Hajiya Zainab Akorede, my mum was rushed to the hospital. I was by her side, making dua' (supplications), reciting silent prayers. Her poor heartbeat throbs slowly as she was breathing through oxygen. Mum hasn't gain consciousness since the incident happened. I don't want to talk about it right now because the last five days has been the worse days of my life...
As it is, I was just discharged minutes ago from this same hospital. I was with mum in the "Emergency Room", waiting for the surgeon to remove the bullet from the right side of her forehead as it was bleeding.
Mallam Shehu, Alfa Luqman and Imam Hussain Akorede, my dad was with the doctor.
"Stay away from mum, crazy witch!"
Ibrahim, my brother came in to the ward and dragged me away from mum.
"You put her in this situation and you're praying?! The robbers raped you because you're ill-luck. I don't want to ever see you near mum, just go home and get lost!"
"Brother..." I muttered slowly as painful tears gathered in my eyes.
"Take yourself and that bastard away from our lives, it is causing so much trouble already!" He raged in anger.
"Will you stop sinning against yourself? And stop uttering nonsense, brother Ibro! It's not my fault, no matter what you do... So don't put your hatred on me because I never wanted this for myself." My shaky voice sounded as I moved closer to him, placing my right palm on his shoulder but he flinched away.
"Bro Ibro, where is your faith?" Tears of sadness streams down my weak eyes. My heart and whole body was trembling with my voice. Deep in me, I know I'm never going to be the 'Aisha Akorede' I was five days ago.
"He says we should believe in good or bad." I continued. "We all make plans but Allah is the best planner. Keep faith in God, everything would be fine, Insha Allah... " I faced him and looked into his red eyes... All I could see was the boiling level of his anger and hatred.
"You must be insane, Aisha! You're crazy! I can't believe that you are the one telling me this right now! In fact, your presence stinks me! Just excuse me... Madam, The Purest!!" He hissed at me with disgust and leaves me in tears.
***
Imam Hussain, my dad and his friends with some elders came out from the doctor's office. I was about to leave the ward when I saw my dad. Sadness and distress were boldly written on their faces but that on my dad's face was worse. I quickly rushed to him.
"Dad... Dad, what is it?! Will mum be fine?! Dad, say something... Please don't keep quiet, your silence is killing me!" Another set of tears gathered again in my eyes.
Dad held my face lightly, trying to force a smile that wouldn't even come.
"My daughter, the doctor said she needs brain surgery immediately if we still want her alive. The problem now is that... The specialist is not in town. He won't be around till next tomorrow."
"Yaa Allah! It's awful, dad! What are we going to to do now?"
"We're making plans to fly her abroad, we don't have much time and money. The doctor said the earlier the better for us. Aisha, I can't stand the thought of loosing your mum."
Ibrahim walks to where we were standing and grabbed my arm.
"Aisha! If mum dies, you'll die too!"
My body was apparently weak and my head and heart was pounding more than pain to my whole body.
Dad slightly pushed him back.
"Ibrahim, shut up! Not in front of the elders. Be patient and don't speak to your younger sister like that! You should be sympathizing with her, and serve your shoulders so she would lean her heavy head on, Instead of nagging about unnecessarily!"
"Leave me alone, dad. Let me talk some sense into her!"
He held my face to his.
"Right now, I wish you aren't alive! I wish you never come back and die with that bastard baby!"
"Stop this nonsense and stop disgracing yourself, Ibrahim!"
"Aisha, You see yourself abi?! Now, Dad hates me because of you! It's all your fault and I'll deal with you, don't worry!!" He pushed me away and stormed out of the hospital.
"Take your sister home, Ibrahim!
I'm talking to you, don't walk out on me.... I - B - R - A - H - I - M !!!"
Dad yelled but Ibro didn't even turn is back.
"Yaa Allah! Yaa Rahman!! Oh Allah, please come to my rescue. The All-Doing, The All-Hearing, Accept my plea..." Hot tears rushed down my eyes, As I tried to supress it with the remaining strength left in me.
"Dad, please. Remember your years of good works, sacrifices and Jihad. I beg you, don't let anything shake your faith but to wake your faith instead. Dad! You taught me to thrive and be conscious of who I am in whatever situation I may be facing." I wiped away my tears, holding his hands with mine.
"Dad, You taught me to always put Allah first in whatever I do and I would succeed. You're my pillar and strength, don't turn your back at me like Ibrahim now..." I held him into a tight hug, breaking into uncontrollable tears again.
"It's enough, Aisha. Please, stop crying now else you'll cause yourself more pain." He gently pulled away from me and helped my weak body seat on a white, plastic chair in the reception.
"Your mum... The doctor said she might not be able to make it after 24 hours. Aisha, your mum is dying and the specialist is not here." He nods his sweaty head in total confusion.
"Taking a transfer to another hospital or traveling for treatment somewhere else might be too risky, I'm so confused."
"Dad, Allah is here. God is always with us to answer our prayers. He is the All-Seeing, The All-Hearing. Where is your faith, dad? We can't fight this with a weak faith in God, remember? If Yusuf can return to his father, Yakub. Even my mum will come back to me, dad." I looked up at my dad's face, staring into his sad eyes for a while. With almost the same confusion on his face.
As if I remembered something mentioning the prophet names.
"Excuse me dad, I'll be right back." I ran out of the hospital as my eyes searched over the place for the hospital's mosque.
"Finally!" I uttered with a deep sigh as my eyes caught up with the small, white painted mosque stand behind the gates. I rused to the tap but there was no water. The big drums, buckets and kettles were also empty. I tried adding up the leftover water from about six to seven tiny kettles but it would't be enough even though I manage it.
Immediately, I ran out of the hospital to buy pure water from a restaurant opposite the hospital. I made an ablution a offered naflah (two raka'ah). I started reciting Qur'anic verses in my eyes with faith and fear in my trembling heart.
Originator of the heavens and the earth, Whenever You decree a thing, You only say to it 'Be' and it is (Q2: 117)
Rabbir - hamuhumma kamaa rabba yaanii sagiira. (Q17: 24)
My Lord Bestow my parents, Your Mercy as they cherished me in childhood.
"Oh Allah, The Most Exalted. Please, send An Angel as a specialist to mum. The Compassionate, The Director, Save my mum from death and save my family from Shaytanic plots and any evil that whispers in the heart of men. please, don't make my mother die in this way. O Allah, Accept my prayers and perform a miracle... Just like how you accepted Zulaiha's prayers."
***
Minutes Later
I returned back to the ward quietly reciting Suratul-Nass in my mind. Sure, I must have recited it about a hundred times already. Just then, the doctor tapped my dad and said.
"Alhaji, the doctor is here. He missed the flight and didn't travel again."
"Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Kabirah!" Alfa Luqman, one of my dad's friend giggled loudly.
Mum was quickly taken into the theatre for operation. Everyone felt better as the operation would commence for about 3 hours.
I took a taxi home to freshen up, only to meet Ibrahim outside gathering woods and sticks. With him was my file containing my certificates and other valid documents.
"Assalam 'Alaikum, big bro." I greeted with a broad smile on my happily face. "Huh-huh, My brother is so sweet! So you rushed home because you wanted clean the house before my arrival." I made a cute cat's eye at him but he wore a wicked smirk to reply my expression.
"Yes, I've been waiting for your arrival. So you'll see your ruin with your own eyes."
"What do you mean my ruin? Is that fuel and matches?" I made a wide-goaty laughter at him.
"If God wanted you to burn it, bro Ibro. You would have burnt before my arrival. You wouldn't have waited for me."
"Really?" He questioned in bewilderment. "I've seen you've grown wings."
"As long as I'm here, you can never set it ablaze." I went inside to keep the bags I was holding inside and left him to do whatever he likes.
As he was about to pour the fuel on the file, Danlami shouted.
"Small oga, I dey cook... Chai! My food don burn finish oo. Smoke don full am for everywhere ooo!! Chai!!!"
"Yaa Rabb!" Ibrahim exclaimed and ran into the kitchen with the house boy.
I took my files clean and unburnt. Picked it and hide it safe. All the commotion happening with me resently is becoming tougher and unbearable for my young shoulders to carry. I prayed Salatul 'Asr and decided to visit Adunni Ikudaisi, my best friend since childhood. On my way, I said this timelessly within my heart.
"Rabbanaa 'aatinaa mil-ladunka Rahmatanwaa hayyi' lanaa min amrinaa rashadaa. (Q18: V10)."
"Oh Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from Yourself, and dispose of our affairs for us in the right way."
š®š®š®
Arabic Words and It's English Meanings.
Allahu Akbar - God is the Greatest.
Yusuf - Joseph.
Yakub - Jacob.
naflah - (two raka'ah).
Raka'ah - Prayer.
Yaa Dhal Jalaal wal Ikram - Lord of Magesty And Bounty.
Insha Allah- By the will of God.
Pure water: Satchet water
Zulaiha - blossom or Flower. Also a devoted wife of Joseph.
Zainab - An ornamented Tree or A fragrant plant. Also the name of the prophet Muhammad's daughter.
Salatul 'Asr - Evening prayer (between 3:30 to 4:00pm)
š®š®š®
ADVICE OF THE DAY...
Servants of Allah, Exercise Patience In Whatever You do Or Face!!
š®š®š®
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE AND PLEASE, VOTE AND COMMENT THIS PAGE. I LOVE YOU ALL!!
Hajia Zainab's surgery was successful and she was recovering smoothly. Imam saw the need to inform the elders and other members of his mosque about Aisha's pregnancy. Therefore, he called a meeting. All the members and executives of the mosque were gathered. After a short prayer, Imam Hussain started."Assalam 'Alaikum to you all. First, I must say Jazzakallahu khayr (May God reward you abundantly) to everyone for responding to this call. It has been a very critical time for me. As you all know, my dear wife just had a major surgery due to the gunshot by the armed robbers. Insha Allah (by God's grace), she is getting better. Thanks to you all for your love and support, prayers, visitation and care. You have been such a wonderful family and I'm so proud to have you all... Attakbir!""Allahu Akbar!" They chorused. "Alhamdulillah!!"
"I'm surprised at you dad! What has gone wrong with the integrity and faith you once held? The standards you set up... Dad!" I uttered in regret and dismay as hot tears streamed down my face, as if I was been hitten by a rock. It's unbelievable."How can you allow them play with your spiritual intellect? Where is your faith dad? This is Ash-Shaytan whispering in your heart... Imagine an Imam's daughter going for an abortion. Do not give in dad, please." I begged in tears."I'm tired of this already!" Ibro hissed and goes upstairs, into his room."Then let them go, dad! he who stands with million of people without Allah is standing alone! I know you're the imam of the central mosque, it means nothing... Not even your tears will change my mind, dad! I'm keeping this baby!!"
Minutes Later...Standing by the side of the road, still puzzled about everything. A keke napep (tricycle) stopped in front of me as Adunni came out."OMG Aisha!" Dunni threw a hug on me."It's been a while. Are you traveling?""No, I'm not oo. You didn't even visit me in the hospital. Its not fair.. I actually waited for you"Really? Pardon me my friend. My mum sent to Agege to stay with her sister that just gave birth to a set of twins. Well, I spent only five days there and I wanted to visit you but... ""Hmmm, Dun-ni.... As in?" I joked as we laughed away."I heard about th
"You would have followed me home and you wouldn't have to leave like this. I guess this is a good bye for both of us..." Dunni muttered sadly."I'll miss you, Dunni." I held her hands tight and broke into tears again."God knows I'll miss you more. Try to call me, Aisha. Keep me posted and try to visit whenever you can, okay?""Okay, I sure will. Bye for now, sis.""Okay bye!!!"Adunni stopped a keke napep and zoomed off the empty road. I recited a prayer in my heart as we moved. It was the first time, leaving my family behind like this."Awunaka Yaa Hannan, Awunaka Yaa Sultaan : I solicit Your help, The most Compassionate, I solicit Y
Months Later...Hajia and I walked into the city's general hospital. We entered one doctor's office and as it is, Hajia Maryam regularly visits the general hospital."Assalam 'Alaikum." Hajia greeted as she knocked the door."Amin Alaikum Sallam. Please, Come in"A deep muscular voice replied from inside."You're welcome ma" He kindly greeted "Please, take a seat."I and hajia sat in from of him."Pleased to have you around ma, what shall I offer you?" He said, adjusting his glasses.He asked staring at me. I looked away, feeling shy and strangely awkward."No...Not
Mum stared at me in amazement.Doctor Abdullah asked."Have you ever aborted?"My heart suddenly sank to his titanic question, leaving about a million thoughts in my head."Never!" I replied coldly."Then it should be how you are born. You were born with a perforated womb."'How possible?' I smirked for a while, everything seem confusion and is still confusing to me."I'll advice you really have to reduce stress. Once you hit 7 months, you'll have to come for check-up in the hospital.""What?! But why?" Mum cuts in. Her eyes requesting immediate answers.
Just then, Imam Hussain walked in. Ibrahim rushed to him as he didn't want to spill the bean with his own mouth either. The expression on his sweaty face was like 'It was all dad's fault.'"Honey. Òkòò mi,Òlòwò òrì mi! È káábò..." She threw her hands around him and held him tightly. Ibrahim ran back, watching them both as if he wasn't."Where's Aisha? It's been 3 weeks since I got dischaged and I've not set my eyes on her? Neither have I heard from her as well. What's going on? Please, talk to me."Imam Hussain looked dumpfounded as he was totally speechless."Errrr..... Aisha is fine." He started thinking of words to calm her down. He didn't want to lie or cause any m
****** In Lagos ***4:00 a.mHajia Zainab cut the vain in her right wrist as she he passed out immediately. Dad and Ibro rushed her to the hospital while Danlami stayed at home. She got admitted and the doctor said she might need a psychiatrist.???*** In Abuja ***5:00 a.m.I couldn't sleep. I kept dreaming. Dreaming my mum was in pain or about the incident or being lost in a forest or even loosing my babies through operation. I keep having different kind of nightmares but I keep on praying as we