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Behind A Smile 154
After tucking Adnan in for the night, Zynah kissed him in the forehead and turned off the lamp before walking out of the room. As she opened the door to her room, she was surprised to find Bilal sprawled out on her bed. She definitely wasn't expecting him there. Carefully, she closed the door behind her and walked into the room, and towards him. He wasn't asleep. "Hope you've taken your medicines for the evening," she began, her voice soft. "I don't want you to get sick again." Bilal hummed in response, his gaze trailing after her as she moved to the walk-in closet. Zynah could sense his gaze boring holes in her body, but she chose to ignore. After changing into one of her lingeries, she walked back to the bed. Bilal's gaze hadn't wavered from her. Not even for a second. Zynah stood beside the foot of the bed and gaze skeptically at Bilal. "Do you plan to sleep here, tonight?" she asked, not in an offensive tone. Bilal hummed again in response. "Can I?" "Yes,"
Behind A Smile 155
"Good morning. How are you feeling?" Dr. Muslim inquired, from the other side of the phone. "Better," Ramlah replied, a smile tugging at her lips. "The migraine has subsided. I feel much better now. "That's good to hear," he commented. "I'm glad. By the way, I have good news," he began. "Do you want to hear it?" "Good news?" Ramlah's eyes lit up. "What's the good news? Please tell me already!" "Okay," he chuckled lightly. "I have managed to find a donor for Bilal. He can finally get a transplant done," Dr. muslim announced. "Oh!" Ramlah remarked. "That's great. Have you told Ya Zynah about this? She must be very happy. She's been so worried about him" "She is," Dr. Muslim replied. "I told her earlier. Bilal will most likely be taken to a hospital today. The earlier the transplant gets done, the better it would be for him. We've lost a lot of time. We can't afford to lose more." "Hmm...do you... Do you think he is going to make it?" Ramlah's voice was laced with
Behind A Smile 156
Zynah's heartbeat skyrocketed when he remained motionless, her breaths coming in ragged pants. Not even a finger was moved. She shook her head disdainfully, her whole body trembling vigorously. The urge to scream at the top of her lungs was overwhelming, but her throat was constricted, a lump of fear lodged firmly in her chest. Every muscle in her body aches with tension, her mind racing with a thousand terrifying possibilities. Everything seemed like an illusion to her. Yes, it was exactly what it was. It couldn't be true. Bilal couldn't have possibly left her. He was too obsessed with her to do so. Zynah was supposed to take him to the hospital immediately, she knew, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Perhaps she wasn't ready for the news that awaited her. The truth that would shatter her world. The fear was paralyzing. "Bilal!" She bellowed, her voice a hoarse, desperate cry. "If you don't get up right now, I'm going to...I'm going to hate you. I'm never going to fo
Behind A Smile 157
"How will we know where they are right now?" Ramlah heaved a sigh, her voice barely audible over the roar of the car. "We're almost in Abuja." Muslim glanced at her, concern etched on his face. "Calm down. Have you called her yet?" he inquired. "The network is poor. My call isn't going through," Ramlah hissed. "You should take it easy. Keep trying. The signal might be stronger now," Muslim suggested. "Stop panicking so much. He'll be fine." "I hope so," Ramlah replied, her voice trembling slightly. "I wonder how ya Zynah is doing right now. Please hurry up." "As it is, I'm already speeding. Are you trying to get us killed?" Muslim teased, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, Ramlah, we'll get there soon." "Sorry," Ramlah mumbled, her face falling. "I'm just so worried about my sister." "I understand, but you have to keep calm. Worrying too much is not good for your mental health. Try calling her again." This time, fortunately, Ramlah was able to get through.
Behind A Smile 158
Dolefully, Zynah sat on the hospital bed, tears streaming down her face. In a matter of just few hours, she felt her whole world crumbling. She couldn't comprehend what Ramlah had told her. It felt like a dream - a nightmare. "What are you saying?" She choked out, her voice a hoarse whisper. "We were talking yesterday." "Ya Zynah," Ramlah called, softly, her voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and helplessness. "Please accept the fact that he has left this world and just like him, we're also going to follow the lead someday. I know it's painful, but you just have to accept it in good faith. He's gone for good." "No!" Zynah shook her head vigorously. "Don't you understand what I'm saying, Ramlah? He was with me last night!"Her voice quivered. "We were talking... laughing..." her viuce trailed off, replaced by a sob. "Ya Z—" Ramlah reached for Zynah's hand but she pulled back. "I know it's hard but we just have to accept it." "Don't!" Zynah yelled, raising a hand. "Don't
Behind A Smile 159
After jum'ah congregational prayer, Muslim returned with few other people to take the body for the janai'za prayer. Completely zoned out, Zynah was seated on the floor next to Bilal's body when they walked in. "Ya Zynah?" Ramlah called softly as she approached a distraught Zynah. "They are going to take him away now." Zynah immediately snapped out of her trance, as the biggest reality hit her. He was going to be buried and she was never ever going to see him again. Desperation etched her face as she pleaded; "Please wait for a little longer. His father doesn't even know about this yet." "Ya Zynah, I took his number from your phone. Muslim and I have tried calling him severally, but he didn't pick up. He even switched off his phone, before we could text him," Ramlah stated. "I don't think it's wise to wait for him. Let them go ahead and bury him." "This has to be done as soon as possible," someone suggested. "We can't keep wai—" "Please," Zynah sobbed, completely shatt
Behind A Smile 160
For two consecutive days, Zynah hadn't been herself. Bilal's death came as a shock to her. Had she known he would die so unexpectedly,, she wouldn't have stayed away from him. Not even for a split second. Had she known he would be gone so soon, she would have clung to him like a lifeline, would have made him know just how important he was to her. Had she known he was going to leave so soon, she would have let him know of his baby, growing in her. She had so many regrets. So much that she wished she could turn back the hands of time and rectify her mistakes. Five minutes - five minutes was all that was needed. Her parents had arrived two days ago and strangely, they were being so sympathetic. Her father's attitude surprised her the most, but she held back her emotions, her heart too heavy for words. Ramlah had been very supportive. She was always at her beck and call. When she had sleepless night, she would always stay up with her and try to lighten up the mood, by reminding her
Behind A Smile 161
"Didn't I tell you it's nothing serious?" Ramlah asked, immediately Zynah walked back into the room. Wordlessly, Zynah sat in her bed and wiped her eyes, preventing the unshed tears from falling. She swallowed. "I have finally told Adnan that his father is never returning. I told him that Bilal is dead." Ramlah nodded, reaching for Zynah's hand. "That was the right thing to do. It's been two days already. How did he take it?" "How else?" Zynah wiped the corners of her eyes. "He was sad. He cried and later calmed down." "He is going to get used to his absence, and forget him in no time," Ramlah said. "He is still very young." Zynah looked at her sister in disbelief. "Forget about his father? How could you say that? Even if he is dead, he is still his father and he loved him immensely. No matter what happened, Adnan will always remember him. I'll make sure he never forgets his father." "I didn't mean it in that way," Ramlah said, realizing her mistake. "Sorry it came
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