Unedited.
Abuja, Nigeria.
Hajiya Sakeenah and Mimi arrived at the hospital, their faces etched with concern, and they were directed to the waiting area where the rest of the family members were gathered, and their hearts sank as they approached the somber crowd.
The waiting area was filled with the hushed whispers of grief and the silent prayers of those gathered. Hajiya Sakeenah's eyes immediately filled with tears when she saw Hafsah, who was sitting with her head buried in her hands, her body shaking with sobs. She then saw Alhaji Ahmed, sitting with his hands clasped together, silently praying.
"Abban Khalthum, ya Allah, an fito surgery din?- Is the surgery over?" she asked, her voice breaking with the weight of her concern.
Alhaji Ahmed, his eyes red and weary, looked up at her with a heavy heart. "Hajiya, Khalthum... is no more." He said, his voice trembling.
"Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un," Hajiya Sakeenah gasped, her hands covering her mouth. She looked apologetically at Hafsah, who was now crying even harder, her body wracking with sobs.
Mimi, seeing her mother's distress, tried to offer comfort, but she too was struggling to hold back her own tears. She repeated the same words her mother had said, "Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un,"
"Where is Amna?" Mimi asked through her tears.
"Amna fainted when she heard the news," Usman explained.
"The doctor is checking on her now, Aslam na tare da ita- Aslam is with her"
"Ya Allah," Mimi whispered, her heart aching for her sister. She could hardly imagine the pain Amna must be feeling.
Hafsah was inconsolable.
"Hafsah" Usman said softly, holding her hand, trying to console her.
"I can't believe she's gone," Hafsah cried, her voice filled with anguish. "She was just with us, planning her wedding. How could this happen?"
"Hafsah, na fada miki, we will not say anything except what is pleasing to our Rabb."
.
.
In another section of the hospital, Amna slowly regained consciousness in the room. She opened her eyes, blinking against the harsh lights. Her mind, a fog of confusion, and for a moment, she didn't remember where she was.
"Amna, can you hear me?" Aslam asked gently, leaning over her. His face masked with concern and eyes filled with unshed tears.
Amna blinked, her eyes held no emotions even when the memory of Khalthum's death came rushing back. "Khalthum..." she whispered, her voice breaking. "Is it true? Is she really gone?"
Aslam held her against his chest, she covered her face with her hands, trembling but no tears came. "Ka manta munyi waya da ita, we are having brunch on Saturday, Sunday zamuje Lagos fah. She is sleeping, they should wake her up.- have you forgotten we spoke with her? me and her are having brunch on Saturday, we are going to Lagos on sunday" she said slowly.
"I know, Amna. I know. It's hard to believe, but we have to stay strong for her family." He stroked her cheek gently.
Amna nodded, her emotions numb. "I want to see her. I just want to see her." She said.
"We will, my love. But for now, we need to gather ourselves. Asibiti zasuyi reports and then we prepare for salatul janazah- the hospital will do some reports and then we prepare for burial" Aslam said gently.
