“What am I going to do now? Is she going to make it? She hasn’t even eaten this morning...” Star cried, not knowing when she even removed her wig.

“Stop behaving like this, star girl. Imagine the mess you’re in just because of that girl, ehn?”

“Just shut up, Lady G. If you have nothing better to say, you can go home and leave me alone!”

Gift looked so surprised and disappointed. It seems Star won’t think twice about Humaira. She’s so heartbroken and emotional. It would be a shame on her face if she can’t help Star in a time of need like this.

“I won’t leave you, Star. I’ll say here with you the way a genuine friend would. She sounded remorseful. What about her family members? Don’t you have her parent’s number or her husband’s contact?”

“No... That girl has nobody to call on to. Her parents are dead and I don’t even know the stupid man that impregnated her. He is a rich Alhaji, but she said he denied it. Humaira is an orphan, Lady G, that’s why I had to take her in. We just have to pray... Help me pray for her wellbeing.”

“Oh Lord, please save both mother and child.” Gift knelt down and started singing songs of praises, begging God to help Humaira through a successful operation.

It went on and on. An hour later, the doctors came out of the emergency room.
“What’s it doctor? Is she alright? Was the operation successful? How’s her child?”

“Be calm, my dear. The doctor uttered. It wasn’t what we expected. I mean, her low-lying placenta completely covered her cervix and, apart from that, the baby was sitting, but congratulations! It’s a baby boy!”

“Yaaayyyy!” Star hugged the doctor with so much excitement, but he pulled away gently. It looks like he was a Muslim, so he felt shy in that position.

“Umm.. so sorry, sir! I’m just so excited.”

“Can we see them now?” Gift asked.

“Yes, sure. You’ll definitely see her, but in twenty minutes’ time.”

“Okay sir!” the girls chorused with a bright smile beaming on their faces. The doctor went into another ward. Star and Gift hugged themselves again and felt relieved.

Finally, Humaira is a mother.

***

Minutes Later,

Star and Gift checked on Humaira and her new baby. The cute baby boy was lying in his mother’s soft arms. Humaira stared into his lovely face, but he was still sleeping.

“Humaira!” Star muttered joyously and Ave her a hug.

She looked quite calm with her baby. “Wow! He’s so cute! He looks like you.” Gift commented.

“Really? I don’t think so.”

It looked like she had mixed feelings about him. How she’s going to bring him up alone.

“Don’t worry, Humaira, I’m here for you.” Star smiled, sitting right next to her.

She collected the baby and studied his face. “At least he takes your facial look. That’s enough. Have you eaten?”

“No... I’m not hungry.”

“But you have taken nothing since yester-night.”

“I’ll drink tea.”

“Okay, good.” Star muttered and prepared tea for her she looked so tired and needed rest.

“Okay, we will come back and check on you.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“Do you have any idea how long you’ll stay here? I mean, when would you be discharged?”

“Hopefully, tomorrow.” She muttered with a smile.

“Okay, fine then. I’ll come back to check on you by 2:00 pm.”

“Okay.”

After taking the tea, she slept off.

****

One Week Later...

Humaira took a bowl of warm water and have the baby lay his small naked body on her bare lap.

“Yeeehhh Yeeeeeeehhhh!” The baby started crying.

“This is your diaper, Mamma’s changing your diaper!” She sang to him as started his bath by gently washing his small, pinky face. He shivered to it’s wetness even though the water was warm.

“I’m just wiping out your eyes, your nose and your ears, Hadee.” She muttered to him in a babyish tune and a big bright smile lightened up her face as she watched her son.

For some reasons, she felt he was going to bring good luck into her life so she called him ‘Hadee‘ meaning, ‘The Guide.’

Why do you keep talking to your baby as if he can actually hear you?" Star interrupted.

“He has ears, Star. He can hear me.” Humaira replied to her, wiping in between his neck, arms, and fingers.

“I’ve been through a lot in my life, but I want to stand up for my son. I would love Hadee to live a very simple, happier, and better life than I did. And think talking to Hadee would help him feel they heard his voice. That he’s seen and loved. He would be an intelligent child, Star. There’s no need to worry.”

“Ugghhhh!” Star left out a heavy breath, still puzzled. “Whatever!”

Don’t worry, I’m a mother now!!" Humaira mimicked her voice and let out a joyful expression. Luckily for her, they’re on holidays again. She gave birth just after she completed her exams... And she could stay two months more before school’s resumption again.

Humaira gently wiped his armpit off his back and then his tiny legs, toes, and thigh before taking out a new diaper. Star did all the shopping. She made sure both mother and child lacked nothing. Even though it was though getting through the surgery, Humaira loved and enjoyed taking care of her new baby boy. She loves Hadee so much, hoping that he won’t lack anything.

Humaira carefully folded the diaper under his umbilical cord so it does not irritate the baby’s tender skin. She gently places the tabs to the back and the back tabs to the front of the diaper. It fits smugly, but not too tight. She smiled throughout the routine. It seems she was getting used to it, after all.

“Yeeehhh! Yeeeeeehhhh!!” Hadee cried again

“Awwwwn! You’re crying again. I think you love water. Don’t worry, mamma would give you another bath in three hours’ time. Okay?” She joked again in a childish voice. She kissed his hands and gently wore his clothes for him.

“Yeeehhh! Yeeeeeeehhhh!!” He wailed again.

“Just give me a minute! I need to clear up this place before breastfeeding you, my love.” She placed a soft hiss on his lips. Placed a soft white shawl down flat on the bed and folded a corner before placing Hadee in the center. She wrapped the left side from under his right arm and the right side over his left arm. He looked perfectly cute.

The joy of motherhood is something so precious. She has been like a mother to Zainab, but there’s a special connection she feels for Hadee. And she hopes it last forever.

It’s just that sometimes, she felt so sad and lonely and emotional. She wished all of this never happened in the first place, but now that Hadee is here with her, all Humaira wants to do is forget about the past. Work on her future and train her son to be a better man in the future. Unlike his father....