Hidden bonds of love

45.

After marrying Mommy Beauty, I experienced a tumultuous period in my life. Filled with anger and confusion, I decided to leave for Abuja. It was there that I crossed paths with Farida Alamin's wife, who was actively seeking employment. Compassionately, I offered her a job, and as time passed, we developed a close bond.

During my visits to Kano, I found myself grappling with jealousy towards Khadija, who possessed remarkable beauty and a kind heart. Her pregnancy intensified my envy, especially when I witnessed her tender care for her newborn son, Ahmad. I longed to share in that joy.

Regrettably, I had taken pills that rendered me unable to conceive, a decision I came to regret deeply. Faced with the news of Khadija's pregnancy, I resorted to deception. I falsely claimed to be pregnant to my husband, Uthman, further complicating the situation.

Upon returning to Abuja, Farida also became pregnant. Desperation led me to implore her to give her child to me, but she steadfastly refused. Despite my persistent pleas, she remained resolute in her decision.

As time went on, Farida began bringing her baby to work, leaving me uncertain about my next steps. One fateful day, everyone left the office, leaving just Farida, two colleagues, and me in a perplexing and tense situation.

A heated argument erupted between us, and I found myself in a tense struggle to take the baby, Maryam, from Farida's arms. Despite my forceful efforts, she clung to the child, resulting in a struggle that led to me forcibly taking Maryam away. Tragically, during this altercation, Farida lost her balance, slipped, and hit her head on the ground. I, along with the two men present, rushed her to the hospital, only for the doctor to confirm her unfortunate demise.

Utter confusion gripped me, prompting me to rush back home with Maryam in tow. I hastily arranged a flight to Kano, where I reconciled with Uthman, cared for the baby, and even performed the ritual of giving her a bath.

This marked the beginning of a complex web of secrets. When I returned, Khadija had already given birth to Mustabshira. Astonishingly, no one ever discovered the truth that Maryam wasn't my biological child. The guilt and regret for my actions haunted me relentlessly. Mustabshira grew up harboring resentment toward me due to how I treated her mother, which eventually led to Uthman finding a separate residence for them.

In response, I chose not to reside in Uthman's house and obtained my own dwelling, leaving his house vacant. When it was my turn for Uthman to visit, I would insist that he vacate my house. Our relationship deteriorated to the point where he stopped coming altogether, fueling rumors that he had abandoned me. I remained indifferent to these rumors, driven solely by my jealousy.

I want to emphasize, Alamin, that I never had any romantic involvement with Farida. I stumbled onto her purely by chance, unaware of her marital status until I observed her in the company of Nasir, whom I knew. It was then that she revealed her relationship with your family. Even then, I did not realize her connection to you until much later.

I hesitated to return Maryam to you because my attachment to her had grown, and I couldn't bear the thought of her being taken away. I was equally reluctant to take Khalid, fearing that even if I did, circumstances would conspire to separate us.

I am genuinely sorry, Khalid. These words cannot fully express my remorse." Overwhelmed by emotion, she could no longer hold back her tears, and they flowed freely.

"Why, after all that happened, did you never consider me as your son or take care of me when we had the chance, even when we started a business together?" Khalid asked, his voice heavy with emotion.

Mrs. Fatima, still teary-eyed, responded, "I am profoundly sorry for my actions. I know I made grave mistakes." She turned to Alamin and pleaded for his forgiveness, extending her apology to everyone present.

She humbly sought forgiveness from them all, her heartfelt remorse evident in her tears. Uthman also apologized to her because he felt the need to do so.

Amidst the emotional exchange, Maryam, her tears flowing freely, asked, "How did Ahmad find out that I wasn't your biological daughter?"

"He overheard a conversation I had with Khalid, and Khalid, in his quest for answers, discovered the truth through research. Ahmad came to know about it and, eventually, fell in love with you," Mrs Fatima explained. "He even asked me to arrange a marriage with you, but I refused. I deeply regret not reconciling with Ahmad before he passed away. I wish I had sought his forgiveness."

Mrs. Fatima's sobbing intensified as she used her veil to wipe her tears. The room fell into a solemn silence, broken only when each person forgave her for her past actions.

Alamin, with a generous heart, offered his forgiveness, saying, "I forgive you because Allah forgives us for our sins, and Allah cherishes forgiveness. I also learned that you were falsely accused of Farida's death. Khalid brought someone to me who revealed that the person who accused you was lying. So, I forgive you, and I hope you've learned from your mistakes."

Mommy Beauty approached Mrs. Fatima, hugging her tightly and saying, "I, too, have forgiven you, Fatima. I'm glad to see you've decided to become a better person."

Overjoyed, Mrs. Fatima repeatedly expressed her gratitude, her heart now lighter.

The mood shifted when Alamin shared the news of Khalid's upcoming wedding, bringing happiness to the gathering.

Maryam and Mustabshira retreated to Mustabsira's room, where they had a heartfelt conversation. Mustabshira confessed her past mistreatment of Maryam, attributing it to her own upbringing and the pain she witnessed her mother endure.

Maryam responded with kindness, saying, "Mustab, that's all in the past. I forgave you a long time ago," as they exchanged warm smiles and embraced.

As they continued talking, their conversation shifted to fond memories of Ahmad, a bittersweet reflection on the past.

Hey, my readers I hope this book is really interesting. It's just a few chapters before the book comes to an end. Keep following the book, please.

Thanks to all my readers.
Much love
Firdausi Musa ❤️