TRIALS (Completed)

Thirty-four

Who was she? Kauthar wondered as the bus she was in thrummed beneath her feet. Was he protecting her? But why? She released a hiss, earning a strange look from the man beside her. Ignoring him, she turned to the half-open window, the busy streets blurring. She shouldn’t worry about that now. Barakah was back, safe. 

“Madam.” The man called. But her attention was on the reunion picture she was drawing in her head: Should she scream in joy, or be cool and emotional? “Madam o.” The conductor’s face appeared before her, glaring. “You no drop here again?” 

She rose and shuffled to the door. Once outside, she gazed at the white single storey-building that looked more like a house than a Clinic. Taking a deep breath, she sauntered towards the short gate and greeted the gateman seated behind it. 

The small parking spot had only two cars, with a string of flower beds that ran around the length of the clinic. She went straight to the white counter where a nurse was busy writing on a piece of paper. “Good morning.” 

The nurse looked up with a smile, “Morning ma, how can I help you?” 

“A young girl was brought in here earlier, in school uniform.”
“We have two patients with that description, so let me check.” 

Kauthar breathed out and turned away. Her eyes landed on a slim man at the entrance of the hallway, his back to her. Slowly, she went towards him. “Oga Chico.” He turned around, saw her and smiled. 

“Madam. When did you get here?” 

“Just now.” She smiled back. “How is she? Where is she?” 

He laughed. “She’s fine.” He pointed into the hallway, lit by a white bulb. “The third room.” Just then, Ismail rounded the corner, talking on the phone. As his eyes landed on them,
Kauthar turned to Chico. “Who is the kidnapper, what is her name, what room is she in?” She fired while Chico blinked in surprise. He shot a look at Ismail. “I need to know.” She said loudly, almost stamping her feet.

“There’s no need for that,” Ismail said behind her. 

She inhaled deeply, nodded, and shot Chico a smile. “Third room, right?” He nodded, still confused. 

She strolled into the hallway, ignoring Ismail. She paused before the door, feeling a sense of Deja Vu. Why did it always end in a hospital? She quickly shook her head and went inside.

The room was sized like a short meter rule, dimly lit and scenting of vanilla. Kauthar hurried to open the half-closed window. As she turned around, Barakah mumbled in her sleep. Kauthar smiled and settled beside her. She took Barakah’s hand in hers. It looked dry but still soft. She kissed it. Barakah opened her eyes, “Mummy?” 

Kauthar burst into tears and hugged her, breathing in the mud in her hair, but she didn’t care. “My baby.” She pulled away and cradled Baraka’s smiling but teary face. “How do you feel, Did they hurt you? Are you in pain?” She asked, tears streaming down her face. 

Barakah shook her head. “I’m okay. I missed you. I miss Hoor. Where is she?” She tilted her head towards the door. 

Kauthar cleared her throat. “She’s at home, waiting for you.” 

Barakah laughed and hugged her tightly. Kauthar closed her eyes. Finally, the test was over. Alhamdulillah. 

The door opened, revealing Ismail, holding a polybag. “Assalamu alaikum my darlings.” He beamed. 

“Daddy.” Barakah moved to the end of the bed where he stood. While they embraced, Kauthar smiled. But as Ismail’s eyes found hers, she frowned and looked down at the white bedsheet. What was up with this person and the colour white?