MINE (EDITED)

chapter 33

Three months later

I could feel my patience wearing thin as I stood in the living room, glaring at Sabrina's nanny. "Suwaiba! How many times do I have to tell you to cover her pacifier?!" I snapped, my voice sharp with frustration. "Baki san datti yana hawa Kai ba?"

The poor girl lowered her head in embarrassment. "Aunty mantawa nayi, sorry," she stammered, her eyes downcast.

I shook my head, feeling the weight of motherhood pressing down on me. Just as I was about to say more, my phone rang. I picked it up without hesitation.

"Mama Layloş!" Ibty's cheerful voice echoed through the speaker.

"Mama Rahinatu, what's up?" I asked, forcing a smile despite my irritation.

"Nothing much. How's my little chuchu?"

I sighed, my heart softening at the mention of my daughter. "She's fine, Alhamdulillah. She's taking her afternoon nap."

"Aww, kiss her for me!"

"Inshallah, how's Uncle Ahmad?" I asked, my voice shifting to a more soothing tone.

"He's fine too. What are you up to?" Ibty's voice carried a touch of curiosity.

"Absolutely nothing. I'm bored. Sabrina is asleep, so why don't you come over tomorrow, Inshallah?" I suggested, hoping for some company.

Ibty and I lived in the same area, so it was easy for her to pop over whenever we needed a break from the usual routine.

"Sure! I'll tell Ahmad, Inshallah." She agreed quickly. "Now bye."

I disconnected the call, checking a few things on my phone. The usual distractions, a few messages, and some random stuff, but I was really just waiting for the moment Sabrina would wake up from her nap.

"Ramatu!" I called, my voice firm but tired.

She appeared almost instantly.

"Please wash two cups of basmati rice and bring one agric chicken and wash it for me."

She nodded obediently and hurried off to complete the task. I looked at the clock—Maghreb was near, and soon Muhammad would be home. I had to cook.

Tonight, I was making something special: Teriyaki chicken with ginger chive rice and strawberry cheesecake for dessert. Sabrina was still sleeping, so I had a brief window of peace.

As I prepared the meal, I glanced at my phone again. A message from Norah popped up:

Me: Please, baby sis...

Norah: Okay, fine!! I'll get it for you and give it to Muhammad when he comes back next week, Inshallah.

Me: Yay! Thank you!

Norah: Where is my little chuchu?

Me: She's still taking a nap.

We chatted for a few minutes before I finally excused myself to the kitchen to finish cooking. I had already made the rice and cheesecake earlier, so the chicken was the last thing on the list. I heard Muhammad's voice from the living room as he wrapped up a phone call.

Curiosity pulled me out of the kitchen, and I stepped into the living room. He was standing there, looking every bit as handsome as ever. His presence always seemed to fill the room in a way that made everything else fade away.

"Hi, baby," he said with a smile, his lips pressing lightly against mine in a quick but sweet kiss.

"Hey, how was work?"