Six

They were admitted in the hospital, her doctor was surprised to see them, it wasn't even upto 10hours since they left. But what happened? That's a question for another time, he had to save the life of this young girl.

After so many things, Ihsan gained consciousness, she was moved to her usual room, and was sleeping peacefully; when Abbu and Ummu silently prowled inside the room. Ummu moved to where Maama was sitted, sobbing, as her shoulders were shaking.

"It's okay, she would be fine," Ummu cajoled, as she sat beside Maama.

"How would it be okay? She's already in pain, she'd had enough. I won't agree to this union anymore, I want my daughter to live her life, sound and healthy," Maama whimpered, as she wiped away her tears with her hands, of which weren't anytime ready to stop.

"Jamila, don't let your namby-pamby talks give Ihsan hope. Because I've already made my mind, and I would hold onto my words as she had held onto hers. No one can stop me. It has to happen, and in three weeks time!" Daada dictated with tone of finality, his gaze falling on sleeping Ihsan. He felt a pang of pity piercing through his heart, but he had to do this, he had to show her he's the father.

Maama abruptly looked at him, her bloodshot eyes emoting nothing but how humbugged she was. Isn't this the Daada that always avowed he'll do anything for Ihsan's happiness? Isn't he the one Ihsan would always look upto? Why wouldn't he take his words down? She's just a little girl.

"It's okay, Alhaji. We just have to wait still she wakes up, she can be adamant, but she's shrewd sometimes," Abbu said, as he guided Daada to the sofa next to them.

Ummu called Manal and ordered her to bring them their dinner when the maid finished, for they might spend the night here. 

It was after Maghrib prayer, Daada and Abbu went to the masjid. Maama was praying when Ihsan slowly squinted her eyes, her gaze falling on Ummu.

Ummu swiftly stood up and sat beside her by the bed. She held her hands in her's and spoke sympathetically "Ihsan my dear, it's nothing to worry about. Aren't you happy you would finally get your wish fulfilled? We made it! We need you healthy, please."

Ihsan laboriously sat upright, with the help of Ummu, her face was devoid of emotion, her whole body was paining, stomach aching, joints and bone were throbbing. 

"Ummu, that's not what I want, I still don't have the freedom. Why would Daada got me married? To Sadeeq? Ummu this is soo....how would I even put it in words? I've never expected this," came Ihsan's lugubrious voice, as tears rolled down her cheeks. Umma used her thumb and cleared the tears, as she slightly hugged her, drawing soothing circled on her back.

"Shhh...It's okay, Ihsan. All we have to care for is; we're finally getting the freedom, Sadeeq would not stop us from doing whatever we like. Would he?" Ummu spoke with full enthusiasm, as the best friends they were. She knew making Ihsan to understand would be difficult, so it's better to tag along with her.

"Ummuuu," she whined, as she cried harder. "I hate him! He's a boy in my eyes, how would he become my husband? I wouldn't let this happen! I'm not ready for all these, I'm too young to get married," came Ihsan's adamant voice, as she broke their hug, wiped away her tears; emanating the whole matter had stopped bothering her, she had made up her mind.

Ummu felt something in her heart, did Ihsan meant her words? What if they're trying to unite a war, not a marriage? She both knew how adamant and notorious they can be. She hoped it would turn out to be something good.

Before Ummu could talk, Abbu and Daada salamed and entered the room, with the rosary in their hands, as they supplicated. Abbu moved closer, as the look she was passing through Daada's way couldn't make him take another step towards her, it would debilitate him.

"How are you feeling? Ihsan?" Abbu asked, his voice was laced with care, as he placed his hands on her forehead.

"I'm okay now, only the joints pain and stomach ache, my heart hurts too," she pouted her lips, and yawed her gaze towards Daada. "Are we fighting?" She asked sarcastically.

A loving smile crept out of his lips, as he sauntered towards the bed, she hugged him without hesitation. "It was nice being in your warmth, Daada. I love you," she whimpered, breaking their hug.

"Hi Maama, hope you haven't cried?" She briskly waved at Maama, as she was folding the prayer mat she prayed on.

Manal entered the room with a salaam, the maid following behind with baskets full of food. The maid greeted them, wished Ihsan a quick recovery and left.

"What would you like to have, Ihsan?" Maama inquired, as she was serving them the dinner.

"Ummu know what I usually take in these kinds of conditions," she answered with a fleeting smile on her face, her intense gaze glued on Daada. He knew what the look meant, she needed an explanation, she needed to know what dscision he might take, but he snubbed it.

Maama swiftly cleared her tears, asked Ummu and served Ihsan. Ihsan hardly let her feed her, saying she was used to Ummu's or Daada's feedings whenever she's sick. Her words and actions had besetted Maama to the core, but it was all her fault. She estranged herself from her daughter.

They finished the dinner, and were watching a programme in the TV that was perched high on the wall. Ihsan fumbled on the bed, she knew Daada had been avoiding her__so she couldn't bring up the issue again. But how could she snub this issue? It had to be sorted out.

"Umm..Daada. Like we were saying back home, should I call Reena to start processing my admission?" She feigned innocent, trying all her might to sound as if she wasn't there when they talked about the marriage thing.

"Ohh, it almost slipped out of my mind. Let me call Sadeeq, so he could start processing for the admission, and he also have to come back in two weeks time," Daada spoke, choosing to play along. He brought out his phone and dailed Sadeeq's number.

***

Sadeeq was sketching an assignment he was given, being an Engineering students wasn't easy. Instead of him to sketch the assignment, he ended up drawing a face that looks exactly like Ihsan's, he wondered why.

He was sharpening her mirthy eyes, when a call interrupted him, he groaned in irritation and stood up. Seeing the name that popped out of his screen, he almost lost his balance, why would Daada call him? He hope it isn't something that happened to Ihsan.

"Good evening, Daada," he greeted, bowing down a little.

"Good evening, My son. How's school and yourself?" Daada inquired. Sadeeq almost heard Ihsan's yell.

"I'm fine, Daada. School has been hectic, full of assignments, just finished doing one," he said as his gaze fell on drawn Ihsan, a smile crept out of his lips.

"Okay, that's very good. I wish you succes. Amm...Sadeeq, I'll send you Ihsan's credentials and everything, I want you to process for her admission in two weeks time, that's in your school of course. And you have to come back in that two weeks time, hopefully; with the admission letter," Daada said, and he motioned for Ummu to close Ihsan's mouth, as she was about to yell.

Sadeeq became bamboozled, like Ihsan? The sickler? But...anyways, buts are questions of another day. So he answered Daada "Okay, Daada. It would be processed, and I would see if I can come back in two weeks time. Thank you, Daada," he spoke softly, he couldn't argue with Daada, if not, he would've asked for the reason of all these. Ihsan's admission and his sudden summon.

Ihsan coming to his school, meant something else. Something annoying and pepperish. Daada's voice jolted him out of his trance, "Ihsan is sick, so you might say sorry," with that, Daada and Abbu sauntered out of the room as he handed her the phone. Ummu, Maama and Manal tailing behind, as she couldn't fathom what was happening.

"Are you always sick? Don't come here and be a burden on me. Out of all places, why would you come to Qatar? Ihsan it would be hectic for me, having you around is the last thing I would want to happen," he spoke in an annoyed tone, as he heard her shuffling, emanating she sat upright.

"Enemy..I love you! Idiot!" Albeit she was in tears, she couldn't forget their keywords. She broke into tears, is this the person Daada wanted her to get married to? How would she marry Sadeeq? He's too young for her likings.

"I love you more! So why are you crying? Hope it isn't the pains? Aren't you that brave little skinny girl?" He taunted, sniggering enragedly.

His words made her sobbed harder. All that had been ebbing in her mind was; how could she look up to this young boy in the name of her husband? How would she address him? Her friend? A year-gap brother or what? For she couldn't call him her husband. He's too young!

"Enemy, you know you're too young to even have a girlfriend huh? So please don't concurr to whatever Abbu and Daada would tell you. You're too young, pity your innocent soul," came her weak voice, as it was choked with tears. She seriously meant her words, not in an enraging way.

Sadeeq got infuriated, this girl would be the end of him. "What do you mean? I have numerous girlfriends, and can even get married to whatsoever I feel like, with you included of course!" He roared, before it somersaulted in him, what he just said, he knew Ihsan, she would rephrase his words into another meaning.

She let out a scoff, rolled her eyes at the wall before she retaliated "You can get married to young girls like you, I guess. Who would give you his daughter? I bet No one."

"Daada would! I assure you of this. Mumu, ameobic shaped, gorilla faced, fleshless bone, a would be wife to the world's youngest groom. Idiot! I love you!!!" He too was flabbergasted at how they couldn't drop those key words, he doubted if they wouldn't mean something someday. May be to cause a rift between their spouses or something.

"I love you more! Idiot!" She bellowed and broke into tears. This wasn't what she planned on to, she planned to talk to Sadeeq not to concurr with the marriage thing. And now she messed everything up.

"Sadeeq...plea," she was cut off by his brisk reply before he hang up.

"In three weeks time, you would be my wife!" He dictated and ended the call. Not that he knew the way to talk to Daada or Abbu, but all he knew is; he had to prove that sickle celled of a lady wrong!