Tears Of Farida

Six

A few weeks after Eid and umma's visit. Farida looked forward to her travel abroad for treatment. Kamal promised to go with her so they would have a vacation alongside her treatment.

One day, Kamal returned from work looking agitated. This mood continued into the next day which left Farida mystified. Kamal would not confide in her as he usually did, although she pleaded with him to tell her what was troubling him.

'What's the matter, deen?, Farida asked at the end of the second day as she couldn't hold back anymore.

'Nothing', he replied reluctantly. Farida sighed and took his hands in hers and rubbed soothingly, a gesture she did whenever she sensed that he was troubled.

'Yes, there is'. She said lovingly. 'You've been moody since yesterday, it's obvious that there's a problem. We promised not to keep anything from each other remember?.'

Kamal took his hands out of hers and turned away from her gaze. 'You can't help me out' She was hurt by his action but she brushed it off.

'I shouldn't be saying this to you deen but, you know that a problem shared is one half solved right? So, please just tell me'.

But Kamal didn't budge and she didn't press him any more.

As his depression continued, Farida became more and more perplexed. She was used to Kamal's moodiness when he was on the brink of taking a major decision. But then he had always taken her as his confidante and both of them had always handled the situation.

'Why then, will he not confide in me on this?' Farida asked herself.

Not long afterwards, the cause of Kamal's depression revealed itself. On the evening of that day, Kamal hadn't returned from work yet while Farida went to do the mall to do some grocery shopping.

When Lubna heard her drive in, she rushed out to help her with the shopping bags.

'Welcome anty.' Farida hummed in response feeling exhausted from walking around and standing for quite a while on the queue to make payment at the mall.

'Umma is here', Farida stopped in her tracks to turn around facing Lubna. 'She came with a guest and they brought along a lot of luggages with them'. Lubna added in a whisper.

Farida's eyes widened in surprise. 'What is umma up to this time again?', she asked herself.

'When did they get here?' She asked walking into the house with Lubna on her heels.

'Not long after you left'.

Farida was anxious as she entered her house. The guest, a lady was was sitting in one of their deep cushioned armchairs, legs stretched out on a low cushioned stool with a plate of sliced apples by her side.

'As salama alaikum.' Farida greeted with a tight lipped smile. The lady answered turning around to look at Farida.

'You look familiar. Have we met before?' Farida moved further into the room and took a sit all the while staring at the lady.

She looked to where Farida sat and with sass she adjusted her blouse crossing one leg over the other. 'Yes, we have. But, I'll reintroduce myself. I'm Karima. Mrs Karima Kamaludeen. I'm carrying our husband's baby and I've come to take my rightful place in this house.'

Farida was stunned, the room seemed to be spinning around or was it her head?. She wanted to scream at her, yank her off the chair and throw her out of the house and call her a liar. But instead she chuckled dryly and said, 'That's a bad joke you made. Where's umma?'

'Don't be stupid, do I look like I'm here to make jokes?.' She huffed out in annoyance.

'Gani nan'. Umma replied coming into the sitting room.

Farida immediately squatted in respect to greet her. 'Barka da yamma umma, kinzo lafiya?'. Umma hissed in response and sat beside the lady.

'Wace banzar maganar kike mata eh? ' she asked Farida with a scornful look.

'Ban waye ta ba shi yasa nake tambayar ta ko wacece ita' Farida responded getting up to sit back. Umma laughed heartily, patting the lady on her head.

'So, you're not only barren, you've also gone deaf hmm?'.

Farida looked at umma in utter shock, she was short of words at the old woman's utterance. She was on the verge of loosing her cool with her mother-in-law. How dare she come into her house with this ill-mannered woman and put up such a big lie?. She blinked back the tears that welled up in her eyes. She didn't want to cry in front of her mother-in-law and her companion.

She went to her room. There, she called up Sa'adat and asked if she was available to have her over at her house. Less than fifteen minutes later, she stood knocking at her friend's door.

'I'm finished. My life is ruined, it's over for me Sa'a',' She fell to the floor, clutching her dress and sobbing painfully.

Sa'adat who was alarmed after hearing her friend's voice over the line and had been worriedly waiting for Farida's arrival quickly rushed to her after opening the door, pulling her up into the sitting room and straight to her room.

'What's the matter, Faree?.' She asked taking her into her comforting arms.

Farida's sobs only grew louder. She cried hard in her friend's arms. When her sobbing turned into a whimper, sa'a offered her a glass of water which she thankfully accepted and downed in one go.

'Can you please tell me what the matter is now hmm?' Sa'adat asked, worry etched on her face.

Farida poured out everything that jad happened in her house some few minutes ago.

'I don't want to go back there. I can't. She mocked me and umma insulted me in her presence. If what they were saying is true, then wallahi I'll move out of that house. Kamal better return and tell me it's all a big lie.' She paused and sniffled in between her words.

'Don't speak without thinking. You'll go nowhere, you won't leave your house for any nonsense that walks in.' Sa'adat had always been her friend's comforter. She always remained calm in a difficult situation. 'Bow are you sure they're telling the truth?- but umma agreed to it- Farida cut in, 'That doesn't matter, it still could be a lie' Sa'adat added.

'Where is Kamal presently?'.

'He is at work. He might be on his way home now,' she said glancing at the wall clock.

'Faree, I advise you to go back to your house. Don't show them that you're worried by their claims. Act nicely with them and ignore all their spiteful comments while you wait for Kamal to return. And please, never make any decision in a rush especially when you're upset.' Sa'adat admonished her.

Farida nodded meekly and went to the bathroom to wash her face.

'Where are my girls?I haven't heard their chattering.' She asked coming out of the bathroom.

'They aren't back from Islamiyya yet. Trust them to have rushed out the moment they saw your car drive in'.

Farida hummed, a small smile playing on her lips. 'Thank you, thank you for always being here for me. I appreciate you.' She looked at her friend gratefully and hugged her, sighing as the comforting warmth consumed her.

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