Sadiya |REWRITING

Chapter Four

***

ABUJA, NIGERIA.

"...Hanifa Shehu, four years-old, never being treated for bron--"

"Oof."

Sadiya hissed in annoyance for the second time that day, it was as though the universe was hellbent on testing her temper level. "I'm so sorry." Khamis went to bend to pick up the scattered folder on the floor when her words halted his movements.

"Watch where you're going, next time," her mouth turned downward in distaste. She wasn't usually this rude, but, a certain someone deserved no smile from her. He just wasn't worth the stress of having to stretch her flesh when all she wanted to do was keep a neutral face, which was her signature frown most people found rude for some reason she did not bother to know.

He clenched his jaw tight, as if swallowing back words. "I apologized," he pointed out.

"So?" Did she mention the guy hit on her? Well, if she didn't, that's what's up.

Safeenah made a move to pick the blue folder up discreetly. "Drop it." Guess she wasn't so sneaky now, was she?

He sighed and did what she had no need to ask of him directly - it was obvious, he bumped into her, resulting the fallen folder, now he was the one to pick it.

Khamis Usman, the two faced 30 year-old she'd always tried to avoid, to which she failed to, this time. His Canadian accent could be termed as the deluxe Gucci limited edition dress -sewn to fit perfectly against the ladies' hearings- most were drawn to, all in a rush to have it in their closets to beat competition. Not for Sadiya; the woman he had made his 'feelings' for, obvious to the eyes of even an onlooker. He was Nigerian, having schooled in Edmonton earned him an extra one.

Khamis collectively handed the object he ended up picking, to the obviously stressed woman few feet away from where he was standing. A laser glare slashed his darkened orbs. "Piece of advice, stay out of my way while I do the same." It sounded childish, but who cared, quite frankly? She turned and left, her friend walking after her.

Everybody had their work to do.

"And I'll surely make you mine, Sadiya."

It sounded like a promise. One he'd do anything and everything within his might to fulfill.

***

~ TWO MONTHS LATER ~

It went on and on and on. Like a mantra in the mind of universe. If she was going to make him suffer, Imran was the bait she'd use for the big fish.

Life was good. Marriage was good. Hubby was good. Plan was good. Another man's sweet scented bed was good. And she could have that on repeat if she could. Surely, they say there's light at the end of the dark tunnel. In her term, it was the other way round; There's darkness at the end of the bright tunnel.

Ramlah heaved for the nth time that day, choking on her puke as more left her. She was famished, but no meal seemed appetizing. Yazid was in the living-room, all too invested in the game to notice her prolonged absence.

"Ramlah?" He knocked. Maybe she was wrong there. "Y'kay in there?"

She got up, flushing the disgusting sight that'd been avoided by her eyes. She cringed at the horrid taste it left off on her tongue, quickly rinsing her mouth with its wash. Ramlah noticed her skin glowing, surely not from her new skincare...but something else.

She was meant to be happy with her thoughts, deep down, it was as if she wasn't only revenging on Yazid, but betraying and deceiving herself too. That thought was immediately cleared out the second it graced her mind with its dirt trace.

"Ramlah?" Another knock.

The door was swung open, be stepped aside upon sighting her deflated spirit she tried hiding beneath the see-through mask of hers. "Is anything the matter?" Why did he have to sound so concerned? "What?"

His confusion only ran deeper.

She instantly recovered. "What- I mean, I-I am fine," a nervous laugh escaped her. "Why wouldn't I be?"

He honestly found nothing from their exchange, of humor. "You took a while in there." Genuine concern marred his features as he stood rigid by the doorway.

She pretended to scratch her arm when all she wanted was to disappear from the perusal in his gaze. "Yeah, Yeah. All good, I'm fine." He only looked more puzzled. "I promise," a smile took over her face.

Yazid stared at the woman dripping with unease as she tried avoiding his eyes. He was no fool to think all was well, but if she insisted on letting it all go, he was no one to force her otherwise - at least not at the moment, yet.

"Fine..."

"Let's continue the movie now, shall we?" Ramlah was already walking to the door without an answer.

"It's late."

She feigned stubbornness. "I still want to see the end of it. Tonight."

With that tone, he knew there was no going around the circle. "As you wish," mocking her words with a surrender.

She just had one thing to do...

***

Morning came by quicker than anticipated. Yazid left for work some moments back. So it was just she in the manse. Ramlah had a plate of warm breakfast before hitting the shower. Ridding herself from all the stress bathing her skin, her mind couldn't help wandering about in random circles.

Less than an hour later, she was dressed in the plain black abaya she'd chosen to pick for the day awaiting her as she stepped out the door. Hitting the road with her car, thankfully, there wasn't any gridlock and cars moved about their way like flux.

Ramlah could have simply had a test done with a kit, but she was undoubtedly scared of what the outcome would be.

One minute, she was halfway through her short journey and the next, she was gracing a hallway in the OB/GYN section of the large hospital. The receptionist had guided her vocally to the waiting room, filled with people of different ailments, cases.

As Ramlah preferred, she was referred to a female doctor, Nora.

The 400 sqft office was nice, clean, and smelled of antiseptic and a dash of flowers. About four, five or less binder clips packed by the side of the black file tray on the ebony desk. A file, black cup for pens, small sized bottles of pills and other medical equipments that gave her a headache just from their thought.

Inquiries were made, symptoms were jotted out, tests were taken, and there she was, awaiting the news that changed her life either for the bad, or good.

^-^

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