The Power Of Calmness

Chapter 12

As they say; Saturdays are for weddings. Today was Hauwa's wedding and everyone at home is getting ready to attend the event. Umma, Habeebah, Hanaan and Aaliyah, even Adda Humairah came earlier this morning from her home. Adnaan won't be coming with, saying it's all girlish stuff and that he is going to get bored since Affan isn't there either, so he and Suhaib together with Farouk will be going out to catch fun.

Habeebah was in her room getting ready, her attire was beautifully sewn into a fitted skirt and blouse. It was a maroon and white fabric with silver stones on it, thankfully it was her favourite colour. After putting on her dress which fits perfectly on her, she took her silver studs and necklace to put on, when her phone beeped. Walking over to her bed from the dresser, she answered "Hello?"

"You must be joking right?" Came the demonic voice of the one person she wasn't expecting to call (Mahmoud). She had earlier deleted his contact off her phone because it was of no use to keep it.

"What is it this time around?" She asked putting on her jewelry.

"Like seriously Habeebah I should be the one asking you that question, I thought leaving you in your father's house will make you come back to your senses but I see you have completely gone nuts, how dare you send me a divorce letter?" He asked infuriated. "You have overstayed your welcome in your father's house already, I want you and the kids back in this house first thing tomorrow morning and I guess you wouldn't want to know what would happen if you defy my orders." He added then hung up not waiting for her reply.

"Habeebah must be joking, she dare not try play games with me, she knows what will happen if she tries to go against me. She has crossed all limits, just imagine her sending me a divorce notice, like who does she think she is?" Mahmoud said to himself. He was frustrated, agitated and even mad. Being a narcissist that he is, he couldn't bear his ego being tampered with. The house was dull, devoid of content not in the sense of furnitures but people. A house that once used to be lively, full of merriment was now a ghost of itself. He was all alone at home, bored and depressed, he felt their absence; even though he didn't care about them, they were still his own. No matter how he denies not to be affected by their absence, deep down he was hurting but his egoistic and self centered nature wouldn't let him see it.

Mahmoud's utterances left Habeebah smiling "Can he ever change? Today is a joyous day, everyone is happy so am I. I won't allow him spoil my mood neither would I let anyone know he called, we will meet in court." She said to herself putting final touches to her make-up. Contented with her look, she sprayed her designer perfume, took her clutch purse and veil before exiting the room.

"Maami takes much time in getting ready, we have been waiting for close to ten minutes now and she still isn't here," Aaliyah said clearly impatient. "I will go check on her."

"There is no need for that, she is here already." Habeebah replied making her presence known.

"Maami how do I look?" Hanaan asked twirling around, she was dressed in a peach atampa fitted gown same as her sister.

"You both look breathtakingly beautiful." She said caressing her cheek.

"What took you so long to get ready? We have been waiting for ages, even  a bride doesn't take as much time as you do." Humairah verballed sarcastically.

"I had to do my hair and make-up, its takes time you know." Habeebah said adjusting her veil.

"Yeah yeah." Humairah replied rolling her eyes.

"Where is Granny?" Hanaan asked. "She isn't here yet."

"Hussainah make sure dinner is ready before they all return, is that clear?" Umma asked exiting the kitchen with Hussainah on her tail. She looked sheen, clad in a maroon iro and buba with a matching head tie and gray veil to match.