Nazmeera scoffed, her eyes filled with a mixture of resentment and despair. "I never knew I had a father." She remarked, blinking rapidly to fight back her tears. "You have never been there for us. How did Mom even manage to stay with someone like you? Only Allah knows what she went through in your hands, before she died. I really pity her. I pity us," Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, her voice quivering. "This isn't the type of family I will wish upon my enemy. If we ever did anything wrong, no one is to be blamed, but you. Instead of discouraging us from doing the wrong things in the past, you turned a blind eye to it. You were never there to instill morals in us." Tears streamed down her face. "I just want you to admit it to yourself that you've failed as a parent. No one deserves to live like this." Mr. Idris' face flushed with anger. "You ungrateful idiot!" he roared, raising a hand to hit her, but managed to stop himself in time. "What rubbish are you spurting? I
Zynah had gone downstairs to get a bottle of water and just as she was about to go back to her room, her gaze met with that of Zaahida. She took in a deep breath and looked away. Initially, she had wanted to walk away, but when she saw her approaching, she changed her mind and also walked up to her, a shiver running down her spine. "Zaahida." She deadpanned. "What a surprise to see you here. I don't remember inviting you." Zaahida's eyes, once filled with hatred, now held a hint of guilt and remorse. "How have you been?" She inquired, fidgeting with her fingers. "I...heard about Bill...Bilal's death." Zynah's heart ached at Zaahida's words. She still hadn't gotten used to the fact that Bilal was indeed dead. Each time someone sent their condolences, it felt like reopening the wound, preventing it from healing. She didn't know if she'd ever get used to his absence. Each day brought a new wave of pain and loneliness. "Okay?" She raised a brow questionably, her voice flat. Deep dow
Ibrahim's face fell. The news was a shock, a bolt of lightning that struck him out of nowhere. He stared at Zynah, his eyes wide with disbelief. He might not have said it, but Zynah knew he felt discomfited. His facial expression, a mix of shock and disappointment said it all. "I'm eighteen weeks along," She added, her voice low-pitched. "Zynah..." Ibrahim called, his voice trailing off. He was obviously still trying to process the information, to understand the implications. Finally, he found his "I..can wait for you to give birth." Zynah was taken aback by his response. She had expected him to get angry or at least leave without saying a word, but he did none of that. Just what kind of a patient person was he? Was he even real at this point? "It's enough, please," She beseeched, her voice filled with sadness. "It pains me whenever I do this to you. You don't deserve any of this, Ibrahim. You are an awesome person, and I don't deserve your kindness." Ibrahim shook his head
"Arrgggghhhhhh!" At the top of her voice, Zynah screamed, her body convulsing as she collapsed on the bed, drenched in sweat. The contractions, now relentless, struck every five minutes. Her breaths emerged in ragged pants and tears leaked from the corner of her eyes. She had been in labour for three long hours, yet the baby had obstinately refused to leave the comfort of her stomach. She had been pushing but her efforts were futile. Due to exhaustion, her eyes had already began to drop, when the contractions returned in gargantuan force. "Push!" One of the midwives yelled, her voice a sharp command that cut through the haze of pain. To Zynah, the voice of the midwife was obscure. It floated in the air and soon dissipated. With all of the strength she possessed, she heaved, her body bucking and straining. "You're almost there," the midwife encouraged, her voice a beacon of hope. "I can already see the head of your baby. You just have to put in more effort, okay?" Her w
"I have some important work I need to do. I will be back later in the day. Take special care of my sister in law. Don't allow her complain to me about you," Dr. Muslim said, feigning seriousness. Zynah chuckled. "Don't worry, if she does anything to annoy me, I will be sure to tell you." Ramlah rolled her eyes as she took her seat back in the chair. "Alright then. See you later," Dr. Muslim said to Zynah, then averted his gaze back to his wife. "I love you." He mouthed. "See you later." Ramlah looked away, trying to suppress the smile that was creeping across her face. Her eyes crinkled at the corners, betraying her. She didn't look his way again, until he had made use of the door. Zynah cleared her throat, making her snap out of her reverie. "Why didn't you say it back to him?" "What are you talking about?" Ramlah asked, feigning nonchalance. Zynah rolled her eyes. "I was watching the both of you." "How could I?" She cringed. "You're right here. You didn't expec
"Yes," Zynah said, nodding. "Imagine pushing a baby out of that small hole, of course it'd be painful, but," her lips stretched into a smile. "At the end, the pain is all worth it, when you get to carry your baby in your arms. The pain felt, will automatically and miraculously vanish. It was the same feeling I felt when I held my baby in my arms and breastfed him. It made me recall the terrible mistake I made back then with Adnan, when I decided to cast him away," Tears prickled her eyes as she recalled how she had gazed at him with disgust and hate. She wished she could undo her mistakes. "Today, I wish Bilal was here with us. He would no doubt, be the happiest. It had always been his dream to hold his baby at birth. He didn't get to hold Adnan and right now, he isn't here to hold our other child." The tears she had been trying so hard to keep at bay, escaped and streamed down her cheeks. "I miss him, Ramlah," she confessed, pouring out her heart to her sister - a thing she seldom
As soon as Nazmeera heard the good news, she couldn't contain her excitement. She rushed to the house to congratulate her. Zynah, having just finished eating her food, was peacefully resting in her room when Nazmeera arrived. She knocked on the door and immediately she was permitted to enter, she did. "Congratulations, Zynah!" Nazmeera beamed, her voice filled with exuberance. "I rushed here immediately Ramlah informed me. Congratulations. I'm glad that you and the baby are fine." Zynah's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you, Nazmeera." "How are you feeling?" Nazmeera asked, her voice filled with care. "I hope you're not in any pain." "I'm feeling alright," Zynah replied, a small smile on her lips. It actually felt surreal to her that Nazmeera, whom had hated her for the time she had known her was now caring towards her. Nazmeera smiled in response, her excitement continuing to bubble. "Ramlah also told me it's a boy. Can I hold him?" She eagerly requested. "W
Nazmeera's face lit up. "Really? His name is Bilal?" Zynah nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "His name is Bilal," she confirmed. Ramlah hummed, her gaze fixed on her sister as if she wanted to say something to her but was holding back because Nazmeera was there. "It's a surprise," she finally spoke, her gaze still fixated on Zynah. "When did you decide to name him after his father?" Judging by Ramlah facial expression, Zynah knew she wasn't exactly pleased by her decision to make her baby after his late father, but it didn't matter to her. She had made her decision, and she'd stand by it. "Since I found out I was having a boy," Zynah replied. "I don't know what to say," Nazmeera said, tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you so much, Zynah. This makes me feel less sad about, you know..." Zynah understood perfectly Nazmeera's emotions because she was feeling exactly the same. It felt like Bilal had returned through their son. It helped lessened the pain of loss. Nazmeera spent