Only You

forty

"I have news!" I said

"I have news!" Jacob said.

"You go first," I said, pointing at Ruth and Jacob.

"Guess," Ruth said.

"You're getting married." I smiled.

"More," Ruth said.

I widened my eyes and gaped at them.

"You're having a baby?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"No! What."

"We converted," Jacob said grinning.

"Oh My God!" I said, covering my mouth with my hands.

I pulled in Ruth for a tight hug, my eyes teary of joy.

"I'm so happy, I can't," I said.

"We also...." Jacob trailed off, rubbing his arm- something he did when he was nervous.

"What'd you do?" I stared at him.

"Had a Nikkah." He whispered.

"WHAT!"

"How can you do that without telling me or Zahra! I wanted to be there. I can't with you guys anymore." I huffed.

"We were caught up in the moment, but you guys have to guide us through with the wedding, and all the rules and stuff." Jacob smiled,

"Of course," I reassured.

"Still mad though," I added, frowning playfully.

"What was your news?"

"Okay soooo,"

"Dr. Khan and I had an idea since our shifts our very long at the hospital and it takes away a lot of time we can spend at home with Haniah... so we thought about opening our own... clinic!" I said enthusiastically.

"Oh my god, Huda that's so great!" Ruth said,

"NO! You can't leave us like that. I didn't sign up for that when marrying you off!" Jacob said furrowing his eyebrows.

I laughed at him.

"Okay weirdo. That's why we wanted you guys to join us- of course, taking it to step by step, and working around your shifts at lakeside until-"

"WE'RE IN!!" They yelled.

"Oh my god, it's like a dream," Jacob said, coming forward for a hug-playfully.

"NO!" I ran, laughing.

- - - -

"I'm going to call in neuro to take over him, his seizures are most definitely associated with his brain or nerves," I spoke to a patient's mother.

"Alright, Thank you."

I left the room continued my rounds, until I came across an appointment for 'Adeel Sheikh'.

I knocked on the door and took a deep breath before entering. I laid my eyes on Adeel's small figure sitting on the bed, and his mom and Mariam on the chairs next to him. I gulped but continued with my job nonetheless.

"Hello, Adeel! How are we feeling? Any problems?" I asked smiling at him as I sat in front of him.

He shook his head.

"Great! I'm going to check you real quick okay?"

I put my stethoscope on his chest, and back- and everything sounded orderly.

"Okay, everything looks good." I smiled.

"Have you had any problems going to the bathroom? Or any pain in your stomach?" I asked.

"Nope." He said confidently.

"That's awesome! You are perfectly healthy." I smiled.

"Hello, Mrs. Sheikh. Do you have any concerns or questions?" I asked his mom.

"No, thank you so much!" She said.

"Okay, well you guys are free to go," I said.

I smiled as I made eye contact with Mariam for a quick second, before politely nodding and leaving.

"Huda, can I speak with you?" Mariam said.

Adeel and his mom left the room, as I uncomfortably stood in the presence of Mariam.

"Yes, Mariam?" I asked, looking at her in the eyes.

"So you took him huh?" She scoffed.

"I don't know what more to say to you," I said.

"I can fight for Haniah's custody." She said.

I exhaled before speaking to her.

"Mariam, you already told me you don't care about either of them. Just quit." I said.

"You took everything from me. Do you have any idea how painful Humza's call was for me? How he told me OVER THE PHONE that he was done with me?" She spoke harshly.

"I'm not going to quarrel with you anymore Mariam. I- I cannot take the right you have over Haniah, but I do know that you don't care about her or Humza. I don't hate you, and I've told you before and I could tell you again that I could help you get a job or any-"

"Shut up! I don't need your help, I'm not pathetic. I want Haniah back that's what I want. I will go to court." She spoke.

"Mariam, how old is Haniah?" I asked

She stopped as she looked at me blankly, she gulped as she looked at me but then crossed her arms in an egotistic manner.

"See. You don't care. Mariam, I want to take care of Haniah. And I'm in love with Humza. I didn't take away anything from you, I was given what you didn't take. I don't blame you either, I don't want to kick you out of our lives. You know yourself, this isn't what you want, but Mariam this is everything I want and more." I explained.

She looked around, anywhere but my eyes as she kept quiet.

"Haniah is the sweetest child ever, and I only what the best for her. I gave you a chance Mariam, I backed out. However, you cannot expect me to stay away once you've told me that you don't care about either of them." I continued.

"What do you me to do huh?" She argued.

"I'm 24, and I live with my mom. With a high school diploma only, what the fuck type of can I take that'll afford me a roof over my head?" She said.

"You're a doctor, you can get a job wherever you want and you can get a man anywhere you go!" She added.

I shook my head.

"No that's not true. Mariam, there are so many jobs that don't require a degree. This is could be a new chance at life, you can get a job and then look into marriage- it's not impossible." I suggested.

"Why are you doing this? I ruined your life."

"No, you didn't. I forgive you Mariam, and I'm sure Humza would too. I don't want bad for you."

"Why do you like Humza and Haniah so much?" She asked.

"When I fell in love with him, I fell in love with everything he came with," I said.

"You'll be a good mom." She whispered.

"Thanks." I smiled.

"Well, I guess we got some closure." I breathed.

- - - -