The sound of the ambulance arriving was the most heartbreaking sound they had ever heard in their whole lives. Before they had lived in denial, somehow thinking that from the hospital he had been taken after he had the grievous accident, they would call Hussain and tell him that they were mistaken, that his twin brother was alive. Maybe he had just fallen into a coma but he would live, nevertheless.

Nadia clung tightly to one of her relatives that had arrived, her aunt that lived in katsina and she clenched her eyes shut. She didn't want to hear the sound, it was as though a painful reminder that her twin was indeed no more. Less than thirty minutes after he had called her to let her know that he would be in Abuja, he had an accident that took his dear darling life. She was no longer crying, she hadn't been crying since when Hussain told them everything.

That he received a call with Hassan's number from one of his rescuers. He had a brutal accident and had already been taken to the hospital. The doctors confirmed that it was an internal injury that would probably cost his life, he was still alive though, at the time and requested they call his brother before he died. He hadn't told them what Hassan's last words were, but maybe it was because his heart was in turmoil and he might likely not remember the right words.

She heard as Sohila began to scream when his body was brought into the house and it was taken directly to their chamber, in their living room so he could be washed. From where she sat, she could see the way Hussain was acting on motive, as if he had been programmed and was being controlled by a remote. She was still yet to shed a single tear, but she could literally feel the flames of agony burning at her heart.

One of their Aunts walked to her and said, "Hajia said that you should come and assist with the ritual bathe. Can you do it, Nadia?" The women around were both flashing her empathetic eyes and she hated it. She closed her eyes that burnt with pain and opened them again, how could she? But she hadn't even seen him yet.

She turned to her Aunt, her lips barely opening as she spoke, "I don't think I can be able to do it, Aunty Fatima."

She softly patted her hand, "It's sunnah for a wife to help in washing her dead husband and same goes to the husband for his wife. He would've done the same if you were the one in his position now. It wouldn't be easy, but you'll later regret it if you didn't."

Aunty Fatima helped her to the living room and she stood by the door, "Go in, Nadia, Allah will be your strength, okay?" And walked into the room and heard as Aunty Fatima closed the door behind her. Her heart lost yet another beat since the beginning of today as her eyes fell on his body. Long and muscular body as it laid on the floor, lifeless. There were a few blood stains on him, not that which one would believe would cost his life.

Her feet began to wobble and she felt as Sohila walked and helped straightened her. She scanned the room and saw that it was only Hajia, Hussain, Sohila and their imam. So, it was really happening, isn't it? She went and knelt by his head, his face was showing and he had the most beautiful smile she had ever seen on his face. Was he happy to leave her? His teeth were even slightly showing. Did he know that she would feel this miserable and have this excruciating pain threatening to bring an end to her life? She bet he didn't, because if he knew, he wouldn't have been smiling so beautifully.

The imam cleared his throat and began with sending his condolences, and told them all the islamic guides on doing a ritual for the dead. The dua's they should keep on reciting on him before they began. She just sat there, lifting when she was asked to. Closing when she was asked to and when it was time to apply the musk on him, they gave it to her and Hussain. He had always loved musk, and after they got married he had told her that he loved it the most when she was the one that applied it for him.

She stared at his body now that was shrouded with the white clothing and turned around her. Maybe his soul was here with them, he might even be speaking with her and she could never hear him because she was alive and him dead. Maybe he was urging them to quickly finish so they could take him to his grave, that she shouldn't miss him long and should take care of their baby. She dabbed the musk in her palms and with shaky hands, she began to apply it on him. His broad chest, she stopped right on his heart and it was the most silent heart she had ever felt in her life. Didn't he have the best heart beat on earth? That she sometimes couldn't sleep until she was resting her head on his chest, hearing the way it beat?

She slightly looked up at Hussain and his eyes were looking at her, he wasn't even moving and she could swear he wasn't the Hussain she knew. This Hussain looked so ripped with pain that she could barely recognize him. She had always thought of them as a single person, but today, the difference was clear. Her Twin was dead and his twin still had a beating heart in his chest. She wanted to ask him, 'Does your heart really beat? I thought you'd die along with him, just like you do everything exactly like he does.' But she didn't think she could ever be able to speak, not after feeling the silence of his heart.

With aplomb, they finished, and crest fallen, she watched as Hajia prayed for him and pecked his forehead. She cleared her tears and painstakingly stood to her feet while she stared at his smiling face. "Allah ya hadamu a Aljanna, Hassan." Her lips trembled while she spoke and she walked out of the room in a flash.

Sohila walked to his body with her whole body shaking, despite being there when he was bathed and clothed, she still believed that he would wake up and somehow, they would rush him to the hospital. She hugged him, breaking into tears as she wished for a miracle to happen. She slowly lifted her body and stared at his face, "You've always loved to smile, First Baba, what a relief to see you smiling on your last day. I have a lot of things to say to you, but you wouldn't hear them even if I do, right? Just know that I'll miss you until my own last day, First H. It was such an honor having you as a brother and a father and I'll be forever thankful for all the years we've spent together. I've always said Jazakallahu bil Jannah to you, and today, I pray that Jannah be your final abode." She kissed his forehead, hugged hum once again before she walked out of the living room, as new set of tears washed down her face.

It was left of only Nadia and Hussain, and he was expected to be the last person so he can call upon their relatives and have him taken outside so he could be prayed upon. She was silent, just staring at his face and he croaked, "I can step out for you to have your last moment with him." But she slowly shook her head.

"It's alright," It was barely a whisper, but he heard her nevertheless. She palmed the side of his face and smiled, it was the most painful smile Hussain had ever seen in his entire life. "Twin, my beautiful handsome Twin. Now that you're gone, I pray Allah enlighten your grave for you, lighten it and make you among the dwellers of Jannah. Allah ya raba ka da duhun kabuki, Hassan. You've always hated darkness, scared of it, even, and I pray your final home will forever be in lightness and rahma. I wish I could tell you all the things I have in my mind, but it's just so hard and speaking is even harder."

She had stop, because with each breath she took and each word uttered she felt as though she wouldn't be able to live through the next minute. "Now, I have no one to whine too and argue with. I have no one to pout to or even think of frowning my face over a mistake done to me years ago. There's no more complains about my favorite modanisa abaya and my favorite ice cream, you've left with everything, Twin." She kissed his forehead and lingered there, just as a wave of sadness clouded over her heart and she felt as some hot tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I shouldn't delay you, you're probably so eager to be taken to your grave, knowing so well it will be the best home you'd have ever have. I pray you live the posh life you've always been speaking of, there. I wish our baby could see you, but there's a split image of you to show him. I love you, Twin, always and forever." With one last hug and a peck on his forehead, Nadia trudged out of the room because she didn't want to look at Hussain and wish their positions to be switched. They were the same, right? It shouldn't be a matter if they switched and have him back to life and Hussain being the one dead. To avoid committing a sin, she brushed that thought away and avoided the eyes of the people as she walked to their chamber.

She wanted to be alone, away from the reality of the world that had hit her. She could feel her baby moving abruptly since morning and she didn't want to believe that he or she knew what was going on with their lives. The turn their lives had taken, the change and their huge loss. She was relieved to see that there was no one in their chamber, she went to the living room, for with the whole life left in her, Nadia couldn't imagine being in their room, seeing all his things and not being forced to commit suicide. She curled herself in the last sofa and placed her hand on her stomach, the baby was still moving, but now its moves were slow and painful, as though soothing her of the pain she was going through.

She sat there silently, hearing the hubbub coming from the house and she wished she could to a place no on could see her and she could hear no voice to remind her of what had been happening. She heard the cries, someone saying please don't take him away, that should be Social. She had her eyes closed, that was what she had ran away from. The ache of seeing his body for the last time. Being carefully placed into stack of woods and being taken away. Her wrapper was given to cover him up, but somehow, even though she had told herself it was better not to see him in that wooden bed, but she found herself rushing to the window and she got a better view him lifted up by the men of his family. She could spot Hussain cradling the bed on his shoulder around the head of Hassan and his tears were running down unchecked. The last thing she saw before they walked out of the house was a sight of her wrapper over him and she slumped on the floor as she had a complete breakdown of tears.

"Oh Twin, please, Ya Allah!" Her lips trembled as her heart constricted with pain.

May Allah forgive the souls we've lost. Our loved ones💔 Indeed every soul shall taste death and it could be you, me or anyone today or tomorrow. Allah kasa mu cika da imani😭💔

This page is for my Bestfriend, Meeno; May Allah continue being your strength, girl. Allah ya kai haske kabarin su Mama❤️ Say a prayer for her parents please🥺 Jazakumullahu bil khair as you do💕