Emotional update.....thanks for the update

jenifer007:
Emotional update.....thanks for the update

You're welcome, sis.

Ann2012:
Wishing Khayrah quick recovery

Thanks for the update

You're welcome, sis.

Her Last Breath (Episode Twenty-Four)
My gaze shifted momentarily from the window to the doorway. I swallowed painfully and tried to remember what had led me to the hospital. I could spot Taofeek wearing a forlorn look as he folded his hands across his chest and lowered his head. My mother cried on my father’s arms and Fadilah rested her back to the wall, bawling her eyes out.

No way! It couldn’t be what I was thinking…well, what else could it be? What else would land me in a hospital and make my loved ones look despondent in front of the room?

I tried to sit upright and patiently remember all that had happened…but I couldn’t. There were a series of pipes connected to my nostrils and my back felt like they were paralysed. No! This couldn’t be happening! I couldn’t be here, fighting for my life!

I furrowed my brows as I gazed at my family members. They all wore hopeless faces, which made it obvious that something bad had happened. But what could have happened? Was I counting my last breath?

My head throbbed in pain as I willed myself to remember what had happened before I fell unconscious. I remembered reading Mama Kawthar’s message and preparing to pay her a visit. I remembered discussing with Aliyah and sharing my life story. Then, I had felt dizzy…and…

“Khayrah is awake!” Taofeek’s resounding voice filled the room as he hurried inside, along with others.

Taofeek was a shadow of himself. His damp shirt reeked of bad perspiration and his eyes looked red and swollen. I wondered how long I had been in the hospital and how he had fared when I was away.

“AlhamduliLlaah. You’re awake,” he muttered as he held my right hand and started to shed tears.

My mom placed a hand on my forehead as she wailed loudly. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“You shouldn’t say negative words in front of Khayrah. She will be fine, in sha ALlaah,” My dad, who rested his back to the wall, stated. He had said such with a confident tone but his face depicted the opposite.

He lowered his head and it was obvious that he hadn’t meant what he said.

I trailed my eyes around and spotted Fadilah and Aliyah standing beside the door. Their eyes were red and puffy and it was evident that they had also been crying.

Tears filled my eyes to the brim as I screamed in despair. “What happened? Why am I here?”

They all lowered their eyes as I gazed at them, searching for answers.

“Why am I here?” I bellowed at them, snatching the bedsheet away from my body in fury and attempting to pull the needle away.

“Please, calm down Khayrah. You fell unconscious. You were rushed to the hospital. Everything is fine, my love.” Taofeek remarked as he tried to hold my hand.

“No. Everything isn’t fine. You can’t tell me everything is fine while you all look this way. What happened?!” I yelled at them.

A petite-looking nurse who wore a red wig came in that second with a nervous face. She flung the red-coloured file on the shelf and hurried to the bed stand.

“How are you doing?”

“I need to know what really happened!” I screamed in fury.

The fair-complexioned nurse widened her eyes in shock as she stared at me. She glanced at others and instructed them to leave the room.

“I’ll call you in a few minutes.” She stated as she shut the door behind them.

“I’m glad you’re awake, Khayrah. How are you feeling?”

The petite nurse, whom I would later know as Nurse Eniola, was a pretty nurse who had a large scar on my forehead. I studied her and wondered about the kind of life she was living. Well, she was lucky. Really lucky. She didn’t have to count her last days.

“I feel like someone who knows that she will be dying soon,” I said, turning my head sideways and shifting my gaze reflectively to nothing in particular.

I recalled my childhood and how I had envisioned my life when I grow up. I wanted to become a TV presenter and radio host. I wanted to get married to the love of my life. I wanted to have at least five children. I wanted to live for a hundred and five years. I never imagined that I would be striving hard to survive while still in my twenties. I never thought I would face any challenge while growing up. My wealthy parents could provide me with all I needed. Who could have thought that I would be battling with a sickness that money couldn’t solve?

“I want you to remain strong and determined. You have a loving husband and a caring family. They are here to support you while you fight for your life…”

“I have remained strong for long. I am tired of remaining strong. For how long will I keep managing this? I’m so tired,” I said as I sobbed on the pillow. Tears stung my eyes as I felt the wetness of the pillow.

Why does the hospital have to be my second home? Why can’t I be like Fadilah or Aliyah…or Mama Kawthar…or other healthy people who strive for other things in life- good job, money, successful marriage, righteous children… All I wished was just to be healthy and alive. That was all I wished for!

“I’m sorry, Khayrah. Should I place you on sedative? Maybe you need to sleep…”

“I don’t need to sleep. I need to leave this antiseptic-ridden hospital and go home. I need to be in the arms of my husband and listen to him praise me with loving words. I need to be strong and healthy to take care of my unborn child. I just need to leave here.”

“I …” the nurse was saying when I cut her off.

“What happened? What is my fate?”

“I’ll call your husband to break the news. Just a minute, Khayrah.” She said and walked out of the room.

Footsteps approached the bed some seconds later and I was certain that it was Taofeek. He kissed my left cheek and took a seat beside me, holding my hand and staring at me with a look of concern.

“I acted like a beast. I know that. I’m sorry.”

Taofeek chuckled as his gaze travelled over my face. “No, you didn’t. We all understand why you acted that way. I would do worse if I were in your shoes. You’ve tried, my love. You’ve fought hard for years. You are the strongest woman I’ve ever met.”

I smiled as I stared at him lovingly. “You look horrible. When last did you have a bath?”

Taofeek laughed. “It doesn’t matter, does it? The person I try to look handsome and ravishing for was lying unconscious? Why did I have to bath?”

I rolled my eyes. “Now, I’m awake. You should go home and shower. And eat too. I know you haven’t been eating.”

I searched his eyes and noticed that I was right. “My love, you have to be fine for me. I mean, we can’t both look horrible. If I look horrible and you do, we’ll be tagged as the horrible couple,” I said, laughing.

Taofeek’s face flickered with a smile as he stared at me. “Gosh! I love you, Khayrah. I wish all these weren’t happening.”

“What is my fate? Am I going to die soon? Our baby…can we still have it?”

Taofeek lowered his face and I noticed a teardrop from his eyes. “Tell me. You said I’m the strongest woman right? Tell me, Taofeek. There is nothing I can’t handle.”

“We lost the baby,” he sobbed as he held my hand tighter.

My mind was a whirl of confusion. I could feel my heart juddering in my chest. My child…my baby…my hope…

I tried to utter some words but my lips only shivered. Tears filled my eyes as I tried to fight away the picture of the fetus that I had imagined. It felt like my world was over and I was on a different planet, trying to find my way around. My hands trembled as I thought about everything- my dream of holding my child and watching her grow. I had imagined wearing a blue and black lace blouse and wrapper just like Ridwan’s wife, greeting the guests with a cheerful face as they storm into my naming ceremony. It was all over. Everything was over.

“That’s not all,” Taofeek said, blowing his nose.

I glared at him and wondered what could be worse than knowing my child was gone. What could be worse than knowing that you’ve lost someone you’ve spent all your life dreaming about?

“You have…you…” he cleared his throat. “You have just a few months to live.”
***
What could be worse than knowing that you are counting your last breaths? How do you think you’ll feel if someone told you that you have just a few weeks to live?

I had just woken up from my ten-hour sleep- as Taofeek revealed- and I wondered how I had reacted when he broke the news. I had been placed on sedative as the doctor believed that was the best way to calm me down.

I had just completed my zuhr prayer when my family members stormed into the room. Taofeek had earlier informed me that he would be leaving for home with Aliyah so that they could eat and have a change of cloth.

My mom had not been able to act composed when she came into the room this morning. She bawled her eyes out and had to leave the room in tears. Now, as I watched my family members enter the room, I was grateful that she looked more composed.

“My lovely daughter,” My dad sang as he smiled at me.

I smiled in return. “You remember the promise you made some years back?”

My dad’s forehead wrinkled in confusion. “What promise?”

“You made the promise when I was diagnosed with cancer. You said ‘Don’t worry, Khayrah. I will ensure that you survive this and get better…even if it means buying you the whole world. I have the money. I will take you to the best hospitals and ensure that you get the best of treatments. I promise you this, Khayrah.”’ I said, laughing.

“What I’ve come to learn is that one of ALlaah’s blessings, good health, is a great gift that money cannot buy or replace. This trial has taught me to appreciate every single second and to thank ALlaah for his numerous blessings that we take for granted. I have learnt to see this world as being ephemeral because our time here is limited. I have learnt to choose happiness over material things. To love and cherish my family and appreciate every moment I share with them. To work towards my akhira and seek the favour of ALlaah. Dad, mom, Fadilah, this life is worthless, so utilise every single moment in making a mark and impacting on the lives of people.”

Fadilah cleaned her eyes with the sleeve of her blouse as she smiled at me. “My sister is brilliant. Wow! Such powerful words.”

“We love you,” My mom cried as she pulled me into a hug.

“I know that. I’ll never forget that.” I muttered as I smiled in relief.
***
“You broke up with Moshood? Why?” I gasped in surprise as I searched Fadilah’s face to be sure that she wasn’t joking.

Our parents had taken an excuse to meet the doctor and Fadilah had decided to fill me in with the latest updates.

“Things weren’t just working out. He has travelled for his Ph.D. It seems that he found another lady there.”

I rolled my eyes. “What if you’re just assuming?”

“He posted their pictures on his Instagram page. He called her butterfly. That’s my pet name. Look, Khayrah. I’ve done my findings. I’m following the lady’s account. She posts his pictures on a daily basis. Her captions are always love emojis. I further confirmed from Moshood’s friend, Yinka. He told me they are always together.”

“This is unbelievable. Have you confronted Moshood about it?”

“Of course! He denied it. We hardly talk, sis. Sometimes, twice a week. The connection was no longer there.”

“I’m sorry about that. You’ll find someone better, in sha ALlaah.”

“Like Taofeek.” Fadilah grinned as Taofeek entered the room, holding a large bag.

“I have great news,” his face loomed above me.

“What?”

“You’ll be discharged tomorrow. I also got a hold of your phone. You have loads of missed calls. Janet called to inform me that she’s on her way….and the estate women filled the compound immediately I arrived. I don’t know how they noticed me in just a few minutes,” Taofeek laughed. “They’re expecting to see you tomorrow.”

I laughed. “How can we enter that estate without being noticed? Maybe we’ll hire an uber with tinted glasses.”

“Perfect solution!” Taofeek laughed as he sat beside me.

“I was just telling Khayrah that I want a husband like you.” Fadilah said as she got up from the chair.

“Ah, don’t wish for someone like me. Khayrah knows I’m a case.” Taofeek chuckled.

“Whatever. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone because I know you want to kiss,” Fadilah winked at us as she closed the door.

“How did she know that? Gosh…I’ve missed your lips.” Taofeek smiled as kissed me deeply. “We’ll get through this. You and I. We will, my love.”

“By spending just a few months together?”

“We’ll make it our best. We’ll make it months that will be never forgotten in the history of time. We’ll spend every second showing each other love and affection. And I know for sure that you’ll stay longer than that,” he grinned as he pulled me into another passionate kiss.

Wow....I enjoyed every bit of the update....Thank you mareeam.

jenifer007:
Wow....I enjoyed every bit of the update....Thank you mareeam.

You're welcome, Jenifer.

So touching, well done Op and thanks for the update.

Adeola25:
So touching, well done Op and thanks for the update.

You're welcome.

Touching

Well done ma'am

Ann2012:
Touching

Well done ma'am

Thank you, sis.

Episode Twenty-Five
Taofeek
I opened my sleepy eyes to catch sight of Khayrah smiling at me with a trail of amusement passed across her face. I smiled in return and gazed at her, willing for such a moment to last forever.

That was our daily routine. Returning to sleep after praying subh and supplicating, then waking up to stare at each other’s faces for almost an hour. As Khayrah counted her last breath, I was starting to appreciate several qualities about my wife…qualities I had ignored in the past.

They say you know the importance of a thing after losing it. I appreciated Khayrah more than ever. I wished that I had spent every second of my time with her, showing how much I love and care about her. I wished that I had performed better in the past. But it wasn’t too late. Upon receiving the news of Khayrah’s limited time on earth, I resigned from my place of work and decided to be by Khayrah’s side until she breathes her last.

“Are we going to keep doing this every day?” Khayrah chuckled as she trailed a finger across my chest.

“Every single day, my love,” I said as I sat down and sighed deeply.

Khayrah followed the same course. She rested her head on my chest and held my hand. “What are you thinking about? The time you would wake up to notice my absence?”


“No. I’m just bothered about the way I had treated you in the past. I remembered the day I watched you walk out of my office in despair. I wished I had run after you and professed my love for you,” I said with misty eyes.

Khayrah’s chuckle sent warm tickles to my bare chest. “You shouldn’t. Afterwards, you sent me a message and professed your love for me…”

“But that was after I had watched you leave the office with a tear-filled face. I was scared of losing you. I believed getting married to you and watching you die will break my heart. And you are the first woman that I’ve loved sincerely. I had broken hearts. I was scared that mine would also be shattered into pieces when you die…” I was saying in tears when Khayrah put her arms around me.

“Shh. Don’t say that. I should be the one to blame. I made you fall in love with me. I lied to you. I didn’t disclose my health condition before the start of our relationship.”

“You know, Khayrah. I feel your condition is a punishment for the atrocities I had committed in the past...” I was saying when she continued.

“I’m also at fault for walking out on you that day. When you revealed your past, I felt we couldn’t continue with the relationship. I walked out on you and told you we couldn’t get married. I had forgotten that my case was worse. That I had cancer.”

My forehead creased with a frown as I stared around the room- the milk-coloured wardrobe, a white sofa that rested by the wall, the lilac curtains that billowed in the breeze. Khayrah, who was a fan of white colour, had carefully selected the theme for our room. I gazed at the room Khayrah and I had shared and wondered if I could remain there after everything becomes over- after she leaves the world.

“Let’s stop blaming ourselves with events that happened in the past. We should dwell on the present. Speaking of the present, are you prepared for our trip to the beach resort?”

Khayrah’s face beamed in excitement as she sprang up from the bed. “We’ve packed our bags and informed the cab driver to pick us up before 5:00 pm. Anything else?” she asked, staring at our luggage was that stationed beside the wardrobe.

I laughed loudly. “I mean, are you mentally prepared?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? I am mentally prepared. It would be fun, my love.” Khayrah yelled as she hurried to the wardrobe.

Since we decided to spend our days together, we wrote down daily plans about fruitful things to engage in before the end of the day- such as making noodles and egg for breakfast, watching romantic comedies until late at night, binge-watching our favourite series along with a bowl of popcorn and soda drinks. We had also decided to visit a beach resort and spend some intimate time together.

Khayrah had suggested that we travel to Zanzibar, Tanzania, but the doctor was insistent that we remained closer. We opted for a lovely adventurous place in Lagos- Le Champagne Tropicanna.

“What are you looking for?”

Khayrah frowned as she searched her closet furiously. “Sexier pieces of clothing. I doubt the ones I have in the luggage.”

I gave a staccato of laughter. “We can always stop by a shop on our way there to purchase sexier outfits. And who says those clothes in the luggage isn’t hot?”

I was saying when a honk was heard outside the gate. “We aren’t expecting anyone.”

Khayrah gave a sly grin. “Well, I am. It’s a surprise!”

“What kind of surprise?”

“A surprise breakfast. Love is strengthened when couples surprise each other. Someone would deliver breakfast we would never forget. One minute!” Khayrah said in excitement as she grabbed her hijab. “I’ll be back.”

I smiled as I watched her leave and imagined how wonderful our stay at the beach resort would turn out. My phone chimed with new notification and I grabbed it from the bed stand. The notification was from Facebook.

‘You and Khayrah Raqeeb became friends 1 year ago….’

I grinned widely as I stared at the screen and recalled how I had met my soulmate through Facebook. Who could have thought that I would meet my future wife on such a platform?

“Come over to the living room, my love. There’s a surprise here!” Khayrah yelled from the living room.

“Okay,” I sprang up from the bed and was walking towards the door when a white sheet paper caught my eyes. Some words had been scribbled and it was obvious that it was Khayrah’s handwriting.

Taking hold of the paper, I sighed deeply and started to read.

‘I’m not a fan of diaries…will never be one. But I have to write this down. My greatest accomplishment. You see, when I was healthy, I thought I would find love and get admirers like my sister. I thought my prince charming would sweep me off my feet and shower me with a bouquet of red roses. But it didn’t happen. Guess what? It happened when I had cancer! Yes, when I became terminally ill, I found my prince charming. Tall, dark, crazily handsome, religious, intelligent…I found my prince charming when I became sick. Wow! That’s my greatest accomplishment.’

“When are you coming? The food will get cold oo!” She called from the living room.

“Give me a second,” I yelled in return as I carefully placed the sheet where I had met it and walked out of the room.
***
The surprise breakfast was a delight. Khayrah had placed a large tray on the rug and in it contained several delicacies of food. Coconut rice, spaghetti, fish sauce, fruit juice, coffee, pear, watermelon…just name it.

I stared at Khayrah and the large tray that glittered with sumptuous meals in admiration. “How did you manage to plan all these?”

A flicker of amusement passed across her face. “Don’t ask questions. Sit down and start digging.”

“Right,” I muttered as I sat at the other end of the tray and served my meal into a plate. “But we can’t even finish half of this.”

“Shh.” She placed a finger across her lips and I smiled in return, eating silently and savouring the taste of the meal.

Khayrah and I ate in silence and I wished that it would last forever. We, sitting side by side and eating together. I wished that we could live together…but that was impossible.

A bang on our gate drifted me back to reality. Khayrah and I exchanged looks as we wondered who would be knocking.

“I’m guessing it would be the estate’s women,” Khayrah said as she stood up.

“Did they inform you about visiting?”

“No, but I guessed right. I knew we’d have someone to complete our breakfast,” she laughed and I joined.

“I’ll go and take my bath. We never can tell when they’ll leave,” I stated.

“I’ll explain to them that we have to leave soon,” Khayrah replied as she opened the entrance door.
***
“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Adewale,” the petite receptionist smiled at us as we entered the building.

“Thank you,” we grinned cheerfully as we approached the counter hand in hand.

“John will show you to your room. Have a nice honeymoon,” the lady smiled at us.

Khayrah stifled a snort of laughter. “Honeymoon? Anyway, thank you.” She said as we tailed the tall man that led to our house.

Thanking him and surveying the 5-star room that looked exquisite, Khayrah jumped on the bed and grinned in excitement. “This is so lovely. This will be fun.”

I placed the luggage beside the bed and pulled off my shirt. “More fun than you can ever imagine. You and I alone,” I winked at her as I opened the luggage. “Maybe we should switch off our phones during this period. We don’t want anything to distract us. What do you think?” I asked as I selected a simple t-shirt to wear.

Whipping my head to check why Khayrah hadn’t responded to my question, I was shocked to see her looking dazedly up at my face with my phone in her hand. “Who is Funke?”

“I...” I was saying when she cut me off.

“Who is she and what is this I’m reading?” Khayrah’s face flamed as she read the message that popped up on my screen.

‘I heard your wife will be dying soon. I know you’ll want to get married again. I’m still single and available.’ –Funke.

I cleared my throat and walked over to the bed to sit beside her. Tears stung her eyes as she tried to avoid my gaze.

“Do you trust me?” I asked, pulling her face to mine and watching as the tears started to flow freely down her cheeks. “My love, do you trust me?”

“I do,” she replied as she hugged me and cried in my arms.

We remained in the same position for minutes, wondering what life had in store for us and when our marriage will end. I wished our moment together could last forever…but it wouldn’t.

Khayrah blew her nose as she pulled away from me. Surprisingly, her face flickered with a smile. “Let’s go shower.”

“Okay,” I stated as I grabbed the towels on the bed and handed one to her.

Nice update mareeam....well done

jenifer007:
Nice update mareeam....well done

Thank you!

mareeam802:


Thank you!

Thanks for the update, God bless you more.

Funke!!! Be very careful oooo

Thanks for the update ma'am

daddio:


Thanks for the update, God bless you more.

Aameen. Thanks for reading!

Ann2012:
Funke!!! Be very careful oooo

Thanks for the update ma'am

You're welcome, sis.

Her Last Breath (Episode Twenty-Six)
Khayrah
“What do you want to become when you grow older?” I smiled at Hussein as I held his little hands and watched his bright face lit in excitement.

The air was crisp and clean, the type that gives a cooling sensation to one’s skin. I glanced at the clouds and noticed the sight of brown smoke forming a spherical shape.

“I want to be a medical doctor. My English teacher told me that doctors save lives. I want to save lives, Aunty Khayrah,” Hussein explained as he grinned at me.

I stared at his lovely eyes and noticed that his face had similar features with his father, Taofeek. It was a pity that I never found the chance to spend time with Taofeek’s children. Hussein was a bit shorter than his brother and he had his mother’s complexion- dark skin like the colour of chocolate. Hussein was the cheerful and friendly one with a bright face and a captivating smile. While Hassan loved to hang around his mother with traces of fear and anxiety in his eyes, Hussein was the free-spirited brother who would strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Comparing Taofeek’s sons, I likened them to me and Fadilah while we were still young. Was Fadilah the free-spirited daughter while I was the introverted and shy one?

“Aunty Khayrah, is it not a good profession? Should I become a doctor?” he asked, drifting me away from my thoughts.

A drop of tears trickled down my face as I stared at him in admiration. “You can become whatever you want to be, Hussein. You can become anything.”

I remembered when I was much younger than Hussein and had written composition about what I would become when I grow up. A nurse! Haha! I wanted to become a nurse. But I took a different career path before enrolling in the university and ended up doing nothing. When sickness hits hard, you would forget about becoming anything. You would have no craving to become one of the most admirable women or to top the list as one of the most notable Africans making a mark in the world. Nothing would matter except breathing. Your biggest dream would be to see another day, knowing full well that you hadn’t breathed your last the night before. You would realize that health is what matters the most- not wealth, fame, beauty or brain. You would realize that waking up every day feeling healthy and revived is the greatest gift.

But…would you tell this to a seven-year-old boy who has great expectations about the future and who would have no idea what it meant to count one’s last breath? No, you won’t. Yes, you would feign a smile and make him picture a bright future ahead of him.

Hussein stood up from my laps and hurried towards the door. “My brother will be looking for me. Our mummy wants to read animal stories for us. I’ll come back when we are done.”

“Okay, Hussein,” I smiled at him and glanced around the compound, noting the well-trimmed flowers and green grasses that shone brighter than ever. Why hadn’t I spent more time in the balcony, appreciating the beauty of nature and doing other great things while they last? Why hadn’t I spend every second of my life, doing things that matter the most?

Inhaling the clean air and watching the palm tree leaves flutter with the movement of the wind, I recalled what the doctor had said. The statement that had lingered in my heart for months and made me experience sleepless nights.

‘Khayrah, you have two months to live,’ he had said.

Two months? Just two months? Was I now a time bomb, waiting for the moment to explode? Did everyone see me like that too? Was I going insane?

I cleaned the flood of tears that filled my ears and stood from the chair. I walked around the balcony and imagined what it felt like to breathe one’s last. I wondered if ALlaah was pleased with me. I wondered how I would fare alone in the grave. Just me. Not with Taofeek or mom or dad. Alone. In the dark. Knowing I’m left to face my deeds.

“Khayrah…Khayrah, your food is getting cold,” Funmilayo stated as she stepped into the balcony.

“Thank you, Funmi. I would be there in a minute,” I forced a smile as I noted her eyes travelling questioningly over my wet face.

“Are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine, Funmi. I just need to be alone.”

Funmilayo gave an understanding nod. “Okay. I’ll be waiting for you.”

I had called all family members- Mom, Dad, Fadilah, Hafsah, Taofeek’s father, Aliyah, Lukman, Jalil, Funmilayo and her children…everyone close to me for a small get-together. I knew they understood what it meant. That I might be inviting everyone to see their faces for the last time. That I might soon breathe my last. If they had thought so, they were right. I was a time bomb and I knew I would soon explode.
***
“Remember when Khayrah fought that bully that grabbed her biscuit?” My mother gave a throaty laugh as she sipped from her cup of kunu.

It was a full house. Everyone was present. Every single one. I sat on the sofa and stared at them with a heart filled with happiness. My support system was all here. All of them!

“I hugged and told her that she has made me proud. Yes, she fought but she stood up against her opponent.” My father laughed loudly and the rest joined.

“Khayrah is a pretender. She acts like she is this gentle and calm lady but she knows how to fight for everything. Food, bed sheet, wardrobe space. Ah, she can fight ehn. And she always wins,” Fadilah grinned.

She was dressed in a mint green pinafore and a black t-shirt. Staring at her, I discovered that she was quite different from when we were still together. Occupying the same room in our parents’ house. Fadilah had always been a happy lady who bore no harm against anyone. She expressed her feelings and was quick to forgive. But today- despite the wide smile that pulled her lips apart- sadness was evident in her eyes.

Jalil cleared his throat. I wondered what the quiet and introverted brother was about to say. “The day Aunty Khayrah visited us, I thought ‘whoa! I’ve met my type. Someone as shy and quiet as I am.’” He laughed and the rest joined.

Soon, I couldn’t concentrate on what they were saying. I perceived the smell of fried beef and boiled rice that whiffed the air and spotted Funmilayo serving Lukman and his wife a plate of boiled rice and catfish pepper soup. I studied my mother and noticed the amount of weight she had lost over the past few weeks. I remembered the sacrifices and efforts she had made to make me healthy. The hospitals she had visited, drugs she had bought, trips she had taken, traditional doctors she had consulted…all in a bid to find a cure to the illness that was slowly killing her dear daughter.

I glanced at my father and spotted the new strands of silver hairs that filled the upper part of his head. If he had the chance to sacrifice a billion dollars to find a cure to my illness, he would do so. I glanced at Aliyah and she swiftly lowered her face when our eyes met. She had been staring at me, wondering how I was feeling and how it would feel to be in my shoes. I knew she was wondering how her father would fare when I leave. How he would survive and decide to find love again.

Funmilayo was still the same slender and pretty Funmilayo with her suspicious smile and questioning eyes trailing everyone like someone would hurt her any minute. I was glad she found love. I was happy she stopped pestering Taofeek after our marriage. Sometimes, I wonder what it would feel like to have such wonderful twins. I wondered how my child would look if I hadn’t lost it?

“Would you mind a cup of tea?” Lukman whispered as he whipped his head up and glanced at me with a look of pity.

He had been silent since he arrived an hour ago with his wife and baby. Only sipping from his bottle of water and watching everyone with wet eyes.

“No, thank you. Where is Taofeek?”

I had suddenly remembered that I hadn’t seen him in a while. Where did he go to?

“He was meant to bring more cups. I haven’t seen him since then.”

“Thank you,” I stood up and prepared to meet him in the kitchen.

“Should I assist you?” Lukman asked as he noticed the way I had grunted in discomfort after taking a step.

“I’ll be fine. Thank you once again.”

I slowly walked to the kitchen and wondered what could have kept Taofeek that long. Was he washing the dishes? Opening the kitchen door, I gasped in surprise as I spotted him seated on the floor with his face buried in his legs.

“Taofeek,” I whispered, patting his back and sitting beside him.

Taofeek raised his head and I spotted his face soaked with tears and mucus. “Why did we have to invite them over? Everyone is staring at me with sympathetic eyes. I can’t do this, Khayrah. I thought I could…but I can’t. I can’t bear to see you leave. What would become of me? Where else would I source for happiness? We lost our baby…now, I’m about to lose you too.” He wept bitterly as he rested his head on my legs.

Hot tears stung my eyes as I patted his head. “Life is short. Our marriage was meant to be short-lived. But we made every single moment count, didn’t we?”

“Too short, my love. Too short. I want to spend more years with you. I want to be with you forever.” He blew his nose and bawled loudly.

“We will reunite in jannah, in sha ALlaah. I wish I could live longer to spend more time with you and nurture our children…but I’ve always been a grenade. I’ve always counted my last breaths. I’ve been the lady who never forgot about death even for a minute. And I was grateful to find love…to get married to someone who cherished me despite my ailing health…”

Taofeek raised his head and cupped my face in his hands. “Do you think I can handle this? Can I survive without you?”

I hugged him tightly and cried in his arms. “I love you more than you can ever imagine, Taofeek.”

“My love for you is indescribable, Khayrah. You are my heart. What’s life without a heart?”

Taofeek and I remained in each other’s arms for how long it could last. Till my mom entered the kitchen and joined us in the embrace. Till I saw her shed unimaginable tears and knew for sure that she had been crying for years. She had been crying for her daughter to recover and watch her grow old…but what powers do we have? And who are we to question the trails from the Most High?
***
Taofeek
It had been three months since Khayrah left this world and I still could not bring myself to the terms that she was really gone. Even though I had watched the women bath and shroud her in a piece of white cloth, I still couldn’t believe that I would never wake up to the sight of Khayrah lying beside me when I wake up from sleep. Even though I had watched as she was buried, I couldn’t believe that Khayrah had left me in this world.

How could I when our room still smelt like her and her glamorous dresses still littered the wardrobe. How could I imagine she was gone when I still saw flashes of her bright smile when I shut my eyes? I still imagined her vibrant laugh and excited voice filling my ears every single minute of the day. How could I imagine that the woman I had loved the most had breathed her last?

I couldn’t stop thinking about the first time I had chatted Khayrah up on Facebook Messenger and the way we connected so easily. I remembered how fidgety I was on the day I would set eyes on her for the first time. My hands had shivered and my lips quivered in anxiety as I spotted her seated on that red fluffy chair with a straw in her mouth. Behold! She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever set my eyes on. Her whitish eyeballs and thin lips were tempting not to stare at.

She had filled my thoughts in those nights that I couldn’t sleep. I would imagine her laying beside me with her head on my chest, tickling my chest with her whispers. Even when I realized that she was terminally ill, I couldn’t bring myself to let go of the first woman I had fallen in love with.

Our wedding day was the happiest day of my life. We had grinned at each with pure love and affection. As the ceremony proceeded, we couldn’t wait until the moment we had the freedom to fall into each other’s arms and kiss passionately.

The thing about death is that you cannot imagine the extent of the pain it would cause until it happens. I never imagined that my heart would bear such pain that would leave me sleepless at night. How could I have thought that I would spend days locked in the room, bawling my eyes out and wishing that the dead could be raised back to life?

However, I was determined to get through this phase and move forward. Khayrah would want the same, wouldn’t she? She would want me to dust off my pains and worries, and start life afresh, find love again, worship ALlaah like such day would be my last, and seek happiness and contentment. She would want me to make an impact in life and remember that it is shorter than we could ever imagine.

I would do exactly that. I would move out of our house and live in a simple apartment with Aliyah. I would continue to progress in my career and seek more knowledge about the deen.

Cleaning my wet face eyes with the pad of my thumb, I noticed that my phone had been ringing.
5 missed calls from my father? I was dialing his number when his call came in again.

“Asalamu ‘alaykum, dad.” I greeted as I blew my nose and cleaned my face with the sleeve of my shirt.

“Wa’alaykumu salam, Taofeek. Have you been crying?”

“Cry…no. No, I haven’t.” I stuttered as I tried to think of a story to formulate. “I’m preparing a stew for lunch. Onions and pepper, you know.” I gave a burst of awkward laughter.

Father chuckled at the end of the phone. “You still like pepper eh?” He cleared his throat and I knew that he was about to sound serious. “Taofeek, if you need anything. Someone to talk to…just anything. I’m here for you. Always here for you…at least, while I’m still alive. I’ve been in your shoes, son. I know what it feels like to lose a loved one. When your mother died, I was dying bit by bit in pain and loneliness. However, I was able to scale through such a predicament. I know you can too. I know you haven’t been making any stew. I know you’ve been crying and you have every reason to. But please, remember than you have to pick yourself up and move on. Brooding over the past will change nothing. It won’t bring Khayrah back, neither would it improve your present. You just have to stand up and keep moving, okay?”

Tears filled my eyes as I struggled to bring forth words from my lips. “Okay, dad. Thank you.”

“Remember, I’m always here.” He stated before hanging up the call.

Returning the phone to the cabinet, I caught sight of a piece of paper. It looked like the one Khayrah had written on before we went on a short holiday.

Picking it up and scanning through it, I realized that it was the same paper. Only that it had more texts on the other part. Just three words. Three powerful words that made me grin sheepishly.

‘Thank you, Taofeek’ she wrote.

***
“Dad,” Aliyah knocked on the room door.

It was a Thursday and we were preparing for school and work. I wore my belt and walked towards the door, opening it to catch sight of Aliyah adjusting her uniform shirt.

Entering the room, Aliyah stated. “I’ll be late for school. When are we leaving?”

“We’re leaving now. Let me get the keys…”

I was saying when Aliyah cut me. “I have the keys already. Can we visit the new pizza hut on our way home?”

I grinned at her. “How do you know I’ve been craving pizza? Let’s do that this evening… oh, remember we have a date with Khayrah’s parents? Khayrah’s mom said she wants us to taste from her delicious turkey stew before Fadilah finishes it.” I snickered as I watched Aliyah’s face beam in excitement.

“These people will not kill us with food oo! Mama Kawthar had visited yesterday with a cooler of beans and plantain.”

“We’ll definitely add more pounds before the year runs out,” I said, remembering how Khayrah’s father had called me earlier this week to plead that I become of the managers in his company.”

“You are more than a son to me, Taofeek. Please, I want you to manage my company with me.”

“Please, give me a week to think about it.” I had responded before we talked about something else.

I wondered how Aliyah would react to the news. I didn’t know whether to accept his invitation or not.

Grabbing a tie from the wardrobe, I placed it in front of me. “Does this match my shirt?”

Aliyah rolled her eyes. “The shirt is white, dad. It goes with anything.” She said as she adjusted her skirt and wore her wristwatch.

“Yeah, that’s true,” I mumbled as I wore the tie. My thought was clouded with the memory of Khayrah. On a morning like this, when I would ask her about my appearance, Khayrah would tease me for minutes, giving one of her crazy laughs that made her eyes crinkle in delight. Afterwards, she would select the rightful outfit after making me promise not to stare back at women that would admire me for the rest of the day. Now, she was gone…

“Dad!” Aliyah patted my back. “I’ve been talking to you. What are you thinking about?”

Feeling sad and unable to hide my feelings, I slump my arms and sat on the bed. “About Khayrah. It’s hard to stop thinking about her. I’m trying to stop…but it’s hard.” I sobbed on the pillow as Aliyah held my hands and pulled my face to look at her.

“You’ll get over this, in sha ALlaah. With time, all this would be over. But you have a role to play in making this easier for you.”

“Thank you, Aliyah.” I muttered as I stared at the ceiling.

“By the way, one of my classmates. Sumayyah…”

“Your tall classmate that sits beside you? The one that brought sushi to school last month?”

Aliyah gave a mischievous smile. “Yes, yes. She is the same girl I told you lost her father last year, you remember? Her mother asked after you.”

“Why would she ask after me?” I furrowed my brows in confusion. “No, not now Aliyah. Can we leave? We’ll be late if we spend an extra minute here.”

Tears coursed down her cheeks as she pulled me into a tight hug. “I love you, dad…and I’m here to support you as you go through this stage. We are in this together.”

“I love you too, Aliyah. Let’s get going.” We smiled at each other as we walked hand in hand out of the room.

THE END.
A/N: I want to deeply appreciate readers of the series who patiently stood by me till the end of the episodes. Words are insufficient to express my gratitude.

Her Last Breath has become one of my most remarkable and longest series on the blog. We had 26 episodes! Lol.

I hope this story teaches you about the worthlessness of this world and the limited time we have to spend here. I hope you learn that health is truly wealth. I hope you learn to appreciate God for his countless blessings upon us; like the air we breathe and water we drink.

Thank you once again for staying till the end of Her Last Breath. I planned on starting our next series but I think I’ll have to take a break. I don’t want to start a story and stop halfway because of my tight schedule. Once I’ve written some considerable number of episodes, then we can kick start the story.

Please stay safe. Wash your hands and remain indoors.

Wow I enjoyed every bit of it and I learnt a lot...Thank you mareeam

Quite thought provoking. Thanks for the story. Cried while reading the last part.

jenifer007:
Wow I enjoyed every bit of it and I learnt a lot...Thank you mareeam

Thanks for reading, Jenifer.

zika19:
Quite thought provoking. Thanks for the story. Cried while reading the last part.

Thanks for reading, Zika.

So sad.... But I enjoyed every bit of it.

Thanks for the update ma'am

Sniffing and wiping tears as I read through, thanks for the story.

Innalillahi wahina illehi rojihun. Welldone Mareeam, the story is full of many life lessons. Jazakum llahu khayrah.

daddio:
Sniffing and wiping tears as I read through, thanks for the story.

You're welcome. Thanks for reading.

Adeola25:
Innalillahi wahina illehi rojihun. Welldone Mareeam, the story is full of many life lessons. Jazakum llahu khayrah.

Waiyyaki. Thanks for reading, Adeola.

[quote author=mareeam802 post=88647018]

Waiyyaki. Thanks for reading, Adeola. [/quote

Hi mareeam......I'm sorry but I have to ask, did you ever post a story about two brothers where one was the golden boy while the other lived in his brother's shadow and had to struggle for everything including their mother's love till they got to uni and a girl began to notice the plain John of a brother but it turned out that the golden boy had eyes for her too?.....]

No, I didn't.