Seven

Ummu came inside the room, she held her chin in bewilderment. She wondered what made Ihsan cry. Without a word, she sauntered to the bed and sat beside Ihsan, took her hand in her's, as she spoke in a placating way "It's okay, Ihsan. What's there to cry? Did he said anything wrong?" Ummu inquired, clearing Ihsan's tears with her thumb.

"No. I'm just tired of this hospital, I want to go home," Ihsan whined, and she wiped the remaining strands of tears that had left.

"Let me tell Abbu, so he could get the discharging letter," Ummu said and stood up. Not that she had believed what Ihsan had said, but she isn't in the mood to probe for more.

Ummu went out, she took some minutes before she came back, Maama tailing behind. Maama took the baskets, Ummu helping Ihsan out of the hospital.

In a hushed silence, Ihsan entered Daada's car and leaned on the chair, Sadeeq's words registering in her brain. Did he meant what he said? What if he would concur to Daada's talks? But if that happened he'll surely know what it meant to live in hell!

A tap on her shoulder jolted her out of her trance, she slowly squinted her eyes and gave Maama a puzzled look. 

"We're home, Ihsan. Let's go inside," Maama informed and guided Ihsan inside the house.

Ihsan went directly into her room. She slopped on her bed and heaved a sigh, full of worry. Why was Sadeeq so hard to deal with? Why couldn't he realize that she wasn't intending to annoy him? Did he even know the catastrophe he's embroiling himself into?

She groggily sauntered to her bathroom, bathe and exited the bathroom. She performed her prayers that were pending and sprawled on her bed. Mother nature took her to dream land in a minute.

She was sitted in a garden, it was a sumptuous garden, with flowers that had exquisite scents. She sniffed on the flower in her hand, took in a deep breath and closed her eyes; with a smile on her face.

"Morning princess. How have you being? Here alone? I guess you were waiting for me, so here I am," he said with a smirk on his face, as he took the rose flower in her hand.

She gave him a flummoxed look, "And who are you to think that I'll be waiting for you? You must be dreaming young man," she taunted, scrutinizing his face, but couldn't get a clue of who he was.

"A good wife is supposed to be always waiting for her husband. I know you would be a good wife. So you were waiting for me." Ihsan could only see the smile on his face, but couldn't see his face.

"And who are you? How dare you call me your wife? I'm nobody's wife!" She demanded wrathfully. She was getting infuriated by not seeing his face. She wanted to know who he is.

"You're nobody's wife because you're mine. Mine alone, Ihsan," he spoke softly and stood up, only for a breezy wind to take off what Ihsan thought was covering his face.

She flinged out of shock. "Sadeeq!!!" She squalled.

The shriek she made was the thing that woke her up from her sleep, she was drenched in sweat, her forehead started throbbing, for she couldn't fathom what the dream actually meant.

She went to her bathroom, performed her ablution and started reciting the holy Qur'an. It had always being her sanctual, she found peace reading it, a contentious feeling would fill her heart, embedding a glint of happiness in her eyes. She loved Qur'an.

***

The next day went in a blur, Ihsan could only talk to Daada or Maama when possible. She had always being in her room, reading some journals, watching tv, or writing in her diary.

Maama and Daada were worried about her. Daada made up his mind to go and talk to her tonight, he couldn't take two days without Ihsan in his life. She's in his every fibre.

"Good evening, Daada's girl," Daada spoke, as he entered her room with a salam.

She looked up from the Qur'an she was reading, briefly glanced at him and yawed her gaze back to her Qur'an. He sat at the edge of the bed, waited for her till she finished the verse before she closed the Qur'an and placed it on the bed side drawer.

"I'm sorry, Ihsan," was all Daada could utter, for he knew Ihsan couldn't snub him. But her action besetted him, as she folded her hands against her chest and yawed her gaze from his sight.

"Won't you talk to your Daada today?" He asked again. But inlieu of her to answer, she broke into tears.

Daada swiftly hugged her, and she cried on his shoulders.

"I don't love him, Daada. I'm not even allowed to love, because I'll fall ill and might die any moment. So why would I embroil someone in pain? Please, Daada. I hate him!" She elaborated, sobbing hard. Daada knew it would be harder than this. Convincing Ihsan about something is the last thing he would wanted to do in his life. She's so adamant.

"Why would you say that? Of course you'll live like every human. We would see the children of your children. Now, stop crying. Let's talk about someting else. Why not go to a Saloon with Maama tomorrow? Wouldn't it be fun?" He asked, his voice was laced with enthusiasm. He knew she couldn't snub his offer, her love for saloons knew no bound.

"Yay! That's a very good idea Daada. I'll get my legs pedicured, and this fleshless hands of mine would be manicured," she squealed happily and hugged Daada, muttering numerous thank yous.

"But I need a favour from you, stop saying you hate him, please. You might say this in Abbu's or Ummu's presence, and it will hurt them. Please my Ihsan," Daada beseeched, and she surprisingly nodded her head as an okay.

He bid her goodnight before sauntering out of the room, a beautiful smile plastered on his lips.

*** 

Ihsan woke up early, she had been nagging for how sluggish Maama had been acting today, she wanted them to go their early, so she could get her hair, legs and hands cleaned.

After so many beseechings, yellings, grimacings, groanings; Maama finally came out and they headed for the saloon. As it was in the estate, they needed no car to take them there, they just had to stroll.

They laughed, joked, snapped pictures and catched fun in the saloon. The jovial Ihsan took over the forlorn Ihsan. Maama numerously thanked Daada for bringing up the idea of going to the saloon, if not; she wouldn't get the chance to see her daughter's smile.

They even had a spa in the saloon, which took them long before they came back home.

"Maama, I love you so much, you made today memorable for me," Ihsan spoke, as she leaned in and hugged Maama. They were few feets away from their home.

Maama's heart almost jumped out of its socket, as tears started clouding her view. "I love you more than anything in this world, Ihsan. Be healthy please, for me," she whimpered, swiftly suppressing her tears.

Their sojourn back home was a hushed one, they were both engrossed in their talks. They entered the house, Ihsan noticed some strange things, but she thought Daada had some visitors. Her heart didn't oscillated until her eyes landed on a dazzling handsome guy; whom was seated opposite Daada, nodding his head in affirmation.

"Sa...ddeee..qqq..," she spoke precariously, her intense gaze glued on his face.

Silently, Daada and Maama walked away from the living room. Leaving only a confused Ihsan and smirky Sadeeq.

"Enemy! I've being here for almost an hour. Where have you being?" He asked, a smirk plastered on his lips. Ihsan knew him so well to know he's planning on something evil.

"What are you planning on? What has Daada told you? Don't you dare lie to me, Sadeeq!" Ihsan clamoured, her bloodshot eyes not leaving his face, as her heart was beating rapidly, afraid of what they might've talked about.

"It's nothing you should know about. It's between a father and his son," he shrugged his shoulders and leaned in on the sofa; as she staggered towards him.

"Sadeeq, don't tell me it's what I'm thinking. Please," she whimpered and slumped down on the floor, suddenly feeling detached.

"It might be," he spoke sarcastically and took out his phone.

"Say No please," she pleaded, tears were already cascading down her cheeks. So all Daada's I'm sorry were a façade? He hadn't taken this issue down. She hated Sadeeq more upon seeing him now.

"No to what? I couldn't argue with him uno? So kindly drag your fleshless legs to your room. You've filled the whole living room with this voice of yours," he snarled, not looking at her way. Seeing her like this hurt.

She abruptly stood up, piercing him a hurtful look "You've called for a war, you've embroiled your miserable life into hell. Know the lady you're dealing with, don't let your poor soul get in my control; for I would crash it down to pieces. You nincompoop, I lov...," she couldn't complete her sentence, as she felt dizzy, darkness overshadowing her view, something blocking air from her nose.

He swiftly held her before she could fell down, "Ihsan! Don't fall ill, please. I'll tell you everything," Sadeeq convulsed her vigorously, he was tensed. But Ihsan didn't move, he wondered if she was only a sickler, their might be something wrong.