Tales Of Maryam | Completed✔

Life before Hope

It was the semester break and Habiba got me cracking up with lots of gists, my belly is now very huge and I gained a healthy amount of weight

"Assalamu alaykum!" Mom greeted as we responded "You have a guest" She said as I nodded, wearing my long hijab, I slipped my feet into my flip flops

"Ya Rabi, good afternoon" I greeted squatting "No please stand up" She supported me to get on my feet "How are you and our baby?" She asked "We're good, Alhamdulillah" I smiled, we had a little chat and then she stated her reason for coming "Are you sure you want to sell the house?" She asked as I nodded "Have you placed a price?" She asked "I am still thinking of a decent price to tag" I replied "Okay Allah yasa albarka" She prayed and I muttered an "Amin" "I'd be on my way now" She said "Okay let me walk you" I offered "A'a karki damu (No don't worry)" She said as I still insisted on walking her out

"Arghh!" I screamed as I felt my water broke "What's wrong?" Ya Rabi asked "The baby is coming" I replied "Habeeba!!" She called as she came rushing out with my mom "Na'am!" She answered "What's happening?" Mom asked "The baby is coming" She replied "Subhanallah!" She exclaimed "Pack her things and meet us at the hospital" Ya Rabi said "No I am coming with you guys, Habiba would bring the stuff to the hospital" Mom said as she supported me into entering the car

Fifty minutes of scream and yells later, I gave birth to a bouncing baby boy
"Ma Shaa Allah" Everyone commented after holding him. "Can I hold him?" I asked my mom "Yes sure" She handed him over to me. He is a spitting image of Omar, my eyes welled up as I stuck my finger in his hands which he held real tight

"What shall we name him?" Ya Rabi asked "Ahmad. Omar had always wanted naming his son that" I smiled faintly

3years later
"Ahmad stop watching TV and hurry up with your breakfast or you'd be late for school" I cautioned "Okay mom" He said and placed his cup to his mouth with his eyes still on TV. I switched it off as he blinked quickly and rushed his breakfast

"Let's go" I said reaching out for his hands and noticed he had no shoes on "Ahmad, where are your shoes?" I asked as he ducked his head, I sighed "Baby please tell me where you kept them we're running late" I squatted before him "Promise me you won't be mad?" He asked "I promise!" I stated "I lost them at the football field" He said nervously "For God's sake!!!" I almost rant and then remembered my promise "That is the third shoe you've lost this term, I'd get you new ones but if you lost it this time you'd be going to school with slippers" I said as he scrunched his face "And I am beyond serious" I stated a matter of fact "But my friends would laugh at me" He pouted "Then you need to learn how to stop losing things" I replied

No mall opens by 6:50am on a Monday morning, I had to use his sneakers and explain to his teacher
"We found his shoes, I wanted giving it but he left earlier on Friday" Mrs Frank explained "Thank you so much, you are a lifesaver" I thanked her and collected his shoe which was very filthy "Don't mention, just don't forget to bring the egg roll" She laughed as I laughed back

I rushed to my office which isn't far from Ahmad's school. I cleaned my boss desk and arranged his files neatly, I made him his coffee which was preferably black by him. I emptied the trash can, wiped the shelves and opened his windows for ventilation, fully satisfied I closed the door behind me and left for my desk which was a call away from his. I ran few errands and pretty much was on my computer all day long. It was finally 2pm as I thanked God and get set to leave. I chatted with my co workers on my way out and waved them good bye.

I rushed to the market to buy foodstuffs that would last the week and not forgetting to get my soldier new shoes. I checked the time and it was 2:45pm, fifteen more minutes before his closure from school "Ohh shoot!" I exclaimed remembering the traffic here. Fifty minutes later in the traffic, I got to his school and noticed that almost everyone had left excluding him and Mrs Frank

"Sorry I'm late, the traffic was mad" I apologised to her "No problem" She smiled "I gave her a carton of maltina and a pack of cookies as her eyes lighten up, I used to think I was a foodie till I met Mrs Frank "Thank you so much ma" She said excitedly "My pleasure"

"Good bye Mrs Frank" Ahmad waved as she waved back "Be a good boy" She said. "What did I say about seatbelts?" I asked "Always have them on" He replied and buckled himself, he folded his arms and pouted. "Young man, have you greeted me this afternoon," I asked "Good afternoon mom" He greeted "Are you mad that I'm late?" I asked "It's not about that" He replied "What is it then?" I asked "Mrs Frank didn't allow me to play soccer" He said as I admire his British accent, I had enrolled him in one of the best schools because I know Omar would have if he was alive

"Soccer or football?" I asked "Still same thing" He replied "We as Nigerians uses the British accent not the American" I explained as he shrugged "You know momma don't like seeing her little soldier sad" I said before tickling him "Stop! Stop!!" He said in between laughs, someone knocked on my car window as I got startled a bit, it was Mrs Frank as I held my chest in relief

"Please ma, could you drop me off at the junction? My car isn't starting" She explained as I signalled for her to come inside. We chatted all along and dropped her where she had asked for
"Have a blessed day" She said "You too" I smiled as I drove off

"Mommy?" Ahmad called out "Yes?" I questioned "Can we get ice cream, pleaseee?" He pleaded as I only smiled reminded of Omar, I stopped by at the ice cream shop and gave our orders. When we got home it was 3:49, I bathed Ahmad and played a cartoon for him as I also took my bath. When I got out to start preparing for dinner, Ahmad had already set the prayer mat and sat on it as I looked at him amused

"It's time for prayer" He said as I only nodded knowing that I wouldn't be able to explain what a period is till in the next ten years and so I only wore my hijab as we prayed together. I made eggs, plantain and chips for dinner, I washed the dishes afterwards and left Ahmad watch Spongebob square pants. I  pulled out my photo album and stare at every picture reminisced. I stopped at a picture I had taken of Omar when he was watering the flowers with a broad smile on his face, I rubbed the picture, tracing his face

"It's been four years since you left, Ahmad and I misses you" I whispered "Stop crying mom" Ahmad said completely startling me, I wiped my eyes "I wasn't crying" I lied, his hands were behind his back all along "What are you hiding?" I asked as he brought his hand forward, I saw something wrapped up

"Happy birthday mom!" He exclaimed as I smiled, I had forgotten my birthday again like always "Thank you" I smiled again collecting the parcel "Open it" He said excitedly "Okay" I said, tearing the wrapping sheet. I saw a comb and looked at him confused "You lost your comb" He shrugged "This is the missing comb" I said "I found it" He said as I shook my head, I saw all my missing items, my red lipstick, bracelet and a box of floss

"Thank you" I said "Wait that's not all" He rushed to his room and returned with cards and cupcakes "Who bought all this?" I asked astonished "I have been saving" He said as I smiled, the card read 'Happy birthday to the best mother in the world, I love you with a heart' in his handwriting

"You made this yourself?" I asked as he nodded

"Sorry I couldn't get you a proper gift" He shyly looked at his fingers "This is more than enough. I love you" I said pecking his cheeks as he wiped it off which made me laugh, he isn't a fan of kisses. I hugged him instead

I heard a knock at the door, "Who's there?" I asked "It's me oh! Open up" Linda responded "You who?" I mocked as I went to open the door "Biko! don't let me get there and deal with you" She said as I laughed, I opened the door and hugged her. She was now heavenly pregnant

"Maman twins" I teased "I'd bring one to you if it's twins" She said annoyed, she hates it when I call her that "Happy birthday!" She said as I smiled, she got me gifts as I thanked her "Where's Ahmad?" She asked as I called for him "Good afternoon ma'am" He greeted "Afternoon my dear, look at how handsome he is, you'll marry my daughter" She said

"My son would marry the president's daughter" I said "Who told you I would marry my daughter to him in the first place? He isn't even worthy sef" She joked "You're looking at the next Dangote ohh" I replied "And by so he shall marry my daughter" She said proudly rubbing her belly "First give birth before we know weather it's a boy or a girl" I said "The ultrasound results indicated a female" She said "You know these things can be false atimes" I said "I hear you. Please what do you have, I'm hungry" She said "Maman baby!" I teased "Let me fix you a plate"