A Promise From My Heart

12.

YUSUF'S POV

When I was growing up, one of my mother's advices to me was I should learn how to control my anger. As a kid, it was easy to annoy me. I tend to get angry at everything, even a mere play. I remember ever getting into a terrible fight during my secondary school days which led to a two weeks suspension from school. Mum did not give me peace of mind throughout those weeks.

She had disciplined me, taking every chance she had to show me how angry and disappointed she was. My friends knew their limit whenever we joked and played. They knew what I can take and could not take. As I grew older, I knew my flaw and I worked on it especially when I realised the result of acting on my anger had always turned out to be disastrous. I either say things that tend to really hurt people or go physical with them.

"We sedated her." Doctor Adebayo spoke. "So, she will be asleep for a long time."

"How much have I ruined it?"

"You did not ruin anything. I will say what you did was uncalled for but we have her to take care of. You should not allow your guilt to eat you up."

"What impact will my outburst have on her?"

"I don't know. I can't tell until she wakes up."

"I am sorry, doctor."

"It's okay. She will be fine, Mr Onitiri. She needs time." She assured then swivelled to depart.

I sneered and threw my hands. That's what they all keep saying. She needs time. "How much time?" I questioned, through clenched teeth.

"I don't know. But you have to be patient with her. You have been all these while. Why will you want to ruin everything now?"

"Yusuf." A familiar voice called out for me. I raise my head from my palm to acknowledge the person.

Amatullah's eldest brother, his wife and mother headed down the hallway toward me. My heart flipped in my chest. Her eldest brother, Nasir, is very protective of her. All her brothers are. She is the only female and last child of five. The eldest two are married and the youngest two got no plans to anytime soon.

Every step they took closer to me made my heart jam against my chest like a jack hammer. I was very much aware of the little beads of water that seeped from my sweat pores. How will I explain that the condition she is in at the moment was triggered by my uncontrolled anger? I might end up with a punch on the face. Well, Nasir has never given me one.

"Assalamu alaikum." He greeted when they got to me, a hand held out for a shake.

"Egbon, Walaikum salam" I received his hand. I greeted my mother-in-law by bending my back a bit. She replied with her welcoming smile and few prayers. Nasir's wife, Risqiyah, just gave me a smile and quiet salam.

"How are you?" He patted my back. I tried not to cower. That same hand can break my jaw.

"Fine, Alhamdulillah."

"How is she?" He questioned, looking over at Amatullah's door.

"She's fine. She's asleep at the moment and won't be waking up anytime soon."

"Okay. We will just wait." Mummy said, taking the seat I stood up from. My stomach churned. They will wait until she wakes up and then find out the real reason behind the whole thing. I have never felt so rash in my life.

I got home two minutes to midnight. There was a gridlock and every vehicle came to standstill for hours. The bikers who tried to manoeuvre in between cars ended up getting stuck at a point making it worse. It was hot, provoking and frustrating.