*After every hardship comes ease*

They saw James holding unto Taseer as his breath is seizing going on and off, Manal was stuck at the door all the happiness she felt a moment back gone and replaced with fear for the life of Muntaseer. The doctor came in followed by Martha closely behind him and they all went out as the doctor tried to see what was wrong . He was in a very bad shape so no one dared to console another because they are losing the hope they held unto. A few hours back Taseer was hale and hearty ,looking forward to meeting his wife and mother ,he was even grumbling about not being allowed to go to the airport along with James and Ameer and now this ? Their joy was turned into sadness .

Manal couldn't sit ,she kept repeating any dua that comes to her mind while Hajia went numb fidgeting with her fingers without any emotion on her face ,Martha kept patting James's back holding his hands ,they looked worried and no one is to blame them .They've warmed up to Taseer in just a day ,who wouldn't?the guy is too nice.

Manal was about to barge into the room when the doctor came out with a smile on his face .

" The patient is now stable ,there is something wrong with his trachea but everything is now okay ,there might be more complications but he's good now you all can go in "

Manal didn't wait for him to finish before she ran into the room to her beloved husband ,the light in her life, her anchor and better half .He look pale and weak but that doesn't dampen her spirit she was laughing and crying at the same time .She had imagined seeing him countless times and this wasn't how she pictured them to meet but Alhamdulillah he's alive and that's all that matters as far as he is breathing she will keep on living life ,for him ,for them ,for their future filled with promises yet to be kept.

She wanted to hug him so bad her body itched but she controlled herself due to the fact that he looked like he just came back from hell and an added fact that Hajia and the rest are in the room. He motioned for her to come to him and the others took it as a cue to give them some privacy .Hajia went to her son's bedside and kissed his forehead with such tenderness you might think he's a fragile precious gem that can break when touched with force.

" How are you feeling dear? " she asked and he smiled at his mother, wishing he can wipe away the worry lines etched on her face .He nodded smiling holding her hands while she kissed their entwined hands. Praying for him and blowing it over his body.

" I thought I will never see you again yah ummiey " He whispered and Hajia had a lone tear cascading down her cheeks .She knows how much Taseer loves her and how he don't Want anything to hurt her, seeing him bedridden and worried about her breaks her heart ,she don't wanna lose her Darling baby ,he's her one and only and to her he's still a child . They talked in hushed whispers and Hajia excused herself to meet Martha ,James and Ameer.

The moment Hajia closed the door behind her ,Taseer weakly Nuzzled into Manal's neck inhaling her scent releasing a sigh of relief ,she held unto him tight like her life depended on it and cried her heart out ,they don't need to say anything ,their eyes and the erratic beats of their hearts said it all..they've missed each other and are glad to see each other again. After a while manal asked." how are you feeling habiby ?does it ache are you in pain do you want to eat anything ?" She asked in one breath and Taseer smiled softly looking at her like he's saying goodbye never to see her again .she scuttled closer and lay beside him with her head on his chest holding his hands in hers .

" I was in pain a few minutes back but now I feel like am the healthiest man on earth ,seeing you is everything Hayatee, thank God I'm still whole and no broken bones or ribs just this internal injuries and my heart suffered most Cuz you ain't close "that made her smile ,how can she not miss him so damn much when he's the sweetest and knows how to use the right words to make her feel alright. He's a blessing ,her blessing .This is a test and she is determined to pass it with highest grades. She's supposed to make him feel okay and here he was ,performing her duties for her again.

" what have you done to my wife Manal?you look frailer than I am and may be even more pale " he said holding her jaw examining her sullen face .

" I was worried about you , we didn't know your whereabout until recently, I thought you were dead " she sobbed.

"I'm not glad it happened because you were worried and everyone too but I'm happy that I get to hear you say you love me " She opened and closed her eyes ,inhaled and exhaled.

" yes ,I heard everything and because you are my hayat I cannot go and leave you while you're in this big bad world missing your husband and needing his presence in your life ,I've lost hope and gave up trying but hearing you say all those sweet words made me fight harder ,I can't wait to leave this hospital soon in shaa Allah so that you'll show me all the love you've got for the poor lucky me " he winked at her and she had never felt more alive than at that moment ,she relished every scent, every word, every movement of his hands skimming through her loose hair muttering Alhamdulillah to herself .

Martha refused to take no for answer ,she told Hajia that she had already made their guest quarters ready for the three of them and she's not going to allow them lodge into a hotel room ,they have no choice but to oblige .The Smith's mansion is so huge you might think it's an estate ,Ameer couldn't help but ask James who looks somehow uneasy " this is your house ? Mashaa Allah you are frigging rich but humble " Ameer stated and James laughs nervously in reply. They all were goshing about the beautiful orchard, the pool side and the gym .The house is magnificent and beautiful.

" Make your selves comfortable I will bring lunch right away " Martha said with a kind smile as she motioned for them to sit on the heart shaped multi colored couches spread across the room that is bigger than Manal's and Ammy's room combined .

Lunch was delicious and they were served like royalty .Ameer was confused as to how it's possible for the smith's to be this filthy rich ,nothing indicates that they are wealthy, well off yay, but this rich nay. They were escorted by the maids to their respective rooms .The rooms are another different story ,too beautiful and cute ,Manal can't help but sigh in content ,she would love to spend some time in the house but her heart is somewhere, her home ,where her heart belongs ,the reason why her heart beats faster is there lying down sick ,not knowing his condition kills her, she knows that he is pretending to be perfectly okay but his eyes tell a different story .She took a warm relaxing shower and say her prayers using her phone to locate the qiblah she had packed a small leather praying mat so she doesn't need to worry about the purity of the carpeted floor even though it looks sparkling clean as if she is the first person to ever stay in the room .

She dialled Ammy's number but there was no answer, she then called Abby who picked ,she filled him in on Taseer's condition telling them that he will be alright God's willing ,Ammy was with Abby so she talked with her too before hanging up the call. She dress into a comfortable gown ,spritz different flavours of perfume on her body and opened the windows enjoying the fresh air swooshing through the curtains .Her phone rang and from the ringtone she knows that it's Simran ,her sweet good Besty who has been there for her always ,holding her tight when she's about to fall, supporting her every decision ,she wanted to come but some family emergency came up and Manal convinced her to stay and be there for Jiddah since her wedding is in a week.

" Hey Lailah ,kaifa sihhatak majnoon ?" She asked after Muntaseer's health in Arabic and Manal rolled her eyes as if she can see her.

" Much better Alhamdulillah though he gave us a mini heart attack the first time we set foot in his room,but all will be well in shaa Allah " Replied Manal twirling the tip of her hair with her finger.

" Am happy to hear that ,no more tears and sleepless nights I suppose" she teased her .

" Am afraid he is hurting so much and I cannot do anything about it ,he's trying to be strong for me hiding his pain " Manal complained .

" Then you should hide your pain too Manal ,you should also be strong for him stop fretting and just pray for him kinji? Allah is with you guys and in shaa Allah the trial time is coming to an end just take good care of him "

" Aiwaa in shaa Allah I will heed your advice thanks Luvty you're the bestest"

" I know that already, tell me something new ,bye do take care Allah hafeez" with that they clicked off the call and manal went out to ask Martha to take her back to the hospital .Before then ,she branched to Hajia's room which is at the end of the corridor ,she knocked and was given permission to enter.

" Hajia ya gajiyah" Manal asked making herself comfortable on a recliner beside Hajia's bed .

" Alhamdulillah ,just emotionally drained but I'm thankful it's not as bad as we thought even though we don't know the kind of pain he's going through inside "

" Yes we don't but Allah knows best and He will heal him soon by His will" manal tried to sound strong but the quiver in her voice gives her away .

" Am going back to the hospital Hajia see you tomorrow in shaa Allah ,please rest well " she said while Hajia tried to make her stay and rest a while longer but she assured Hajia she's well rested and will rest at the hospital ,she packed the goodies she brought from Nigeria and a duffel bag with a change of clothes for Muntaseer and her before going out to an already waiting driver .

On the other hand Ameer couldn't contain his curiosity and decided to ask James to clear things for him " why do you hide how wealthy you are and appear to be middle class " Ameer asked a smiling James .

" Mom is like this after Dad passed away, he was a politician ,a CEO of the largest company in Netherlands and he has so many affiliate companies across the world,he was poisoned which shattered mom and made her so reserved even though dad never allow me to be extravagant, we do things our own way not according to what we earn ,mom cooks right from when dad is alive and she never wear expensive things unless it's absolutely necessary ." Ameer shook his head in amazement as to how this people are so humble ,he wish with the whole of his heart that they are Muslims ,they really are good people .

Manal met a sleeping Muntaseer and she sat beside him looking at his handsome face , smiling when he sigh in his sleep and laughing when he turns mumbling incoherently. The sight of him sleeping peacefully and not in pain warms her heart .She busied herself with arranging things in a bedside drawer and after she was done ,she plugged in her headphones listening to the melodious qira'ah of sheikh Maher. Before long she fell asleep, Muntaseer woke up with a prayer on his lips and was surprised to see his wife sleeping uncomfortably on a chair beside him, poor Manalie his Manal Is taking it so hard on her self .He gently got up and reached for her tapping her gently till she woke with a start .He smiled at her and she smiled back asking him whether he needs anything, " Come here and lie down beside me ,you are not comfortable on that chair" she didn't protest and lay beside him making sure she's not hurting him. He held her close and they slept off almost immediately waking up to see that it's already dark .

" Yahsalam am a bad caretaker ,you haven't eaten neither taken your drugs Noory" Manal started panicking but Taseer assured her that he's okay .She helped him to the bathroom where he brushed his teeth , had a warm bath before making ablution .Manal had already spread a large mat for him to pray on and an ash color jallabiyah lay on the bed , the room smelled of bakhoor incense ,he gave her a thumbs up as she disappeared into the bathroom to make ablution too. After saying their prayers ,Taseer turned to Manal with a smile " This room feels like home sweet home Hayatee, thank you ! Now feed me before I die of hunger " he pouted which earned him a playful glare from Manal " rightaway your majesty " she said as she opened the warmers serving a little bit of everything on a large tray .She sat facing him and fed him till he was full.

" How did you manage to do all these in a matter of minutes ?" Taseer asked gesturing at the new look Manal had given the room ,she even changed the sheets to a patterned multi colored one .She shrugged saying nothing .

" Come here " he opened his arms. she went right into his embrace.

" I've missed you ,I thought I will never see you again " he breathed out while she whispered something in his ears which made him go crimson which made her laugh.

" I have something for you " Manal said fishing out the letter she had written for him when Ameer was coming .

" what's this ?" He asked raising a brow

" open mana I'm sure you'll get your answer, I am divorcing you " she replied back getting up to get fresh milk from the mini freezer in the room. He opened the letter wincing a little because of the sharp pain he feels in his chest .

Ya gida ,ya harkoki ,ya mama and kowa da kowa? Hope duk kuna cikin koshin lafiya?if so praise be to Allah the Most High .

The main purpose of writing this letter is nothing but to tell you how much I love you and how you've changed my life for which I will forever be grateful .

Before you I was this arrogant and ungrateful bitch ,I have no regard for those below me and I never cared about what others do or think of me ,I was that selfish girl who only cares about herself ,her Abby&Ammy and Simran. I used to shout at the maids and treat the elderly workers with so much hatred and disrespect.

cuz I know that you'll never want someone like me and you're too good for me .Alhamdulillah today as I am writing this letter to you ,I write it as Mrs Muntaseer and you have no idea how happy it makes me ,I know I've done unspeakable things to you and hurt you times without number and you have always been patient with me. You changed me for the better and I will forever be grateful, after you left ,whenever I miss you I will go to the orphanage and play with the kids ,it made me feel closer to you and reduce the pain in my heart .You made me realise the kind of person I really am,you made me find the goodness in me hubby and I love you for that ,you love me ,a purest form of love for the sake of Allah. I suffered cuz of your love I can't stop telling you I love you and I pray you'll be able to read this letter, this is me pouring my heart and soul to you ,giving you me as a gift and I am ready to accept you too with all your flaws .You're not perfect but you are all I want Amica mea .

I love you!

Taseer was quite for a long time Manal thought he is mad ,he took her by surprise when he lifted her up and twirled her round the room. They were out of breath by the time he put her down and hugged the life out of her

" Thank you Hayatee, I love you way more ,to the square of infinity ,forever and beyond ,I love you more than life itself and I will keep loving you till we grow old with grey hair and I will love you till the day I die.