Thorns and Roses

20

MALEEKA
I traced the outline of my lab coat. It's a beautiful rainy day, the weather fitting perfectly for a day in a bed but when work calls, we answer.

I placed my head on the glass frame in front of me. Large enough to watch the little droplets gliding down the glass.

It's been four months now, my baby growing fast and yeah, the second trimester have been nothing but silent blessing. I slowly placed my hands on my bump. I have been wanting to take a leave from the hospital, to surprise Nurrain, to tell him the exciting news but things haven't been exactly easy. With everything happening, I wish he could be here. This month has been a hell of a ride. Watching patients die everyday, trying to save every one of them but yet still.

Hindu have been nothing short of supportive. Her presence alone makes the whole pregnancy journey a lot better. Her constant nagging to get me to eat, take my supplements and also exercise.

"I am sorry to stop you little moment but I have a very good news." Khalil barged into the doctor's waiting room. I almost rolled my eyes at him.

"And what is that?" My tone slightly annoyed. It's crazy how the littlest thing makes me loose my mind these days.

"I just overheard Dr Zahida speaking with the HOD about your leave being approved." He exclaimed with excitement. I closed my eyes then opened it, it took them long enough.

"You are ly...."

"Maleeka." Dr Zahida cut me short. She smiled; holding a piece of paper.

"Yes Doctor." I responded and walked towards her.

"Your leave has been approved." She informed handing over the paper.

I jumped, really excited for this! I couldn't help my reflex action of hugging her.

"You miss him this much?" She asked hugging back.

"More than you can imagine." I responded feeling emotional at the thought of seeing him, running into his arms, My Nurrain.

Slowly, I let go of the hug.

"Go and meet the love of your life then. I can help fasten the visa process for you." She said with a wink.

"Thank you, thank you soo much."

"Get your bag and get going. Your leave starts now....before I change my mind." She joked.

I rushed to grab my back smiling, not waiting for the rain to stop.

"You deserve a milk cake Khalil." I shouted as I walked towards my car. Under the rain and in the sun...they say but my love is beyond that.

With my face beaming with a large smile and my heart filled with excitement, I raced to my car, dancing along the way.

The drive to my house was a beautiful one. An exciting one.

I arrived exactly at 7:54pm. The rain have subsided and the calm that comes with the after rain is at its peak.

I walked slowly into the house, throwing my bag and taking off my lab coat the moment I entered. I collapsed on the couch and hold my phone to my chest...staring at our picture together.

I decided to video call him. Luckily he picked up almost immediately. He looked nervous.

"My Nurrain!" I exclaimed. His face beamed with smile.

"Your smile is surely contagious." He said.

"I know; it's priceless."

"It sure is! What's up? You miss me?" He said winking at me. I blushed. Slightly covering my face with my other palm.

"I didn't know My Leeka is now a shy person." He said. I was surprised at myself also. I quickly dropped my hands and nodded.

"I miss you My Nurrain...soo much." I admitted. Just then my maid...yes I do have a maid that sleeps now due to my constant Illness, came in holding a tray of food.

"Sannu da dawowa Hajiya. Hajiya Babba ta aiko abinci." She said addressing my mother-in-law as Hajiya Babba . It was Funkaso and chicken Pepper soup. My newest obsession aside Pringles and Condensed milk.

"Kai Allah de Ya biya Mama na. Nagode Larai. Kinci abincin ne ke?" I asked collecting the tray from her.

"Eh naci, nayi shinkafa nasawa major ma." She replied passing a bottle of water to me. I almost chuckled at the way she pronounced Major, our Gateman.

"Toh shikenan. Babu wani Abu koh?" I asked again.

"Eh babu."

"Toh shikenan, kije ki kwanta, se da safe."

She walked out and I turned my attention to my husband, slowly keeping the food on the center table. I picked up my bag and my lab and headed to our room.

"I need to take my bath." I informed him, taking off my earrings and wristwatch.

"How about walking into the toilet with me?" He said chuckling.

"Nurrrainnnnnnnn!"

He laughed hard tilting his camera upwards.

"Wait...are you outside?" I asked pulling my shirt over my head as a quickly wrap my towel on before sliding out of my palazzo pants.

"Yup, I am." He said turning his head.

"Isn't it like..." I picked up my wrist watch from the bed.

"12am now." I completed my statement.

"Yup! I needed to have the hit of air on me." He replied.

"How is our smoking detox going? Tell me the truth...how many cigars did you take today?"

I watched as his brows frowned and I felt guilty all of the sudden.

"Sorry I didn't mean it to sound that way." My apology followed.

"No no it's fine My Leeka....urmmm...actually." He scratched the back of his head. Something he does when he is nervous.

"I haven't taken cigar in two months." He replied taking in sharp breaths.

I couldn't help the smile on my face.

"I am soo proud of you Babe! I love you soo much." I said seating on the ottoman.

"I love you too My Maleeka...I really do." He said the last more like a whisper.

"I should really bath...I need to much on my funkaso." I informed him standing up.

"Yes yes...you should."

I placed the phone on the bed and picked up my clothes from the floor.

"My Leeka..." I heard him say.

"Na'am."

"Nothing...I love you." He said.

"I love you too...byeeeee."

I immediately called my Mother-in-law to thank her and she informed me she heard about my leave from Dr Zahida...which after minutes of us gisting; she confessed that she disturbed her for it and she has already planned my flight ticket and has gotten Nurrain's address. That way he won't be hinted about the surprise.

We joked about how we both think he will react and said our byes.

The beads of hot water rhymes with my excitement...filling every cells in my body warmth and everything it needs.

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