"Meriam! Tell me what is wrong with him" he was now getting impatient.

"He's in the hospital" she finally said in between sobs.

"Innalillahi wa Inna ilaihi rajiun," he said as small droplets of sweat formed on his forehead.

"He got into a car accident... this morning on his way to work" she sounds distressed.

"Oh my Allah! hope he's not badly injured"

She broke down again crying "We still don't know. He's still in the emergency room"

"Stop crying, please... All he needs right now is your prayers" he let out a sigh before he continued "Which hospital?"

"City Hospital"

"Okay"

With that, he flung his phone on the table. More sweat formed on his forehead, despite the air conditioning in the office.

Innalillahi wa Inna ilaihi rajiun was the only thing he kept repeating.

And nobody even cared to call me.

He shoved off the thought and left everything he was doing and headed straight to the city hospital.

Work can wait.

*****

There on the corridor was Alhaji Omar and Hajiya Kaltuum. They were sitting on the waiters' bench just outside the emergency room as they wait to hear the result of their only son's health. One look on their faces, one could easily notice how distressed and scared they were. The fear of him being in a bad condition or worst still losing him. He is their only blessing. The one whom they'll look at and carry their shoulders high because they know they've done a great job in his upbringing.

The mere look at them broke Fawwad's heart. He wished he can take away their pain at that moment and just tell them that everything is okay. They're just like parents to him. In fact, they're parents to him. Throughout his childhood with their son, they've never for once shown difference between them; they treated them equal.

Even when his marriage was arranged with Walija, he wanted to give up everything and leave home. Go to a place where no one knew him and hopefully he could live in peace. But Hajiya Kaltuum; Mama as they addressed her, talked him to stay. She stood by him at that time and gave him all the support he needed. For that, he will never be able to repay her except to follow her with du'a (prayer) and right now seeing her in that condition, broke him severely.

He silently walked to where they were and squatted in front of them to greet them.

"Good evening Baba... Good evening Mama" they answered him simultaneously

"How are you, my son?" Mama gave him a lopsided smile which he knew, she forced it out.

"Alhamdulillah" he sighed "Mama, why didn't anyone informed me about this?" He had to ask even though he knew it wasn't the right time for that. It pained him to the core that nobody even cared to inform him of his brother's state. Yes, he took Hussein as his own brother.

"Hussein was talking about a meeting you were having... That's why he was in a hurry" she stopped and sighed before she continued "he said it was important... That's why we didn't call you... If we called, you'll be distracted and we don't want anything to go wrong" she finished almost in a hush.

"His life is more important to me than any stupid work... Work can wait for"

"May God bless you my son" Baba patted his shoulder and smiled.

He quietly stood up and moved to the other bench. That's when he noticed Meriam, standing in front of the window starring at the open space. He wonders what she was feeling at the moment with her fiancé in the emergency room. Whom she was betrothed to get married to in months.

She needed to be alone for some reason he thought. He quietly sat on one of the seats and waited for the doctor to tell them Hussein's fate.

They stayed there for almost an hour before a lanky doctor walked out with a chubby nurse trailing behind him. They all abruptly stood up and walked to them.

"Are you Hussein Omar's family?" The doctor asked. They all answered in an affirmative way.

"We were able to save him. Alhamdulillah, he's very lucky it didn't touch his brain. Just some minor injuries on his joints which only need physiotherapy"

"Thank you, doctor. Can we see him now?" Baba asked.

"He's still unconscious due to the shock. I advise you to let him rest and regain his conscious" the doctor advised

"Alright, doctor. Thank you" Baba thanked him. They shook hands before he left.

*****

It was already past seven and Hussein was still unconscious. Fawwad was getting impatient so he decided to go and see the doctor.

He knocked on his door before he entered.

"Doctor, what exactly is wrong with Hussein?" he simply asked when he was finally seated

"What's wrong?" The doctor answered him with a question. Typical Nigerian style.

"What do you mean by what's wrong? he's been unconscious for freaking four hours!" he snapped.

"Just calm down. In the meantime pray for him. He'll wake up, insha Allah"

"But when doctor?" he asked calmly realizing he was overreacting.

"Just have patience and I've already referred a physiotherapist to him. The session will begin by tomorrow"

"Alright. Thank you doctor"

He walked out of the office and joined Baba as they walked to the Masjid to offer their isha prayer. Praying for Hussein's shifaa(health).

Just in time when they got back, the chubby nurse walked out of the emergency room.

"You can now see him" the nurse smiled and left

They all rushed into the room as that was what they've all been waiting to hear.

There he was, lying on the hospital bed with bandages almost on all his joints. A cannula on his right hand... He looked weak.

He turned to their side and gave them a tight lip smile. His voice was low throughout. A few minutes later, the nurse came in and asked them to leave him rest.

*****

It's was already 10 pm and Fawwad wasn't home yet from the office which is unusual of him. He always comes home after work before he goes out again.

Walija was really getting worried. She doesn't even know what to do. First, she doesn't have his contact and second, even if she does, she can't call him. She thought he might be in the bar but then she doesn't think he'll go back there soon. After what happened to him, but then she doesn't even know what really happened to him that day.

She was just there in the sitting room with so many thoughts in her mind when the door leisurely swung opened and he sauntered in.

Then definitely he's not from the bar because whenever he comes back from the bar, he'll bang on the door for her to open.

He sat on the couch and a mere look at him you'll know that he's exhausted.

"You alright?" She dared to ask.

"I'm good" he stood up to leave, then said "Get ready early in the morning. We are going to the city hospital"

"Why? What's wrong?" she simply asked. She clearly can't remember anyone being admitted there.

"Just. Get. Ready." He fumed, stating each word and making it clear. He left her standing clueless.

What does he even think of me?... I'll show him.

😂

😪

😿

❤