FLAWED SOULS

CHAPTER 11: NURSES AND CRUSHES

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Muhammad could barely focus at work, he kept getting distracted by the thoughts of Amirah, what was she doing? How were things at home? How was she coping? He knew Hajiya could be something else, the woman intimidated him and his parents didn't even like her much, intensifying the time she'd gone ballistic when he'd announced his promotion and transfer.

He didn't know what happened between her and her co-wive but he didn't think it reached the extent of arresting her.
He got into his office and disposed of his bloodied scrubs, he just got out of surgery. He immediately picked up his phone and called Amirah.

"Assalamu alaykum." She greeted in a tired voice.

"Wa'alaykumsalam. Sorry I didn't call earlier, I had a surgery, how was your journey?"

"Fine."

"You sound really tired, how's everything at home?"

"Fine."

"Has Aunty amarya been released?" He was hoping she wouldn't give him a one word answer again.

"Yes."

"What happened? Why did Hajiya arrest her?"

"Please Muhammad, I don't have the energy for all these questioning, everything is settled now, you don't have to worry."

His jaw twitched in anger, he took a deep breath as he tried to keep it in check.

"Okay, take care of yourself. I'll call you in the evening In Sha Allah."

Her reply was to hang up on him. What does he have to do to get her to love him back? When they'd met, she had seemed to be taken by him but whatever it was she had felt then was long gone.

He knew how it felt to be loved, Jamila had given him her all, she'd cared and treated him like he was the best thing to have ever happened to her, he still felt the gaping hole in his heart caused by her absence, had he been in a hurry to fill up the loneliness that he'd made the wrong decision by marrying the one who didn't love him?

The call to the zuhr prayers got him up and he went out of his office, he'd have hurried back in if it hadn't been too late, she had already seen him.
From afar, he could see the seductive smile that formed on her lips, her walking steps changed as she sashayed towards him.
He was sure Abubakar would laugh his head off if he'd been here, if there was anything the moron enjoyed, was seeing him in misery and that was unfortunately the feelings nurse Ummi evoked in him.

She was a revert who had taken a liking to him and she didn't bother to keep that information a secret. She wasn't ugly, in fact Abubakar himself fancied her no matter how much he denied it. Ummul-khair was dark skinned, tall and slim which was Abubakar's spec, the moron even found Amirah too fair for his liking.

"Assalamu alaykum doctor Muhammad." She said with a self satisfied smile.

"Wa'alaykum salam." He said gritting his teeth.

"Have you had lunch?"

"No, I'm heading to the masjid now. I'll be having the lunch my wife packed for me which is in my office when I get back In Sha Allah." He lied. She knew he had a wife but it didn't deter her, she'd once said it to one of the nurses but loud enough for his hearing that Allah permitted his servants to marry four wives.

Ummi chuckled, "that wife of yours, she's really caring. Mind giving me her number so I can thank her for taking so much care of you?"

His eyes widened in shock and she laughed at his expression.

"Don't worry, I'd let you be the one to tell her about us. Till Allah join our paths again." She winked at him and walked away. Muhammad sighed and continued on his way.

Doesn't she know she was sinning? Flirting with a married man wasn't to Allah's pleasing, he was sure of that.

He went into the mosque and prayed before heading out, he was on his way when his phone rang: his mother.
He rubbed his face in exasperation, his mother wasn't really a big fan of the Balarabes and his wife wasn't excluded.

"Assalamu alaykum mama."

"Wa'alaykum salam Muhammadu. How are you?"

"Fine, how's Baba and Zulaihat?" His parent had been married for thirty-six years and amidst seven still-born children, he and Zulaihat had survived with a six years gap between them. Despite having only two children and being in a community where most of the population had more than one wife, his mother was his father's only wife, he'd stood by her and they've both stayed strong despite the hurdles thrown to them by life and for that Muhammad admired them, they were his favorite couple and he hoped one day he could have such strong bond with his wife.

"They are fine, so Muhammadu your wife is in Kano and she hasn't even come to greet I and your father? I am not surprised though, is she not Hajiya's child?"

He shook his head, "mama calm down, Amirah just got to Kano this morning because of some urgent family issues."

"Oh that her mother arrested her step-mother and her son, may Allah forgive that vile woman." He could imagine the sneer his mother had on her face as she discussed Hajiya.

"You know about it?" He asked. But didn't it happen yesterday evening, how did his mother get to know? Well they stayed in the same community so...

"Abass was among the police that went to arrest the poor woman, that your money-monger cousin. She bribed the police there and they went and arrested the poor woman and her son without them commiting any crime, if anyone should be arrested it is Hajiya."

He had the urge to ask his mother what had happened but stopped himself, Amirah hadn't told him herself, it was her family's matter and he didn't think she'd appreciate him hearing it from someone else even if that someone else was his mother, his wife was that strange.

"I am glad they've resolved it."

"Toh since they have and she's been at her family house since morning, don't you think it's time she comes to greet us?"

He opened the door to his office and stepped in, "she will mama, just calm down."

"I'd have had a better daughter in-law if not for death and it's cruel hands."

This wasn't the first time she'd made this same utterance since his marriage to Amirah. He wondered how she'll feel if she gets to find out Amirah doesn't even love him and his mere presence irritated her.
His mother complained about the littlest of things, ranging from Amirah not calling her or his father, or Amirah didn't pick her call or the last time they'd spoke, she'd told Amirah she was ill and the next time Amirah called, she didn't ask if she was feeling better to Amirah ignoring Zulaiha's calls. The complains were highly tiresome.

"It's Allah's will." He replied her his tone changing into that of weariness.

"Sometimes I wished she was in Jamila's place, Jamila would've been perfect for..."

His face reddened in sudden anger.

"Stop it!" He screamed at his mother.

A/N:

It's not Monday but I'm updating because I just feel like it and also, I have like four chapters ready.

To every single person that have been reading, voting and commenting😭😭 I wish I could get everyone's name but thank you so much guys. Like really, thank you soooooooo much, you're all in my heart now.

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