Broken Hearts, Hidden Secrets

chapter Fifty-Seven

 Everyone Has a Secret—What Is Yours?

Secrets can either harm you or the people close to you. However, some secrets are meant to be hidden because when they come out, no one will be safe.

It has been almost a month since Zoya gave birth to Aizah Tayyal Hussein. But each time Tayyal saw her, she looked weak and didn't even have an appetite for food.

Tayyal insisted on taking her to the doctor for a check-up as he was getting worried about his wife.

Zoya wasn't the same person as she was when they were married, and even when she got pregnant.

How can you tell the person you love that you are dying? The only way to save yourself is to get surgery, which might kill you. 

"Zoya, can we talk please?" Tayyal asked his wife.

She knew 'the talk' was coming about her health. 

"Okay, let's talk, but first, can I put Aizah in her crib?" She asked, making Tayyal nod.

After doing that, Zoya took a seat beside her husband with tears threatening to fall down her face.
"Zoya, is there something you aren't telling me? Are you okay? Do you need something from me? I can do anything for you and our baby girl. You know that right?" Tayyal said, holding his wife's hands.

Zoya looked at her husband but couldn't bring herself to tell him about the diagnosis she had received when she was about five months pregnant.

"There are a few things that I need to tell you but I want you to promise me that you will remain calm for this. I am sick, Tayyal. I have a growth in my uterus and that's the reason why I wasn't able to get pregnant earlier. The doctor told me that I either abort our baby or lose my life. I picked our daughter, Tay..."

"No, you are lying to me. Is that why you wanted the C-section? How long do you have?" Tayyal asked.

"I don't know. I have been having treatments since the day I gave birth but there's little to no hope that I will be cured. I am sorry that I lied to you. I didn't want you to miss being a father, and when I am gone, you will always have a piece of me with you," Zoya says, trying to ease the tension. "I wanted to give birth to our baby because I saw how happy you were when you found out about her. I didn't want to tell you..."

"You should have told me, and we would have found a solution. Is this why you don't have an appetite for food?" He asked. 

"It is the side effects of the medication. Alhamdulila,h the doctor said that I have a 50% chance of beating it," Zoya explained. 

Tayyal started asking her about the routine of the medication and how it affects her body.
Zoya explained everything to her husband, who nodded.

You are my life.
My light.
I will do everything in my power to see you happy and healthy alongside our daughter.

"I will accompany you to your appointments, okay?" He says, leaving no room for arguments.

"Yes, if that's what you want. Then yes, you will".

A few months passed, and Zoya's prognosis was good, and she was getting better.
The medications and new treatments were working. Soon she was healthy and happy.
It was time to introduce Aizah to the family.

The gathering was held at their house, where everything was decorated to Zoya and Tayyal's preferences for their daughter.

"Asalam Aleikum, welcome..."

Tayyal said to his sister,s who walked straight to where Zoya was.

They answered his greeting and just walked away, leaving Tayyal speechless. He knew how much Aizah would mean for them.

That's how it will be from now on. At least, Zoya will get some rest for a while.

The other guests arrived with gifts for Baby Aizah.

Meanwhile, the biggest gift was brought by her grandfather, Hussein. He greeted his son and hugged him.

"Thank you for inviting me, son. And thank you for inviting your mother too," Hussein says, looking at his ex-wife Nadia, who was sitting near the door.

"You don't have to thank me. Besides, you two are Aizah's grandparents, and you also deserve to be here," Tayyal said, smiling.

Zianna and Azhar arrived with Hayat, Aayan and also Azaan and Saira.

"Asalam Aleikum, thank you for being here at our house to officially meet our daughter. As you all know, we kept her name a secret for a reason. And now we are going to reveal it. Her name is Aizah Tayyal Hussein," Tayyal said, standing alongside his wife and daughter.

"Ma shaa Allah, that's a beautiful name," Nour says, approaching her brother along with Dahlia and Zianna.

"Yes, it is. But I don't think that Aizah looks like you, Tay. Alhamdulilah, she looks like Zoya; otherwise, she would be ugly," Dahlia says, teasing her brother, who just shook his head and smiled.

"You aren't funny, Dahlia. And yes, you are right. Aizah does look like her mother. Beautiful", he says, looking at his wife with love in his eyes.

I am thankful to Allah every day of my life for giving me a wife like you, Zoya. You made me realise many things about life. You were my best friend first before you became the love of my life.

Zoya took the baby to Nadia, who stood up and smiled.

"Aizah, this is your grandmother," Zoya says, handing the baby to Nadia, who is shocked.

Nadia never thought that she would be invited, let alone hold the baby.

Alhamdulillah.

"Asalam Aleikum, precious. I am your Nana. You are so beautiful, ma shaa Allah, just like your mother."

Hussein watched with a smile on his face. This is what he wanted all along, but it was better late than never, right?

He looked around to see his children laughing and talking to their friends.

But what will happen if a single secret ruins what they have? Will they be able to survive it the second time?

I can't let it destroy my family. Especially when everything is going well, alhamdulilah.