head at first.

Sha, I need a break because I have a lot of things to write.

Please motivate me more with votes and comments.

Yours always

Amyrah