Kano State, Nigeria.
2018.

Jabrayah: "Girls, I've got a problem." Jabrayah typed fast in their WhatsApp group and thanked God they were all online at that time. It was nighttime and most of them should be with their husbands so it's a miracle.

Inayah: "What is it?" Inayah was the first to ask followed by Falak and Fikriyah with same question so she typed back fast before they go offline.

Jabrayah: "My husband hardly looks at me now. He only does what is necessary before leaving the house. What should I do? Do you think something is fishy?"

Jaiyana: "Do you bath everyday?"

Jabrayah: "What type of question is that?" Her brows are furrowed because she really doesn't bath everyday after she gave birth, she gets tired easily.

Jaiyana: "A serious one."

Falak: "Yes, Jab, if you don't bath everyday then what will he see in you to touch or stay close to?"

Her phone went off then so she plugged charge and sat down thinking about what they were talking about but it didn't make sense so she went to sleep with multitude thought meandering in her mind and disturbed heart. She cuddled Suwaid next to her and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek then lulled to sleep.

Jabrayah sighed for the nth time as she tucked her legs underneath her body. She finally got to put Othman to sleep some minutes earlier after the fuss he created early in the morning. She had to wake up around four in the morning because he just wouldn't keep quite and she has to breastfeed him multiple times and then rock him back to sleep which is a hard task but she has successfully done that after three hours making her head ache due to lack of sleep.

Suwaid was also not able to go back to sleep and is doing some research in his room, he helped lulling their baby to sleep. He needs to be in the airport later because he has a flight from Kano to the States and back to Kano again in that same day. He just thank God that his jobs doesn't need him all the time and when it does, it happens everyday of the month. He likes working as a pilot, it gives him immense satisfaction and let him breath out seeing the clouds in front of him and the countless buttons in front of him are like his life.

Tired of sitting with a wrapper wrapped around her chest and a long sleeve shirt with no bra, she went into the kitchen to make breakfast for them. After aimlessly checking her fridge and the storeroom in the kitchen, she settled on golden yam with egg sauce. She arranged the dining table and sat down waiting for Suwaid to come and have his breakfast before going to work.

Suwaid came out shortly after dressed in his white pilot uniform looking takeaway. Her heart started beating faster again because lately, they don't have the best relationship between them as they are both busy with one thing or the other. He will just kiss her cheek and then play with Othman then nothing else will happen again, it frustrates her to no end. Why is he acting all cold towards her after what they've been through together? Or does he hate her because she's finally given birth since she's heard that men tend to do that. So much questions without answers which she desperately needs.

"I won't be able to have breakfast here, love. I'm late. Take care of yourself." And he gave her a peck on the cheek before leaving the Chamber without another glance. She almost removed her hairs from their roots, what the hell is wrong with her husband or is it her?!

Not wanting to think too much about it, she finished eating her food and then turn on the television to take her mind off things. She didn't know how much she watched or how long she has slept on the couch or how did the sleep even took her away but she is sleeping and only woke up when she heard the doorbell. She groggily stood up and strained her ears to make sure Othman hasn't woken up before opening the door only to see her sister standing behind the closed doors.

"Hey." She greeted sleepily and welcomed her into her home.

Jaiyana look around the house for awhile before setting her gaze on her sister. Her sister looks like a rugged woman or a beggar sitting on the sidewalks in the street. And her house, it is as though there was an earthquake, temblor happened there and it also doesn't smell pleasant at all. How on earth did her sister turn into this dirty woman? Her house is not clean talk less of her own self and her husband?

After seeing her message last night, she knew something was wrong and she has to bring her legs to see what. Then something hit her, what?!

"Is Yarima home?" Was Jaiyana's first question because she has lot to say and if he is home, then she will have to come back later and talk things out.

"No." Came Jabrayah's groggy reply as she let he'd eyes droop.

"What the heck is wrong you, Jabrayah?! How could you let yourself be like this? Just some days into having a baby and you are all dirty? Look at yourself first please. From your hair, just look how dirty and nasty it looks and your face, have you ever thought about using those skincare products I gave you? Your body is has so many pores that will definitely lead to abrasion and infection. What?!" Jaiyana's face is now flushing in anger and disappointment making Jabrayah cower.

"Does your husband touch you like this? Look at you nails too, Jabrayah! And you think it is his fault you look like this?! Jabrayah you only gave birth to one baby not ten!" Jaiyana's voice is raising little by little with each word so she moved and closed the door so the guards won't eavesdrop on their conversation, a very private important one at that.

"Now turn around from here and gaze at your home. Do you think your husband will like seeing this when he comes back? And I bet he saw this too before leaving already. Look at your own self please, I don't even like seeing you right now. How did this happen, Jay? You were always neat, neater than I could ever be but what is wrong now? What changed?! Having a baby isn't supposed to have such impact in your life. You need to clear your shit and be straight. Don't you know that this is almost the reason that my marriage didn't work out the first time? Men, no scratch that, everyone likes neatness even yourself." Jaiyana was tired of talking so she sat down and watch her younger sister still standing with unshed tears.

Maybe this is the wake up call she needed. Jaiyana knew her sister needs help immediately after seeing the message she sent in that group. She even called her that night but he phone was off so she decided to go there the next day and there she is seeing what Suwaid has been enduring. Though Hizaif also didn't talk to her because of lack of makeover, she wouldn't make that mistake ever. He likes her without makeup but there is just something about men with neatness from their wives that they adore and without that, they feel like you are asphyxiating them. She has passed that stage and now all she needs to do is help her sister before it's too late.

"What should I do?" Jabrayah finally asked when she got out of her zone.

"You need a makeover first then your home." Jaiyana stood up and drag her around the kitchen to wash the dishes then arranged the whole living room and everywhere else before she pushed her to their room.

She asked her to use lots of skincare products to her body and wash her hair thoroughly with all the shampoos she has. While she waits for her, she went to check on Othman and found him soundly sleeping in his crib so she went back to the living room where Jabrayah keeps her incense burner. She brought out the Al-khanjar, Taif rose, Humra, Bakhoor Al-aroosa and started burning it around the house then took the rest to Jabrayah's room and found out she still isn't out yet so she kept it there.

Minutes later, Jabrayah ferried out of the bathroom feeling all fresh and clean in white towel. Jaiyana asked her to sit down so they can start arranging her again. Jaiyana dried and stretch her hair before giving her the perfume lotion so she could apply it to herself. She called the maids and ask them to do the laundry and clear Othman's room.

"Now, you should wait for when your husband is coming before bringing out this beautiful outfit. Go and cook his favorite dinner and get Othman dressed. I will be going now, don't forget what we talked about. You need to continue all these things but alone." Jaiyana smiled at her sister and took her bag from the bed but was stopped by Jabrayah's words.

"I don't have much words to thank you right now, sis. I wouldn't have found out what is wrong with me or why my marriage is falling without your help. Thank you so much, I love you." She embraced her into her arms in those rare comforting hugs.

"Jay, this is the least I could do to you after the troubles you've gone through because of me. I love you and thank you for all you've done too. I should get going before those girls follow me. Kaza mai yaya bata maiqo." And they laughed at the Hausa that says 'chicken that has children doesn't have oil' and it means if you have children, they will be always be on your tail all the time.

Jabrayah did as she was told and dressed Othman in his new baby blue overall so he could match the outfit she will be wearing later. She cooked Loaded Potato Patties with red velvet as dessert. It was already six in the evening when she finished so she performed ablution and waited for Maghrib, after doing so, she went to her room to change because this is the time Suwaid normally comes back. In between Maghrib and Ishā and it is time to show him that she realised her mistakes before it is too late.

She changed into a sky blue crop top, leaving her belly button wide in the open and shorts that stopped around her knees. She applied a little makeup and put on the black kimono she wanted to add on top in case if the guards will walk in to keep something Suwaid bought and then she walked back to the living room and turn on the television to Disney Junior, putting her son in between her laps.

She heard the door opening and saw Suwaid's tired form walking through the doors then he stopped for some minutes to smell the pleasant smell around his Chamber then look around for any baby clothes or toy but found none except the clean place he hasn't been in for some days. He didn't stop the smile from forming when he saw a card by the left side of him so she stood up and left the room quietly since the lights aren't fully on. She escaped to Othman's room and gently place him in his crib to continue sleeping.

"Highness,

     I know I haven't been the best wife after giving birth to our baby and was busy which I know you understand. I was so overwhelmed and centred in my baby that I didn't even notice myself drifting away from you. I'm sorry for all you've been through because of this but it has come to an end. I love you, my Prince. Food is patiently waiting..."

The card says so he moved to the dining room to see what they have. Though she is busy, she always cooks his favorite and he looks forward to eating with her everyday. He isn't mad at her for being busy, he was just disturbed about some other things going on. He has a lot of work and he is thinking about how to book them all a flight to leave the country while he work, his wife would still be close to him and that is why he has being busy. He don't want to take them there and find out he don't have time for them, it will be no use.

What he saw took his breath away. Jabrayah was standing there where he likes sitting in the dining room and the kimono she was wearing was nowhere to be found. His breath hitched before he moved forward and when she turn around to release that beautiful smile, he almost staggered back but kept moving to the love of his life. The woman he fell for at first sight.

"I missed you, my Prince." She threw her arms around his wide shoulders and hold him tightly to her before moving just to give him a knee weakling kiss.

"I missed you too, my love." He dip his head to take her glossed lips with his and merge it into their own connection, feeling the beats of her heart going at the same phase as his.

"And I was never mad at you, my love. We will be leaving for UAE in a month and will stay there for two weeks." She grinned at that and kissed him again.

The kiss escalated and before he knew it, his shirt isn't on him anymore and his vest is tucked out of his slacks and his hands are trying to remove her own safety, the crop shirt she still has on.

His hands went down to the swells of her chest and fondled gently, taking in how it's more swollen now because she's given birth. Gently, he took her in his arms and made way to their bedroom where he straddle her small frame with his bigger one and kissed down her neck to her chest. Her crop top is not in the way anymore and so he removed the undergarment there leaving her half naked. She shivered feeling his eyes on her and the air conditioner hit her naked body.

"Food." She whimpered through moans and lost breaths.

"We can get back to that later." He chuckled before diving deep to take her lips and got lost in yet another love making.

*****
Yoyoyoyo!
How are you all? Hmm, Jabrayah o. Suwaid hit two birds with one stone. He wasn't even mad at her in the first place, sad. Anyways, next chapter is the bomb I'm talking about. I forgot that we have this before the next, sorry. Happy Birthday to me🎉
RQ; Would you rather celebrate your birthday with your family or go to your dream land and celebrate alone? The thing is, I'm going to my dreamland since I always celebrate the others with my family. This is a one time opportunity o. You?

Aishatu.