Sixteen

"But he Arfaat is not her father".Juwairiyyah said anger building up in her, and a lot of hatred for Arfaat building more and more in her. She held the baby so tight to her, letting her feel her warmness. She just couldn't help it, and tears rolled down her cheeks, as tears roll down juwairiyyah only shook her head in despair. Wishing she had never came across a being like Arfaat.

  Hajiya Azumi stood at the doorway, looking at them both and wondering what is really going on between them both. She walked passed Arfaat who still sat in a one sitter, doing nothing but thinking of the best way to bring Juwairiyyah back to him. 

"Let me have the baby Juwai". Hajiya Azumi said stretching her hands to the reach of juwairiyyah. "It seems like you guys have a lot to talk about, I'll take the baby with me so that you can talk peacefully. Am very sure something is wrong with the both of you."

      "No Hajiya, I have nothing to say to him. You can talk to him, as for me; I take my leave.” Snapped Juwairiyyah.

Arfaat still sat there, head buried in his hands, deep in thought, he kept thinking and thinking why he had to play the game this hard!. He could have just jilted her after the contract marraige ended. Or just accepted his baby, ofcourse yes! His baby! How stupid of him to deny his own flesh and blood.

     "Arfaat, can you please tell me what is happening here? I just can't seem to understand". Hajiya Azumi said, a line of concern drawn on her face.

"What is it you want to know hajiya? There is nothing wrong between us. She's still angry that I made her suffer during child birth."

        "Hmmmn!" Hajiya Azumi sighed deeply, deep inside she was smiling at the answer Arfaat gave her........"Arfaat, am 75, this year, am not a kid. I know perfectly well what is going on between you two. I've watched you both with keen interest for the past few days. Whatever it is going on between you two, we'll get to know it someday". And as soon as she ended her grammar, she stormed out of the room leaving Arfaat all alone, deep in thought.

*

      "Dan mama, you've made me happy son, am a grandma. O Allahna! Thank you for this blessing. Allah muku albarka (May God bless you)". Mai kunu said looking at Arfaat with lot of pride in her eyes.

Arfaat gave out a lazy smile and took in a deep breathe. He then looked up and see how happy his mother is. He could vividly remember how happy she was when she saw the baby few hours ago. How shattered will she be when she learns of what he did, denying his own flesh and blood!

          "Dan mama, is something wrong with you?" Mai kunu asked taping his shoulders with lots of concern......"you look worried, tell me please, what is disturbing you?"

"Its nothing mama". Arfaat said faking a smile....."am just exhausted, so much to do at the site and then the ups and downs to see Juwai and the baby."

"You are really trying son, am proud of you. God bless you" Mai kunu said.

"Amiin mamanah!, I love you a lot."

Clad in a red and blue boubou, Juwairiyyah looked beautiful__applied simple makeup and caked up her face.

Today is the naming ceremony, and the baby was named after after Hajiya Raliya__Juwairiyyah's mom.

   Alhamdulillah! The naming ceremony was fantastic as lots of people graced the occasion, with lots of love and happiness. And since then Arfaat has not set his eyes on both Juwairiyyah and his lil PRICELESS JEWEL RALIYA!

    Its been almost 3 months now, and raliya who is called MAAMA has grown to be a very beautiful baby, taking every little bit of Juwairiyyah’s appearance, and at that period of time, Arfaat had only seen her five times out of luck. And deep inside, he's loving and aching to be with Juwairiyyah the more!

To juwairiyyah, she had already made up her mind that the baby is hers alone, Arfaat has denied her being his daughter, then fine, She shall shoulder the responsibility of being a father and mother to the baby.

She always try her possible best to take good care of Maama day and night, not minding Hajiya Azumi's pestering na RASHIN KUNYA(Funny how I'll born a child and be shy of it). Juwairiyyah turned a deef ear to what her grandma says about the lot of caring she gives her baby.

     "O Allahna! Hajiya just go back to your room please". Juwairiyyah said one fateful morning......"I had a restless and sleepless night yesterday, I need to take a nap, totally not in the mood to listen to your ups and downs". Said Juwairiyyah lying heavily on her layed bed.

"Are you still going to sleep with her tight in your arms Juwai? Meyasa bakida kunya ne? (Why are you senseless?)"

      "Same lectures over and over again hajiya, just get out of my room please!". Juwairiyyah said almost shouting.

Hajiya Azumi shook her head and turned to leave the room....."yaran zamani sai a barku (kids of now adays), babu kunyan dan fari ko kadan? Something must be done. I'll have to do something.

"Spare me please, same and same lecture every single day! Haba give me a break."

She slept for almost five hours, a very heavy and deep sleep. And through out those hours, Maama didn't even cry.

       "Mamana, what is wrong? Are you that tired today?". Juwairiyyah said lifting Maama from her bed.

Her heart skipped a beat as she felt the baby's cold skin, so cold as if she was just brought out of a refrigerator. She shook the baby so hard but maama didn't even move.