CHAPTER 2: MOTHER’s LOVE

"Hold on sorry." I apologized to her before picking the call

She placed her head on my chest cuddling to my chest. "Asslamualaikum " I answered my immediate younger sister.

"Waalaikumsalam, Ya Abdullah. The doctor said they have to transfer Umma to a hospital that can do the type of operation she needs, And they said they have a branch in Abuja, So they wanted to transfer her there immediately, I just wanted to inform you i am so sorry this is coming late we didn't know her health would get this bad." I was confused I had to check the caller I.D again if it was my sister talking me this. Umma, my mother is in the hospital? I felt my heart beating in my ears.

"Operation? Wait why hasn't anyone told me Umma was ill, How long has she been ill." The last sentence made Ihsan look up to my face, but I avoided looking back at her eyes.

"I sent you a text message three days ago and I even gave you a call but no answer or response so I didn't want to disturb you maybe you were busy." Three days ago. That was on a Sunday, I was home all day I didn't see one call.

"What is wrong with her." I love my mother more than life itself, she was ill and I didn't know? I felt like i failed as a son

"Just the same old ulcer. The hospital will bring her themselves. The name of the hospital is Alaska, Its some where around jabi they said." She said it so casually.

"Okay. Can i speak to her now."

"They have a policy patients don't receive phone calls."

"Okay please greet her for me. Just let me know when you have arrived and if you need anything i can send a private plane to ease the stress."

"In Shaa Allah."

I hung up and dropped the phone on the seat "What's wrong, I heard some thing about hospital, Who is ill?"

"My Mother. They are transferring Umma to a hospital in Abuja" Ihsan's brows shut up." What's wrong." she sounded even more worried than I.

"Something about operation ne haka, You know she has ulcer."

"SubhanAllah"

"I'm taking Nana upstairs."

"I'm right behind you."

I was already in bed trying to get some sleep, But sleeping was going to be hard for me today. But fortunately for Ihsan it was always as easy as ABC."

She wore a short slik pajama dress with a cape. She came to the bed and layed right next to me putting her hand on my chest and a leg over mine I could smell the sweet scent of stawberry from her hair.

Snuggling more to my body, That was her everyday move if she doesn't do that then i know she is mad at me. And what she doesn't know is that it helps me fall asleep aswell. So I definatly need her by my side to sleep.

"So my boss, That Ibrahim guy doesn't even check if i come to work, So i might just slide out to go see Umma"

"That's how tomorrow would be The day that he would actually go up and check on you" She snaped her finger.

"Exactly, Wallah it happens but that wouldn't be my story, Besides I would be gone for like 2 hours i don't get much paitents around 11am."

"If you're coming let me know. " I add. And she nods

"Good night, Zawj"

"Who said we were going to sleep.?" I could feel the smile on her face. Before she finally looked up

"Oh you have something in mind." She asked trying to act unsure of what is happening. "The doctor said there is nothing wrong with any of us its just..." she kissed me.

"I know. In Shaa Allah when the time is right. We would have another child."

♡♡

I woke up to the sound of well, My annoying husband opening and closing drawers. "Please Zawj.. quietly now." I muttered through my sleepy voice.

"Wake up umma is on her way." I was drifting back to sleep but upon hearing that all my senses came back like a switch turned on. Ya Salam please if this is a dream, please wake me up. "what?" I asked again, As the sleep whipped away completely when i heard 'umma'.

"When she came to Abuja the doctors said she doesn't need to be sleeping In the hospital she can be coming from her home everyday for the next three week a month tops."

"what!"

"A Month!?"

"A month." I said again lower than the first time.

"Yes" He shrugged.

"She would be staying with us for 4 weeks? Haba Abdullah can't she stay with your sister for like two weeks then come and stay with us for another week?"

"Can you even hear yourself, I'm her only son you know that isn't possible." I sat up my legs coming out from the duvet. "Her only son? What happened to your elder brother Khalifa?" even though I know he doesn't stay in Nigeria anymore he moved to South Africa when he got married but he comes once in a while. "You know he isn't in Nigeria. I meant only like her only son in Nigeria." He answered with a frown checking the drawers for God knows what. I face palmed my self, Exactly why I don't want his mom to come or to be any where around us, We always fight, The last time she was here she convinced him to the point that we almost lost this marriage.

He walked away from the drawers and strolled down to the wardrobe, I didn't know when the sobs took over me.

"Ihsan?" He was immediately squatting in front of me holding both my shoulders "Are you crying." I covered my face with my hands trying very hard to control it I wanted to stop but my heart wasn't ready for that.

"No I'm not, I'm laughing " I sniffed in more air dropping my hands from my face. "Are we still going to travel." He looked away from my face to his fingers. I knew his answer. "We would have to see if Umma gets better." I slowly took his hands from my shoulder and gently walked to the bathroom and closing it behind me.

He didn't say anything because I knew deep down inside he knew I was hurt. I washed my face and took a shower before stepping out with a towel around my chest, I dropped the pyjamas I wore into the laundry basket before checking for the cloths I would wear today not for myself nor for my Zawji but for his mother.

My mother In-law

(Zawji: Husband.)

She doesn't like too tight or too loose clothing's. Trousers and skirts are already out, She believes too tight clothing's are not decent and too loose clothing makes you look fat. Well all this rules are just for me. Her kids wear whatever they like and she never complains.

She doesn't like Atampa (Traditional Attire). But it depends on the colour her favourite colour was black, Which explains her evil Personality towards me. And for that reason she doesn't like dark colours on me.

I mean she has done so many terrible things to me. Some of which I would rather not remind my self of it. Surprisingly when ever I try to tell someone they never tend to believe, At the same time I don't blame them Because to everyone she is very nice and yes she is nice to them, But to me you would think i did something to her in the past and that's why she keeps doing her things to me

Well she once told me that I only married her son becaue of his money, which was crazy talk because i knew her son before he became rich.

Okay.

I picked out my black abaya with a Fuchsia pink veil and wrapped it around my head after combing it and putting it in a ponytail. I did all this in a few. Coming out from closet. I finally heard Abdullah's step by the door.

I looked towards the door and Nana was in his arms.

"Mommy!" I over hear her.

I quickly fixed my veil in the mirror. "I'm here" I sniffed, Abdullah's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, I simply ignored his gaze and continued what I initially planned to do. "Nana go and Ask Hauwa if the guest room is dressed for Umma "She nods sliding Down from his arms after nodding and ran for the door.

I know he just wanted to send her away whilst he would try to convince me that his mother has changed "Ihsan." I looked up and my eyes met his which didn't carry a smile

"She has changed Wallah, I spoke to her this morning and she sounded so excited to see you and Nana again.

I ruff a smile "Abdullah this has happened times with out number. You know she hasn't. I definitely know she hasn't. I dont want to start another fight, so lets just drop this." I passed his sullen look