Dedicated to mushii49

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The sound of chirping birds and the ray of light that shone through the window woke Maryam up. Opening her eyelids, behold was the sight she thought was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen - her husband sleeping so peacefully next to her, like a baby. His arm was still lying across her stomach his lips sightly parted - he looked really cute and he was hers alone. But not for too long - she reminded herself and immediately snapped out of her trance when her gaze traveled to the clock hanging on the wall - it was almost 7:30am. She gasped and gently tapped him on the shoulder. "Wake up, habibi."

Sa'eed's eyes fluttered open at the sound of her voice. His demeanor contorted in panic. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. You forgot to wake up for subhi prayer. You should have set an alarm."

"I would have, but the doctor specifically told me to make sure you rest without any disturbance. I didn't know I wouldn't wake up when the call to prayer was made." He face palmed.

"Indisputably, you were overstressed yesterday. You should have seen how you were battling with your eyelids to stay awake."

He chuckled and planted a kiss on her forehead before getting down from the bed. "I will just go to the masjid and pray. I will be right back before you know it."

"Take your time." She smiled and watched as he ambled out of the room.

Not long later, she heard Sa'eed's cellphone ringing beside her. She stretched her arm and got hold of it. Seeing the caller ID, she received the call. "Assalamu alaikum, mum."

"Wa alaikum salam. Maryam?"

"Yes, mum. Good morning."

"What happened to your cellphone? I have been trying to call you since yesterday, but your number isn't going through." She reprimanded.

"My cellphone?" She fumbled around for her phone and when she found it, she realised it was switched off. Instantly, she knew it was Sa'eed's handiwork. "It was switched off." She replied.

"And Sa'eed, where is he? I have called him numerous times as well, but he didn't answer any of my calls. I was so worried."

"I'm sorry on his behalf, mum. He fell asleep quite early yesterday." She replied.

"I'm still going to reprimand him. Is he close by?"

"He just stepped out."

"Tell me sincerely, Maryam; are you alright?" She asked again. Undoubtedly, she knew her mother in law had no idea of what happened to her.

"Why do you ask? Do I sound sick to you?" She chuckled dryly.

"Yes. Now answer my question. Where are you right now?"

"In a hospital." She admitted.

"What exactly happened? How did you fall down the stairs. Couldn't you see the stairs while walking?" She scolded.

"I am sor-" she cut herself off as realization hit her. "How did you... Know?"

"Zainab told me everything, but she doesn't want Sa'eed to know that."

"Oh okay."

"You should have been more careful, dear. How are you right now? Please be sincere with me."

Maryam smiled and her heart swelled with happiness at how much her mother in law cared for her. "Alhamdulilah, mum. I much better now. I might even be discharged today."

"Ma sha Allah. I will come over there and take care of you myself. It seems Sa'eed isn't doing his job properly."

"No, mum." She chuckled. "It wasn't his fault at all. He tried to prevent it fr happening, but kadr can never be prevented." She defended. "And seriously, you don't have to stress yourself and come over here. What happened to me is not as serious as you think."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

"May Allah continue to protect you."

"Ameen. Thanks, mum. I hope you've taken all of your medicines."

She laughed. "Sincerely, I haven't. I tend to forget now that Zainab is away. I forgot to take them yesterday and then today again."

"You're already missing her, aren't you?"

"A little. She can be a headache at times."

"I can attest to that." Maryam agreed amidst laughter.

"I hope she isn't troubling you."

"Not all all. She's afraid of me." She said humorously.

"By the tone of your voice and your ability to crack jokes at this situation, I can tell you're much better now. That's a relief. I will call to check up on you later in the day, in sha Allah."

"Thanks, mum."

"Assalamu alaikum."

"Wa alaikum salam." She replied and ended the call.

Maryam was about to dial Zainab's number to check up on Manal, when the door opened and to her surprise Zainab sauntered in with Manal. She hadn't expected them - at least not so early in the morning. Her demeanor lit up and a huge smile appeared on her face.

"Ummi." Manal called and walked closer to her bed.

Zainab helped her up the bed as obviously couldn't without any help.

Maryam wrapped her other hand around her and kissed her forehead. Tears instantly prickled her eyes as she recalled everything Sa'eed disclosed to her about Nafisa - her iniquitous ways towards their daughter. At that moment, - more than ever, she felt extremely guilty for all her daughter had to go through because she wasn't there to take care of her herself. Nafisa wouldn't have had the temerity and effrontery to lay a finger on Manal. Now she understood why Sa'eed was so keen about her resigning - it was all to prevent such misfortune from taking place. She untangled her arm around her and kissed her cheek. "How are you?" She asked. She also didn't know why she was suddenly asking the question all of a sudden instead of vise versa - it felt as if she doing what she was supposed to have done a long time ago. She failed in noticing how timid her daughter had turned overnight. What type of a mother was she! - thinking about that now, Sa'eed's words came back to her; you only gave birth to her, but you are not her mother. Each time she remembered those hurtful words, she could feel her heart shattering into uncountable pieces - it was simply heartbreaking to hear such words from a loved one. Even if she wanted to, she knew she would never be able to forget those dreadful words as they were already engraved in her heart.

"I'm fine, ummi." She replied. "I cried so much yesterday because Aunt Zainab wouldn't allow me come here."

Maryam's gaze averted to Zainab. She had totally forgotten she was also in the room with her as she was lost in her trance. "Thank you so much for taking care of Manal."

Zainab's brows furrowed. "She's family and I don't feel burdened at all to take care of her. In fact, it's a pleasure."

Maryam's eyes shimmered with happiness and appreciation. She was so lucky to have them as family and Allah alone was to be thanked.

"How are you? You got us so worried." She complained feigning anger. "I didn't get to have my beauty sleep."

Maryam chuckled dismissively. "Alhamdulilah." She replied.

"Ummi, I want to urinate. Where is the bathroom?"

"Over there." She pointed towards a door at the corner of the room.

Manal jumped down from the bed before Zainab could be able to help her down and ran towards it.

"Where is your husband?" Zainab asked looking around. "Don't tell me he slept elsewhere." Her eyes widened as she gasped.

"Quit being frivolous. Of course not. He went to the masjid. He will be back soon." She rolled her eyes.

"Sorry." She apologized smiling sheepishly.

Maryam gazed at her phlegmatically. "I want to ask you a question, Zainab. Please be sincere."

"Okay.." She trailed off.

"Are you aware your brother wants to get remarried?"

Zainab was taken aback by the question. "I... Yes... I mean no." She stammered.

"Given how you didn't show any signs of astonishment, it only means you are aware. Why didn't you tell me?"

"It was just a -" before she could complete her statement, Manal screamed 'abi.' Only then did both Zainab and Maryam realise he was standing by the door.

"How is my little princess doing?" He asked, picking her up. "Did you eat as promised?"

"Yes, I did."

"Good." He smiled and walked into the ward with her still in his arms.

"Good morning, ya Saeed." Zainab greeted with a smile.

"Good morning." He returned the greeting.

"What were you saying, Zainab?" Maryam asked.

"I think you and ya Saeed need to have a talk." Zainab said and excused herself from the room.

"What is she talking about, habibi?"

"I don't know." He shrugged. "What did she tell you."

"She wanted to tell me the reason she hid the fact about you getting remarried to me."

"Oh."

"Yes. Why did she say we have to talk? Please enlighten me."

"We will talk when we get home, okay?" He smiled. "It's almost finished." He remarked, pointing to the pint of blood above. "I will go get the doctor."

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What do you think Saeed is hiding from his wife?

Next chapter will be dedicated to the person with the highest number of comments :)