Chapter Dedicated to meerah228❤️she called me yesterday night and ushered me to update, or should I say threatened me to update😂🥺

Jiddah's POV

We started our first semester exams this week, and today been Thursday marks the fifth day. Azeemah is spending the night here so we can study together, she's really good and has been of great help.

"I'm feeling sleepy gaskia, let's continue tomorrow morning" she yawned, "same here wllhi let's sleep early so we can wake up on time" I covered the books. I'm so tired, ya Allah.

"We tried ai, it's 1:30am already, we'll wake up by 5 and continue" she grabbed her phone. "Madam you said you were sleepy" I eyed her. "Haa I just want to send him a goodnight message" she winked. Azeemah's lovelife is interesting and funny, they call each other more than 7times in a day, not to talk of the messages they exchange. "Goodnight Babe" she said to me and covered her self with the blanket. I went to Habibah's room to check up on maryam and met her fast asleep, I know she's asleep but I can't sleep without seeing her.

I remember how much I cried when I became pregnant and termed the pregnancy as bad luck to me, but actually it isn't, it's a blessing to me, Maryam is now my flesh and blood, she's the most loved person in my life. though I'm sad about how she came to existence, I still believe the fact that everything happens for a reason, I'll protect her and make sure she gets the love and care I never got in shaa Allah. Allahu yubarik alaiki ya binti. I placed a soft kiss on her forehead and left for my room.

Friday, 10;45am🌅

My mother inlaw called this morning asking me to give Yusuf the phone that she wants to talk to him.

'ive been calling his line but is not going through, give him the phone please' she said.

'Mom I'm in school ai have you forgotten' I chuckled. 'What?, he's not been athome since last week and he told me he's with you'

'Mom he's not here' I won't cover up for him. "So he lied to me, where could he be?" She sighed. ...in a hotel with Farha I guess...

'I don't fah, but I'll try calling his line, karki sa damuwa fah mom" I said. 'Toh in shaa Allahu,How is Hanan? How is the exams?" She enquired, she calls Maryam with Hanan, stating the fact that 'maryam' seems to elderly for a bearly 2yr old girl. 'She's fine Ma. Alhamdulillah we even have a paper by 11" I chuckled. "Toh madallah, let me allow you to freshen up. Make sure you tell him I'm looking for him, he should leave wherever he is he and come home' she scolded. "Tohm in shaa Allah. Bye' I ended the call.

"Why the sigh?" Azeemah jolted me to reality. 'Its Yusuf, we don't know where he is' I said. 'So why are you worried, is he a small boy that you have to know all of his moves' she laughed. "That's not it Azeemah, he left home since last week and they thought he's here with me, that was his excuse for leaving home though" I rolled my eyes.

"Innalillahi wa'ina Ilaihi raji'un, then maybe you should call the police, Allah yasa dai he didn't have an accident" she said her eye balls almost falling out of their socket. "Really?" I laughed.

"I called him day before yesterday and he was safe and sound, he just used me to lie so he can..."

"Really?, So he can what?" She asked, "Forget it kawai" I laughed it off. "That's not funny, your husband was supposed to come visit you but he didn't, he's not at home and he's not here so where could he be?" She asked. "How am I supposed to know?" I eyed her. "Hmm okay ooo" she nodded her head in a dramatic way. "Wait, what are you thinking of?" I asked, "Nothing fah, but this is not funny wallahi. Sorry to say Jiddah, but I think another woman is getting his attention, I mean reason it now" she said.

"Okay I'm sorry" she hit her mouth after seeing my expression. "Let's go the exam Hall" she dragged my hand. "Ke easy" I laughed.

Three Hours Later

I knew I was in for it when I saw 6missed calls from Yusuf. During the exam, my mind kept drifting to the issue of my broken home, I don't know what to do, or how to fix it.

I dialed his number with shaky hands waiting for him to pick up and start reigning insults on me but instead he cut the call. Maybe it's network, I said to myslef and called again but he rejected the call again.

'Jiddah you're in trouble' this sentence kept ringing in my head.

"How was the exams?" Azeemah showed up from no where. "Hmm Alhamdulillah, it wasn't as hard as I expected" I smiled. "Allah dai ya bamu sa'a" she prayed, "Ameen Ya Allah" I said.

"Do you think I shouldn't have told my mother inlaw he's not here with me?" I asked azeemah. "Says who?, What if it something bad that happened to him and you've said you he's with you?, You'll get into a big trouble" she said, "okay, let's go home, I'm hungry" I rubbed my tommy.

Upon entering the house, we saw Yusuf's car parked at the frontage. "Azeemah, I'm sorry but you have to go" I pleaded. "Why do you seem so scared?" She asked trying to observe something. "No.. nothing, just go please, I'll call and explain to you" I said. "Okay then bye, take care" she said and left.

I knocked at the front door and waited for Habibah, my heart beating in marathons, I wish I had just lie and say he was here. I walked back and forth thinking of how to go about it and then the door opened.

"Oh you're back, come in" he ushered me inside. "I..ye..am" I stammered.
"I said come in" he dragged me inside.

"Yusuf I'm Sorry" I sobbed. "What are you sorry for?, You didn't do anything wrong" he said gently pushing me down to seat. I guess he doesn't know the trouble I have caused him. "I told Mom you're not here when she called" I said.

"Yeah, I know and I'm not angry at you but I'll be really upset if you don't call her back and tell her you were joking when you said I wasn't here" he uttered.

"Are you asking me to make myself a lier before her?, She'll think I have no respect for her and that's why I joked about something like that" I stated.

"I don't know how you'd do it, eaither tell her you were joking or you just lied to her, I don't care how you'd go about it, but make sure you correct your mistake" he pointed his index finger at me as a sign of warning. "What are you waiting for call her" he passed his phone to me.

"No, don't worry I'll use mine" I cleaned the tears that dropped from my eyes. "No, use mine so she won't have any doubt" "Alright"

"Yusuf" she said the moment she picked up the call. "No Mom he's not the one" I sobbed. "Innalillahi wa'ina Ilaihi raji'un, so where is he? Has something happened to him?" She asked.

"No Mom, nothing is wrong with him. I just called to apologize to you over what I told you earlier, Yusuf has been here since last week, I was just joking" I sobbed more.

"Hey put it on speaker" he whispered, I did as he ordered. My heart is boiling with his hatred right now. "You were what?" Her voice noted disappointment. "Mom I'm really sorry, I didn't know you'll take it serious, it won't happen again in shaa Allah" I said.

"Where is he now?" She asked, "He's here beside me" I looked at him. "Okay, I want to see this both of you today." And then she cut the call.

"Yusuf what you're doing is wrong, you made me turn myself into a lier, infact where did you go to?" I cried.

"How dare you question me?. Only if you had kept your mouth shut" he hissed and left for the car. I cleaned the tears in my eyes and followed suit.

I'm tired of this marriage, is draining me, I wish Yusuf will go back to been that nice guy I once knew, but what can I do, this is the real him, or I just wish I can he apart from him and still be happy. My kind keeps reminding me that I might not still be my Aunt's favorite if my marriage ends, she might just put the blame on me or even neglect me. My heart want to deny that financial reason is one of the reason I'm still in this marriage, but that's not true at all, I'm not trading my peace of mind for worldly materials. I'm just thinking of maryam's future, I don't want her to suffer in any way. I don't know what will await me outside my matrimonial home. Allah is with the patient ones and those who have faith in him, I'm one of those people in shaa Allah.

"We've arrived" he stopped the car forcefully, he was speeding all the way. "Just get it straight, whatever stress I may encounter today, you'll go through double of it" he said with gritted teeth. "I've already done what you asked me to, it's left for her to agree or not, why are you blaming it on me?" I asked, "If only you had kept your mouth shut we wouldn't be here to answer some query."

We walked into the house and met Mom watching a Nollywood movie in the main parlour. "Mom Ina yini" we both squat down. "Lafia qlau" she muttered. She looked unhappy and her face was not carrying that usual beautiful smile, maybe she hates me now too. "Mommy Dan Allah kiyi haquri" I said my eyes stick to the floor.

"Make your selves comfortable" she gestured at the cushion beside her. My heart was beating very fast, I'm sure my blood pressure is high. "Marriage is what complets the half of our Deen. It is also believed that it makes us more responsible and better humans but I'm not sure if that applies to you" she was referring to Yusuf, I could see pain in her eyes.

"You are under your husband, but he is also under my authority so don't be scared, make sure you tell me just the truth. Was Yusuf with you in Gwagwalada?" She asked, I looked at him and I swear for the first time I saw fear in his eyes. "No" I whispered.

"A friend told me she saw you in a restaurant with..." she turned to Yusuf, "Yes Mom, it was Farha and we were talking about work, we parted ways that same day, and I've been in Uncle's Hotel since last week, you can ask the receptionist. Jiddah is writing exams, I didn't want to distract her that was the reason, I'm sorry Mom, I've also apologised to her" stated. "Okay, but it shouldn't repeat it self. Allah ya muku albarka" she prayed.
"Ameen ameen" we chorused.

      The ride home was so silent, he didn't utter a word and I also didn't bother to, I actually prefer it that way, though his silence doesn't really mean his letting the issue go. May Allah make it easy for me to endure his tantrums. "Stay of my business, I mean it this time" he said and zoomed off. I sighed and went into the house, not without thanking Allah for saving me.

"Assalamu Alaikum" I knocked at the door but it doesn't seem like she heard me so I tried pushing the door handle, and to my surprise the door was open and no one is in the sitting room, I went into my room and dropped my veil before heading to Habiba's room, to my utmost surprise they were not there!. I checked everywhere in the house but couldn't find, the backyard, toilet, everywhere.

My heart skipped, and many thoughts came running through my mind. Habibah is not answering my calls and the security guard is not here also. I grabbed my hijab and strolled to the main gate to ask if they saw them going out but they said no, I started crying instantly praying to Allah to save my daughter where ever she is. I ran back home to carry my phone and upon entering the house I saw the gateman comfortably listening to his radio.

"Habu!" I shouted his name. "Where is Habibah and my daughter, where did you go to?" I asked cleaning my tears. "They are inside madam" he said standing up. "They are not!, I've checked everywhere" I gestured at the house. "Innalillahi madam wllhi I went out since 4pm to watch a Barcelona match in my brother's shop" he said raising his hands in defence. "Innalillahi wa'ina Ilaihi raji'un" I broke down and started crying.

I called Yusuf more than 15times but he didn't pick my calls, he later switched off his phone. Azeemah, she was the second person that came to my mind. I dialed her number but she wasn't picking too, so I sent her a message.

I need your help, please call me.

"Let me ask the owner of that shop " Habu said and went out. I should have take with me now u don't even know where she is or what has happened to her, I can't live without my daughter, ya Allah please forgive me and protect my daughter where ever she is. I love her. My phone started ringing and I picked the call without even checking the caller ID. "Jiddah, we've been waiting for you since, and what help do you need?" She asked.

"Azeemah" I sobbed, "why are you crying?" She asked, I don't get what she's talking about. "Maryam and Habiba are not in the house, I've checked everywhere but I can't find them" I cried. "Innalillahi wa'ina Ilaihi raji'un, Now Jiddah listen to me and stop crying" she comforted me.

"How do you expect me to stop crying, please just come" I sobbed. "Hey they are with me, we are in the clinic"

"Really?" I asked standing up. "Yes, I asked Habibah to text you, didn't she?" Ya Allah I'm so glad. "No she did not" I sobbed. "Which clinic?, And what are you doing there?" I asked. "We are in Zafar Clinic,Nothing serious, I'll explain to you when you arrive" she said. "Okay, I'm on my way."

I did sujud shukr and thank Allah for keeping her safe, I thought something bad happened. "Madam, madam" Habu opened the gate. "What?" I eyed him. "Madam that malam said he saw a car coming out of this house, and Habibah was the one who opened and closed the gate, he also saw her entre the car"

"Yes, my friend just called me, she's with them" I smiled. "Toh Alhamdulillah" he grinned showing his 36. "Please don't tell Oga, I no one loose my job, e no go ever happen again"

"I don't have your time" I murmured To myseld and headed out.

°°°°°°°°

I called Azeemah and told her arrived so she sent Habiba to come and bring me in. "Aunty I'm sorry for making you worried unnecessarily" she said. "Where are they?" I ignored her apology. "In the next room" she pointed at a room. I went in and saw Azeemah sitting on a chair while Maryam was sleeping peacefully beside her on a bed, Ya Allah.

"What happened to her?" I sobbed. "She was stooling and vomiting, her temperature was very high too, so Habibah got scared and called me" Azeemah spoke. "Azeemah....thank you, thank you" I hugged her. "So you're thanking me for bringing Maryam to the hospital?" She seemed hurt, what else did she expect me to say "Okay sorry" I chuckled.

"How was the date?" She raised her eyebrows, "which date?" I questioned. "Habibah told me you went out with Yusuf" she chuckled, "yeah" I said and luckily she didn't push further. Azeemah has the ability to sense when someone isn't comfortable or interested in a chat and she'll just let go.

"Let's go and buy the drugs the doctor prescribed" she changed the topic. "Okay let's go" I tried to stand up. "Are you alright?" She asked. "Yes, I'm fine"

"You don't look fine to me" she touched my forehead, "It's just stress, I'll be alright after a hot bath" I yawned, I've been feeling nauseous since in the morning. "Okay oo" she said. "Let me go and get the drugs" she headed out. "Okay" I smiled.

Few minutes later, Azeemah came back with the drugs, there was two types of syrups and three injection, ouch!.

"Here, eat something" she gave me a Holandia drink and meat pie. "I don't feel like eating anything" I squeezed my face. "Jiddah, do you want to get sick too?"

"Okay if you insist" I took a bite but couldn't swallow it, I ran to the toilet and vomited everything. "Sorry" she patted my head. "Thanks" I rinsed my mouth. "I told you" I laughed weakly.

"Jiddah, when last did you see your period?" Azeemah asked her eyes wide opened. "How is that related to me throwing up?" I questioned back. "Well you might be pregnant, I mean you've been complaining of headache and lost of appetite.