Tears Of Summayah - Episode 34

 

Jamiu awoke to the sound of running water from the bathroom and muffled sounds of a crying Sumayyah. He got up and ordered her out of the bathroom.
“Sumayyah, open the door right now.!”
“Leave me alone.”
“I will count to 3 and if you refuse to open this door, I will force it open myself.” When Sumayyah did not succumb to his threats he opened the door and saw her on the floor crying and vigorously scrubbing her body. “Hey, what are you doing?”
Sumayyah ignored him.
“How long have you been here? Are you trying to wash off my touch from your body?” He took hold of her hands . “Am I disgusting or are you doing this because I have not paid you for last night?”.

“You are not even remorseful for your actions shameless man.” Sumayyah spat out with as much venom as she could muster.

Jamiu slapped her hard. “Why should I? Did you feel remorse when you were sleeping with other men? Did you ever think about me while you did it?” Jamiu laughed but there was no humour in the sound. “You talk about shame, Sumayyah, whereas you are the shameless one here. You are pregnant with another man's child for God’s sake!.”

“I am innocent, you have to believe me...urghh…ohhh my stomach hurts

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/tears-of-summayah

. Please...help...me”

“Why should I? This is your punishment. I pray that pregnancy causes you a lot of pain and you have a miscarriage.”

Sumayyah’s tears continue to fall. “Please, I am in so much pain.”

“That is perfect. I want you to feel the same way my mum did when you pushed her down the stairs.”

Sumayyah fell to the floor in an unconscious heap. Jamiu scooped her up and placed her on the bed before calling a doctor to come check on her. He changed her clothes from the night before into something decent.

“I can’t let the doctor see you like this even though you are a prostitute."

The doctor arrived and examined her. He gave her some injections and set on an IV line.

“Can I talk to you for a minute.?” The doctor asked Jamiu

“Yes of course doctor.” Jamiu led them both into the sitting room.

“Jamiu, you know you are like a son to me, so I won’t lie to you. Sumayyah‘s sickness is getting worse. Have you been maltreating her or is she having any issues.?”

“Oh no doctor, I do not have any issues with her. Sumayyah is a picky eater so maybe that is the problem.”

“You do know she is pregnant right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“She is your responsibility and she needs you the most right now so you have to take extra care of her. Let her eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Make her happy. It seems she is really disturbed about something and it's taking a toll on her health.”

“I will take note of everything you have said.”

The doctor smiled. “I trust you.”

“Thank you sir.”

“You are welcome.” He prescribed some drugs on a piece of paper and handed it over to Jamiu. “Make sure you get her these and also bring her to the hospital regularly for a check-up.”

“Sure, I will. Thank you, sir.”

The doctor left and Jamiu went back to check on Sumayyah. For once he wanted to go to her, hug her and ask her forgiveness but the incident of the day before replayed back in his mind and his heart hardened towards her again.

“You will pay for everything you have done to us, I promise you that.”

Jamiu went straight to the hospital to meet his mum not minding Sumayyah was alone at home. To his surprise, he met Jennifer taking care of his mum.

“How come you are here, Jennifer?”

Jennifer shrugged. “I just thought of bringing her some food.”

“Thank you so much.”

“It's nothing. I am sure you are also hungry or did Sumayyah cook you anything?

“Don't mention that name, please.”

“Isn't she supposed to be here with you?” Mrs. Aminat inquired.

“Mum, she is sick and besides, I can’t bring that sl-t here. What if she hurts you again.”

“I told you, but you chose to believe her. Are you even sure she is not pretending to be sick?”

“She is really sick, the doctor even prescribed some medications, which I will get on my way home.”

“I don’t believe her one bit.”

Jamiu changed the subject. “Let’s forget about that mum. How are you doing?”

“The doctor was here some minutes ago and she said I am better. I think it is all thanks to Jennifer, who has been taking good care of me since morning”

“Thank you so much Jennifer, you have done a lot for us.”

“Don’t mention it. What are friends for?”

Jennifer smiled at Jamiu and he was so taken aback by her beauty that he forgot he had a sick wife waiting at home. He chatted with his mum and Jennifer for hours before the doctor came in to discharge Mrs Aminat.

“Mum, I have settled the bills, so we can leave now.”

“My son is all grown-up and is taking good care of me. Thank you so much.”

“Mum, it is my responsibility, you don’t need to thank me.”

Jennifer made to follow them out of the hospital and Jamiu got confused.

“Isn’t Jennifer supposed to be at home helping her mum out?”

Mrs Aminat smiled. “No dear. She is coming home with us. Her mum travelled and as she will be alone at home, I asked her to follow us. As for that girl Sumayyah…”

“I totally forgot that Sumayyah is alone at home!” Jamiu interrupted.

Mrs. Aminat waved off his concerns. “She will be fine.”

“She hasn’t had anything to eat all day.”

“She must have cooked some food to eat.”

“We will get some food in the restaurant before going home.”

“Okay dear.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sumayyah woke up feeling very weak. Her throat was dry, and her stomach rumbled. She tried to stand but noticed the IV line.
“Subhanallah, who put this on me? I have to eat something, in order not to starve the innocent being I am carrying”. She removed the IV and went to the kitchen and dished herself some cornflakes and milk. On her way out of the kitchen, she heard the key turn in the front door lock and Jamiu and co walked in.
“Jamiu is back, what should I do? I have to return this food back to the kitchen”

Jamiu did not spare her a glance but went straight into his mother’s bedroom while Jennifer followed with her stuff.

“Jennifer, could you stay with mother for a while? I have to give Sumayyah the food I bought for her.”

“Okay.”

He went out and saw Sumayyah still standing where he had left her.

“You are awake.”

“Yes. I woke up few minutes ago.”

Jamiu looked at the cup in her hands. “What are you trying to do?”

Sumayyah began to stammer. “I-I-am hungry…”

Jamiu dragged her into his room and dumped her on the bed. “Take this food and eat.”

“Thank you so much.”

“I haven’t forgiven you, so don’t get used to this. You will still pay for what you did.”

“This action of his proves that I still have a place in his heart. I don’t know when, but I hope he will forgive me very soon.” She thought

Sumayyah wiped her tears and ate the food, all the while reminding herself that Allah knows best and she would be content with whatever he had decreed for her.

“I just need to be closer to my Lord. He is the only one that I can rely on to see me through this.” She reminded herself of the verses in the Qu'ran:

Surah Al-Ala, Verse 7:

Except what Allah pleases, surely He knows the manifest, and what is hidden.

Surah Al-Ala, Verse 8:
And We will make your way smooth to a state of ease.

Surah Al-Inshirah, Verse 5:
Surely with difficulty is ease.

Surah Al-Inshirah, Verse 6:
With difficulty is surely ease.

She got up, performed ablution and prayed like she never had before, crying to Allah to reveal the truth to her husband.

********

“Mother, how are you now?” Jamiu asked his mum when he entered her room.

“I feel a lot better, dear”

“Try and get some sleep okay?” He turned to Jennifer. “Come with me so I can show you to your room.”

He settled her into Sumayyah’s room and he was about to leave when Jennifer stopped him.

“Jamiu I’d like to have a word with you.”

“Okay, let's go to the sitting room.”

After a few minutes of silence Jennifer began:

“Jamiu, I am really sorry for what everything I did back then. Trust me, I regret it. I was just being childish”.

Jamiu sighed. “That is all in the past, and we mustn’t hold on to it. The fact that you regret it and choose to be a better person is the best thing. Look at you now, you have changed a lot from being aggressive and temperamental to a gentle and kind girl. I forgive you.”

“Thank you so much, now I can finally be at peace.” Jennifer beamed. “About Sumayyah, I didn’t know she could do something like that.”

“Let’s drop the topic please.”.

“I will. But do you know what mother said?”

“What did she say?”

“That she needs to be taught a lesson, one that she will never forget.”

“I know she has to suffer for this but I can’t think of a suitable punishment yet.”

“Hmm I think that since you already know the truth, why don’t you pimp her yourself?. It will be the greatest torture of all”

“What?” Jamiu was shocked that Jennifer would think to suggest such a thing.

“Isn’t that the truth? It’s better if you have control over who she meets than have her flirt with random guys.”

Jamiu was beginning to follow her line of reasoning. “That is true. I now see your point”

Jennifer, glad that the seed had taken root, got up to leave. “Anyways, you have to do whatever you feel is right. I must turn in now.” She was positive that Jamiu would take her advice because his hatred for Sumayyah was clouding his judgment.

Jamiu went back to his room and thought about what Jennifer told him. He soon came to a decision and woke Sumayyah up.

“I am sorry for sleeping here. I will leave now.”

“You are going nowhere Sumayyah.”

“Why?”

“Because you are my wife. I don’t know why you choose to forget that”

“I-I” Sumayyah was lost for words. Had Allah answered her prayers?

“Jennifer is sleeping in your room so sleep on this side of the bed and I will sleep on the other side. I don’t want to hear any noise. The money for the night we spent together is in the drawer, make sure you take it. I don’t want to see it there tomorrow.”

Sumayyah was appalled. “Keep your money. I am not a pr-stitute that you can use and dump.”

“Wow, you really think you are not one of those sl-ts that sell their body for money?”

“Jamiu, I am not one of them.”

“I don’t care, just pick up the money. If I ever need your services, I will inform you.”

Sumayyah knew it was useless to argue so she agreed with him. “Okay.”

“Is that the only thing you can say?.” He asked irritated. “You know what? Forget it. Let’s just sleep.”

Sumayyah picked up some clothes from his wardrobe and changed into them in the bathroom. She joined him in bed when she was finished.

“Good night.”

“Good night.”

About two hours later, it began to rain, and thunder and lightning struck. Sumayyah was so scared of that she hugged Jamiu, who was sleeping with his back to her. Her asction made him turn around and face her.

“What is it, Sumayyah?” Jamiu’s voice was heavy with sleep.

“I am scared.”

“Why are you scared?.

“The thunder.”

Jamiu sat up and pinned her to the bed. “You can't fool me. Are you trying to get close to me? Stop this pretense Sumayyah. You have been living alone in this house for more than 2 months and now you tell me thunder scares you? Tell me how you manage to sleep, oops I forgot that you have so many boyfriends that visit you.”

Sumayyah began to cry. “I thought you will be the only person to trust me when others didn’t but you proved me wrong.”

“How can I trust you when even your own parents refused to spare you a glance? Besides, I saw the evidence of your untruthfulness with my eyes.” He tried to touch her.

“Let go of me.”

“I will pay double this time.”

“I don’t need your money. Let me go.!”

Jamiu only tightened his grip on her. “What if I don’t?” You came to me so why are you trying to reject me now?”

“Please, just let me sleep. I am no longer afraid”

“I know you have always found me disgusting but trust me, baby, you will hate yourself later on and death will be the only thing you would wish for.” He released her and went back to sleep.

Sumayyah collapsed to the floor, shaking and in tears. All traces of sleep had long disappeared she cried to her Lord instead, begging him to change her husband.