" darling, you need to stop beating your brother like that"

" both mummy, he started it. "

" yes I know. Always be the bigger person, don't forget I had you first before your brother hussaini came after"

The little girl with grey eye pout. She just don't know why her mom always insisted on her to be the bigger person why not hussaini.

" stop pouting at me, young lady" her mother scolded

" sorry mommy "

" what is happening here, why is my baby girl looking so sad? " the father asked as he walk into the kitchen.

" don't mind your daughter ,she is too strong headed like you" the mother scowl

" princess what happened? "

" it hussaini th.....

They heard the sound of gun shot.

" hussaini?" shouted the mother in fear.

She ran out to get her four years old son into the house. As she got outside ,she saw her lifeless son on the ground covered with pool of blood .

" Ameera!...... Ameera .....ameera" Amir called out her name as she keeps shaking on the bed.

" call the doctor " he shouted at the nurse

The doctor rushed into the room to tend to ameera

" why is she shaking, doctor? "

" I think this was caused by the bad dream she might have had. But she is stable right now, she needs some rest. I assure you that your wife will wake up soon"

" thank you doctor "

The doctor nodded and left the room

Amir move forward to sit close to Ameera, he has been the one by her side for the past two months She had been in coma. He held her hand in his.

" love, please wake up for me. I miss seeing your beautiful smile,please wake up love"

Amir said pleadingly

He talks to her every single day since she fell into coma. He knew she won't here him but he doesn't care.

" please do this for our unborn kids. Don't be surprised , I found out that our kids were twins from the doctor . I was happy at the idea of having a two beautiful babies. " he smiled picturing his children in his mind.

" I want them to be two beautiful girls, that looks just like you. I want them to have your smile, beauty and kindness. They will be perfect, love" He kissed her hand.

He sighed " I know I have wronged you and I pray you can forgive me and accept me whole heartily . I love you, ameera"

Hajiya Bula stood by the door watching the affection her son was showering his wife with. She wish, Ameera will just wake up. The girl didn't deserve what she is going through. Ya Allah please let her wake up, she had prayed.

She walk fully into the room " son you need to get some rest. You look so disheveled"

Amir looked at his mom with a smile " mom, I've already told you that I'm OK. I want to be here when Ameera wakes up"

"That's what you keep saying son, but you still need to rest. Do you want Ameera to wake-up and see you looking like this? "

" but mom" he drawled out

" just go home and freshen up at least, I'll stay here with Ameera before you come back"

Amir wanted arguing but the look his mother shot at him shut him up

" if that's what you want. But what ever news you hear from the doctor please don't hesitate to call me, mom"

She smiled at her son" of course, I will. After all Ameera's parents called that they are on their way here"

" ok. See you later, mom" he kissed her forehead and then move towards Ameera's bed to also kiss her forehead.

***

I was finding it hard to open my eyes and my body felt so stiff. I try hard to open my eyes, I just couldn't. I felt heavy, I couldn't lift even my hands and legs.

" keep trying ameera" I heard someone's encouraging word.

" you can do this ameera" the voice said again

Ya Allah please help me. I tried opening my eyes this time around and it opened.

" she is awake" another voice shouted happily

" I think we should call the doctor"

I looked round the room and met eight familiar faces. My parents, Amir's parents my three brothers and Aisha . They were smiling at me and I wanted asking how I got here. I tried thinking of what happened and everything came rushing back to me. I was shot by samira

My babies

I quickly rubbed my belly and what surprises me is that, it was now pruding , for how long was I in the hospital? Cos last I remembered,my stomach wasn't as big as it is now.

" they are doing fine. The babies, I mean" my mom explain.

" for how long was I in hospital? " I asked

" two months "

Two what?!

" But how? "

" you fell into coma after the operation that was done on you. I know you have lots of questions to asked but in due time all will be answered "

Alhamdulilla

" OK mom" I look round the room again maybe I might find the face I wish to see. To my luck he wasn't here.

I think his mom saw my sad face coz she move forward to sit close to me " child, don't worry, Amir is on his way. He will be here very soo.....

" where is she?" the voice I've waited to hear finally came in in a rush

He rush into the room looking....what is that word again? Handsome. But I notice how he had loose weight.

Our eyes finally met, I felt the air left my breath. He is finally here

" Ameera"

His voice sound so hoarse and at the same time I love the amount of emotion he use to call my name.

"Amir"

I didn't know when I also whispered his name. The word just came out unexpected

I don't know what else to say, same with him. We were both lost into each other's eyes. I miss this man.

Don't forget that you're divorced, a voice from my head said.

How can I forget that?

I shift my eyes from his and shift it to my fingers as I pick on my nails.

I'm divorced after all. He called me a cheat and a whore . How can I forget all that.

He noticed my sad face coz he asked if "are you OK, ameera"

I didn't answer him back instead I kept picking on my nails. The others saw the tension in the air, so they all excused themselves to give us space.

Amir and I were finally left alone.

" I'm sorry"

I didn't answer him

" please Ameera look at me"

I still didn't answer him

" I'm sorry for calling you a cheat and so many other hateful words. I know i have hurt your feelings but I'm ready to go into any length so you could forgive me, Ameera. I was stupid to believe the text I kept receiving about you cheating on me. I didn't know what came over me "

I still didn't look up

" I know you might not want to here this but I'm ready to do anything to get you back. I was in the office that day when I received a text that you were in a restaurant with Faisal. I didn't want to believe it so I called you to asked if you were at home and you told me you are at home. I let the matter rest. But few minutes after the call a picture was sent to me by this unknown person and it was a picture of you and Faisal laughing in a restaurant. "

" I felt betrayed and cheated. I wasn't in myself that day and with all that was happening in the office at that time put more fire in me. I know I should have hear your own side of the story, I just accused you without thinking. That was the day my trust in you started to diminish, the final blow was when I saw you with Aminu at the restaurant. I thought you were also cheating on me with Aminu too after the conversation I heard you two saying. That was why I went home to see if I can at least find evidence that you were lying to me and that was how I found the diary"

" what conversation? " I finally talked. I was confused

" he was saying something about what had happened between you two and that he liked you then. I thought he was talking about the romantic time you guys might have shared when you were married to me. I felt jealous "

" you didn't even wait to here the end of the story, Amir. You just heard the part you wanted to hear and then you concluded your decision . How can you believe that I can cheat on you, Amir. I loved you so much"

" I know. I know I was stupid to believe that. I wasn't thinking. I was overwhelmed with all that was happening at that time in the office. I acted out of jealousy. I know it's not an excuse but please Ameera, find it in your heart to please forgive me"

I sigh " I don't even know what to say to you Amir. I need time to process all these. I don't know if I can trust you again after you denied my babies . You called them bastard" I angrily said

He looked like he wants to cry " please don't do this to us, please Ameera. I regret all that I have said to you and the babies. I know I'm not to be called a dad, I'm forever going to regret what I said. Please let me make it up to you and our unborn children. Please Ameera"

He held my hand as he cried out his shame. I felt pity for him but I still , I don't know if I can ever trust him again . What if something like that happens again and if that happens, I won't be able to bear the betrayal for the second time.

" what about the night of the divorce, where did you go to ?. I saw the picture and the text you sent to me. You were in bed with another woman"

" what text are you talking about? "he quickly rose up.

" you want to deny ever sending a text and a picture to me? "

" I swear it Ameera I didn't send any text and picture to you with a woman in bed. I vividly remember going out of the house, i went straight to a club. " he had said. He thought about it again and he click his finger

" I know remember. " he said

I waited for him to go on with the explanation

" I was in that club sipping my drink, non alcoholic actually. Few minutes later, Samira can into the club and she walk straight to join me . I swear I didn't call her, she just showed up unexpectedly. The next thing I know, she ordered a new drink for me, I didn't want to accept it but she told me she had something to say so I believed her and took the juice from her to hear what she wants to say. She apologized for all that she has done to us, she sound so sincere that I believed she was saying the truth. "

" I drank from the juice she ordered not knowing that she had drugged it when I wasn't looking"

" That witch" I whispered

" The next thing I know, I was unconscious. I woke up the next day only to find myself in an unknown bed . She took my phone when I was still asleep, I guess that was when she took the pictures and then sent the message to you. I should have known that she had bad intentions. But everything has come to an end coz she is now in jail for attempted murder "

"Really?"

" yes, she and her dad and the remaining accomplices are all arrested. I assure you that they will all rot in jail. "

" what about Faisal? "

Amir look at me before answering " I'm sorry I didn't believe you when you said you weren't cheating on me. Faisal surrendered him self to the police, he regrets all that he did to you. He also told me what happened on that faithfully day I saw you guys together. I'm sorry once again for not believing you"

" I'm also sorry for lying to you. If I had told you I was with Faisal, all this might not have happened. I only did that coz he begged to see me coz he had something important to tell me. You told me not to ever meet up with him ever again that was why I lied to you, I never wanted to cause any argument . But I guess I was wrong, I should have told you the truth. "

Ameera was in the sitting room when a call came through her phone. she picked it up to see who was calling and it turns out to be Faisal. She didn't want to pick the call but due to the numbers of time he kept calling she gave up and just pick it up.

" Faisal, I have told you times without number to stop calling my phone "

" please Ameera, I know you don't want to talk to me and I promise this will be the last time I call"

" it better be. Tell me what you want? "

" I'm dying, Ameera. Can you please meet up with me, please "

" what!!? Are you out of your mind? I'm a married woman if you haven't forgotten "

He sighed " I'm sorry, I just want to have a talk, please "

" what gave you the assurance that I'm going to meet up with you. It was because of you I had a little argument with Amir and I wouldn't want same to happened again"

" I'm sorry for all the trouble i might have caused. Please Ameera don't say no, agree to come. Please "

She thought about it for a while. Maybe if I go, he will stop disturbing me with all his calls, thought Ameera.

" OK fine. Just text the address of the restaurant to me"

" thank you Ameera, you'll never regret this. I'll send the address immediately " he sound so happy.

They ended the call. She was restless whether to call Amir and tell him about this or not. She knew if she call to tell Amir, he won't allow her to go. So she decided not to call him and prepare herself before Faisal calls her. She doesn't want Amir to come home and find out that she isn't around which was why she will make this meeting with Faisal short. She will tell him not to ever call her line again and that he should leave her alone.

The ding in her phone brought her out of her thoughts. It was the address of the restaurant sent by Faisal. She wore her hijab and took her hand bag from the chair . She didn't even apply any makeup, she just want to get it over with it. She wants to know what was so important that make Faisal beg for them to meet and also what he meant by, he is dying"

Anyways, I'll find out... She thought

She went out of the house and walk to the already waiting rickshaw man outside the building. He was her regular rickshaw man if she wants to go out.At one call ,he is already outside the house.

She told him where she was going and immediately he knew the place as it was a popular restaurant.

On reaching the restaurant, she search for the person she came to meet and immediately she sited him in the seat at the far end of the restaurant. Faisal hasn't noticed her yet.

" Good day faisal" she said as she reach the table. He replied her back and wanted drawing out her chair to sit but she stopped him and did that herself.

" I have no time for any chit chat Faisal. Tell me why I'm here. If you can also tell me what you mean by you're dying "

" thanks for coming Ameera and I really appreciate that. Firstly I want to apologize for whatever problems I might have caused you and Amir"

" just go straight to the point Faisal "

" OK. I have cancer"

" what!!!? " Ameera's eyes almost bulged out at what he uttered

" yes I know you're surprised. I know I have no right to disturb you with my problems, it just that I don't know who else to talk my problem with. You were the first person on my mind which was why I called. I just couldn't believe the news and I also don't want my mother to find out coz it will kill her. Especially now that my little sister is divorced and now she is leaving with mama and I'm sure you know about the 'cheating on her husband thing 'that happened to her. " I nodded, the news is all over .

"How will I face mama knowing that I have a disease in me that is killing every part of me each blessed day. You and your family are the closest to my family and among all your siblings it's you I'm more used to, ameera. "

Ameera felt pity for him . What pains her most was the fact that, now which supposed to be the time his mother begins to enjoy the fruits of her hard work since he is now through with school but it has to end up like this. Such is life

" please Faisal stop talking like this is the end of the world, don't forget that ya rubb listens to all our problems and I have faith that all this will come to an end. "

" I don't know what to do Ameera. The doctor also said that I have to bring a sum of twenty million naira for me to be operated on. How am I going to get that amount of money, the job I'm managing isn't going to cover that sum even for a year. I'm finished Ameera. "

" please stop talking like that. This isn't the end, please don't give up now. I will also help with the little I have don't forget that you have people who love you at home. Please don't do anything rash to yourself ,Faisal. I'll also advise you to tell Inna, I know she will be devastated with the news but it's better she finds out from your lips than from an outsider"

" I will try "

" please do and don't think of doing anything illegal just to get the money. I promise to help you"

" thanks for the kinds words Ameera. I told you this not because I need your money, I only did it because I want to share it with someone, it is killing me inside. " he sound so pained

" thanks for sharing. Please I'm begging you with God, don't do anything illegal just to get the money. Don't forget you have people around you that loves you . Even if you say you don't need my help, I still want to help. I will try all my possible best to raise a few millions "

" thank you Ameera for being so kind. Amir is really a lucky man, May Allah bless your home. "

" Ameen" she smiled unknown to her that a grey eye man was watching

" let me help you with your bag" Faisal offered

" no, you don't need to. I'm OK with it and moreover I need to be home as soon as possible " she said with a smile

Faisal smirk " just say you're eager to go meet your husband "

Amir fumed from where he was watching the two , thinking that they were both flirting and his wife was cheating on him.

" stop teasing " she said

she took her bag and together they went out of the restaurant . Each going their separate ways. Unknown to Ameera of what to come at home.

End of flash back

" please come home with me, Ameera. I promise to protect our marriage from now henceforth "

" that isn't going to happen Amir. I need time to think things over and I'm still finding it hard to trust you. Again, you've already divorced me how is it possible that I still can go back to you"

" I confide our situation with some Islamic scholars who now told me that you aren't fully divorce since I only said the word once. If I had said it trice, that makes you a divorcee. " he explained

" still, I don't think I'm ready to go back with you. I need space " she shrugged

He quickly knelt in front of her " please don't do this to me Ameera, I love you with all my heart. I promise, I'm a changed person"

" this isn't about you alone Amir. Its also about your trust in me . You don't trust me enough and what do you expect when their isn't trust in a marriage. How do you expect that marriage to last. I just don't want this issue we have to affect our unborn kids. "