When he got to the house, Walija, Mami and Hafsat were seated in the sitting. Maya had gone to school while Hafsat was done with her finals.

"You should get going, Hafsat will go with you" Mami said.

He abruptly turned to look at Mami but she just shrugged. He had been anticipating that day so he could have alone time with his wife since she won't allow him to do that in the house.

"Um...Mami...Hafsat...isn't she going for her exams today" he stuttered trying to convince Mami.

"No, she was done yesterday" Mami added.

He knew there was nothing else he could say to convince her so he just nodded.

"Let's go" he called, and they trailed behind him to the car.

It was a silent drive except when Fawwad asked Hafsat about her exams.

"How were your exams?" He asked her without mentioning her name but she knew he was referring to her.

"It was fine...Alhamdulillah" she replied from the back seat.

"And your result?"

"It will be out by the end of the month"

"Alright. All the best"

"Thank you ya Fawwad" she smiled.

They were about to enter the hospital's gate when his phone started ringing. It was from an unknown number, so he just continued driving without picking it. He saw Walija looking at him suspiciously from the corner of his eyes but he did as if he didn't see her.

When they finally arrived at the parking lot, he asked them to go in and wait for him at the reception area because his phone started ringing again. He knew there was only one person that calls him with an unknown number and he doesn't want to pick it while they were around.

"What do you want?" Was the first thing he said when he picked the call while Walija and Hafsat were gone.

"Is that the way you say hello handsome" her annoying shrieking voice came through.

"Don't provoke me and just say what do you want to say already" he sounded annoyed.

"I can see that you're eager to hear what I'm going to say and in that case let me just go straight to the point"

"Better"

"Wow! I can see that you've gained more courage through the passing days. I like that" she chuckled and he just listened to her knowing that whatever she was going to say, was a big fat lie. "It's been a week since we last spoke and as promised...I've called to hear your final decision"

My final decision is to strangle you to death! He wished to say but he decided against it and went on with Hussein's plan.

"I have agreed" he sharply said as he felt bitterness in his mouth while uttering those words even though he was just playing along.

"Oh my God! Did I just hear you say that" she squealed. "Gosh! I knew nobody can resist such a captivating beauty!"

"I'll text you the address now...don't remove the line" with that, he hung up. He couldn't stand hearing her disgusting voice for another second. The way she downgraded herself made him want to throw up.

He texted her his address to his private bungalow and she immediately replied with a heart emoji. He hissed before he threw his phone in his pocket and entered the hospital.

He found them waiting for him in the reception area. He took their appointment card to the receptionist. She collected it and searched through some files before she handed him Walija's file.

"Take this to the doctor. He's only waiting for you" the receptionist said.

"Alright" he sighed. Because he knew that he would get an earful from Mami if they didn't get to see the doctor.

He called Walija and she followed him to the doctor's office leaving Hafsat behind at the reception area to wait for them.

They knocked before they entered the office with a salam. The doctor instructed them to sit and they did just that.

"We are really sorry we're late" Fawwad said as he passed the file to the doctor.

Point of correction Mister; YOU are sorry not WE are, please. Walija wished to say because she got ready an hour to the appointment.

"It's alright but please try and be punctual with such meetings next time" the doctors said as he went through the file.

"Insha Allah doctor....thank you" Fawwad said.

"Have you been taking your drugs on time?" The doctor directed the question to Walija and she answered in the affirmative. "Does the drugs nauseate you?"

"Not at all. Just that they make me sleepy" she answered.

"Do you feel feverish after taking them?" he asked again.

"No, I don't"

"Alright" he jotted some things in her file before he looked up again "let me check your BP" she stretched out her hand while he set the BP apparatus.

"She's recovering just fine" the doctor said after he finished checking her BP and her fractured arm.

"Alhamdulillah" Fawwad muttered "and her arm?"

"There's progress and no need to go for the alternative"

"Masha Allah" was the only thing Fawwad could utter. He was really happy the surgery won't take place. He saw Walija looking at him with curiosity but he just ignored her because she had no idea what they were talking about.

"I've prescribed some new medications for her" the doctor said as he handed Fawwad the paper "your next appointment is after two weeks"

"Alright, thank you very much doctor" Fawwad thanked him. "I'll be with you in a while" he turned to Walija and she just nodded as she left the office.

"Doctor, please I want to ask you something" Fawwad said after Walija had left.

"Alright...go on"

"It's about my wife. I just want to make sure if nothing touched her head during the accident"

Fawwad's question made the doctor chuckle "why do you ask?"

"She had been acting strange doc"

"No, Mr Fawwad your wife is fine. She was just traumatized by the experience. Just give her some time and insha Allah she'll be back to normal"

"Okay...thanks doc" they shook hands before he left the office.

He branched to the hospital's pharmacy and got the prescribed medicines before he went back to the reception area where he met Hafsat and Walija. After paying the bill to the receptionist, they left.

*****

On their way back home, Fawwad's phone started ringing again. He was really frustrated before he checked it and saw the name 'Bro' appeared on the screen because he thought it was that annoying lady calling him again.

"So Hussein it's you" was the first thing he said when he picked the call.

Yes, he saved Hussein's number as 'Bro'. He was the brother he never had.

"Wa alaika salam to you brother" Hussein teased.

"You will never change huh?...anyways, I was about to call you when I get home"

"Are you on the road?"

"Yeah...I've taken Walija to the hospital" he while he glanced at her and she was just looking through the window.

"Hope all is well"

"Yes...it's her appointment day"

"Alright. By the way, I called to tell you that Meriam is back and she had been bugging me that she wants to go and see Walija"

"Okay...."

"I'm thinking of coming with her after jummu'at prayer(Friday congregational prayer)...what do you say?"

"No problem then"

"Um...you mentioned something about calling me?"

"Oh yeah about that...we'll talk when you come"

"Alright then" and with that, the call was disconnected.

After the phone call, he informed Walija about Meriam's visit and he couldn't miss the glint of excitement he saw in her eyes.

He dropped them off at home before he headed to the mosque.

😿

❤