An hour later, Hanaan is still fast asleep and the drip is finished too. As she (Habeebah) was contemplating on either waking her up or going to call the nurse, Umma came in with their driver Malam Bako trailing behind her with a basket in his hands.
"Hibba dear, how are you and your family?" This is what Malam Bako normally calls her.
"I am fine Malam and how's your family too?" She asked him. "They're fine also, May Allah grant her quick shifaa (healing). Hajiya I will be going back home, when you are done just call me." He said exiting the room.
"I was just about going out to call the nurse when you arrived, sit I'll be back soon." She told her mother. Habeebah came back with a nurse who detached the drip making Hanaan wince from sleep but not waking up. After she was done cleaning the blood and putting a bandage on the little girl's hand, she left the two to themselves.
"Habeebah what is it you want to talk about, you sounded worried?" Her mother voiced.
"I have been thinking about it for the last three to four years but only got around to expressing my feelings now. Umma I am not happy, my children are not happy, our lives are miserable. Mahmoud is not a good man at all, he is a big pretender. All the love and care he shows to me and the kids in front of people is nothing but an act, he never really shower us with anything. Ever since Adnaan was born, the man I married changed into a monster. I wasn't allowed to do anything without his permission in my own house because he placed restrictions on me, he didn't allow me to practice what i read in school, you know it's not my choice to never practice my profession, you know I have always dreamt to be a Human Rights Lawyer; fighting for women's rights in the society has always been my dream. He never allowed me to fufil this dream because he said I should take care of the home front since he provides me with anything I want. I agreed because I love him so much and want peace to reign in my home. I regretted that decision I took till date. He would beat, curse and abuse me right in front of the children. All these years I was hoping he would change but as the saying goes, "A leopard never change it's spots." Even today he repeated the same thing when I asked him for my car key, Umma my own possession to convey my ill daughter to the hospital but instead he insisted he was going to a meeting saying we should all go to hell and on top of that, he slapped me. If only I had listened to you back then, all these won't be happening but I take it as my Destiny, I will have to bear it. Umma this is not the life I wanted." She cried on her mother's lap.
Hajiya Fatima couldn't believe her ears, all this while her daughter has been suffering for 13 years in this brutal and abusive marriage all by herself "Why are you telling me this now? Why didn't you tell me earlier when it's all started? I can't even start to imagine all the pains you have been through. I warned Hassan Ribadu, I warned him but he didn't listen. His greed for respect and status has put you through alot. Ever since I saw that boy I had my doubts and today he has proven my judgment about him right. My dear no amount of sorry I say will ease your pains but now, what have you decided to do? Now that you have told me all you are going through, I wouldn't want you to step a feet back into that house." Umma asked her crying daughter.
"Wallahi Umma I haven't decided yet because I don't know what to do and please promise me you wouldn't tell anyone not even Baba." Habeebah pleaded with her Mom.
"No Habeebah I won't promise you anything, they are your family of course they have to know. You have suffered for 13 long years not anymore, i will speak to your father about this and that is final." Umma said sternly.
"Please maa I know why i am saying this and remember I am not alone in this, my children are too. They are too young to be dragged into this and I wouldn't want that to affect them either. You know both families are influential and always on the media, If you tell Baba, I very well know he will ask me to come back home immediately without thinking. The media will take it and the matter will be the talk of the week and you also know the kind of society we live in......" Before she could continue, Umma cut her short.
"And since when did you start caring about the society? For goodness sake Habeebah you're a lawyer, you should know better than to talk like this." Umma sighed.
"Maa as a lawyer, it's our duty to abide by the law. I can't just walk out of the marriage without filing for a divorce and I don't care about the society, I want to change the way they think, I want to change their perception of women, I want other women like me to stand up for themselves and fight for their rights. Umma trust me I know what to do." She pleaded with Umma still crying.
"Maami why are you crying?" Hanaan asked her mother. Habeebah knew well that she couldn't lie to her daughter because the girl clearly saw her crying.
"Hanaan dear how are you feeling now?" Umma asked signalling Habeebah to wipe her tear streaked face. She was really grateful to her Mom for coming to her rescue.
"Granny!!" Hanaan screamed hugging her Grandmother tightly "When did you arrive?" She asked her Grandma.
"I came while you were asleep, how is my baby feeling now?" She tickled her granddaughter making the little girl giggle. "I am strong now but very hungry." She said rubbing her tummy. "Umma please feed me, I am starving." Taking the basket Mallam Bako came in with earlier, she took a flask out containing food. She sat with the girl on the bed feeding her as they chatted all the while, Habeebah looks on admiring the bond between her Mom and daughter.
They made it home at 3:00pm not meeting anyone. The gate man told them that Adnaan and Aaliyah were at Islamic school and Hajara went to the university. She attends the University in town where she studies Economics. Walking into the living room Hanaan said "Maami I need a bubble bath, I stink." She scrunched her nose.
"Okay let's go get you in the bubble." Habeebah replied lifting her up. After giving Hannan her bubble bath and putting her to sleep, she left for her room to also take a bath. It took her forever to drag herself out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her. Entering the room, she met Mahmoud sitting on the couch with crossed legs.
"How may I help you?" She asked walking past him to the closet burning with rage.
"How is she doing?" He replied with no emotion behind his words.
"Huh...like you care." Habeebah huffed turning to look at him "That "she" is your daughter, remember she has a name." He was taken aback by her sudden courage but decided to shrug it off.
"I came here to tell you......." She completed the sentence "That you will be having guests for dinner tomorrow and you want everything to be in place, and that I should dress beautifully, put on a fake smile and happily welcome them, isn't it?" She clamoured.
"Well said Habeebah, you already spoke my mind. So it's going to happen the usual way." He said confidently.
"Listen to me Mahmoud and listen very carefully, nothing of that sort would happen tomorrow and as you can see I was up to something before you interrupted, so if you would excuse me, I have to get back to it." She spat glaring at him murderously before leaving the room. She could see from his expression that he was shocked by her outrage given that she has never spoken to him or replied him with this tone since the past 13 years of their marriage but for the first time in 13 years, it felt good when she spoke her mind. She couldn't take it anymore, she needed to stand up and be strong for herself and her children. And she guess this was quite a brilliant move to start with.
Who likes this new Habeebah? Me I like her ooo😍😍
Maryam loves you❤❤❤
YOU ARE READING
The Power Of Calmness
General Fiction"I want to become a renowned lawyer and Human Rights Activist when I do grow up." Seven year old Habeebah, happily said to her father. As time passes, we as humans tend to move closer to reality. Because, with each passing second, nothing stays stag...
