@ummahanibrahim🥰 I really appreciate your support for this book🥺😩.

🍃Flaws of a wife🍃

I returned home after making sure I understood whatever the Islamic herbalist told me on how to use the medicine.I drive was long and I felt a little bit famished so I went straight to my kitchen to get something to eat.Bintu had already left so I quickly cooked indomie,i didn't even had the energy to fry eggs so I eat it like that.After I was done eating I went to my room and changed into some more comfy clothes since the weather was a bit cold today I didn't have to take another bath.

After I was done sorting myself up,I took the medicine that I had dropped on the center table earlier on and went back to my kitchen to boil it.I decided to use my electric stove since there was light and my instinct have been telling me that my gas was about to finish and I sure do trust those instincts!

I washed the medicine that looked more like a dried stem from some tree first but I poured it all into a medium pot and added clean water,I closed the pot with its lid before I set up the electric gas and left it the cook till boiling point.Since I wasn't going to pray,I took my phone and started streaming through Instagram TL which was mainly full of heart touching stories that were sent to different type of blogs.Deciding that I wasn't going to spoil my mood today,I scrolled past any emotional story I came across and later on I went to my explore sighting all kind of weddings that were taking place,every couple I came across were laughing full of happiness and excitement not knowing what they were about to jump their lives into.

"Salama Alaikum."I heard a familiar voice from the entrance door.

"Wa'alaikis salam."I answered back dropping my phone while I adjusted my hair tie that I tied roughly earlier on.

And as I had thought the voice was familiar,it was Anty Rabi,Mahfouz's aunt that had always disliked me for not giving her sister(mama) a grandson.

"Sannu dazuwa Anty Rabi..ina wuni?."I greeted her again properly this time while she sat on one of the chairs.

"Yawwa..ya gida."she answered looking around as if she was looking for something.

"Fine fine."I said as I slowly stood from where I was scouting and went to bring some refreshments for her.

I realized we've ran out of soft drinks so I brought her some zobo (hibiscus drink) along with some chin-chin that bintu made before she left.

"How is everyone at home Anty Rabi."I asked after I had brought her the refreshments.

"They're all good,I came to get Zulaiha..you know very few weeks are left before she gives birth to a handsome baby boy."she said making sure she robs the "birth" part to my face.

I smiled bitterly saying "Allah ya sauketa lfy " before she said she was living.

I accompanied her to the compound where we found Zulaiha with her huge pregnancy bump waiting by the car while the driver was putting her luggage inside the car.Anty Rabi was busy complaining to  Zulaiha asking her why she stood in her condition and just then Mahfouz's car came in.

"Good evening Anty Rabi."Mahfouz greeted her after he had parked the car and came to where we were all standing.

"So mama was really serious when she said Zulaiha should move back to her house."he said after he had greeted her.

"Yes,you see she really needs proper care and attention at this stage she's in now and besides this house isn't safe enough."Anty Rabi said looking briefly towards me before they entered the car that Anty Rabi came with along with a driver before they left.

......

It was later that day that Mahfouz told me Zulaiha would be gone for a while since she hasn't even gave birth yet and she won't be back until she's done with all the post birth things.

I didn't know why but I felt relieved a little bit,at least it's going to be only I and my husband for a while.Although I know it's not going to last for that long but still I kind of felt happy.

I quickly finished making dinner and since Mahfouz had stepped out for a while,I went to my room and took a quick shower cause Mahfouz said he won't be out for too long and I wouldn't want him to come back before I was ready .I got dressed in a fitted gown that stopped a little lower to my thighs and it also had a sleet from behind.I packed my hair in a ponytail and sprayed some perfumes all over myself and that was when I heard Mahfouz's car zooming into the house.

Knowing Mahfouz's favorite color was red,I put on a red kimono on top and waited for Mahfouz to come in at the parlor,and he stormed in .

"Sannu da zuwa."I greeted him smiling warmly.

"Yawwa."he answered back while I helped him remove his shoes.

"Food or bath first ."I asked while he kept a close eye on me.

"Uhmmm...I will take bath first."he said while heading to the room.

I followed him and made a bath water for him just like how he likes it-not too hot and not too cold!

After he was done taking his bath,I help him got dress in some comfy white pairs of pajamas and then I dished out the food for him.

"How was your day."I asked after he had finished eating.

"I was okay,well everything was as usual."he answered back smiling warmly.

I was patiently waiting for him since to ask me how my visit to the herbalist went but to my surprise he didn't ask and it looks he's not even going to ask cause he had forgotten which I found really weird.Back then when I was to visit any hospital or any place that I could get help regarding the birth issue,he would always be eager to her what the feedback was,intact he wouldn't even wait till he got home,he would call me up every minute to find out if there was any improvement...that is if he wasn't able to come with me and sometimes he would come back home earlier from work but surprisingly today he had forgotten!

"Won't you ask how my visit with the herbalist went.?"I mastered up the courage and asked.

"Ohh..sorry dear it completely slipped out of my mind."he said feeling sorry.

"It's alright."I answered and told him exactly what had happened and how he instructed both I and him to take the medicine.

Then I stood up and went to the kitchen to fetch the medicine that I had boiled and preserved earlier already.I came back and found Mahfouz still seated in the same spot that I had left him earlier.

"Here is yours I've drank mine already ."I said smiling widely that my teeth were visible.

"Sarah....don't you think I don't need to take this...I mean we now know the issue is from me right."he said as if trying to reason with me and I felt that.

I became speechless for a while,so now the problem was mine to face alone since he had already gotten his other wife pregnant and she's about the give birth any moment from now.

So all those time that he had promised times without a number that "we were going to face this together." Was nothing but just pure simple words said just to comfort me,now I realize all those words and promises weren't kept to be fulfilled rather they were just empty promises.

"Mahfouz ..."I started speaking but I couldn't because of how my voice was cracking.

"No please Sarah don't get me wrong,what you're thinkimg isn't what I meant,this is still our problem but all this won't help.Sarah when Zulaiha finally gives birth I promise you that child is going to be just like your own child."he said holding my hands in his.

"That's right Mahfouz...he's going to be just like my child but we both know that he isn't my child right."I said and removed my hands from him and I left him seated there.

I know what Mahfouz said was right,I know he's child is going to be just like my child but I know sooner or later that one day it's going to be rubbed to my face that the child isn't my biological child.

Step mother.

Am sure that's what am going to be called one day.

I heard Mahfouz came in the room and closed the door behind me and I felt his hands on my shoulder and that made my tears flow even more.

"I don't want to be called a step mom..I also want to be a biological mom,is that too much to ask."I said crying bitterly in his chest.

"Shhhhh...enough Sarah please it's okay Allah will see you through don't worry."he said trying to console me and I felt his lips in mine and I tasted the medicine in his mouth.

I felt relieved a little since he had taken the medicine.

"I love you okay."he mumbled in between our lips.

..... ..... .......

Asslamu beautiful ummah.

Hope y'all are doing great.

Well this is going to be the last chapter before my exams.

You guys should please include me and everyone that's having exams.

I love you.

Allah hafiz🥺❤️.