Tales Of Halimah

Chapter 10

Halima was already 28 weeks gone into her pregnancy. The past weeks has been the most bitter-sweet moments of her entire life. Though she was aware that she kept the baby inspite of her husband's will, but she never thought it would be this hard to cope with him. Dauda now sees her as a piece of trash, he doesn't even respect her or care for her talk more of the unborn child.
If she remembers very well, 2 nights ago she had waited up all night for her husband. He entered the house at 12am, she being the loving wife she was and in her condition boiled Hot water and mixed it into a bucket of water for him so that atleast he can have a warm bath. Just as she was coming out of the bathroom, they met at the door.
What are you doing here? He asked. Habibah didn't answer because she thought she was avoiding trouble that way. Dauda put his hand into the water became furious. Who sent you? He shouted at her. Before Habibah knew what was happening he poured her the bucket of water.
Haven't I told you not to touch what I touch, if possible not to breathe the air I breathe, Don't even look at me when am talking. What is your problem this woman? Dauda kept repeating till he was out of the bathroom. He didn't take his Bath anymore, he just went off to bed with the smell of alcohol over him which was making Habibah want to throw up.
She was till drained from the bucket of water that he poured on her. Despite all this ill-treatment she still loved him and was ready to tolerate all his tantrums for her baby and marriage sake.
Another thing that went wrong within the past few weeks was that she no longer slept on the foam but on the bare floor with just her wrappers.
These were some of the bitter moments she was facing with her once loving husband. She felt things could still change atleast he hasn't laid his hands on her. The Dauda she knows must have been locked up somewhere, she still wasn't ready to come to fact with the truth that he no longer cares for her.
Apart from his insults and neglects, she still had something that made her want to keep living, her unborn child. She remembered the day her baby kicked, she herself leaped for joy.
Her cravings had gone Wild, things she never thought she would have to combine in this life were the things she now enjoyed the most, like indomie and beans, watermelon and milk.
Her ante-natal program has been going just fine. They were told to eat more of fruits and vitamins, do lots of exercises and take lots of rest, so that the baby will be in good health and shape also. Mr Ibrahim had been so helpful, all the things she was unaware of he explained to her.
Aisha and Faridah have been solidly behind her. If she remembers correctly 2 weeks ago she was at Aisha's place. Aisha begged for her to come over, so that she can look after her. She didn't refuse the offer, because whether she is in the house or not Dauda doesn't seem to bothered. Infact her presence bothers him more than her absence.
She stayed with Aisha for a week, that week was awesome. She had everything she wanted; good food, good bed, even good air. Dauda's negative attitude had polluted the one in her home. Faridah came to visit her a day before she returned home. Habibah was looking round and for the fact that her baby bump was already out, she was looking rounder if there was anything like that.
She returned home to her nagging husband who was not even expecting her to return.
You finally came home; he said. You went to visit your lover abi, shameless woman. Habibah wasn't expecting him to receive her like a normal husband would. Since she left he never bothered to call or check up on her. It was just as though two strangers were staying under the same roof.
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According to her Doctor, she would be due in 4 weeks time. As she was 32 weeks gone already, she was now fatter than ever even when she was suffering with her husband. She barely ate three times a day. Aisha and Rida were already going to plan her baby shower the next week though she wasn't aware of it. They both organized a small picinic, with lots of drinks and food. The decorations was amazing, balloons everywhere which spelt out baby on the way. A beautiful satch for Habibah saying MOTHER TO BE.
Everything was set, but how to get Habibah over was the issue. They decided to involve Alhaja in their planning.
Alhaja visited Habibah without informing her that she was coming, Habibah was worried and hoped all was well at home. Alhaja was happy to see how far her daughter has progressed with her pregnancy despite the struggles in her home.

Hope all is well Alhaja; Habibah asked.

Yes my dear, I wanted to see how you were doing today since I was less busy at home; Alhaja answered.

I also want to visit Aisha, she has been out support from day 1 of this pregnancy. I want to thank her at least, she's like a daughter to me. Can you take me to her house; Alhaja went on to say.

Habibah who woke up some minutes ago, since Dauda was on a trip, She has been sleeping peacefully and longer these days. Despite her sound sleep, She was a bit weak and down but she agreed to go with her mother, maybe she will actually then feel better.
It took her about 2 hours to get set, Alhaja helped her with her house chores while she got prepared.

They got to Aisha house, but it seemed like no one was at home and the gate was opened, which is pretty strange. Habibah walked into the compound with Alhaja following behind. Alhaja was amazed to see how well Aisha was coping by herself. She was happy for her. On getting to the door, Habibah was about to knock when the door gently opened. She was wondering what could be going on. She walked in, ushering Alhaja to come in but the curtains were closed making the living room dark. She was about to open them when she stepped on a balloon and then Faridah, Aisha and her mother screamed; Surpriseeeee.
The lights came on, she was indeed shock to see the room well decorated, the balloons saying; Baby On The Way. Alhaja wrapped the satch around her, which she read out ; MOTHER TO BE
Habibah was in tears at this point, so it was all a plan for her mother to bring her here. How sweet of her friends she thought, she hugged her mother so tight and began to weep.
Who is like a mother she thought, what would she have done without these three by her side. She pulled Aisha and Faridah into a big tight hug.
Then the party began, they ate,drank, shared past memories, the sad ones, the exciting ones, the embarrassing ones, Alhaja went on to tell the girls some folks tales and old beliefs about pregnancy, child labour, breastfeeding. They were so happy merrying together. Alhaja and Habibah had to leave late in the evening.

One beautiful morning, Habibah was preparing to visit the hospital to do some check up because she hasn't been feeling any better for the past three days. It felt like she was going to put to bed during that week but she was very sure her due date was till next month. Before she went to take her bath that morning to visit the hospital later in the day, her water broke. The baby was on the way, she started screaming in the room, but then she remembered Dauda hasn't been home since he was on a trip. She managed to pick up her phone and she called her mother. Alhaja hurried over to her daughter's home to see her in so much pain. I think the baby is coming that was all she could murmur out. Alhaja packed her bags and called a keke who took them to the hospital. On getting to the hospital, luckily for them Mr Ibrahim was at the reception. Alhaja what is it? He asked. Habibah!!!! She's in labour; she answered. He and some nurses quickly went to do keke to get her. They laid her on the stretcher and took her into the emergency Ward.

Hello guys☺️, been a while. I know that you guys must have been waiting for this chapter to be out for a while. Very sorry for the delay but here it is and I hope you enjoy😇.
The birth of Habibah is here everyone😍. Pls don't forget to comment and tap on that Star at the end of each Chapter🤗