Chapter 46

"But Aunty, he said I shouldn't allow you to do any work anymore because you're not feeling well."

Habiba furrowed her brows and shook her head. "Don't mind him, I just had a slight headache but I'm okay and besides, I'll just watch how you do it," she explained, settling down on the kitchen stool. Rabi'atu sighed, still not convinced. 

She turned on the gas cooker and placed the pot on the fire. She has been teaching Habiba how to cook Nigerian dishes for the past few weeks. Habiba noticed he preferred native dishes more than what she actually cooks for him. Today they were cooking tuwo. 

Habiba sat there, paying much attention to everything Rabi'atu was doing. She stood up and went closer to get a good view of the stew she was making. Her stomach lurched at the sight of the stew. Waves of nausea hitting up when she perceived the aroma. 

She stepped back holding her stomach and covering her nose and mouth with the other hand. Rabi'atu looked at her, panicky. "Please, Aunty you should go get some rest. We would do it some other time when you're feeling better." Rabi'atu pleaded. "Okay fine, I'll go not because I want to, but because I feel so tired," she spoke and sluggishly walked out of the kitchen to her room. 

It was past 7pm, she knew wherever he was, he was close by. She had another bath and prayed maghrib. She tried to keep her eyes open, she really did. But it was so hard, and she was so comfortable. Soon, that was all that she was aware of: The soft mattress underneath her, the warmth of the sheets around her. Her eyes began to drift closed. She was blissfully unaware of what was going on around her. Then it was just her and her dreams.

It was past 8pm when he finally arrived home. He entered the house to their room and met her sleeping. He smiled moving closer to her. In sleep, she looks younger, she looked a bit tired but not so beaten down. Her face was as fresh as a raindrop, as lovely as the primrose. His wife was very beautiful. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead before covering her body with the duvet. He sauntered into the bathroom to freshen up. 

Her head jolts upward letting her know she fell asleep. Her eyes grow wider than usual and take a look as she scans around the room. For a few seconds she felt confused, unsure of what was going on, then it all comes back to her and she sighed. She rose up from the bed and sauntered towards the bathroom same time he opened the door making her to jolt back in horror. 

"You scared me," she sighed, holding her chest. Her words made his heart to sink. He remembered when he was last admitted, Maryam said the same words to him. How he have missed her, but he was doing much okay without her. He was happy with whom he is with now. 

"When did you come back?" She asked hugging him even though he was wet all over. "I came back not long ago. How are you feeling? Did you get to throw up?"

"No, I still feel nausea but nothing came out still." She retorted, breaking the hug. He placed his hands on her forehead, "we should go to the hospital, I can't take any risks." He concluded letting go on her waist. He entered the closet and fetched out a tshirt with sweatpants. "But I'm not sick, I just feel tired, weak and sleepy all the time but I'm fine," she protested following his every movement. 

He ignored her and continued with what he was doing. She scoffed and sat down on the bed. She placed her chin under her palms waiting for him to speak. He finished dressing up and approached her. She often get surprised by how his mood changes. He had a straight face just few moments ago but now he was smiling at her. He knelt down in front of her and cupped her face. "I don't want anything to happen to you, my love. I'm just taking you to the hospital for check up. I'm very sure nothing is wrong with you since you've been a good girl and you take all your drugs everyday." 

She beamed and nodded her head, "but under one condition." He chuckled softly, "shoot." 

"You will get me ice cream tomorrow and we will go to a different hospital," she spoke staring at his face to see his expression. "I promise you two buckets of your favourite ice cream flavour and why do you want us to go to a different hospital?" 

"Because I don't like that Mahdi's hospital, it freaks me out," she said, eyes bulging out. "Hmm! But that's the best hospital here in Bauchi. And they have the best doctors there." He said sitting beside her. "Okay, fine, but I don't want her to be my consultant anymore." She said placing her chin on his shoulder. 

He raised her head to look at her eyes. "Why? Did she do anything to you?" He questioned. "Well I just don't like her and I don't like her being around you."

He chuckled softly. Was she jealous of maryam or what? "But last time you said she was a nice person and you liked her. What happened now? What changed your mind, hmm, Habiba na?" He raised his brows, waiting for answer. 

"Pleaseee, enough with the questions, I'm starting to get bored and sleepy," she whined melting into his body. "You just woke up few minutes ago. Habiba, get up and get ready, I'm taking you to the hospital now," he declared, getting up from the bed. She sighed, giving up. She knew he would never listen to her whenever it comes to her health. He never jokes with it. 

"I have to pray Isha first," she said and also stood up. She sauntered towards the bathroom and performed ablution. "Aren't you going to eat first before we leave?" She asked when she came out of the bathroom. "I will eat right after I make sure you're okay," he retorted, his eyes on her. She gave him a little smile before walking to where her hijab and praying mat was.

After she prayed, they set out to the hospital. "Have you even eaten?" He asked looking at her for brief seconds before turning his gaze to the road. She shrugged her shoulders and slumped in her seat. He knew she was angry about them going to Doctor Mahdi's hospital. 

Had she found out who Maryam was to him? If not, why would she suddenly change her mind about Maryam like that. Habiba deserves to know about Maryam. She deserves to know what happened in his past, but how was he going to start telling her after this long time? He kept the thought aside and focused on driving.

He parked the car in the parking lot and was about to step out when he heard her sobs. She sobbed into her hands and the tears dripped between her fingers, raining down onto her laps. His eyes bulged out as he grabbed her hands. "What's the problem? Have I done anything wrong? Why are you crying? Do you feel any pain?" He asked worriedly. 

"I told you I don't like this hospital, why don't  you want to listen to me? I don't like it here!" She sobbed uncontrollably. He sighed, out of words. "Habiba....." he trailed off. "I'm so sorry but, it's not like I don't want to listen to you or anything. This is the best hospital in Bauchi and I know they would take good care of you and make sure you're in good health," he soothed, massaging her hands. "I don't like her," she murmured, sobbing. 

"But baby...." he trailed off and sighed. "Okay, let's go in and we'll see another doctor, you would prefer that right?" He asked and she quickly nodded, not wanting to meet his gaze. He heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. He wiped her tears while giving her a pep talk. "We will be fine, okay? We're just here for check up, nothing more." He assured her as they headed towards the entrance. 

She held his arm and rested her head on his arm. She wasn't liking how the hospital smelt. She winced and covered her nose with her hand. "What is it?" He stopped walking and held her face. She smiled and shook her head. "It's nothing, let's go." 

Amanda smiled brightly the moment they walked in. "Good evening Captain, you're so lucky today, Doctor Mahdi is in her office," Amanda spoke politely. Habiba hissed a bit and let go of his arm. She settled down on one of the chairs meant for patients. "Uhh... actually..... I was wondering if there are other doctors available."

Amanda slowly nodded, "yes there is, Doctor Umar is currently free, I'll inform him now. Your wife is the patient right?" He smiled and nodded "but I was hoping to see a female doctor instead." He spoke politely. "Oh.... uhhh..." she trailed off typing away from her computer. "Yes, Doctor Wasila is available. Please take a seat, I will take her file to the doctor's office now," she informed him. He thanked her before walking to where Habiba sat down. 

He knelt down in front of her, not caring there were in public and people were there. "Are you okay, baby? Do you feel any pain?" He asked worriedly. "I'm okay, I promise," she murmured, beaming. He returned a smile before getting up and settling down beside her. 

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. It was the best feeling, to be in his arms. It made her feel safe, it made her believe that he would protect her and love her no matter the condition. She sunk into the warmth of his side, appreciative of the simple gesture. His touch made the room warmer somehow, her future within its walls seeming a little less bleak.

"Captain Mahmud," she heard someone called her husband's name. She knew who it was, no doubts it was Maryam. She groaned a little and opened her eyes. Maryam smiled, her eyes were on him. Habiba slowly raised her head from his shoulder. "Maryam, how are you?" He spoke awkwardly. He could sense that Habiba was getting annoyed already. 

"I'm fine Alhamdulillah. I didn't know you guys came. You should've come to my office directly," she spoke nervously, fiddling with the button on her lab coat. "Captain, the doctor will see you now," Amanda interrupted. Maryam looked at her to him. They were going to see another doctor not her?   

"Uhh, yes.... my wife is not feeling well so we're here to see a doctor." He said getting up. "Come let's go," he whispered holding her hand. She smiled a bit and stood up. "We have to get going now," he stated before leaving the place with Amanda. 

Maryam stood there like a statue, wondering why he would do that. She gets it, he's married now. He has punished her enough! But why did he do what he just did? A knot tied in her throat, but she swallowed it. She heaved a sigh and walked out of the hospital. 

Amanda took them to the doctor’s office. He opened the door for her and she entered before he did. Habiba was pleased to see the middle aged woman. She was more comfortable around much older female doctors. She speaks to them and tells them her worry the way she'd talk to her own mother. They understood her more. 

"Good evening, please have a seat," the doctor spoke politely. They settled down before exchanging pleasantries. 

"Couple?" She asked looking at Mahmud. He slowly nodded smiling. "She's a sickle cell patient and was last admitted six weeks ago," she read out loud. "What seems to be the problem?" She asked, looking through her glass. Habiba looked at him and he nodded. "Please feel free and speak to me," the doctor urged her. 

"I feel fatigue and tired all the time even if I sleep all day, I still wake up feeling tired and sleepy. I always have headache and slight cramps like my period is coming but it never shows up and I feel nausea all the time but I never vomit."

"Do you have fever, most especially in the morning?" She asked, jotting down on Habiba's file. "Not really, but I feel extremely fatigue and tired when I don't get enough sleep." 

"When last did you see your period?" She asked, placing the back of her hand on her chin. Habiba glanced at him to find out he was already looking at her. He was panicking inside. He remembered when Fadila missed her period for two months and everyone thought she was pregnant. Could that mean Habiba is pregnant? 

"About six weeks now," she responded, head ducked. "Do feel changes in your body, most especially your breast?" She asked and Habiba nodded. "How do you feel there? Does it hurt or do you feel heavy there?" 

"It hurts sometimes," she answered. The doctor smiled and nodded. She jotted for a while before raising her head up to look at Mahmud. "Well I don't mean to get you elated and all but your wife might be pregnant," she announced. He was shocked for a moment and by Allah, he felt like it was a dream. Habiba? Pregnant? A dream come true. 

"Calm down now," she chuckled. "She will be taken to the lab and carry out some tests," she informed him and took a paper. "Take her to the lab for pregnancy test," she said and handed the request paper to him. "We would know the type of medications she'll be taking after the result is out." She added. He thanked her before the left. 

He took her straight to the lab because he knew everywhere in the hospital. He used to come visit Maryam all the time after all. 

After the test, they headed home because the result won't be ready till the after two days. The moment she entered the car, she hugged her knees and buried her face in her knees. She couldn't believe it. She never in her wildest dream thought she would carry a human being in her tummy, not with her condition. 

She blushed at the thought of him being the father of the baby. What was she even thinking of? They aren't even sure if she was actually pregnant or not. 

"You shouldn't be sitting that way when you're pregnant, Habiba." He interrupted her thoughts. She raised her head up and put her legs down. "We don't even know if I am pregnant or not and I love sitting that way," she whined. He couldn't help but laugh. "I believe you are, I can feel it." 

••

Habiba wanted to kill whoever had termed it 'morning sickness.' She felt like she had the most terrible hangover all the time. She had never gone through it before till that very day. 

She was nauseous and liable to vomit at the slightest provocation. She couldn't even inhale any aroma of food or a perfume without the fumes making her wretch and heave. How could anything so natural feel so bad? It was worse than gastric flu, at least with the flu you knew it would be over in a few days. This could go on and on for months. 

"Baby, you haven't eaten all morning and it's past 11am," he spoke, afraid she'd spark on him again. She rolled over to the other side of the bed, hissing. Without seeing the result, she believed she was definitely pregnant.

She wrapped herself in the duvet, waves of nausea adding to her misery. Again her stomach lurched and gurgled. She felt like throwing up but it never comes whenever she tries to. "Baby, please you need to eat something. What would you like to eat and I'll go get it for you right now," he uttered, placing his hand on her waist. "I need you to leave me alone!" She spat under the sheets. "But....."

"Just leave....." she cuts him off. "Okay, okay, I will leave but please if you need me, I'll be downstairs," he said getting up from the floor. She quickly sat upright and looked at him. "Are you serious going to leave me here all alone? Do you even love me? I thought you said you'll be there for me through thick and thin...." Her shoulders shaking with grief, tears were streaming down her already wet cheeks.

"I..... baby.... you said. I'm so sorry but you just told me.... okay I'm here," he cooed and held her in his arms. "By Allah, I will never leave your side no matter what. I'm so sorry for attempting to leave you when you needed me the most." He stroked her back. 

It was almost twelve noon. And he could feel Habiba slowly dozing off. From hours of feeling sick, he had expected that. As her head lolled onto his chest, her eyelids finally slipping closed; he smiled. The rest of her slowly leaned into him, the rest of her body going limp. He could finally see her sleep. Without any complications or crying herself to sleep. She looked so vulnerable and childlike, it took a few seconds to register that it was habiba laying on his lap, not Maryam. Her breaths were even and calming, the expression on her face no longer stressed but relaxed. Her eyelids fluttered, but she seemed too out of it to notice.

He gently placed her on the bed and kissed her on the forehead before covering her tiny body with the duvet.