Binta

Chapter Twenty

Binta how are you doing he asked and I turned slowly to the familiar voice.

"Abdulkareem when did you come back from the states?" I was surprised to see him and wondered how he knew about my sick mom.

"I came in this morning and was told by my sister that your mom was rushed to the hospital so I came to see her."

"How is she feeling?"He asked.

"They won't let me be with her" I sobbed.

"Don't you worry I am sure all would be fine." he assured me.

"So the doctor said...but I don't believe him, I am scared, what if....."

"Shhhhhh by the grace of God she would be fine be positive my darling" he prayed.

"Here you go again Kareem...."I murmured.

"C'mon babe I have missed you so much, I' m sure you did too"he said trying to search my eyes for a clue but he saw nothing but pain in there.

"I didn't...please go back" she said softly.

"It's okay to lie we are lawyers" he teased which made me smile.

"You look like shit lets go to the cafeteria and get something to eat please" he pleaded.

"No, I'm not hungry...." I replied.

"Please my darling...." He insisted.

"Kareem I have more than enough on my table please reserve your darling for a good day my name is Binta okay!" I retorted.

"As the court pleases" he teased and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"My Lord can we please go have something to eat" I eyed him and shook my head.

"Do you ever give up?" I asked softly.

"Never, so shall we please..." he said with a bow.

"Okay then but please we can't take too long" I preached.

"I do understand perfectly my Lord" he smiled leading the way to the cafeteria as I followed silently beside him.

At the cafeteria Kareem kept on teasing and telling me stories and jokes which made me laugh so hard I almost forgot I was at the hospital for my sick mom, I must admit he is so much fun to be with though most time annoying. I am glad he is back from the state .I think I missed him.

"Our mom would be fine In shaa Allah (by God Grace) my Binta"he placed his hand on mine gently squeezing my hand which I slowly pulled away.

"Don't touch me again Kareem" I gave him a strict glare.

"Say Amin to my prayers before the warning"

"Amin" I said slowly.

"Good girl" he winked

"I need to go back and check on my mom" I stood up swiftly.

"She is my mom too Binta!" he retorted.

"Oh sorry, mommy's boy!" I mocked.

"Oh yeah you can say that again" he bounced and I couldn't help but laugh.

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I moved closer to my mom hospital bed, I felt so pained seeing her lying there like that helplessly. I closed my eyes, trying to imagine the pain she must be going through. The doctor said she had a cardiac arrest. If anything happen to her how was I going to break the news to my siblings? How was I going to cope without her?

I touched her hands it was so cold. "Mom you have to live please" I said softly. "We need you".

"Ms Binta?"I turned at the nurse's voice. "You'll have to come see her later" she said.

"Nurse please I don't want to leave her alone she is all I have got" I tried to fight back tears.

"You will see her later I promise you let her rest" she said.

I walked out of the hospital room and Kareem followed suit.

"You need to go home and change, I would drive you" Kareem offered.

"I m scared of leaving her side" I said

"Have you called any of your relative?" he asked

"Yea I have called her elder sister she would be here tomorrow" I answered.

"Let me take you home, I would bring you back" he pleaded.

"Binta are you okay?" I turned to the voice that hurried towards me.

"How is she doing?" Barr. Musa asked.

"I don't know" I broke into tears as he gathered me into his arms .Kareem got to his feet and walked away.

"Calm down. Everything is going to be alright." For some reason when he said that, I felt there was some hope.

When I was doing a little better he release his hold on me and I took a step away from him.

"I don't want you to worry about work, stay and take care of your mother. I would take care of everything"
"Thank you" I said.
"Take me to see the doctor, who diagnosed mama, I need to talk to him and see if there's anything I can do" I don't know why he continue being so caring and generous when I have made it so clear that I can't love him.

He had a long talk with the doctor and took all financial expense for my mother's treatment.
"I want her to get all the best possible care and be moved to a private ward where she would be properly monitored and if there is anything please don't hesitant to call me" with that he shook hands with the doctor and handled him his complimentary card.

"I don't know what to say to you sir..."

"I wish I can do more" he cut me off.

"You've done more than enough for me and my family we are greatly indebted to you" I acknowledged.

"Please my love, do not thank me but Allah" he said calmly as he squeezed my hand softly and I nodded shyly.

"Binta are you ready to leave" Kareem interrupted abruptly which made me jerk my hand away from my boss's.

"Ehmmmmm....Barr Musa please meet my friend Barr Abdulkareem" I stammered they both stared at each other for a while which made me so uncomfortable because I could see daggers flying forth.

"Nice to meet you once again Barr Kareem" and they both shook hands

"It's a pleasure" Kareem responded.

"Sorry I have to go, but I would check in as often as I can.Take care of yourself Binta". With that my boss walked away briskly.
I rubbed my temple with my forefingers in an attempt to smooth an on coming migraine.

"Are you okay" Kareem asked out of concern

"Please take me home" I said softly.

Hello fam!

Sorry for the very late update.

 I was very ill at some point and needed a lot of rest but Alhamdulillah I am fine now. I have a lot of paper work at the office due to my long absence, therefore a very limited time to update but I would do my best.

How have you all been? I miss you all and I'm  happy to be back. I would try not to take so long to update again.

Cheers!

N.B

Just ignore any wrong grammar or typo error, I would edit slowly.Just enjoy the story.