Mrs Ahmed Shehu

34

AHMED

Suraiya's always beautiful when she sleeps but right now, she's even more beautiful. It's a post-Fajr nap and while I said she could sleep the entire morning, she insisted I wake her up when the kids are ready to leave so we can drop them off together.

Her hand's in mine and her hair are in jumbo twists which we worked on last night, after we had called my side of the family. As expected, they were all excited and Mama promised to be here with us by the end of today or first thing tomorrow morning. Seeing how I was reminded that I have trips I can't postpone, Mama being here with Suraiya would help me breathe a little better. That doesn't mean I wouldn't miss her like crazy though.

We're yet to call her side of the family though and I don't blame her. I'm apprehensive too and the last thing I want is any one of them saying something that'll tick her off. So far, it's clear that her emotions are unstable and she's getting into chocolate. She's more tired too. There's nothing else, for now, and I'm really, really grateful.

"Baba?"

I turn from Suraiya to the half open door. Teslimah's there with a smile on her face; a smile I easily return. "You three are ready?"

She nods. "Yes, we are. Is Ummi coming?"

"She is. We'll be down in a bit."

"Okay!"

She hurries off and I turn back to Suraiya who's now awake. She slips her hand out of mine and sits up. It's clear that she wants to go back to sleep but I know better than to tell her she can do so. I nearly got beaten this morning and while this new side of her is the most adorable thing, I value my life.

"Should I get your hijab for you, sweetheart?"

She nods. "Yes, please."

"Alright then."

I get off the bed and walk to the wardrobe, grabbing the first hijab I can find. It's a two piece jilbab and I'm about to return it when she asks for it. When I walk out of the closet, she's stepping into the bathroom. I lay the two piece on the bed and then proceed to get changed. By the time she's out, I'm dressed and I'm getting the keys and my wallets.

"We need to get fruits on the way back." She says. "I want to make juice."

"Sure." It's easy to sit on a sofa and watch her get out of her nightdress and into the jilbab. "Just fruits?"

"And whatever comes to mind." She barely stifles a yawn. "No one said I was going to be this tired at every hour, even when I've had time to sleep or nap."

"I can't tell you it'll get better but we'll be fine."

She walks to the mirror, tying the inner straps of the upper piece that stops a little above her knees. "Do you know what I like so far?"

"What?"

"How you're being a sort of anchor for me. I like that you're not lying to me too but you're telling me the truth in a lovely way that makes me feel safe." She finishes and turns to face me. "I'm talking a lot this morning. Is that part of the pregnancy too?"

I don't get to reply because Adeelah screams then. "Baba, Ummi! We're going to be late!"

I get off the sofa while Suraiya laughs. "We'll get back to this later."

She nods. "No problem."

Nurudeen is coming out of his room when Suraiya and I leave ours, and he easily hands me his bag so he can take her hand and go down with her while I trail behind them. Adeelah and Teslimah are already outside so I switch off the lights and grab Nurudeen's lunch pack before joining them outside.