“Aisha, are you alright?”
“Www… what exactly is wrong with my mum? Is ss...she well?”
“You saw her just now, didn’t you?”
“Nnn..no doctor, that is not my mother. I couldn’t believe she didn’t even recognise me. I mean, I didn’t recognise her either. I need to pray for her. Take his bottle.” I handed her a 5-litre(s) bottle.
“Let her bath with part of it and also give her to drink from it. I’m sure everything would be fine.” I muttered to Dr. Lulu, still in tears.
The bottle contained direct raindrops filled with various prayers and supplications I made for my babies’ bath, but I gave it to her.
“Don’t worry, Aisha. I promise to give her this as you’ve requested.” She patted my left shoulder and left for her office.
I met dad and Ibro at the reception and we went home. Even if I couldn’t explain what happened to them, I told them everything would be fine, Insha Allah.
***
3 Days Later...
Dr. Lulu gave us an emergency call that my mum woke up this morning, acting normal.
“She wants to ask for your forgiveness, Aisha. Please, come soon.”
I and the other family members rushed to the hospital to confirm it. It was definitely a miracle. Yes, God works in wondrous ways. I couldn’t believe it. I just had to. When we got there, she was being examined personally by Dr. Lulu. After the examination, I asked her to spend time with us as she rushed to hug me.
“I’m so sorry, Aisha. Please forgive me.” She cried bitterly as she held me in her arms.
“I’m the one that needs your forgiveness, mum. I left you when I shouldn’t...I was a poor child. I’m sorry mum, forgive me.” I cried too in her warm arms.
“Alhamdulillah, everything is back to normal. I have my mum back.”
***
Later, we all sat down, and I introduced Abdullah to her. She was so curious to know where I was and how I’ve been. I explained everything to her briefly; she understood.
“I became very depressed about finding out you got missing... but I’m fine now. You’re here with me. Please don’t leave me, ever again...” she cried. “Except if you’re leaving with your doctor-husband, of course.”
I looked at her serious face and held her warm hands. My mum hands have always been like that. Soft and warm.
And right now, I’m glad. I’m so glad that she’s leaving me for no one except Dr. Abdullah. God has been so favourable. He has been on our side. Abdullah won’t find it difficult to be her son-in-law like in most cases. Well, I watched it in movies about how women find it difficult to accept their daughter’s heartthrob to become a mother-in-law.
“I’ll never leave you, mum. I’ll not leave his side either.” I held her in a more tender hug.
Just then, Dr.Lulu walked in, distracting our mother-to-daughter’s conversation as we turned to look at her. She smiled in our direction as she took her seat.
“Hajia Zainab Akorede is still receiving treatment. She’s learning how to communicate better with people and she would partake in group therapy sessions for a while. At least, till she gets totally better.” She said, facing me.
“I promise to keep up with all my treatment sessions, Dr. Lulu. I’ll be a stronger mother now, okay? No more relapses.” She replied abruptly, still clinging to my arm.
“I just feel everything is my fault. I shouldn’t have left my family. Thanks a lot for everything, doctor. May Allah bless, love and care for you, ten folds.”
“Amin.” Doctor Lulu smiled. “I would discharge your mum today. She has to take medication once a week. Hajiya haven’t seen you over 9 months and now she has. There’s room for so much hope and improvement.”
Alhamdulillah, they finally discharged Mum from the hospital. We took a cab home and Danlami prepared a very delicious meal of jollof rice, chicken and vegetable salad.
That same evening, Hajia Amina too arrived from Abuja. She brought two big cows for the ceremonies. Today is going to be our introduction. Our engagement ceremony. Tomorrow is going to be the naming ceremony. While Friday and Saturday, our wedding party.
***
Dinner,
On The Table.
“I’ll call the mosque members tomorrow evening for the children’s naming ceremony. Tomorrow is Thursday. People will go for their daily activities.” Dad brought up.
“I suggest the naming ceremony should begin for two hours, between 4:00 pm. -6:00 p.m.” Mum happily replied.
“Thanks a lot dad, I think that would be perfect. We’ll be calling them Zayd and Zaytoon. What about their traditional names?”
“I think I’ll name them Abiola and Abisola.” Ibrahim cut in. He seemed really excited about being an uncle now.
“Hmm, charming! What about you, mum?” Abdullah intervened, asking his mother.
“I would love to call them Olamide and Olamilekan. It seems everyone would shower the babies with names o.” She bursted into laughter and everyone joined her in laughing. It was an exciting time for our families.
“Yes, In fact, as their uncle, I’ll name them Morountodun, Ayoolamiposi, Oluwatoba.”
“Ahh! It’s enough!! Your own is too much sef!! Habaa!!!” Mum shushed him almost immediately.
“We just can’t imagine what would happen and how much we will have to suffer again if she has another relapse.” Ibrahim joked.
“It was only a schizophrenic mental condition, not a death sentence... don’t take advantage of that.” Mum rolled her eyes at him abruptly. We all laughed at both mother and son. I think she missed him, too.
***
Later That Evening,
Mum prepared the bed for us, and she was acting silly.
“Let me check the room.” She ordered as we followed her behind.
“This bedsheet is old. I’ll give you a new one. You can pick anyone from my room.”
“Okay mum but I-...”
“Don’t you need more space in this room? Aww! I wish I’d renovate this house before your arrival? You need vanity too?”
“Okay mum, I think that’s enough for now.”
“Well, I’m thinking... Since you two would sleep in the same room soon, maybe there’s no need.”
“Yes, ma... there is no need.”
“I want to do it. I want to do something for you two and the babies...” Our talk ended up in a ridiculous laughter.
“Well, it wasn’t funny, was it?”
***
Translations
Abiola: Born Wealth
Abisola: Born into Wealth
Olamide: My wealth has come
Olamilekan: My wealth has increased.
Oluwaseun: Thank God.
Oluwasegun: God conquers.
Morountodun: I found something sweet.
Ayoolamiposi: The joy of my wealth increased.
Oluwatoba: God is Great.
YOU ARE READING
A Tale Of Justice
General FictionSixteen-year-old Aisha Akorede, daughter of a religious Imam, gets into an incident that changes her life forever. Her family, honour, and even her future are tarnished. Now, Aisha has to convince the entire world who she is. Follow Aisha Akorede on...
