Twenty two

BK 2 chapter 22

           I'd been discharged from hospital a month after Yusuf incident. I'd felt bad for him but there was nothing I could do. 

My life went back to normal, no drama. Abdulrahman became the most caring and sweetest husband. He attended to all my needs before battling my eyelashes. He knew what I wanted and needed. 

We were back together, living peacefully. I was happy and content. I'd have him all the permission to my properties, he was my husband and I trusted him. 

I sat on the couch, thinking about how I could talk to my boy about his father. I couldn't deny Yusuf's rights as a father. And my son had the right to know the truth but how can I go about it?. 

Children were complicated, how would I explain to him, I thought aloud. 

The man he knew wasn't his father? 

The boy was inquisitive, how would I explain?. 

Should I call my mom?. 

I shook my head at the thought, the drama I put her through was enough. 

She would be worried, mothers were always worried!. 

All your truth would be doubted when you tell a lie once. 

I took my phone and called Yusuf's mother, "Assalamualaikum ma" I greeted her. I'd not talk to her after the hospital scene. 

"Walaikum Salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh dears, how are you?" I heard her reply tiredly. 

"I'm fine ma, sorry for disturbing you" I proclaimed. 

"No dear, what do you want?" she asked, going straight to the point. She was cutting around the bush. 

"erm.." I stuttered, she caught me off guard, "I wish to talk to Yusuf this Sunday..." I trailed, twiddling with my fingers. 

I bit my lips nervously, waiting for her reply, "OK" she said and hung up. 

I sighed and pinched my nose tiredly. That was a heck of a conversation. 

Now, it was time to face my boy. He was playing ball with Abdulrahman at the corridor. "Baby" I called out softly. 

Ya Allah!, help me. 

"Ma" he replied, beaming with radiant happiness while I smiled. 

"Baby, mom needs to tell you something" his heart pricked as I talked, he came to sit beside me. 

"OK," he smiled. 

Is it possible some should have two daddies? "I widened my eyes in exaggeration. To make him understand. Children needed gesticulations so that they could understand quickly. 

He furrowed his brows in confusion before shaking his head and whispered out "NO". 

"Good," I praised him, "but there's a boy I think that has two daddies," I stated. 

"Who?" he asked?. 

"See" I began. How could I explain this to the boy? This was difficult to do. 

"The boy's dad was in an accident when the boy was born then the mother had another husband. That means the other husband was also his dad but no real dad. Now real dad is around and mom wants to show his dad to him" I explained gently while he nodded his head. 

"Mom, are you talking about mee?" he asked while I gaped my mouth at him. 

"What, how" I stuttered. 

"Mom, I know thaaat daaad iiis nooot myyy daaad" he confirmed my surprise. 

"How?"

" I heard wheeen you were talkiiiing with graaaandma that captain Z iiiis my real daaaad" I choked on tears. 

"I'm sorry baby" I hugged him. I didn't think his mental logic could comprehend it but Allah gave me a brilliant child which I was always grateful for. 

"Now wheeeen are yoooou telling real daaad?" he asked. 

I laughed nervously, "he is coming on Sunday" I added. 

"OK," he responded. 

~~~~~

I told Abdulrahman about the meeting with Yusuf, he was angry that I didn't ask him before calling Yusuf's mother. I apologized for my mistake and we settled it. 

Yusuf had been welcomed by Abdulrahman, I was bathing Abdullahi when he and brother Royhan came. I heard their laughter. Men were easy to get along. I'd called Maryam earlier to come today, we needed to talk. 

I said my teslim to them and walked to the fridge, bringing smoothie to serve them. 

I set them down on the middle table and went to sit beside Abdulrahman which was opposite to when they sat. I took a look at Yusuf and noticed, his eyes looked dull as if there was no soul in it. There was a bag under his eyes, his face looked pale. Wrinkles were on his face and he looked thin also. I noticed his gaze on my bump. 

"Thank you for honouring my call" I smiled softly. 

"It's a pleasure" he replied, his voice was void of emotion. 

"Abdullah" I called softly.

"Baby, come here" I ordered gently. When he reached my place, I stroked his head soothingly. 

"I and my husband" I saw him clenching his fist but I chose to continue "think we shouldn't deny your father's right. We have agreed to let me stay with you doing weekends" I said. 

"He will stay with you from Friday evening to Monday morning so that you could bond together. I've told him about us" I pushed Abdullahi softly towards him. 

"Daddy" as Abdullahi called him, he choked on tears. He sniffled and hugged him tightly. 

Abdulrahman and brother Royhan left both of them to bond like a father to son, not a teacher to pupil. 

"Please have you help me to talk to her?" brother Royhan asked. 

"Maybe you should talk to her, my husband, he is her guardian" I replied, leaving the guys to talk. 

Maryam came in shortly after I went inside. She made herself comfortable on my beside, bouncing up and down like a baby. 

"So what's up vanilla?" she asked. 

"Let's talk," I demanded. 

"Sometimes there will be what to say but no time for discussion and sometimes there will time for discussion but nothing to say." 

"What's with you is your parable now strawberry" She groaned. 

"When are you getting married?" 

"I'm not ready" she snapped at me. 

"When are you gonna be ready" I inquired, sitting down. 

"None of your concern" She replied curtly. 

"Maryam sugar, it's time to move on. Move on with your life. Will you be ready when Abdullahi will be going to his convocation?". 

She stood up, "Sophia, you are not the one that is supposed to be mocking me, upon the fact that you know what I had passed through" She yelled. 

"I know but let's talk. Don't bolt it. Please talk" I begged. 

"Sophia, I can't trust a man again in my life" she cried, shaking her head. 

"You can baby, if you are saying all men are the same, you won't know when the good one would pass by. And the bad men have damaged the good men's identity" I explained. 

" Sophia, My step-dad" she croaked, "He abused me mentally, physically, emotionally and sexually. He will lock me in the basement, torturing me."She whispered, crying. 

"It's okay, you are safe," I cooed softly. 

"It is not okay, I was pregnant for him, you know. The baby. I still have the nightmare till now. I never escaped it. It always haunted me in my sleep" She muttered. 

"It's okay". 

"No man could love a damaged good" She whispered. 

"You are afraid of love?" I pointed out while she scoffed. 

"Well, love is sweet with the right person. Make it halal." I chirped in. 

"Who will marry an old lady like me?" she sighed. 

"I've someone," I blurted. 

"Who?" 

"Royhan" 

"Not him" she groaned. 

"He has talked to your brother, just your yes we are waiting for" 

"He talked with Abdulrahman," She asked in disbelief while I nodded. 

"Something something " I wiggled my brows. 

"Nothing nothing" She shook her head shyly. 

"Something something" I  giggled, wanting her to say yes. 

"Nothing nothing" she replied. 

"Nothing nothing" 

"Something something" I beamed with unfathomable happiness. She had agreed. 

. 

. 

. 

And Maryam was getting married.