She wanted to leave but her mind told her otherwise so she stayed.

"What do you have to tell me?" She sounded annoyed.

"It's about what happened earlier..." And before he could finish what he was about to say, she cut him off.

"And what about it?" she scrunched up her nose, "seriously Fawwad?" she said letting out a humorless chuckle. "What do you even take me for? You didn't take me out of the streets nor have this marriage been a favor to me" her voice was beginning to break. She sniffed, her eyes suddenly becoming teary while he sat looking at her flabbergasted "you can't just abuse me now and the next minute, you come after me apologizing... it's pathetic. If you can't stop it completely, quite the apologies. It's seriously annoying"

"Are you done?" He sounded amused.

"What?..."

"Go to hell" he abruptly got on his feet which made her shake internally out of fear "to hell with all you've just said" he moved closer to her and she took a step back "Now, listen to me and listen very carefully. What just did, whatever you call it, never ever repeat it again and I'm damn serious" he threw her a disgusted look. He turned just when he was about to leave and said

"Hussein is in the hospital. Get ready, we're going to see him after Magrib prayer" his voice was calm but full of authority as if he wasn't the one being rude just a moment ago. Hussein has really become a part of him.

"Innalillahi wa'inna ilaihi rajiun (we belong to God and to him, we shall return)!" Forgetting everything that happened, she asked: "what happened to him?" She has to ask even though Fawwad is a bad person, Hussein was the total opposite. He's kind and all that. Sometimes she used to wonder how the duo became friends when they are totally two different personalities. She knew that something happened to Fawwad before which made him change like this which she's yet to find out.

When she thought he wasn't going to speak, he said "He got into an accident"

"Hope he's not badly injured" she dared to ask but to her surprise he replied

"Yeah, it wasn't bad" with that he left to his room. She heard the door closed behind him. She let out a sigh and moved to her room too.

Sitting on her bed, she thought about the incident that just happened. She felt depressed. She doesn't want to think it hard, so she decided to call her sister; Neimat. Maybe she'll feel better after talking to her. She dialed her number and after two rings, she picked.

"Assalamu Alaikum" she spoke and Neimat answered her salam

"How are you, lil sis?"

"I'm fine. Alhamdulillah"

"To what do I owe this kind of late evening call?" Neimat teased.

"Whatever, I called to ask of my baby since there has to be something before I can call to check up on my sister that doesn't care about me anymore" her voice full of humor

"Awwn! You know that I didn't mean it"

"Yeah, I know" she chuckled knowing that she would've earned herself a smack if to say they were together. But they are thousands of kilometers away from each other.

Neimat's husband is a Sudanese. He is Umma's nephew. Umma; their mother is biracial. Her father was an explorer from Nigeria. He went for exploration to Sudan and that's where he met her mother. In a nutshell, Walija's maternal grandfather is a Nigerian that meet her grandmother; a Sudanese when he went for exploration to Sudan.

On some holidays, Abba usually takes them to Sudan so they can get to know their relatives there. That's where Elkarib saw Neimat and decided to make her his other half. Both families were happy of the decision and in less than a year, they tied the knot. And now they've been married for 4 years with a cute 3-year-old daughter; Bushrah. They live in Sudan and rarely visit Nigeria.

"Where is Bushrah?" Walija asked

"She's with her daddy. They went to an ice cream parlor"

"Bushrah really has a sweet tooth" Walija chuckled. Remembering how she would smear her face with chocolate.

"And her daddy backs her" Neimat added and they both chuckled. "How's Fawwad? Sorry I forgot to ask"

"Oh... he's fine" she answered as her mood totally changed at the mention of his name.

She noticed the change of her sister's tone so she asked "Are you, alright sis? Are you still not happy?" There was a concern in her voice.

She doesn't hide anything from her sister but then she doesn't want to tell her what's happening in her life. She can't just tell her he has even started hitting her which will only make her more worried. She doesn't want to stress her so she lied " I'm fine" she nervously chuckled "and things are getting better"

"I hope so. Keep exercising patience my dear and everything will fall into place gradually. Insha Allah (by God's will).

"Thanks, sis"

They talked for some more time before it was time for Magrib. They said their goodbyes and the call was disconnected.

Walija got into the bathroom and performed her ablution.

When she finished praying, she wore a simple straight gown and a knee length hijab. Fawwad was already in the sitting room waiting for her when she got down.

*****

The drive to the hospital was a silent one. She didn't even spare him a glance throughout the ride. She decided to stay away from him and exclude herself in anything that has to do with him.

When they entered, Mama and Baba were in the room and Hussein was lying down. They entered with a salam and Hussein made to sit up. Mama helped him by placing a pillow on the headrest.

They all exchanged pleasantries as Mama and Baba decided to leave the room for them.

"How are you feeling?" Walija asked

"Much better. Alhamdulillah" he gave her a tight lip smile.

"May Allah grant you shifaa(health)"

"Amin... Thank you" he answered before he turned to look at his friend, "I thought you will not bring her....this one that you're hiding her" he teased.

"Whatever, she's here anyway. How far with the physiotherapy?" He changed the topic. Hussein understood what he was trying to do so he just smiled.

"The session will end tomorrow"

"And the discharge?"

"Probably next tomorrow"

Walija got bored sitting there as they started talking about business and some other stuff which doesn't even grab. She decided to walk out. At least to have some fresh air.

As she came out of the room, she was met by a familiar face which she was pretty sure she'd seen somewhere before but she just couldn't remember where. She was deep in thoughts when the lady spoke.

"Hey! I'm Meriam and you must be Walija right?" She beamed as she extended her hand for a handshake which Walija gladly took.

"Yeah! I'm Walija" When Meriam noticed the curiosity on her face, she spoke again.

"I'm Hussein's fiancée. I've attended your wedding but you may not have seen me because of the people and all that... congratulations once again"

Yes, the wedding. That's where I saw her.

"Oh! thanks... It's a pleasure meeting you BTW"

She smiled " I'll visit you soon insha Allah... When everything is back to normal"

"It's alright... May Allah grant him shifaa"

"Amin, thanks... I got to go...Hussein called me" she smiled before she entered the room.

Walija sat on the bench just outside the room. She felt a hand on her shoulder and it startled her. When she turned, she saw Mama; Hussein's mother.

"Are you alright dear?... You seem lost in thoughts"

"Yes, Mama I'm fine" she smiled.

"You know, it's not good for your health considering your age," Mama said while she looked into the open space. "Your husband is a really nice man. I've known him since his childhood. They grew up with Hussein and I take him as my own child" she sighed and smiled "there's good in him and only you can bring that side of him back again. I know that it's not easy but he's really going through a lot. I'm telling you this as a mother; guide him...please." There were concern and motherly affection in her voice.

"Insha Allah...Mama. I'll try my best but it's just that...he's not giving me the chance to..."

"Have sabr(patience) my dear" Mama said as she engulfed her into a motherly hug.

They stayed like that for some time before they just sat there in silence.

Few minutes later Meriam joined them. They talked about random stuffs with Mama advising them here and there. They really had a good time together.

Fawwad walked out of the room and told Mama they are leaving. After saying their goodnight, Meriam walked them to the parking space.

"I'll visit you soon Walija" she said before closing the car door for her. She smiled and left.

There's something with Fawwad that he doesn't want her to associate with people he's related to. She confirmed it tonight at the way he looked at her when Meriam mentioned her visit. She doesn't know why but whatsoever it is, she doesn't want to think it hard.

He drove her home and left to his usual place.

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