Last Tears

Chapter 32

"Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting"

- J. M Barrie

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"That nose is definitely mine" Afra said in a hushed tone. "No argument"

I smiled at her as I gently placed the sleeping baby on the bed. it was cute that she was reducing her voice, but he had been sleeping for most of the two days since he's been born and I doubt her normal volume would wake him up.

"We all have that nose genius" Ahmad shook his head at her before suggesting that they leave the room. I watched as they walked out leaving me alone in the white room. Since Akram got better; I had been in this house often. Daddy and Akram flew out of the country a lot in the last nine months all for medical reasons. He underwent several tests all in an effort to ensure he was a hundred percent healed. Physically he was as healthy as a horse. All traces of the illness wiped, even from his body fluids. But we all didn't want to risk a thing. So whenever he and Daddy were out of the country I'd temporarily shift to my in laws'. The temporary shift became more permanent when I entered the last trimester of the pregnancy. It was a good idea to be close to Maama in case of any difficulty. I'm not sure when exactly we're shifting back to our house; but I gave birth just two days ago and there's really no hurry.

The epidemic has successfully been contained in Nigeria. Nigeria is one of the west African countries to be inflicted by the Ebola virus months back. Both National and international medical organizations have confirmed the eradication of the pandemic...

"Sometimes I still feel as though it'll come back in the middle of the night or something"

I look away from the television screen where the news was being read to the owner of the voice who was standing in front of the bathroom door having emerged from behind it. I gently get up from the bed so as to not startle the baby and walk over to him.

"By Allah's grace you've overcome it. Everything's alright now" I smiled reassuringly masking my own fear.

He nodded and we fell into a short silence before he looked over at my shoulder.

I addressed it before he could ask "He's asleep. I just came in to put him down" I looked over at the sleeping figure

He grinned. "And you were so confident it'd be a girl" he teased

"I felt it!" I laughed lightly. We conversed lightly as he put his hand on the small of my back leading me out the room. I only noticed it had been there the whole time when he took it off as we approached the kitchen where noise was coming from. My mother, my sister, Maama and Afra were in the kitchen preparing snacks for more of the expected guests. There was an addition to the family after all.

On entering the kitchen I saw Abu seated on the deep freezer munching on one of the cupcakes Afra and Aisha had baked. I went over to where he was and spoke to him before my attention shifted as Afra spoke.

"Oh Aisha don't you dare. I'm the oldest aunt...I get to choose a name. And I already have"

"Well I'm the maternal aunt" Aisha poked her tongue out. "So I get to name him"

"Ladies" Maama interrupted. "Don't you think there are those who have more right to name him?" she quirked a brow as she looked at the two of them. I smiled at the argument. Atleast Maama remembers Akram and I have that right. Afra and Aisha have gotten a little carried away

"Exactly" Akram spoke. "I already have a name in mind"

"I wasn't talking about you boy" Maama quipped. "I was talking about us" she moved her finger back and forth between her and my mom.