HUSNA (EDITING)

Chapter19

"Whoever fears Allah,Allah will find a way out for him (from every difficulty) and He will provide for him from sources that he could never have imagined." Quran 65:2-3
                     

                  ***************

As the weeks passed in a blur, the bond between the two grew stronger. Although she didn't always pick up Hameed's calls, she has started to see him as a brother, just as he had hoped. Ramadan had begun the previous week, but Husna has been sick and unable to fast. It has been a month since their father last visited them, and the family are struggling to make ends meet. Faiza, who had been a great help, had traveled, leaving the family with limited resources.

Since she fell ill, they had barely enough money to take her to the hospital, and the little medicine they could afford has shown no signs of aiding her recovery. The family are barely scraping by, relying on the small earnings from Abdulkarim's job and the hibiscus drink sales.With their limited resources, they made do with simple meals, often having garri for sahur and rice and beans for iftaar.

He has been trying to reach her number several times after iftaar, but her phone was switched off, which worried him. He usually called her after iftaar, but sometimes she would pick up, and sometimes she wouldn't. her phone was never switched off before.

Her condition took a turn for the worse after Magrib prayers. She started shivering and couldn't get up or help herself, suffering for over two hours. Her mother tried to borrow money from their neighbors to buy medicine, but no one was willing to help. As her condition deteriorated, she fell unconscious, and her mother had no choice but to take her to the nearby hospital. They rushed her to the emergency room, hoping for the best.

********

As soon as he woke up, it was clear that something is bothering him. He tried calling her phone again, but it was still switched off. He immediately dialed Faiza's number, and she answered after just two rings.

Assalama Alaikum Yaya Hameed, good evening," she spoke ,

"Wa'alaikumu salam It's morning here, so good morning. Faiza, I've been trying to reach your friend since yesterday, but her phone is switched off. I hope everything is okay?"

"I don't know either, I'm not in Kaduna, but let me try calling her." Faiza tried calling her , but her phone was still switched off, so she called Asma's mother instead. That's when she heard that Asma was sick, but thankfully, she was recovering. Before Faiza hang up's his call came in again

Yaya she's sick, but Alhamdulillah, she's recovering now. Should I send you her mother's number?"

"No, just wish her a quick recovery. I wish I was in Nigeria, I would definitely visit her."

Her mother paid for her treatment with the help of Faiza's parents, who had been informed by Faiza. She slowly opened her heavy eyes and gazed at her siblings, who rushed towards her, hugging her tightly.

"Add Husna, you scared us!" they exclaimed. She smiled weakly.

Her mother entered the room with food in hand. "Husnatu, how are you feeling now?" she asked.

"Fine, Alhamdulillah, but my body is weak ." She closed her eyes, leaning against the bed headboard.

"You'll feel much better after taking the medicines," her mother assured her.

Hameed's call came in.the moment she switched on her phone

She picked up the call, and Hameed's sigh of relief was audible from the other end.

Husna, how are you feeling now? You got me worried. I felt like just flying over to see you.

"Assalamu alaikum," she murmured softly. "

Sorry, I forgot to greet you properly. Wa'alaikumu salam How's your health?"

"I'm fine, Alhamdulillah. How's your work?" She replied.

"All thanks to you, I couldn't do anything at all,"

She chuckled. "Me?

Yes, you! I was dead worried about you. I thought something bad had happened to my sister. But what's wrong with you?"

"Just stomach pain," she replied, her voice weak.

"Eyyyah! Sorry to hear that. It breaks my heart to see you sick. So buckle up and get well soon! Very soon, I'll come to see you and bring you a special medicine. You'll see, very soon you'll be recovered, full of energy, and stronger than ever."

She smiled, touched by his concern. "Sorry, Asma. Idan naje masalaci zan maki addu'a kinji.

Can I hang up? She questioned

Am I disturbing you?"At least let me thank God that you picked up the call. You can't hang up yet! Did you take your meds?"

She yawned, "No , I don't... I just woke up, and then your call came in."

"Take care, may Allah grant you shifa. Ameen."

Ameen," she replied and cut the call, dialing Faiza's number next.

***********

Two weeks before Eid, Hameed called Faiza and transferred almost 1 million to her account, instructing her to buy food items and take them to Husna's house. He also asked her to purchase anything else they might need in the house, but emphasized that Husna should not know that he was the one who sent the items . Faiza followed his instructions exactly, and they both began preparing for Eid.

A day before Eid, she was helping her mother with chores, having fully recovered but not fasting due to her health issues. Her phone, which is on her lap, suddenly rang. She checked the caller ID and hesitated for a moment before deciding to answer. "Assalamu alaikum," she said softly.

"Wa'alaikumu salam, Asma! How are you doing, and how's your health?"

"Alhamdulillah, I'm doing well,"And how about your fasting?"

"Alhamdulillah, it's going well," But I must say, it's not fair that you get to eat alone! You should gain some weight, you know I even hope you gain a weight !"he reply chuckling on the end

She laughed. "No,

I'm not proud of that! And I wish my mom knew you you'd definitely gain weight if you lived with her!" "So, how's the Eid preparation going? Did you braid your hair and do your henna?"

"No, I didn't. I don't really like all that.When will you come back?

I don't know yet my leave hasn't been approved, but I'll try to escape later! And we're both coming to Kaduna after Eid prayer. Please, I have a request."

"What request?" she asked.

"Please, Husna, I'd like to take you out on the second day of Eid. Please don't say no, just to go around, and I promise nothing else.

I'll think about that..."

Please...

"Alright..." she agreed hesitantly.

"What are you doing?" He asked, changing the subject.

"I'm helping Adda with the chores," she replied.

"Ah, shit! You should've told me!" Hameed exclaimed. "Extend my greetings to my mother, and tell her that I'm coming to greet her soon."

She let out a smile and Hang up the call...

Huh!the chapter is a lil-boring right.?"
Just managed it. I'm bit lazy these days wallah.."
I don't have much to say,
Just vote comments and share.🌹

Ummeetarh05 ❤️