Ahmad had never envisioned a day when he would let go of all his weapons meant for getting back his wife even after he visited her and she showed him how firm her decision was, but when Ma'aruf came to his office and advised him after his visit to Safaa's house, he decided to endure everything with patience.

"So you mean I should let her leave, just like that?" Ahmad whisper-yelled after his bestfriend finished telling him what he was supposed to do.

" Yes Ahmad, she needs some peaceful air, No offence dude but your house suffocated the poor lady, just let her go where she wants to, I don't mean you should divorce her, tell her you'd do that after she's put to bed, who knows by then maybe she would change her mind and decide to come back to you?" Ma'aruf explained carefully.

"Ya Allah, I just..."

"Yes you just have to let her be, for awhile" Ma'aruf urged.

"Alright fine, I would sent her a msg " He said defeatedly.

And so with a heavy heart, he sent her a msg, telling her she was allowed to travel and that he would grant her what she wanted when she's put to bed.

" Where are you heading now?" Ma'aruf asked.

" Home, to my nagging wife" Ahmad hissed.

" Dude give her a break, she's pregnant" Ma'aruf chuckled.

" Yeah shall we? Am sure she kept lunch for me"

" Alright let's go taste amarya's food" Ma'aruf grinned.

When they parked at his house, Ahmad internally cringed seeing his mother's car parked too, his relationship with his mother had not been actually good since the last family meeting and he had been avoiding her entirely.

" Are we not going in?" Ma'aruf asked seeing Ahmad's hesistance.

" How I wish we're going to that side" Ahmad said pointing at the apartment next to Zarah's.

" Sabr dude, she'd be back soon in shaa Allah"

" I pray so" He said walking to Zarah's apartment.

They found the living room empty and Ahmad went in search of Zarah around the house, telling Ma'aruf to make himself comfortable before he comes back, he found her with his mother at the kitchen laughing like they had no care in the world, he wanted to hurt them so bad, he wanted to make them feel the heartache he was feeling but then he remembered that one should always wish for others what he wish for himself so he managed a smile and greeted his mother.

" So it's now you've decided to come back for lunch " Hajiya Turai scolded him.

" I was busy at the office" He answered her.

" Zarah am here with Ma'aruf, can you serve us lunch? Am famished"

Zarah wanted to vent all her anger and frustration on him, she wanted to deprive him of lunch that day but seeing his mother, she changed her mind and acted like an obedient wife instead.

" I'll get your food in some minutes" She smiled getting some cutleries out of the kitchen cabinet.

" Thank..." Ahmad was not able to finish appreciating her when his phone began ringing.

" Hello, I can't hear you ? My wife? Hello?" Ahmad kept asking because he couldn't hear the caller properly.

" Who is it?" Hajiya Turai asked.

" I don't know Mama, It's an unknown number"

Zarah instantly panicked when Ahmad said he doesn't know the caller. How could that stupid person get a hold of her husband's number?

" Let me see" Zarah kept fidgeting with the plates in her hands.

" Why do you care?" He shrugged leaving the kitchen.

Hajiya Turai kept scrutinizing Zarah, she had been trying to figure out what the girl was hiding but Zarah being a wise lady refused to even let her have a hint but Hajiya Turai vowed to male her speak up before she'd leave the house.

" Why are you all sweaty? Go and serve them food, He said they are hungry"

" Uhmm yeah, I'll do that right away" Zarah said taking a tray.

Ahmad reached the living room and apologised to Ma'aruf for staying long and that food would be served in some minutes, They proceed to the dining room and waited patiently for Zarah and Ahmad received another call from that same number.

" Hello,who i..." He answered but the person on the other side cut the call.

" What is wrong with this person " Ahmad hissed keeping his phone on the side stool.

" Who? " Ma'aruf asked oblivious of the phone call Ahmad just had.

" It's an unknown number, the caller keeps saying my wife has a huge skeleton in her closet or something like that and then cut the call"

" We all have that don't we?" Ma'aruf chuckled.

" I just hope the caller will just leave me alone, I have a lot on my plate right now"

" I know Ahmad, ignore the calls"

" But which of my wife is the caller talking about? The caller sounds like a lady sef"

Just then Zarah came in with their lunch along with her maid holding a tray laden with some drinks.

" Serve " Ahmad ordered Zarah without giving her a glance.

" Why would a lady call and tell you something about your wife? " Ma'aruf inquired.

Zarah dropped a tumbler when she heard the conversation they were having and that made Ahmad flare up.

" Why are you so clumsy?"

" I'm so sorry, I will clean it up, I'll be back in a jiffy " She panicked rushing to the kitchen.

" Ahmad, why are you harsh towards her, this is so not fair, she's your wife and a mother to your future kids" Ma'aruf reprimanded him for his cold attitude.

" I'm not harsh towards her, I am just seeing her as the one who seperated me from Safaa, And I just can't be nice to Zarah and you know why"

" But Ahmad that happened years ago, You should learn to let go"

" I have let it go until she came back to my life, trying to ruin my life again"

" Let's eat the food before you lose your appetite " Ma'aruf changed the discussion.

" Go ahead and eat, the person just sent me a message " Ahmad hissed reading the message for the second time.

" Who is this person? "

" How do I know, let's eat, we're meeting the person after Magrib" Ahmad said keeping his phone.

Zarah who was eavesdropping from the kitchen had their last conversation and sprinted upstairs to call her mother.

Someone out there was out to ruin her life.

🍀🍀🍀🍀

Safaa had finished packing all the things she needed for her stay at her mother's hometown, but still she kept procrastinating her departure, she was leaving a huge part of her and she knew it would not be easy for her to get adjusted in a new place, with people she had never visited before. Her mother's relatives usually visited them at Rigar Dala and Safaa had only visited them once, while she was just a little girl. Her mother informed her about who she would stay with and Safaa felt a bit light headed remembering how strict the woman she was supposed to stay with could be.

She was putting one of her favorite sketch book in a duffel bag when her phone began ringing. She picked it up a bit cautiously because it was a new number calling her.

" Assalamu Alaikum " The person on the other side salaamed.

" Wa Alaikassalam " Safaa replied.

The female voice seemed familiar to her but she waited for the caller to tell her who she was.

" It's Asiyah " She said cheerfully.

" Asiyah? Errr Moudu's wife? "

" Yes it is, Are you home please, I'd love to pay you a visit before we leave"

" Well you are so lucky, I'm travelling tomorrow, So if you can, visit today "

"In shaa Allah, I'll be on my way" Asiyah said and ended the call.

Safaa kept her phone on her bedside drawer and sprinted to her closet to dress a little lady-like for the sake of the guest she was having, before the phone call, Safaa was dressed in a baggy tent dress that stopped just below her knees, she wore it because her Baba was not at home and her Maa would allow her to walk around the house in it because she knew Safaa felt comfortable in it.

When she finished dressing up in an A shape ankara gown, she sat on her vanity stool and applied some kohl in her eyes and a colourless lip gloss on her lips. Her phone began drinking just then, but this time around it was Shukrah that was calling her.

" Shukrah? " She answered, calling her sister inlaw's name with a suprised tone.

" Na'am " Shukrah giggled.

" So now you remember me, How are you? "

" I'm downstairs, Your house is too empty, I have been saying my Salam for the past five minutes"

" You are? Maybe the Maids are at their quarters, Let me come down" Safaa ended the call giddily and rushed out of her room.

Shukrah had been a nice sister to her unlike Fadwa, she gave Safaa consolation whenever their mother humiliated her and because of her benevolent nature, Safaa got close to her.

" Welcome " Safaa squealed giving her a bone crushing hug.

" Yeah Thank you" Shukrah grinned making herself comfortable on one o the sofas.

" Let me get you something..."

" No please, am all full" Shukrah cut her off.

" Alright then " Safaa hopped on the sofa and began telling Shukrah all about her baby, the struggles and happy moments until Shukrah became tired and even made the sofa her bed, she had no doubt that Safaa can talk more than a parrot a lot of times.

" Uhmm, And did you find the purple one you're looking for?" Shukrah asked when Safaa was telling her about her last baby shopping with Abidah.

" Nah we didn't, Shukrah am so happy to see you, it's been a while and you guys were not part of any of the meetings and..."

" Aunty Safaa ahh" Shukrah cut her off again with her laughter.

" What?" Safaa rolled her eyes.

" I know you've missed me but quit the rambling, I have something serious to tell you" Shukrah pouted.

" Okay I was overexcited to see you, so what is it?"

" I heard all what happened, I won't judge your opinion, because I know how harsh Mama is towards you and I don't know why, she also has no tangible reason, anyway I wish she'd stop all that because karma is real, I don't want to get married and get treated the way she treats you or worst just because of what she does to you" Shukrah began.

" No don't say that, nothing like that will happen in shaa Allah" Safaa assured her, knowing how scared she was of karma.

" Well the thing is, karma happens Safaa and we don't know how Allah will make Mama pay for her deeds, now why would you travel and miss my wedding?"

" You're serious? When did Baba fixed a date"

" Two weeks ago, he didn't tell Kawu did he? Ughh Baba can be something else"

" Yeah our stubborn fathers, but Mommy must have told my Maa"

" So Maa forgot to tell you then?"

" I guess " Safaa nodded.

" Alright, why must you miss my wedding, my own wedding Aunty Safaa, am your Shukrah remember?"

"Yeah my dramatic Shukrah" Safaa laughed.

" Seriously?" Shukrah raised a brow.

" Alright, when is the wedding? You know what? Mama kind of scared me when she told me about the person am staying with, I have been thinking of changing my mind wallah"

" Is she a meanie like my Mama?" Shukrah asked.

" Nah, but she's so strict and she rarely smiles, atleast your Mama smiles or laughs, eventhough they're mostly devilish" Safaa said whispering the last part.

" I heard that " Shukrah smiled pinching Safaa's arm.

" When is your wedding? " Safaa asked.

" Please think about it, it's three weeks from today, And I want you to design my dinner dress "

" Ha! This one is a trick to make me stay"

" It's not,please" Shukrah pleaded with the best puppy eyes she could muster.

"Alright I'll talk to Maa about it" Safaa concluded and just then Asiyah salaamed coming into the living room along with a Maid who led her.

"You're welcome" Safaa smiled at her.

" Thank you, so sorry I did not come soon, I had to wait for my child's nanny" Asiyah said sitting beside Safaa.

" Oh don't worry, She bombarded me with all the gists meant for you" Shukrah waved at Asiyah.

" Oh Hi, Sorry I haven't even greeted you guys" Asiyah smiled and they exchanged pleasantries.

Knowing what she wanted to discuss with Safaa should be confidential, Asiyah joined their conversation instead. An hour after, Shukrah left saying she had to go see a chef for their wedding. Safaa walked her to her car and promised to call and inform her if Mama agreed to the change of plans.

" So how's Moudu?" Safaa asked when she could not take the awkward silence that ensued when Shukrah left.

" He's fine, He actually left some days ago because of office work, We will be leaving next week so I decided to come visit you "

" That's so nice of you, where's your son? right? " Safaa asked with a smile grazing her lips, she loves children and she just couldn't wait to hold her own in a couple of months.

" Yes it's a son and he's fine " Asiyah returned her smile.

" Why didn't you come with him, I'd love to meet him "

" You love children I see "

" What do you expect, Almost five years without one " Safaa chuckled.

" Seriously " She gasped assessing Safaa like she had seen a ghost.

" I'm serious, So tell me how you met Rigar Dala's Moudu " Safaa grinned resting her chin on her palms.

And Asiyah began telling her about how she met the rogued Moudu and how they eventually fell in love with each other. She informed Safaa about how she got to know about Moudu's deal with Hajiya Turai and within an hour, Safaa and Asiyah were chatting like they had known each other for years. Safaa told her all about Hajiya Turai and some of the problems she faced at Ahmad's house which made Asiyah very furious.

" You mean, you went through that hell and you stayed? " Asiyah asked her nose flaring like she wanted to punch something.

" Isn't that what we're asked to do? Stay with our spouse through thick and thin, endure everything with patience "

" Well you're right but I don't think there are a lot who can stay in that kind of marriage "

" Asiyah, there are women whose situation is worst than mine, believe me "

" I haven't heard of any or have I? Well I have but the woman was lucky, the mother inlaw died when she was at the peak of humiliating her, but how did you do it? I mean how can you be so patient, left to me I would teach that Hajiya Turai a lesson " Asiyah snickered.

" You can't be serious " Safaa laughed and Asiyah raised a brow to show her how serious she was.

" What happened to the patience now? Why are you home? "

" My parents heard about everything "

" If they haven't heard about it you would've stayed with your husband kenan?" Asiyah inquired and Safaa gave her a nod.

" What are you? " Asiyah gasped.

" I'm human " Safaa giggled shaking her head at how Asiyah was reacting to her situation.

" But let's assume everything is fine between you and Ahmad and then Moudu made that confession, will you still stay? "

" No I won't, You have no idea how that picture tarnished my marriage life and to think that my own mother inlaw was that cruel alone would stop me from staying as her son's wife "

" I just pity Ahmad and the evil woman too, karma is a bitch oh "

" That's exactly what's bothering Shukrah, she's getting married and she's afraid her mother's actions might affect her marriage"

" Poor Shukrah, I wish the woman is not her mother, the girl is entirely different from the woman you told me about "

" Totally different " Safaa sighed.

" So Safaa, Do you think you can forgive us? " Asiyah asked, it was the main reason she paid Safaa a visit.

" Hmm " Safaa sighed again looking distant.

" Stop sighing and looking like that, it makes me think you'll never forgive my husband "

" Oh shut up, I was just thinking of the damage his actions all caused, but it's not his fault entirely, Hajiya Turai used his poverty to trick him and I am so glad he was able to change himself, all thanks to you "

" Oh please don't flatter me " Asiyah smiled shyly.

" That's not a flatter, I have forgiven your husband since the day you guys visited, I pray Allah forgive us all "

" Ma shaa Allah, I am so happy, Thank you so much " Asiyah squealed embracing Safaa.

" Stop thanking me, who am I not to forgive and the damage has been done anyway, so why won't I just forgive him so he could move on? "

"You have such a nice heart Safaa, You deserve happiness and I wish you will find it soon, if you're meant to go back to your husband's house believe me you will, Hajiya Turai and your Uncle might change, Our Rabb can make anything happen "

" I know, but I don't want his home for now " Safaa whispered not wanting her voice to betray her, she was trying her best to stop her tears from falling because she does not want Asiyah to see how devastated she was internally.

Asiyah kept telling her words meant o soothe her pain and Safaa listened to all of them wholeheartedly, when Asiyah left Safaa's gloominess resurfaced and she went back to wallowing in her misery until her Maa returned. Safaa disliked staying all alone because it made her think, that was the reason she loved having visitors.

" I thought you have passed that phase of staying up in your room Safaa " Her Mama barged into her room with a bowl of simmering peppered soup.

" Maa I came up an hour ago and I told you I wanted to stretch my back a bit " Safaa pouted sitting up and resting her head on the headboard.

" See how messy your hair is, when was the last time you washed it? "

" Two weeks ago, Thanks Maa " Safaa said collecting the bowl from her Mama.

" You're welcome, eat up and meet me in my room, I want us to talk after I help you wash this hair of yours "

" Maa I don't want to wash it " Safaa pouted.

" Stop acting like a child with this big baby bump " Mama pinched her cheek lightly.

" Maa I don't want to travel anymore " Safaa began tearing up.

" Whoa, where's that one coming from? "

" I can't live with that relative of yours, they'd judge me " Safaa croaked, she was now crying like a little girl.

" It's okay, You won't go " Maa patted her back soothingly in an attempt to stop her tears.

She understood why Safaa was concerned about staying with her cousin, Umma Sauda and her entire household would judge Safaa for not staying with her husband even when she was pregnant, they would never understand her pain and instead of finding solace, Fadimatu knew her daughter would end up getting more hurt, she wanted to refuse when her husband told her Safaa was to stay with Umma Saudah, but knowing she could not defy him, she kept her mouth shut.

Now that Safaa said she does not want to go, Fadimatu became elated, she would nurse her daughter's wounds by herself without anyone adding to it but the problem now was how to convince Safaa's father.

" How can we convince your father? " Maa asked when Safaa stopped crying.

" We can tell him the doctor told me not to travel "

" Or we can tell him the truth " Maa suggested.

" Yes it's better you tell him the truth " Baba came inside the room making Safaa gasp.

He had been standing by the door since minutes after his wife barged inside the room and he heard all of their conversation.

" Ba..ba " Safaa stammered.

" Na'am, You naughty girl, so you want your Mama to lie to me " He chuckled, walked into the room and sat beside his wife on their daughter's bed.

" It's not my fault, I know you won't change your mind easily ne " Safaa grinned