"Those pictures you sent to me told me how much you are enjoying London. You are glowing. Brother Amir is taking care of you right?" Raihana said through the screen of my laptop.

"Of course, he is. Where is everyone?" I asked.

"They are in the hospital. I am also in the hospital"

"Is anything wrong?" I adjusted in my seat.

"Nothing at all except" her grin grew wide. "Sister Amatullah has just given birth" she screamed into the screen. I screamed my hands over my mouth.

"Really!" I shrieked happy. "She has given birth?"

"Yes, she gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl" she said into the phone laughing.

"I am so happy" I said, water burned my eyes. "How are brother Yusuf and the babies?"

"You need to see brother Yusuf. He looked as if he will die when she was in the labour room and now he is as happy as anything. Those babies are so cute and beautiful" she said.

"I wish I can be in Nigeria now" I said pushing back tears. "Where is everyone?" I asked.

"In the ward"

"Why are you screaming Noor?" Sahibah bhabi asked as she sat down together with Zoya bhabi.

"My sister in law just put to bed" I answered.

"Really?" Zoya bhabi exclaimed. "The beautiful dark one that had welcomed us"

"Yes" I nodded my head.

"Assalamu alaikum" Raihana said from the screen.

"Walaikum salam" they answered looking into the screen.

"That's your sister" Sahibah bhabi said looking into the screen. "She was the one who took care of Aisha on your wedding day. Raihana, how are you?"

"I am great. I just became an aunt" She gushed.

"I will like to speak with everyone now" I said

"Too bad. They are too excited to speak now. I will call you back when they are done" she ended the call before I could speak.

I sighed leaning back into the chair, my heart jumping with joy. I have just become an aunt. Sister Amatullah had just given birth. This child had caused lots of havoc in my brother and his wife's life. Alhamdulillah, they are finally parents. It reminded me of those days when I was a pain in everyone's back, causing trouble and fighting. I wanted my mother to get justice for her death. I was so obsessed with it that I had not seen other people's pain. I smiled at the memories.

"May Allah bless the new-borns" Sahibah bhabi said.

"Ameen" we answered. I put my laptop away.

"And May they grow well in good health and happiness" Zoya bhabi added.

There was an itch in me that could not wait to tell Amir but when will he be home? I have to wait and force myself not to sleep. I must tell him.

"That Abaya you liked Noorie" Zoya bhabi lay on the chair crossing her legs at her ankles.

"Yes" I answered picking my drawing pad.

"It has arrived" she yawned.

It was an hour after dinner. Most of the family had gone to bed except the men who are talking business in the dining room and Zoya bhabi, Sahibah bhabi and I. We were seated in the family room upstairs. I had come to wait for them after spending some time with Nani and Aunt Caroline before helping them to bed.

"Thank you" I answered.

Zoya bhabi owns a boutique and jewellery store in central London. She sells different kinds of wears, from Islamic wears to non-Islamic wears. I had been at the boutique once and had been awe struck by how big it was. Her business was running smoothly but Sahibah bhabi was a full housewife because Faiz does not want her to work.

"What about the jewelleries I ordered for?" Sahibah asked picking up her knitting.

"They are also ready. I will show you both tomorrow" she closed her eyes. I knew she was tired. She had three kids to take care of, a husband and a business. It was not easy. "Farhaana was just a pest. She made sure I told her late bed stories" she said. "My kids are so troublesome and that is what make then so adorable and sweet, their constant chatter and all. My head is pounding" she pressed her forehead.

"I think I will have to patronize you more. I will buy lots from you for my family in Nigeria" I answered sketching.

"That's sweet Noor" She answered her voice low.

"I will have to leave" Sahibah bhabi got up with her knitting.

"Why?" I looked up at her picking a pencil to begin sketching.

"Aisha is hungry"

"How did you know?" I asked confused because Aisha was not with. She laughed.

"I feel it" she darted off. I looked at her retreating back amused.

"How is that possible?" I asked Zoya bhabi who sat up running a hand through her hair.

"It is one of the perks of being a mother" she answered. "Sometimes, as a mother, I can feel it when something is wrong with one of my kids. There is this knot in my stomach"

"That's surprising?" I mused.

"It is. I did not understand until I became a mother. You will when you become one" she said running her bare feet on the floor.

Will I ever become a mother? I have always dreamt of having my own children but Amir and I have not said anything about having kids. I smiled looking down at the book on my lap.

"Zoya" Sami bhai's voice came from the door.

"Finally" Zoya bhabi jumped to her feet. "I thought they will spend the whole night there. Goodnight Noor" she said walking away.

"Goodnight" I answered glancing at her before looking back at my book.

From the hallway, I heard Zoya bhabi's giggle along with her husband's laughter then the sound of door closing. With darkness in my heart, I got up packing my things to retire to the room. Holding the heavy curtains that fell across the French windows, I looked ahead of me. Light illuminated the compound of the manor. I could see the road leading to the manor. For a moment, I wanted to see a car drive through to give my heart hope that he had arrived but none drove by. I pulled the curtains together, switched off the light and left for our room.

With the light from the fire place as the only cradle of light in the room, I sat on the sofa, my legs folded under me. I can wait. I will wait for him. Even though I want to sleep, I will prevent sleep from taking over me. With determination, I sketched on the plain white paper in front of me.

I wiggled my fingers. My fingers' joints ached from working for hours. Leaning up from the sofa, my eyes scanned the floor as I put the short pencil behind my ear. I had six sketches lying on the floor. For hours, I had sketched to prevent myself from sleeping and take my mind off him. He still had not come. I turned towards the door waiting for it to open so that I can jump with joy, hug him, kiss him and tell him the news. My phone beeped and I picked it up to see a message from Amir.

"Sorry, I won't be home tonight. I will spend the night at the office" it says

I stared at message, my hope shattered into million pieces including my heart. Pain followed next. My insides tightened. It hurts to read such a message. I wanted to see him, just see him, that was why I waited and he shattered every hope with just a message. My hands shook then my breathing came out faster. The back of my eyes hurt with the sudden gush of water that sets in. A tear fell followed by another.

I could not take it anymore. The distance and the way he buried himself into his work. It hurts. It aches like a fresh cut. The tears that followed gushed out like a river. I covered my face with my palms listening to my own sobs filled with distress and raw from inside. I let everything out of me, my pain and my sorrow until I had nothing to pour out again.

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