The secretary forced out a smile at them again as her eyes locked with Sadiqah’s sister’s. They have been sitting at the reception room for over one hour…
“He has some visitors.” The secretary explained and they both know they had to wait and they did wait and it is been over an hour that they have been waiting.
“Just be patient.” Her sister had told her.
Some few minutes later, the door opened and they heard some laughter and the guests came out; it was Aziza, Musadiq with Hibah in his hands.
“The couple exchanged glances for a while then Musadiq sighed as he forced out a smile and then said his teslim, after which he faced Sadiqah’s sister then introduced his wife who was smiling all through even though he could sense her discomfort and then introduced his daughter who smiling cheerfully in his hands.
“Ma sha Allah… it is nice to meet you Umm Hibahtullah, I am sorry I didn’t heard about your delivery, I should have come say Teslim to you and you pretty Hibah, and how is my little friend Habeebullah.” Sadiqah’s sister said with smiles.
“Alihamdulilah he is very fine … it is nice to meet you…. Ukti.” Aziza said and she glanced at Sadiqah who seem to be hiding beside her elder sister, she understand if she talk to her, she is likely going to feel so uncomfortable.
“How about we take our leave, so that you can attend to the guests?” Aziza said looking at her husband and he nodded, then gave Hibah to her, Aziza smiled again and left, after which Musadiq led them (The guests) into his office.
“I hope you have not been waiting for so long, Umm Luqman?” He asked them as soon as they got to his office ignoring Sadiqah completely.
“Not really.” Ummu Luqman said and smiled.
“It’s so nice to see your wife, I haven’t met her before.” Ummu Luqman said to him,
“Alihamdulilah… what do you want to be offered?” He asked Ummu Luqman who shook her head in refusal.
“I am sure you know why I am here.” She started and he sighed.
“I am not sure…” He said fixing his gaze on Sadiqah
“Abu Habeebullah, I know you know why I am here with Sadiqah… but you are angry… hence your reply but I am here now… Our father said he was at your house some months back and there seem to be no headway.” She said to her calmly.
“This is not a courtesy visit… it is about your divorce, I know whatever issues that might have happened between you two that might have warranted the divorce, if we were informed earlier, nothing of such might have happened. Couples fought all the time. I rebuked her so much, because all through the iddah, I was not even aware and that was so stupid of her… but the deeds has been done and we are here… she know she is wrong and she accepted all allegations… There is nothing I would want than for you both to come back together.” Ummu Luqman explained with a plea voice, while Sadiqah was silence and her gaze on the floor.
She didn’t know facing him would be so difficult that way.
She still could not forget the happy look of Aziza some minutes ago.
“I am sorry not to have heed the call of your father, it was not a sign of disrespect … there are so many things going on… did she (points to Sadiqah) ever told you in details what prompt the divorce?” He asked her.
“Hmmm, no, not really.” Ummu Luqman said and turned to her sister who was looking like the most peaceful women she had ever met and that was unlike her. She could sense how uncomfortable she was that moment.
“Can we just forget this Abu Habeebullah? As you can see here, she is remorseful and that is all that matters.” She said to him and he sighed.
“Did she tell you she asked for the Talaq? She said it herself that she wanted out, did she tell you that?” He asked her
“Did she tell you that? And that was after she left the house for five days without telling anyone about her whereabouts or was she with you?” He asked her and Ummu Luqman swallowed hard while Musadiq sighed.
“This is not to expose her excesses… of course if I want to do that, I would have done that the first day, your father visited my father at Wuse… “ He said and Ummu Luqman nodded.
“I am a very private person and I don’t like any of my affairs being open to the public… did you know your sister she broke all that…? Did she tell you that she came to this office to shout at me? She literary tore my shirt that day. That is the highest level of her being ill mannered, uncultured or should I just add arrogance too?” Musadiq asked.
“Subuana llah!” Ummu Luqman said looking at her sister.
“How much more the way she always fight me like a female thug all the time. Can you ask her, how many of my shirts has she rendered button-less? So let us assume she is my only wife, I am sure, we will still be having this issues, Sadiqah is something else and I am glad she is here presently, ask her if all that I have said are false.” He asked and Ummu Luqman sighed, she didn’t prepare for all that confession.
“Did she tell you what she did when Aziza delivered?” He asked her
“That was what broke the camel back Ummu Luqman, to say I have never seen such a person before in my life is not an exaggeration. Sadiqah is one person I thought I know but I didn’t know anything about her and I don’t think you as her sister know that too. Hmmm, how can I say all the stunts this woman showed? First, she placed my phone on flight mode when she saw her call to inform me she was in labor… that I can forgive, she was jealous… then she abandoned my son at the gateman’s house just to go to her store that she owe so dear… hmmm Ummu, that I can’t not forget.” He said to her and Sadiqah swallowed hard.
“I then instructed her to come back home immediately, she didn’t. All through Aziza’s stay at the hospital, she didn’t pick that phone of hers to call her… and did she even come pay her a visit at the house? No? My mother was with us for six weeks, she didn’t even come say Teslim? So should I applaud her for all these?” He asked her.
“Okay, she does not want to have anything to do with Aziza, at least can’t she do that for me? Hibahtullah and Habeebullah are my children, I was her husband and aren’t the kids supposed to be her step children? She stays in the same compound with her… where is the humanity, where is the act of kindness? So tell me, after all these, if I were to be your brother, would you advised me to take such woman back as a wife?” Musadiq asked her and out of confusion, Ummu Luqman covered her face with her two hands thinking about it all. It was more than she expected and she was lost on what to do.
“What type of home am I building if I condone all sort of irregularities? What message am I passing to the children? Yes, I have made so many mistakes in the past but we had this discussion even before marriage and I am trying my best to strike a balance. I am trying my best but there is a limit to everything a man can take. What else does she want? So when I was quiet about it all when your father visited… these are some of the reasons.” He said to her.
“So, if here are some of those things I have gone through in less than a year… with her… there are so many other reasons that I could have so sent her packing a long time ago but I was just thinking perhaps she would change.” He explained to her.
There was a heavy silence in the room for a while.
Hmmm, Ummu Luqman sighed deeply and slowly, she raised to her feet.
“Abu Habeebullah, I will… we will have to take our leave now, Jazakallahu khayr for granting us the audience.” She said to him and left the room leaving Sadiqah.
The two former lovers stared at each other for a while before Sadiqah stood up slowly and left the room and he sighed deeply.
One thing was different, he felt so relieved…
It was the first time he would recount all that she had done to someone else and he felt so relieved.
Perhaps he should have done that a long time ago.
How could he expose all her wrong doings to his parents? His mother would accused him of running his home by himself? He is tired of the blame game.
His father would be confused and her father would be ashamed!
Even though he know she deserves all that has happened between them, he didn’t want all that has happened to escalate.
He regretted it all,
He should not have lead her on...but ...
I did try ...I want to right the wrong ... It could have been perfect if she shares the same dream as I am ...but she has always been a strong head.
Hmmm,
He sighed deeply, seeing her after so many months made his heart sank, she looked so withdrawn, sad and he wondered what she must have been doing to herself, he remembered he placed her on black list the second day he left the house and he didn’t made any attempts to call her since then, however she had called him twice with some unknown number and he do disconnect the call each time he hear her voice ...
It was not his way of being mean , but he just want to get to learn ...and he didn’t care if she learn the hard way.
She need to especially if he would take her back ...
Take her back?
He know there is a high chance of him doing that, especially with his father on his neck... And now she coming with her sister shows she still want to come back...
Has she learnt. ..
This time would surely be different. ..
Perhaps she need a second chance... We all need one too ...
Hummm, if I had not caused this from the beginning. Ehn, Akande? Why make that mistake? what were you thinking? You started this! You caused this! Perhaps she would not have not come with this mindset that my family is not at peace...
Yes I did abandoned Aziza for her ... But it was only at a time of confusion ...I don’t know what I would do if Aziza leaves ... She is all I ever want in a woman , yes , she is boring .. but now ... She is the best thing that I ever happen to me ...
Yes I love Sadiqah too.. she is fun to be with, she is lively, loving in her own way and being with her awake alot of things in me. .. but we only have few moments together... How can she think I will leave Aziza for her. ..
Perhaps I didn’t live up to her expectations!
If I had been firmer from the beginning things might not have been this worst.
A second chance is all we need... But this time, it would be my on my rules and terms ...
She keep sighing as she walked round the house, her heart was beating faster... As much as she does not want to think about it, she just could not help it ...
Hmmm,
Several thoughts keep running through her mind as she drove home and even when she got home, her mind would not be at peace. ..
Of course, the goal is for them to come back together , only a fool would not expect that... The elders are already involved ... But hmmm, I hope there would not be any problem again...
..
..
.
...
....
....
What is she doing at his office?
Are they now on good terms again?
Is the marriage soon?
And he didn’t even tell me anything ..
Would he continue just like we are presently doing?
I enjoy this new relationship... And I want more ...
Hummm,
She keep sighing up and down and part of her wanted to call him but she could not ...
I don’t want to appear jealous ...
I don’t want it to look like I am meddling into their affairs...
Let them sort it out. ..
But I just hope and pray that I would be carried along ..
So that I can also prepare myself.
I wish them all the best...
She said even though, she didn’t know if she meant it ...
..
....
..
....
The journey back home was so full of silence, the plan was for Ummu Luqman to drop her sister in her store but she didn’t, she drove her home instead, as soon as they got into Sadiqah studio apartment, she turned to her sharply, she need no one to tell her that her eldest sister is seriously fuming.
“Sadiqah... What has gotten to you? I can’t believe you did all these? Who are your advisers? Allah knows Abu try so much on us but you just refuse to learn, it was you who left the house to go stay alone , it was you who is now divorced after causing so many embarrassing trouble in your less than one year marriage.” Her sister started and Sadiqah just sank down on the chair and listen.
“Some times a man don’t just dislike you , you cause it yourself , with all those things he listed, I am ashamed that you are my sister ... You cause all these yourself sis. You have pushed that man to the wall , now I don’t blame him shunning Abu... I can’t believe you have become so bad. “ Her sister said
“Ehn Sadiqah... What do I do with you? Do you remember how you were after Abu second marriage ... You almost frustrate that woman out of the house ... And that was the only reason everyone just believe you staying away would be better and I thought that now that you are married, you would be better... but this is so worst that I expected ... How could I have known? What were you thinking?” She said further and watched her sister as she buried her head in between her legs.
“What else do you want? This man is surely trying his best ... If he is such a bad man, I don’t think his first wife would be with him till now...yes every marriage is not the same but a good man is a good man and a good woman is a good woman irrespective of the kind of marriage they found themselves... “ she said too and then slowly lowered herself on the chair and faced her sister.
“Hmmm, you don’t only offend your husband but everyone around him, no wonder the secretary was staring at us some how... what were you thinking ? Not even congratulating your co is wrong ... Even if you fight every time, congratulating her should be the first thing you would do, hahaha , your husband’s child.? That is very wrong ... If I was told about the delivery, I would have come there myself ... But I don’t even know she was pregnant ...
Not to talk of you ...Sadiqah, what were you thinking?” She asked her and her with still her buried legs.
“And let us say, you don’t even want to congratulate her, how about your mother in law... You dare not treat my husband mother that way.. He will fight me with everything he has. .. Your husband is indeed a man... Haba, that was too much! And the fact the woman didn’t even do anything ... Kai... you have done so many things even if you are in monogamy, you will not last with this behavior sis ...no matter how much a man loves you. No one deserve to be in a toxic relationship.” She explained and that was when Sadiqah raised up her head, she had been crying silently and her sister watched her cried.
“No one is seeing things from my point of view. I was cheated too.” She said tearfully.
“He told me, he loves me and would have married me if we had met earlier.” She said to her sister.
“You and I know that he does not mean that… the fact that a man said that you are the only woman he loves does not mean that he does not loves his mother and sisters, that was just an exaggeration.” She said to her and moved closer to her.
“You should not have gone into the marriage with that mindset, it is wrong, very wrong.” Her sister said to him.
“He try to satisfy her at my own expense, he visited her every evening and every morning. I am just like a second choice.” She said to her sister.
“Did he even really care about where I was for those five days?” She asked her.
“I was robbed in the Taxi I took and I got hit by a bike. I was taken to the hospital and I was there for five days. No one really cares about me.” She said tearfully.
“But do you call anyone? You should have called him or me? Or even Abu, you didn’t do any of that, how is anyone supposed to know this Sadiqah?” Her sister said.
“I don’t think he likes me at all… he had been lying to me all around.” She said
“I am sorry you feel like that… or would you just forget about him?” Her elder sister asked her and she sighed deeply. That moment, she didn’t know what she wanted.
“Just take your time sis, and whatever it is, you need to trend carefully.” Her sister said to her after a while.
“And I have to go … I didn’t plan that I would stay this long.” Her sister said to her and raised to her feet.
“I will call you when I get home ins sha Allah.” Ummu Luqman said to her and she nodded.
“Would you tell…” Sadiqah asked her
“Don’t worry about this, I would not let anyone know about this, I promised.” Her sister quickly cut in and embraced her affectionately
“I so much appreciate.” Sadiqah said to her and watched her sister left the apartment.
As soon as her sister left, she sank on the plastic chair and took a deep breathe.
She was confused on what to do and she wondered if going to see him was the best choice for her, but even without being told, she missed him, she didn’t want to, but she did…
She closed her eyes and let her tears flow as her mind went to the smiles on Aziza’s face earlier that day.
What were they saying?
Why is she in her office?
They look so happy together?
He didn’t even look like he missed her.
Will their relationship be a happy one if they were to come back together?
Hmmm, she sighed deeply as the picture came again.
And her mind went to Dhikrah… she had not heard from her for some times and she wondered if all was well with her, these days her number were not going through.
She wonder what she would have done if she were to be in her shoes. She seems to be good in things like this.
But that her Sihr is what she is scared of.
She didn’t want anything to do with that… thinking of using it irritate her.
Seeing Aziza’s face that morning makes her wonder if what the couple shared is indeed natural, she could not believe Musadiq was indeed the man that would not sleep until he had talked to her and would come stay at her store until she close and drove her home where he would be until night.
How much can a man change so much!
Perhaps going back might be the best for her… she does not want to lose it all