Chapter 108

He let out a sigh of relief feeling his heart beat racing. Was that how love at first sight feels like? A short moment later, dalia came out. Giving him a puzzled look, she stood inches away from him, waiting to hear what he has to say. "Good evening," she muttered, staring at him sternly. "How have you been? It's been long.." "Please, if he was the one that sent you, tell him I said that I am still waiting for my divorce letter." Yusuf exhaled after she has spoken. He observed, dalia was really stubborn. "No, he didn't send me here. He doesn't even know I am here. I know what he did was unacceptable. He hurt you, a lot but he has realized that and learned his lesson. Please forgive him. You have punished him enough." "I didn't expect you to be an airhead like him. I respect you a lot and I don't want that to change. It's high time he realizes that I don't love him anymore...." "You really think I would believe you don't love him? And don't forget; be merciful to others and you will receive mercy. Forgive others and Allah will forgive you." Dalia opened her mouth to speak but she couldn't argue anymore. She couldn't go against that. And what he said was right. She stared at him for a long time before taking a deep breath. Even if she was really going back, which she wasn't, at least he has to feel the pain he put her through. He has to suffer the same way she did. She cleared her throat as she folded her arms across her chest. "I tell him I'm pregnant, with his child." And she breezed away, leaving him in awe. Muhsin felt the panic begin like a cluster of spark plugs in his abdomen. Tension grew in his face and limbs, his mind replaying Yusuf's words. His breathing became more rapid, more shallow. "Are you sure that's exactly what she told you? She's pregnant?" Yusuf groaned, freeing his shirt from muhsin's grip. "Why don't you go ask her yourself if you think I'm giving you a false information." The thoughts were accelerating inside his head. He wanted them to slow so he could breathe but they won't. His breaths came in gasps as he felt like passing out. His heart was hammering inside his chest like it belongs to a rabbit running for its skin. Yusuf promptly grabbed his shoulders and helped him settle down on the couch before offering him a glass of water. "Now breathe in and out, slowly." Muhsin did as he was told. It helped, a little. "Listen, I know this news made things worse for you. And to me, the only solution is, involving daddy in this because I think he is the only one that can help you get Dalia back." He stared at Yusuf for brief seconds before looking away. "You expect me to go meet that man after chasing his daughter out of my house?" Muhsin asked, peering at him. "That man is more than what you think. If he can get you married to Dalia while you were married to his daughter then I don't see any reason why he can't help you get her back. Just try this and in fact, I'll accompany you there. If you can't speak, I will." Muhsin smiled for the first time in a while. He nodded his head thinking of any possible way to pay Yusuf back for everything he has done for him. And like Yusuf advised him, the next day, they went to daddy's office and told him everything that has happened. From what Amira did, to what happened between him and Dalia. They left with daddy assuring them he'd try his best to convince Dalia. Days later, daddy sets the road to kuje to fulfil the promise he had made. After exchanging pleasantries with dalia's mother, he moved further and explained everything to her exactly the way muhsin did. Amina kept mute for a long time. She heaved a sigh and shook her head. "Alhaji, I honestly don't know what to say about this. I won't say that I'm backing Dalia up but I don't blame her for coming home and choosing not to be with him. First he accuses her, yes I know he did it unknowingly but he should know what his wife is capable of doing. Then he maltreats her after what she has gone through for losing her child. All I can say is.... I can't involve myself in this. It's up to the girl. If she wants to go back, I am in full support of that and if she doesn't." She let the words trails off and breathed out. It was obvious, something was bothering her, by the looks of her pale face. Daddy nodded his head, not that he agreed or convinced but he chose to respect their decision. "I understand what you're saying. And you're right. Even I won't accept it if she gets forced to do what she doesn't intend to. I will deliver this message to him after that, he'd know what to do." Daddy left afterwards. Daddy delivered their message like he promised to muhsin. He visited her everyday, spend the whole day there waiting for her. Sometimes if he gets lucky, she comes out, spat hurtful words to him and sometimes he'd spend the whole day in front of their house without seeing her. He never stopped going even after she had threatened to abort the baby for real this time.