Chapter 2 (part one)

He walked over to his car calmly and drove out of the building. He drove in completely silence as he thought of a possible way to console his heart from what he was going through about Amira. He knew he wasn’t in love with her right from day one but he thought that feeling would change when they get to know each other more after their wedding and she will prove the love she has been claiming for him. But things weren’t going as he thought.

Things were getting worse day by day. He always tried to avoid it from disturbing him but it was avail. He tapped on the steering wheel tiredly and sighed. He parked the car in front of the black ironed gate and stepped out. He received a call earlier from Amira’s father that he wanted to see him. He walked directly to his living room. “Salamu alaikum,” he muttered as he entered the living room. Daddy looked up and responded to his greetings.

“Muhsin, sorry I called you in such short notice. I am so worried about my friend and the driver is out with Amira and her mom,” he muttered. “No problem, daddy. I’m always here to help,” he responded politely. “We should get going right? Let me get the car keys.” Daddy excused himself and headed to his room.

Muhsin went back outside and drove his car in to the parking space before daddy came back. He waited patiently for his father in law to step out so they could leave. They set the road to Kuje when daddy finally came out. On their way there, daddy kept apologising and consoling him about Amira. He knew clearly how she was and what happens between her and muhsin.

They arrived shortly at the village and daddy directed him to Ja’afaar’s house.

He found a good spot and parked the car by the house. Daddy stepped out and sent a boy into the house to announce his arrival. They were ushered in by ja’afaar’s brother. “Salamu alaikum,” daddy muttered as they entered the house. He met his sick friend lain on the weaved mat. “SubhanAllah, ja’afaar? How are you feeling? Why didn't you tell me you were sick since last week, I could have visited you on that day.” He turned his head to Ja’afaar’s brother, “please help me carry him, we’re taking him to the hospital right now.”

He did as he was told and they rushed him to a better hospital in Abuja. He was immediately taken to the A & E for immediate check up. His wife seated beside her daughter as she tried to console her daughter to stop the tears.

Muhsin scanned their faces and shook his head. Their sight really touched his heart. He can't imagine something like that happening to him or anyone. Losing a father is something huge and distressing.

“You should not worry, Dalia. In sha Allah your father will be up on his feet again, your prayers is all he needs,” daddy soothed. She looked up at daddy and smiled a little. She wanted to thank him but the words has long disappeared. They waited for about forty five minutes before the doctor finally came out and summoned for daddy only. He didn't know how to start telling his wife about her husband’s condition.

Daddy settled down in the doctor’s office, ready to here something positive about his dear friend. The doctor sighed, unable to think of a way to start speaking. “Well, alhaji.... Your brother’s condition is actually bad. His blood sugar level is so high that it harmed his kidneys....”

“Wait doctor I don't understand what you're saying,” daddy cuts him off, perplexed. He could remember the time ja’afaar told him he was diagnosed with diabetes. Over fifteen years now. “Diabetes can harm the kidneys by causing damage to the blood vessels inside your kidneys. The filtering units of the kidneys are filled with tiny blood vessels. Over time, high sugar levels in the blood can cause these vessels to become narrow and clogged. And for your brother, we noticed that he's not cautious about his drugs or what he eats that it reached to this level.”

Daddy was silent for a while. “But is the situation really bad?” Daddy questioned. “His kidneys are damaged. He will be under treatment for two weeks to see how things will go,” the doctor explained. “Can we see him now?” Daddy asked. The doctor shook his head, “he is not completely stable yet.” He thanked him before heading out.

Ja’afaar’s wife scrambled up and walked over to daddy. “How is he please? Can we go see him now?” She asked as her voice shook with fear. “We can't go see him now because they're not done, Amina. He will be under treatment for two weeks now to see how things will go. Your prayers is all he needs, but in sha Allah he will be fine,” he consoled. She slowly nodded even though she wasn't convinced. “As soon as they're done, they will inform us. I want to go pay the bills now,” he excused himself. Amina looked at his retreating back as the tears she has been holding came rushing down. What would have happened to her husband if not because of this man? Forever grateful they would be.

After ja’afaar was wheeled out of the A & E, they changed his room to a private one. Daddy asked Muhsin to take Dalia home to get whaever they'd need for their stay at the hospital. He did as he was told and they set the road to Kuje. No matter how he tried to console her, it was avail. He couldn't describe her pain but he knew she was in deep sorrow.

They went back to the hospital afterwards. Daddy was still there with them. They bought all the necessities before leaving the hospital with a promise they'd be back tomorrow.

Muhsin went back home later in the night. Amira was on the sofa watching her movies, as usual. She looked up and smiled. “You're back. Daddy told me you have been together since in the afternoon,” she spoke and turned her attention back to the TV. He sighed and settled down on the two seater while she was on the three sitter. He was very hungry and he knew asking for food was a waste of time and stressful.

“You could not believe what happened today,” he started. Having a conversation with his wife would hurt. That’s if she actually pays attention to him. She looked at him smiling, “what, babe?” She asked as if she was going to listen to him. “We took daddy’s friend to the hospital. The sight of his family really broke my heart. Only Allah knows what they're going through....” He paused when he realized her attention was far away from him. He hissed softly and stood up. He left her there and headed up the stairs to his room.