Mrs Mahmud, Mrs Mas'ood

32

"Amal has landed, Zayd. She just called."

Mas'ood raised his head to look at Jonathan who had spoken. It had been hours of them waiting for the medical team to say that Hanan and the babies were fine. Mahmud was still with the doctors, helping out and Mas'ood tried to imagine how the other one was feeling. Every arrow pointed towards Amal and it was impossible to believe she would poison Hanan. It didn't make any sense.

Zayd asked Jonathan to get Amal's driver to pick her up from the airport. Mas'ood glanced at the silver watch on his wrist. It was very close to Maghrib and they were all fasting. He rose to his feet just as Zafeenah faced Zayd, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

"Amal wouldn't hurt Hanan. There has to be some sort of mistake."

Mas'ood's chest constricted painfully. He took her hand, wanting to take her out of the area so she wouldn't cry. "Come on, Feenah. Let's get something for everyone to break their fasts with. It's almost time for Iftar."

"But Amal wouldn't hurt Hanan, Ya Mas'ood. You know that. Ya Zayd knows it too."

Mas'ood tiredly sighed. They all knew it. They just did not have an explanation or an alibi to back Amal up. He led his youngest sister away. "I know...In Shaa Allah it's a mistake." It had to be. It had to be a big joke. "She has to be here to clear her name."

Aliyah went with them. Mere minutes after they left, Mahmud joined the others who stayed waiting in the hallway. He smiled sadly at their expectant faces.

"She's responding slowly." He said calmly. "She'll be fine In Shaa Allah."

Zayd was broken in more ways than one and it had never been clearer. "Thank you, Mahmud."

"You're welcome."

He walked over to sit beside Aisha who had her face buried in her hands, quietly praying vehemently for her daughter's innocence. Mahmud swallowed the lump in his throat and reached up to pat her back, praying for the same thing.

He left the emergency room because he had come close to collapsing. It was a tough day for him and the sudden emergency added to the stress. Muhammad sat on Aisha's other side, his face also buried in his hands. He only raised his head when Mas'ood, Aliyah and Zafeenah returned with water, fruits and dates for all of them.

The silence weighed heavily on each person and the Maghrib prayer was long. They all returned to the seats they earlier occupied except Zainab, Zafeenah and Aliyah who decided to head home and bring actual food. Mahmud knew Aisha would have gone with them if Amal wasn't in a tight spot and it only made his heart hurt.

At some point, Mas'ood sat beside Mahmud and they stayed quiet, waiting for the doctor's update. It was close to Isha that Amal arrived and Mahmud hated how pale she was. He felt a stab of fear when Zayd stood, took her hand and pulled her with him. "Amal, let's talk."

Mas'ood, who was as scared as Mahmud all thanks to the expression on his brother's face, rose to his feet. He took a step forward. "Zayd, you should –"

Umar stopped him. "Let them go."

Mas'ood faced his father. "Baba –"

"He's not going to do anything stupid, Mas'ood. Let them talk things out while we take care of things with Hanan on his behalf."

Mas'ood stared at his father while Aisha burst into tears. Mahmud could only watch as Muhammad pulled her up and led her away. Resigned, Mas'ood sighed and sat back down. It was then Mahmud thought about Hauwa.

Slightly panicked, he faced Mas'ood. "Has someone called Hauwa?"

Mas'ood nodded. "Yeah, Jonathan called her earlier to let her know. It's too late for them to come tonight so they promised to leave Edo first thing tomorrow morning."