The Power Of Calmness

Chapter 32

Farouk was starting to get agitated, not hearing from Siddiqah all morning was beginning to frustrate him. All through the day, he has been trying to contact her but to no avail. Initially, he felt she was busy and decided to switch off her phone so as not to get distracted but now, he has a bad feeling that something isn't right somewhere. He didn't know how to contact her again, he had none of her family members phone number, what kind of a friend was he. Pondering on how to go about it, a call came in from an unknown number. Begrudgingly, he answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi, good evening." It was a young lady's voice. "Am I speaking with Farouk Hassan Ribadu?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"My name is Ihsan, Ihsan Babagana Uthman. Siddiqah's younger sister." She introduced. Relief seeped into his veins upon hearing that. "Actually, I called to tell you that Siddiqah is at the hospital."

"Hospital? Why? What is wrong with her?" He rasped.

"She fainted at work, earlier today. The doctor said it had to do with stress and fever. She's all fine now, I just thought to let you know since I am very sure you would have been trying to reach her, so you wouldn't worry." She explained.

"Thank you very much Ihsan, I am very grateful. Which hospital are you at?" Farouk asked.

"No worries, we are at AUN Clinic." She replied, a smile in her voice.

"I will be on my way now, please see to it that she is doing okay."

"You have nothing to worry about, I will be expecting you."

"Thank you so much." He said, ending the call. Quickly changing into a much better outfit, Farouk grabbed his car's key heading downstairs. Due to how hasty he was, he bumped into Adnan. Habeebah called out to him, Suhaib also yelled his name, Umma asked what was wrong but the only thing on his mind at that moment was how to get to the hospital and see Siddiqah. Suhaib tried coming after him but, he could hear Baba ordering him no to. He was really appreciative for that because even if they had stopped him, there was no explanation he could give to them. He knew he had explanations to make and apologies to give out but all that, can wait. For now, he had something important to attend to.

Farouk got to the hospital in no time. The road wasn't huddled since commuters have retired to their respective homes so, it was easier for him to drive fast. On alighting his car, he took a pause. There are high chances of her parents in there, what would he tell them? What relationship would he say they shared? He knew how fathers were very protective of their daughters, Baba was a typical example. They are always cautious about the guys around them and, Siddiqah has described her father to be very strict. If he does or says something out of place, the man might slap him or worse punch him in the face, what was he to do now?

Not knowing exactly how to go about it, he found his feet leading him into the hospital. Luckily for him just as he was about to enter, a lady with the same looks as Siddiqah, except that she was taller was also coming out from there.

"Ihsan right?" Farouk asked, seeing that she hadn't noticed him.

"Yes, and you must be Farouk." She smiled.

"I am, how is she?"

"She is fine, even awake as we speak." She answered. "Come, I'll show you to her ward."

"Uhm..." He said reluctantly. "Aren't your parents here? Would they allow me see her? You know, most especially your dad and brother?"

Ihsan bit back a laugh, at his nervousness. "You don't have to worry, they would be fine with it. Let's go."