The comments shocked me no lie.

This chapter is respectfully dedicated to Diijahyb she flooded my comment section like dieeeee.

Second place has to be Kheedy for commenting almost as much. Thank you girls so much, it means a lot to me.

I'm seeing 400 comments.

I'll pretend I don't see y'all that are voting and just walking past, it's alright.

Sha, I kept my promise it's not Monday yet.

Let's see those that will try and comment, the person with the most comments gets to ask me one question, anything you want to know and I'll answer.

Happy reading.

•••••

Fahad stared at the doctor wide eyed, wondering where to get started.

How was he supposed to know that for Allah's sake? He almost rolled his eyes at himself, she was his wife so of course he was expected to know those things.

He knew she was praying presently, heck he didn't know when she wasn't praying, she prays in her room, how is he to know? Multiple similar questions ran through his mind.

"I'm not sure," She gave him a pointed look and he ran his hands through his hair, trying so hard not to tug at the edges. "Is it very important?"

"I need to know there's no possibility of pregnancy so we'll know what test to leave out." He wanted to scream why don't they take a freaking pregnancy test then.

"No, she is not pregnant."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," His reply was clipped and she nodded letting it go.

She watched him, how his features hardened though she could still see the worry in his eyes. She considered asking if he was her husband or brother because he acted more like the latter but she felt like she was intruding so she let it go and instead and changed the topic completely.

She asked him a few questions about Khadijah's behaviour and when he gave her replies to her satisfaction she nodded and kept her pen down.

"Has your wife ever been tested for PTSD? Or maybe she has gone through anything that might trigger that." She hesitated and he saw the question in her eyes.

"I.....I think, yes?" He ran his hands through his hair, the image of Khadijah in tears when she told him about her daughter replaying in his head over and over.

"It might be possible." She nodded letting it go because he didn't look like he wanted to talk anymore.

"You can go and see her now, but please Mr. Barkindo." She handed him a card. "This is a good therapist you should consider seeing him with your wife and your wife has an appointment with our gynaecologist in a few months, the receptionist will explain more."

He took the card and excused himself after asking for Khadijah's room.

He met her sitting on the bed staring at the wall with a lost expression on her face.

He said the taslim and that brought her out of her trance, she replied and adjusted the hospital gown.

The first thing she had done when she regained consciousness was ask for her belongings, she desperately needed to wear something, tired of seeing her arms that she believed to be ruined.

There was no way she could cover herself and her heart almost stopped when he took her in.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Fine alhamdulillah." He nodded satisfied and replied with masha Allah.

His eyes moved to her hands again trying to assure himself it wasn't what he thought.

There is no way someone would do that to a person right? Certainly not a human with a conscience.

But even as he told himself that it wasn't possible and he was just jumping to conclusions he knew his hunch was right, he knew it was the truth because why else was she always wearing long sleeves, regardless of the weather or anything, she always covered up wholly.

He saw how she was moving definitely uncomfortable so he looked away and placed his leg on top of the other in a way guys do.

What he saw messed up his plans and he didn't know what to do go again. At first he'd been thinking of how to tell her of her father being in the hospital but as he looked at her now, he didn't have it in him to give her any more bad news.

"So, erm I spoke with Abdulrahman earlier he said they are coming back to Kaduna tomorrow in the morning, are you busy with work or we should go and welcome them?"

A smile made it's way to her face and his heart broke knowing that smile wouldn't last.

"Yes, thank you. When?" She asked looking around the hospital room pointedly.

He nodded with a small smile.

"They are not admitting you, just advice to see a doctor and another appointment. Not anytime soon so, yes we're free to go."

She moved from the bed ready to get down and he found himself getting to his feet, he helped her and watched as she squirmed against him, trying to move her hands.

He didn't take time looking at her so she wouldn't feel anymore uncomfortable as he helped her up, he told her her things were in the bathroom and she entered to change.

His phone rang and his heart almost stopped when he saw Sadiya. When Abdulrahman had called, he didn't tell him about Khadijah being in the hospital, they were already worried as it is and he didn't want to be insensitive since it was nothing serious.

At least right now, he had a feeling there was more to it than meets the eye, he had aunts as doctors so he knew how they acted when it's bad news.

She walked back out in the hijab he had brought her to the hospital in.

The doctor had stopped him again when he was looking for Khadijah's room and gave him options of antidepressants but she advised against it saying it might make her reliable on them.

He said no and asked if there's another option, her reply had been quite daunting because she said to get Khadijah to talk and tell him what's bothering her.

He only nodded and left it at that, he would try his best but he wasn't sure it would work.

Nai'a came to his mind, having her open up had been challenging but she had eased up to him and told him because she considered him a friend.

Now they were friends with Khadijah quite alright but the only time she had spoken to him was when she told him of her daughter and that had been because she felt overwhelmed and he was the available person, at least that's what he thought.

He opened the passenger door and when she was seated he closed it and walked around to the driver side, his phone rang again and he saw Sadiya's name.

He waved to Khadijah before moving a bit from the car and answering.

They exchanged pleasantries, he felt a sense of calm wash over him when he heard how calm she sounded, she didn't know her father was in the hospital too, Abdulrahman had told him that.

"Is Khadijah near?" He sighed and told her he would go give her the phone.

He'd thought maybe Abdulrahman told her and she wanted to talk about thier father and he didn't want Khadijah to know now, not until she was at home with her mother, he didn't have the heart the tell her, call him a coward but he has seen her in tears more than once, he didn't like the sight of it talk less of being the one to cause it.

He handed Khadijah the phone when he got into the car and turned on the ignition.

He zoned out of thier conversation his attention fully on how to get her to Kaduna without her knowing her father was sick.

"Ya Sadiya, I'm fine stop worrying." She has been in better shape yes but she has been worse too.

She knew the man beside her helped a lot too.

"I can't help it, I just.....I feel somehow Khadijah. Almost like I did the day before Basra died. I hate this feeling." Her voice broke at the end.

Khadijah had felt like that but she'd related it to all the things that have been happening to her and now that Sadiya was feeling the same, she didn't know what how to feel.

She assured Sadiya that everything will be fine, "Just pray now before fajr and we'll talk okay. I love you, take care." When Sadiya replied in the affirmative, she hung up and held the phone in her hands mindlessly playing with it.

Fahad pulled up to the front of the house and parked at near the door, they were going to leave in a few hours anyways.

As usual he walked to Khadijah's side of the door and opened then before they both walked inside.

She was so used to him opening the car door for her, she doesn't even attempt to do it herself anymore.

"I have a few phone calls to make, what would you like for breakfast?" He asked rolling the sleeves of the shirt he'd thrown on before he left for the hospital.

"You don't have to cook, I am fine." She protested and from the look in his eyes, she knew he wasn't going to listen to her.

"I can see that you're fine, chips?" She nodded with a resigned sigh and plopped on the couch.

She thought he was going to leave and her heart started beating erratically but he sat on another seat and made his phone calls.

She overheard part of his conversation and her mouth hung agape.

What did he mean they were taking a helicopter?

•••••••

Fatima Batool closed the door to her room and took off the veil. It's a good thing Farhan isn't home he would've asked a hundred and ten questions by now about her whereabouts.

Though she missed him, he may act over protective over her and he annoyed her a lot when he was around but she found she missed every part of him, even when he insisted on going to his apartment where he didn't know how to cook and he'll survive on fast foods instead of her home cooked meals.

She has accepted that was a part of growth because he did visit every Friday and he spends his weekends with her, though now it seems something has caught his interest in Kaduna, she smiled to herself knowing quite well what it is. She was just waiting for him to tell her himself so she can go all out for her only son's wedding.

It would feel strange welcoming a third person into their lives, it has always been ammi and Farhan, for more than twenty years but she liked company and she couldn't wait to welcome her.

Her phone rang and she smiled when she looked up at the grandpa clock and saw it was the same time everyday.

"You do stick to a schedule." Barr. Salima's laugh echoed through the room before she replied.

"I like planning my day," She nodded to herself loosing the turban too.

"That I know."

"How did it go?"

"I know he'll stay away for now, at least you know you can never tell with Hassan."

Barr. Salima laughed though it wasn't funny in the least. "You did have the most complex taste in men. How is the brother?"

She sighed, running her hands through her braided hair, the knot less braids reached her shoulders when she pulled the hair ruffle out.

"He came a week ago, Farhan is still refusing to speak to him." She sounded exhausted, she was tired of everything that was going on.

"Poor child, do you think he'll forgive him?"

"I honestly don't know, sometimes he acts like be would then he simply doesn't, I am so tired of this. I need a break."

"I know you do."

After a few seconds of silence she stated with laughter in her voice, "The kids can't stay in one place and I'm not comfortable leaving them alone with Adnan, he is too work focused and they'll just disturb Fahad and Khadijah so I'm coming with them." She told her best friend eliciting laughter from her, at least she was coming, that was comforting.

"I'll be expecting you, when will that be?"

"Maybe next week, I'll let you know. I have a court sitting before then."

She asked about the case and Barr Salima went into details, she was the person she would say she was closest to in the world.

She had been her best friend since they were kids and even now with their own children, they still kept the friendship alive though miles away from each other.

"Have you spoken to your son?" Barr. Salima asked referring to Fahad, they called each others children thiers because they saw it that way.

"I know he is coming first thing tomorrow, I do need him to tell me what they were doing in the hospital tonight."

"Subhanallah, is everything okay?"

"Yes I guess since they will be discharged. I had Raliya take on the case. I don't trust Khadijah in the hands of just any doctor."

"I understand, any news?"

"She said she only advised them to see a therapist, Layla's former one. I'll make sure he does."

"And the other issue."

"Leave that to me."

Barr. Salima breathed out and Batool heard the smile in her voice as she spoke.

"Sometimes I just sit and it feels so overwhelming about everything that's happening."

Batool smiled, her eyes glazed over with tears.

"A mother's prayer never misses its target right?"

"It doesn't, and when you prayed for the best, seems like they are the best flr each other because after everything that has happened, they still found each other"

She nodded and wiped the few tears that managed to slip past her lids.

"Alright, have a blessed night B. I see to check on Huda." Barr. Salima said, she heard the sound of a door opening or closing, she wasn't sure.

"Is something wrong with her?" She asked pausing her movements, she heard her friend's laughter and knew it must just be the teenagers usual antics, it was.

"I told her she was staying here until Eid when the whole family is going and now she is sulking." They only laughed at that.

"That my baby is very dramatic."

"She takes after you Batool." She didn't deny it.

Her home phone rang and they said their good byes again, this time actually hanging up.

"Musbah what do you have for me?" She didn't seem fazed he had called that late, she has received calls much later than that from him.

"I'm sorry but it's not good news ma'am." She felt a ringing in her ear and her heart lurched, she said a prayer under her breath and told him to tell her what's wrong.

"Your husband has been rushed to the hospital."

"What?!" She exclaimed already on her feet.

"I'm at the hospital with them now ma'am, that he suffered a heart attack."

•••••••••

Fahad's initial plan was to visit his aunt before they left for Kaduna but she wasn't at home, the fact is she's already in Kaduna which he found surprising.

So, they went straight to the airport rather with Khadijah who was doing much better.

Zayn said he had exciting news for him but he said it can wait for when he gets back, this was more important.

When they got to Kaduna by twelve in the afternoon, thier first stop was Baraka's house. They received warm reception and the kids huddled around Khadijah.

Afnan was glowing already, her wedding date has been fixed which was two weeks after Eid-el-fitr, two months and a few weeks from then.

"Ya Allah, see how you're glowing." Baraka cooed studying her sister like she was a piece of art.

"You're being over dramatic ya Baraka." Khadijah shook her head as a reply to her sister's statement.

They were in Baraka's room waiting for Sadiya's arrival, they would be there any time from one.

"I'm serious, Abuja weather fits you." That made Khadijah laugh.

Baraka was really a mood when she wanted to be.

"How's the preparation for Afnan?" She sighed with tiredness but you can see the enthusiasm in her eyes and excitement in her voice as she spoke.

"I am tired Dee, this is so stressful and it's because umma is even helping. How did she manage?"

"She's a super woman and I think she just enjoys chaos and all that." Barakaw nodded in agreement.

"Mummy, the woman just called about the laces, that she has the color you requested if you want to check it out." Manal said after knocking.

She went and sat beside her aunt who pulled her into a hug.

She didn't realize she had missed home that much but now that she was around them, she didn't want to leave.

"Manal you're stubborn, you can't buy Eid clothes right now, it's almost two months away, they'll be outdated by the time Eid comes by."

Manal wasn't hearing any of it and she pouted a frown taking over her features.

"But I like this one, aunty Dee look at it." Khadijah did take a look and she nodded in agreement, Baraka turned and muttered she wasn't buying it.

Manal left the room to go and show her father being the daddy's girl she is while the whole encounter only made Khadijah laugh.

"She is so stubborn and bratty, that one."

"She takes after you." Baraka glared at her but she had a smile on her face because it was true.

While Afnan was more her dad, the patience and everything, Manal took after Baraka, her attitude and everything was her mother.

Baraka had argued with major over who would tell her sister's what happened to thier father, she had received the call in the middle of the night from her mother and she had no idea how to deliver the news to them.

She hated being the bearer of bad news but there were some things she had to do as the eldest, that was why as they spoke with Khadijah about everything that has been happening in the past months she was away, though they've spoken about it on the phone, they liked speaking in person more, her mind was more on how to break the news to them.

She was certainly more worried about Khadijah than Sadiya, she was closer to their father and she knew without doubt it would break her.

•••••••

"Ammi, you should've called ahead of time." Farhan complained hugging his mother, he towered completely over her but somehow he felt small in her presence.

"You don't know how to cook so it doesn't matter." She waved him off and the sighed, his lips stretching into a wide smile.

"I missed you."

"Not very much since you didn't visit." She was not angry, the woman could never stay angry at him.

He guessed it's because he has been with her for a long while, and most of his life he knew all they had was each other.

He groaned when she made for the kitchen, ready to start feeding him with food until he gets fat, that is her only aim in life and he has told her just that times without number, she didn't care for his measly opinions as she called it.

"You need to.rest before you start cooking, ya Allah I am not hungry." He exclaimed literally pulling her out of the kitchen, she followed dejectedly.

Well she feigned a frown and followed him because she had him right where she wanted, he wanted her to rest so he'll do anything to make sure she rests even if it means talking about topics he pretends he doesn't know about.

There's a lot of them which is why she'll go easy on him.

"So, when can I finally meet Kamla? I've heard quite a lot about her." Farhan groaned regretting his choice instantly.

He should've just let her cook, but he knew his mother and one way or the other she would've had that conversation, if it didn't work out, she'll force it.

"Ammi...." He drawled, looking away.

"What? Are you shy all of a sudden?" She teased making him more comfortable.

"I'm not shy." He mumbled almost inaudibly, wondering why he was having that conversation with his mother.

"You don't have to deny it, it's okay to be shy." He grunted lowering his head in his hands, one question on his mind, why? That's just the question, why?

"I