Two Hearts Apart

Chapter 23: Little Arrivals

It was early Sunday morning, just before Fajr, when Zahraa, who was still in bed, suddenly heard her phone ringing. "Now who on earth would phone this time of the morning?" she thought to herself. Groggy and tired she grabbed her phone off her side pedestal and checked her caller ID. It was Hafsah. On answering she was greeted by a frantic Hafsah who informed her that she was on her way to the hospital to give birth. Zahraa was taken by surprise and blurted: "already, but you're 3 weeks too early."

"I know" replied Hafsah irritably "But my gynae says its real and so she's booking me in already. I'm just grabbing some stuff and then Suhail and I are going.

"Ok", said Zahraa, already beginning to panic. "I'm going to make dua and read Qur'aan for you now. I'll phone Suhail to see what's happening. I'll see you later."

After she put down the phone with Hafsah she got ready for Fajr and then, quite nervously and frantically, began making dua for her.

When Hafsah had first informed Zahraa and Miriam of her pregnancy, Zahraa was instantly filled with fear. Her sister Saleeha had been struggling to have children ever since she had gotten married. And though she had been optimistic at first, all the effort, tears and treatments were all to no avail. Zahraa was with her right through the grief of 2 miscarriages and had watched how broken her sister had become. With each new pregnancy she would raise her hopes and become overjoyed, but the devastating results would instantly shatter her dreams.

So when Hafsah had told them, one afternoon when they had all gathered for lunch, Zahraa- instead of being overjoyed like Miriam, understood the possible results. And while she outwardly shared Hafsah and Miriam's enthusiasm, inwardly she could only alleviate her worries by making dua.

For the past few weeks Hafsah had experienced a number of false labours. Each time she would get all excited, only to realize that the time had not yet come. Now, Zahraa knew that the time was here.

The next few hours were spent on calls between Suhail, Miriam and Zahraa. Suhail informed them that Hafsah was doing fine but that the baby, according to the doctor, would still take a few hours to arrive. It was only around 1 pm that day that Suhail phoned to inform Zahraa that Hafsah had given birth to a little girl.

A few hours later Zahraa and Miriam were sitting by Hafsah in the hospital, overjoyed that her delivery had gone well. Zahraa and Miriam had insisted that though they would love to be with her, they feared that she may need her rest. But Hafsah was adamant that all she needed, more than rest even, was her husband and 2 best friends by her side. "I'm tired and all of that sure" she argued, "but I want you both here as soon as the hospital will allow it." So they had both left everything they had planned, and had made their way to the hospital.

Suhail had gone off to check on his daughter- leaving the three of them alone, when the conversation suddenly turned serious. Hafsah, who up until this point had appeared excited and overjoyed (though she was still clearly in pain), much to Zahraa and Miriam's surprise, suddenly began crying.

"Do you think I could be a good mother" Hafsah asked sadly.

With tears rolling down her eyes, she continued: "I mean I loved my mother, but I think she and my father really messed me up. Do you guys think that I'll mess up my little girl?"

Zahraa and Miriam both looked at her earnestly and together they assured her that she could be a good, no, great mother.

"Of course you'll make a good mother" they said in unison. "Don't even doubt that." Miriam continued: "You'll be fine Hafsah, I really believe that. Sure you'll probably make some mistakes along the way, but that little girl will be blessed to have a mother like you."

Zahraa continued: "You know what you went through. You've learnt from the mistakes of your parents. You don't have to make all those same mistakes again. You're that much wiser because of all that you've gone through. You'll do just fine, believe me. With the help of Allah, you'll raise a wonderful little girl."

"Besides", Miriam chipped in: "You'll always have us around to help you!"