Chapter 38

A month later, Habiba was fully okay and ready to be discharged. Mahmud was beyond happy that his wife was going to be okay, for that moment. 

After they arrived home, he left to his house to get some rest because he had been stressed out over the past two months they have been in the hospital. Habiba laid down in her bed, having a thought of what would happen next because she over heard her parents saying she would follow him back to Nigeria. She sighed and turned to the other side, hoping she'd sleep soon. 

She heard a soft knock from the door and it gently got opened. "My dear, are you asleep already?" Mommy asked sitting on Habiba's comfy bed. She kept the cup on her side drawer and slightly tapped her on the shoulder. "I know you're not asleep, get up and have some tea before you take your drugs." 

Habiba sighed when she heard what her mother said and sat up. She had totally forgotten about her medication. She handed the cup of tea to her and Habiba murmured and thank you. She held the cup and stared into it. "Do I really have to follow him to that country?" She asked, feeling dejected. She loves him but she wasn't willing to follow him there. "It is also your country, Habiba." She shook her head slowly, "no, I belong here not there. They are all bad people there, they don't know anything but pure wickedness...."

"Your father would be very disappointed to hear this from you. This is not even the right time to talk about it. And whether you like it or not, you are following your husband to Nigeria and that is final!" Mommy declared before leaving the room. Habiba hissed and kept the cup before she laid back down. She draped the quilt over her petit body and closed her eyes, ready to fall asleep.

The next morning, mommy came in to meet her sleeping she looked at the cup and hissed. She woke her up. Habiba sat up, scratching the back of her head. She knew she was in trouble. Mommy looked at her, arms on her chest. 

"Mommy I.... I didn't know how I....."

"Save it," she cuts her off. "Habiba! You're going to be leaving this house in less than two weeks but you're acting like a 5 year old. What on earth is wrong with you? You just finished fighting for your life for months but now just to take your medications is something huge!" Mommy roared angrily. Habiba ducked her head, fiddling with her fingers. 

"And mind you, I will not be there with you. Your father or sister will not be there. You will start a new life, a new journey. You are no longer under us but your husband’s, so stop acting like a child and be mature, else you will suffer." She stormed out of the room before Habiba could think of defending herself or apologizing. She sighed, rubbing her temple. Why is mommy acting up now, she wondered. She hardly yell at her but now, a small mistake would turn to something huge. Is that how she's teaching her how to live with her husband?

She heard a knock on the door before the person opened it. It was her sister. She smiled holding a cup of hot chocolate and a plate of Cheese and Bacon Potato Bake. "Mommy asked me to give you this. She said I should sit here and wait till you're done eating and take your drugs." She finished talking and pulled a chair from Habiba's dressing mirror. "Now aren't you supposed to be in school?" She questioned looking at her baby sister who was trying to control her. "We're on mid term break, now you eat your breakfast while I watch you." Habiba chuckled and shook his head. She knew no matter how angry mommy was, she still cared about their wellbeing. 

She brushed her teeth before She had her breakfast and took her medications. She took a warm bath and sauntered out. That time Adila had left the room. Her phone beeped, indicating a new message. 

'You know my heart has reached a stage. Where it can only go critical. The only cure is you being in my life, Because I love you so much! Good morning.’

A grin spread over Habiba's face, wide and open, showing her over-whitened teeth. In that moment, all her worries were almost cleared away with his text message. She was clearly in love with him. With true love you feel like the other is the reason your life is beautiful. It is when you're lost in those eyes, those thoughts and you think of them every moment. Loving someone the best feeling because when you feel low and you talk to them, all they say is, "It will be alright; I'm right beside you."

She dropped her phone on the dressing mirror and dressed up because he sent her another text message saying he was on his way to see her. She paused and winced when she felt a pain kicking in in her lower back. Serves her right for missing her pills last night. She sat down for few minutes before she finished getting ready. 

She stepped out of the room and headed downstairs. He was with her sister talking about something she had no idea of. "Adila!" She called out sternly. She gave her a pretty smile because she clearly knew what she did. "I was about to go call you, I swear." She said apologetically. Habiba glared at her and she disappeared. 

Habiba turned her gaze to her husband and smiled. She plumped down beside him. "Good morning, hope you slept well." He cooed and planted a soft kiss on her hand. "My mother is around," she whispered and pushed him away. He laughed a bit. She felt like sinking in her seat. She couldn't get over the fact that he was actually her husband. "Are we doing anything bad?" He whispered back and kissed her hand and her cheek. "Seriously you should stop kissing me," she spoke with a giggle. 

"Okay, how are you feeling? Have you eaten? Taken your drugs?" He asked, rubbing her hand gently. She exhaled feeling relieved. She beamed and nodded. "I'm feeling much better today," she retorted. He also nodded with a smile. She didn't want to bring the talk up because it was too early but she had to. 

"I thought we were going to live here in London. What about my work?" She dared to speak about it. He hesitated for few seconds before replying her. "Well.... yeah I thought so too then your father said you will get transferred to Nigeria. He prefer you stay there with me." 

She rolled her eyes, "and you agreed with him?" He shrugged her hands off. "How was I supposed to argue with your father? I can't do that," he spoke gently and poked her nose. He saw the glimpse of sadness in her eyes and she had nothing to say again. "I have a lovely family and I am sure they would love you," he said when she didn't speak again. She forced a smile and nodded. 

"Babe, listen to my words. I love you. That means I would defend you with my life even if the odds were insurmountable. It means I will comfort you in the difficult and painful times. It means I will dance and rejoice with you when times are good. It means I will never betray you, never give up on you. It means finding my fire when you, my loved one, is threatened, yet never waging war - only doing what is necessary for a noble defence. Love says I forgive you when you err. Love says though life may test me I am yours into eternity and I will never abandon you. It means I will never put you in danger no matter how noble the cause may be. Love means protecting the earth, protecting humanity, being kind to animals, but should anyone demand your life to save their own I will tell them to rot in hell. There can never be a higher calling to me than protecting and caring for those I love. Love is not a concept for sheep, for sheep run at the first sign of fear; it is a concept for lions, so be brave my love and know that I am here. We are in this together and I promise you, no one will hurt you and get away with it."

Habiba smiled and let the happiness soak right into her weak bones. Her smile was one of happiness growing, much as a spring flower opens. He could see how it came from deep inside to light her eyes and spread into every part of her. A person smiles with more than their mouth, and he heard it in her voice, in the choice of her words and the way she relaxed. It was beautiful. "I believe you, I believe every word that comes out of your mouth and I will follow you anywhere you take just as long as you'll be there with me." He beamed also and clasped their hands together. He kissed her soft hand yet again. "And I will never let you down, In sha Allah."

"Let me go get your breakfast," she informed him and stood up. The maid was setting the tray mommy ordered her to do when Habiba sauntered in. "This is for our guest?" She asked moving closer to the tray. The maid nodded, "yes ma'am." Habiba smiled and took the tray but she stopped her. "Please allow me to do it, ma'am. Your mother strictly warned me not to allow you to touch anything because you aren't feeling well." The maid spoke, her head ducked. Habiba sighed and ordered her to take it to the dinning room. 

She went back to the living room and took him to the dinning room. She served him and watched as he ate his breakfast. He looked up and their eyes met. "Something on my face?" He spoke jokingly. "Just can't help it that the famous pilot is my husband," she sighed dreamily. She gasped, embarrassed. She spoke out loud. He grabbed her hand before she could stand up and run. "You just stated a fact so why are you running away?" He asked giving her his heart warming smile. She blushed hard and looked away. 

After he was done eating they moved back to the living room. Few minutes after 1pm, he announced he was leaving because he had to start getting ready for their journey. She accompanied him to the door step. "When will I see you again?" She asked looking directly into his eyes. "Tomorrow, definitely." 

 She opened her mouth to talk but closed them. He urged her to speak. They stared back at each other for what seemed like hours until she finally dropped her gaze, "I have something special for you," her voice was quieter now, less sure. She looked back up at him; a gentle flush of pink had arisen in her cheeks that made her look vulnerable. He held his breath as she leaned up on the tips of her toes and tentatively pressed her soft lips to his. His head had gone hazy; his body became stagnant at the sensation of her lips against his. He loved kissing her. So sweet and silken it's enough to melt even the hardest hearted man. Just as he was going to lose his in that moment, she retreated, a look of discomfiture on her face. 

He let go of her waist and took a step back. "I will come see you tomorrow, In sha Allah. Take care of yourself." As he leant foreword her pulse raced.  A small lock of hair tumbled in front of her face, resting just in front of her cheek, but with one swift slide of his thumb, it was brushed out of the way. Looking into his eyes, she saw deep pools of honey like that displayed his soul. She thought he was going in for another kiss. His lips touched her cheek. Time stopped. Her heart came to a halt. Her breath caught in her throat. Their fingers locked together similar to puzzle pieces. As the soft skin of his mouth left the side of her face, the exact spot where they had come into contact burned and tingled. A hot blazing fire pulsed through her. A small grin crept onto her face and her cheeks painted themselves rose red. He pulled away silently, but their eyes locked, having a private conversation of their own.

She turned and entered the house. She looked back at him before finally closing the door.

Whenever she kisses him, his brain lits on fire and the warmth spread throughout his entire body. After that he was addicted, he couldn't bare not to be with her and he could barely breathe when she was around. Those kisses were his salvation and his torment. He lived for them and he would die with the memory of them on his lips. He dedicated his life to being with her from the moment of that first kiss they had in the hospital, for he knew that if he loses her, he would loose himself. She was the half that made him whole.

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Author's Note: Hi, I hope you're all doing well. And I hope you're enjoying my story. Can't wait to see what will happen when Maryam finds out that he's married now huh? 

Please do me a favor, log in and vote for my book for the contest I entered. May Allah Bless you, Ameen."