The bright light he saw — tarr!! — shone directly on his face, making him shut his eyes again. At that moment, a sharp pain struck his head.
Mommy quickly moved closer, held his hand, smiling while wiping away her tears.
> “Dad, look, he’s awake.
I just saw him open his eyes now.”
Dad hurriedly stepped forward, gently touched his face, then quickly turned away saying,
> “Let me call the doctor. Alhamdulillah.”
Tender Care
Gently, he squeezed Mommy’s hand which was in his. She quickly placed her other hand on his head and asked,
> “Aslam, sorry… what do you want? How’s your body feeling?”
He took a deep breath and replied,
> “The light is too much for me.”
Mommy quickly stood up and dimmed the room’s lights.
> “I’ve reduced it,” she said.
Slowly, he reopened his eyes, heavy with weakness.
He saw Mommy’s smiling face looking at him.
He returned the smile and began trying to sit up.
She quickly helped him and placed a pillow behind his back for support. Once he was settled, she hugged him.
> “Congratulations, Son.”
Silence fell. Then he gently pulled her away and asked,
> “Mommy, so this isn’t a dream?”
She smiled, lightly pulled his cheek, and replied,
> “Not a dream, Groom of Huda.”
At that moment, Dad returned with the doctor following behind.
Doctor’s Examination
The doctor ran some quick tests and asked,
> “Where is the pain? How is your body feeling?”
He answered softly,
> “Nothing much… just a slight headache.”
The doctor wrote some notes, then told them he would be discharged after they signed the papers and bought his prescribed drugs.
> “There’s nothing serious wrong with him,” the doctor said.
“Like he said before, it was just shock that made him faint. But he’s okay now. May Allah protect him always.”
The doctor then left.
Dad’s Plea
Dad pulled a chair beside the bed, sat down, and spoke earnestly,
> “Aslam, I’m sorry… so sorry. I didn’t think this would hurt you this much. That’s why when Abba brought this suggestion, both we and the girl’s parents agreed. The marriage is already done! I’m begging you to control your emotions and not do anything that will hurt her. You see, the girl herself didn’t want this — this was our decision. Live in peace, and one day you’ll love each other. Please don’t do anything to shame us, especially in front of her grandfather. Honestly, I thought if they heard about the sudden change and the problem that came from Arshaad, they wouldn’t be happy. But they fully supported us instantly.
> I know Abba is like a father to you. Please be patient. See how he endured the embarrassment for my son’s sake and still arranged the marriage between his daughter and you! Don’t disgrace me, Aslam, please.”
Dad ended his words with his hands clasped in a pleading gesture.
Aslam quickly moved closer, held Dad’s hands, and lowered his gaze.
Silence filled the room.
Leaving the Hospital
Dad stood up and said,
> “Let’s go. Once we leave, Ado will stop to buy the drugs at the pharmacy.”
He walked out.
Aslam’s mind was elsewhere until Mommy touched his face, making him turn to her.
Before she could speak, he asked,
> “Where’s Arshaad?”
Mommy’s heart skipped a beat. She had completely forgotten about Arshaad since they arrived at the hospital — until Aslam mentioned him now. She exhaled slowly and replied,
> “He’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”
Aslam closed his eyes slowly.
Before he could speak again, Dad’s phone call interrupted.
Mommy answered,
> “Is there a problem? I see you’re not out yet,” Dad said.
“No, we’re on our way,” she replied.
She hung up, took Aslam’s hand, and helped him up. He followed her out.
On the way, the driver stopped to buy the drugs before heading home.
Returning Home
Everyone was deep in thought until they reached the house. Aslam went straight to his room, telling Mommy he needed to rest.
She simply replied,
> “Okay,”
and went upstairs with Dad.
In his room, Aslam performed ablution and began praying voluntary rak‘ahs.
Preparations to Bring the Bride
Meanwhile, Dad called “Daddy” and instructed him to tell Auwal Mom and Ummi to come with drivers and all the mansion’s cars to the estate gate so they could go pick up Aslam’s bride. He updated Grandpa via WhatsApp, and Grandpa said he’d get back to him later — but they should bring her to the estate when they’re ready.
Within twenty minutes, Mommy and Gwaggo Asabe were dressed and ready. They met Mom and her group outside the estate, and together they drove in convoy toward Gandun Albasa.
Earlier at 12:00 PM — Arshaad’s Turmoil
Since Dad and the others left, Arshaad couldn’t sit or stand still. Mammy still refused to let him leave. When he saw Auwal’s call, he ignored it — not wanting any trouble. All he could think of was how to convince Mammy to let him go. He needed to be there; he couldn’t be absent on the most important day of his life.
Suddenly, all three of his phones rang non-stop for over ten minutes. Checking them, he saw Jamil and other friends calling endlessly. His hands began to tremble and his heart raced.
He finally answered Jamil.
> “What happened, Arshaad?” Jamil asked urgently.
“Sorry, something important came up that stopped me from coming,” Arshaad replied.
> “Something important stopped you from marrying her? What do you mean?” Jamil asked in confusion.
“I don’t understand… our marriage hasn’t been done yet, right?” Arshaad asked.
Realizing Arshaad didn’t know, Jamil replied,
> “Come on! I knew it was hard to believe you’d give up Huda. Anyway, it’s done. She’s married now — not to you but to your brother Aslam.”
Shock and Breakdown
Diff! — Arshaad froze.
Jamil’s repeated “Hello? Hello?” went unanswered.
Mammy noticed his strange stillness and came closer.
> “Are you okay?” she asked.
He took a sharp breath, dropped his phone to the ground, shattering it. Mammy cupped his face, panicked.
> “Was there an accident? Talk to me, you’re scaring me!”
Breathing heavily in rage, he shouted,
> “This is what you wanted, right? Everyone destroyed and in pain — isn’t that what you wanted?!”
Mammy snapped back,
> “Hey! I’m your mother, don’t raise your voice at me—”
But before she could finish, he grabbed her shoulders with force, shaking her.
“Mother?! That’s the word you used to destroy my life forever! Kill me, Mammy, please — you’ve already killed me inside; now finish me off!”
He threw off his cap and robe, then punched the mirror on his wardrobe with full force, shattering it. Grabbing a stool, he smashed it further. Blood poured from his hand. He destroyed the centre table too.
Mammy, now frightened, tried to hug him from behind.
> “Calm down, you’re scaring me! Over a woman, you’re doing this?”
He pushed her away, eyes bloodshot and filled with tears.
> “Mammy, you’ve ruined me! I never thought this from you. What have I done to deserve this? I’ve only ever tried to make you happy and keep you safe.”
He stepped closer.
> “Let me remind you… the day you threw Mommy from upstairs, I saw you! I kept it secret so she could live happily. When I met Huda, I knew who her mother was and planned to talk to you — but instead, I heard everything you and Mom did to separate her from this house. I learned even darker truths I never imagined. And do you know what I did? I kept quiet! I ignored it all because I love you, Mammy. No one means more to me in this world. I’d do anything to see you safe and happy.”
Description
Awakening in the Hospital
Slowly, he began to open his eyes.
The bright light he saw — tarr!! — shone directly on his face, making him shut his eyes again. At that moment, a sharp pain struck his head.
Mommy quickly moved closer, held his hand, smiling while wiping away her tears.
> “Dad, look, he’s awake.
I just saw him open his eyes now.”
Dad hurriedly stepped forward, gently touched his face, then quickly turned away saying,
> “Let me call the doctor. Alhamdulillah.”
Tender Care
Gently, he squeezed Mommy’s hand which was in his. She quickly placed her other hand on his head and asked,
> “Aslam, sorry… what do you want? How’s your body feeling?”
He took a deep breath and replied,
> “The light is too much for me.”
Mommy quickly stood up and dimmed the room’s lights.
> “I’ve reduced it,” she said.
Slowly, he reopened his eyes, heavy with weakness.
He saw Mommy’s smiling face looking at him.
He returned the smile and began trying to sit up.
She quickly helped him and placed a pillow behind his back for support. Once he was settled, she hugged him.
> “Congratulations, Son.”
Silence fell. Then he gently pulled her away and asked,
> “Mommy, so this isn’t a dream?”
She smiled, lightly pulled his cheek, and replied,
> “Not a dream, Groom of Huda.”
At that moment, Dad returned with the doctor following behind.
Doctor’s Examination
The doctor ran some quick tests and asked,
> “Where is the pain? How is your body feeling?”
He answered softly,
> “Nothing much… just a slight headache.”
The doctor wrote some notes, then told them he would be discharged after they signed the papers and bought his prescribed drugs.
> “There’s nothing serious wrong with him,” the doctor said.
“Like he said before, it was just shock that made him faint. But he’s okay now. May Allah protect him always.”
The doctor then left.
Dad’s Plea
Dad pulled a chair beside the bed, sat down, and spoke earnestly,
> “Aslam, I’m sorry… so sorry. I didn’t think this would hurt you this much. That’s why when Abba brought this suggestion, both we and the girl’s parents agreed. The marriage is already done! I’m begging you to control your emotions and not do anything that will hurt her. You see, the girl herself didn’t want this — this was our decision. Live in peace, and one day you’ll love each other. Please don’t do anything to shame us, especially in front of her grandfather. Honestly, I thought if they heard about the sudden change and the problem that came from Arshaad, they wouldn’t be happy. But they fully supported us instantly.
> I know Abba is like a father to you. Please be patient. See how he endured the embarrassment for my son’s sake and still arranged the marriage between his daughter and you! Don’t disgrace me, Aslam, please.”
Dad ended his words with his hands clasped in a pleading gesture.
Aslam quickly moved closer, held Dad’s hands, and lowered his gaze.
Silence filled the room.
Leaving the Hospital
Dad stood up and said,
> “Let’s go. Once we leave, Ado will stop to buy the drugs at the pharmacy.”
He walked out.
Aslam’s mind was elsewhere until Mommy touched his face, making him turn to her.
Before she could speak, he asked,
> “Where’s Arshaad?”
Mommy’s heart skipped a beat. She had completely forgotten about Arshaad since they arrived at the hospital — until Aslam mentioned him now. She exhaled slowly and replied,
> “He’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”
Aslam closed his eyes slowly.
Before he could speak again, Dad’s phone call interrupted.
Mommy answered,
> “Is there a problem? I see you’re not out yet,” Dad said.
“No, we’re on our way,” she replied.
She hung up, took Aslam’s hand, and helped him up. He followed her out.
On the way, the driver stopped to buy the drugs before heading home.
Returning Home
Everyone was deep in thought until they reached the house. Aslam went straight to his room, telling Mommy he needed to rest.
She simply replied,
> “Okay,”
and went upstairs with Dad.
In his room, Aslam performed ablution and began praying voluntary rak‘ahs.
Preparations to Bring the Bride
Meanwhile, Dad called “Daddy” and instructed him to tell Auwal Mom and Ummi to come with drivers and all the mansion’s cars to the estate gate so they could go pick up Aslam’s bride. He updated Grandpa via WhatsApp, and Grandpa said he’d get back to him later — but they should bring her to the estate when they’re ready.
Within twenty minutes, Mommy and Gwaggo Asabe were dressed and ready. They met Mom and her group outside the estate, and together they drove in convoy toward Gandun Albasa.
Earlier at 12:00 PM — Arshaad’s Turmoil
Since Dad and the others left, Arshaad couldn’t sit or stand still. Mammy still refused to let him leave. When he saw Auwal’s call, he ignored it — not wanting any trouble. All he could think of was how to convince Mammy to let him go. He needed to be there; he couldn’t be absent on the most important day of his life.
Suddenly, all three of his phones rang non-stop for over ten minutes. Checking them, he saw Jamil and other friends calling endlessly. His hands began to tremble and his heart raced.
He finally answered Jamil.
> “What happened, Arshaad?” Jamil asked urgently.
“Sorry, something important came up that stopped me from coming,” Arshaad replied.
> “Something important stopped you from marrying her? What do you mean?” Jamil asked in confusion.
“I don’t understand… our marriage hasn’t been done yet, right?” Arshaad asked.
Realizing Arshaad didn’t know, Jamil replied,
> “Come on! I knew it was hard to believe you’d give up Huda. Anyway, it’s done. She’s married now — not to you but to your brother Aslam.”
Shock and Breakdown
Diff! — Arshaad froze.
Jamil’s repeated “Hello? Hello?” went unanswered.
Mammy noticed his strange stillness and came closer.
> “Are you okay?” she asked.
He took a sharp breath, dropped his phone to the ground, shattering it. Mammy cupped his face, panicked.
> “Was there an accident? Talk to me, you’re scaring me!”
Breathing heavily in rage, he shouted,
> “This is what you wanted, right? Everyone destroyed and in pain — isn’t that what you wanted?!”
Mammy snapped back,
> “Hey! I’m your mother, don’t raise your voice at me—”
But before she could finish, he grabbed her shoulders with force, shaking her.
“Mother?! That’s the word you used to destroy my life forever! Kill me, Mammy, please — you’ve already killed me inside; now finish me off!”
He threw off his cap and robe, then punched the mirror on his wardrobe with full force, shattering it. Grabbing a stool, he smashed it further. Blood poured from his hand. He destroyed the centre table too.
Mammy, now frightened, tried to hug him from behind.
> “Calm down, you’re scaring me! Over a woman, you’re doing this?”
He pushed her away, eyes bloodshot and filled with tears.
> “Mammy, you’ve ruined me! I never thought this from you. What have I done to deserve this? I’ve only ever tried to make you happy and keep you safe.”
He stepped closer.
> “Let me remind you… the day you threw Mommy from upstairs, I saw you! I kept it secret so she could live happily. When I met Huda, I knew who her mother was and planned to talk to you — but instead, I heard everything you and Mom did to separate her from this house. I learned even darker truths I never imagined. And do you know what I did? I kept quiet! I ignored it all because I love you, Mammy. No one means more to me in this world. I’d do anything to see you safe and happy.”