Tears Of Summayah - Episode 38

 

Jamiu woke up some minutes to 5:00am and turned to observe the timid body sleeping right next to him. He touched her forehead and noticed she had a very high fever. The sight of Sumayyah’s hands around her stomach as if the child would be taken from her womb made Jamiu more upset.

“I wonder why she still has a fever when she has been treated yesterday. Would she have in any way tried her best to protect the baby if it was our child? She doesn't even want to hear anyone speak ill about the child and she claims she doesn't know how she got pregnant . Thank God I would be leaving today when studies resume I will be able to forget everything that has happened these past few months. May Allah forgive me for I have been misled.”

He stood up, went straight to the bathroom to take a bath before performing ablution. He spread the praying mat and prayed fajr where he made sincere taubah to Allah. He decided to wake Sumayyah so that she could also pray.

Sumayyah slowly opened her eyes and was terrified when she saw Jamiu. “What-what do you want from me.?”

“You have to pray, don’t you?”  

“Yes I do”
“Get up and perform ablution, remember to take ghusl. You know yesterday we-I…”

“We didn’t do anything together

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. You raped me, that’s what happened.” Sumayyah made to get out of bed but was so weak she couldn’t get her legs to the floor.

“Here, I will help you.”

Sumayyah slapped at his outstretched hands. “I don't need your help. I will do this on my own, even if I have to crawl.”

Jamiu ignored her and continued to offer his help, which she refused.

“I told you, I can manage everything on my own. What are you trying to do huh? Carry me? Aren’t you going to school today?”

“Yes, I am but…”

“Go on and prepare for your trip and don't try to cross my path. I can stand on my own. I don't expect anything from you. I won't be a burden to you or your mother again.”

“I am still your husband and you are my responsibility.”

Sumayyah did not reply but went straight to the bathroom and did her business. She came out to see Jamiu was fast asleep, so she prayed Fajr before reciting the Qu'ran. She was about to go to sleep herself when she heard a knock at the front door. She went to the sitting room to find out who it was.

“Who is there?”

“It's me.”

Sumayyah recognized the voice as Jennifer’s but she decided to let her stew. “Who are you? Don’t you have a name?”

“Stop your jokes and open this door.”

“I am not joking with anyone, just tell me who you are. Simple as ABC.”

Jennifer was fuming. “it's me, Jennifer.”

Sumayyah opened the door but Jennifer immediately pushed the door and she fell. “Urghh, why did you do that?” You do know I am pregnant, right?”

“So?”

“Jennifer, just sit down and don't stress yourself. Remember the doctor has told you not to stress your burnt hand.” Yusrah told her daughter.

“Mum, let me deal with her. She is the culprit. I know she did it because she is jealous of my beautiful skin.”

“No, I will deal with her.”

Sumayyah had never met Jennifer’s mother but she could see from whom Jennifer inherited her wayward character from. She decided to give them both a lecture they would never forget.  “Like mother like daughter. It is said that what you do in the presence of your children will have a very big impact on their lives. When you have good morals and teach your children about Islam, they would always use the Qu'ran as their guide in life but if it is the other way around then the parents will not be able to have a peaceful old age because their children will always bring never-ending troubles. What will be the end of you two?”

Yusrah glanced at Sumayyah in shock. “Are you referring to me?”

Sumayyah shrugged. “If the shoes fits, ware it. I never mentioned anyone's name.”

“Mother, can you hear her insulting us. I told you she has no manners.”

Yusrah decided to get down to business. “Aminat! Aminat!!.” When she didn’t get a reply, she turned to her daughter. “Jennifer where is her room?”

“It is just down that corridor.” Jennifer pointed.

At that moment, Mrs. Aminat came out of her room to see what the noise was all about and she was so surprised to see Yusrah.
“Assalamu Alaikum. What is the problem, why are you here so early in the morning?”

“Walaykum salaam. My baby came home yesterday with a burn on her hand and I was told it was all due to your promiscuous daughter-in-law.”

“I am so sorry, Jamiu has punished her yesterday. She would never dare to try such again.”

“Do you know what she said when we came in?”

“She insulted you?”

“Of course. She said I didn't train my daughter well. How can she talk to me like that? You said she has been punished but she doesn’t sound remorseful.”

Mrs Aminat turned to Sumayyah. “Is this true?”.

“I was only trying to memorize something. I never mentioned anyone's name mum. I think it was just a coincidence.”

“I see you now have the audacity to talk back to your elders.” Mrs Aminat rose to get a cane to whip her. “Stretch your hands, you will receive 30 strokes.”

“What? 30 strokes?  What did I do wrong mum?”

Jamiu awoke to the noise which was coming from outside. He noticed Sumayyah wasn't in the room, so he went outside to see what was wrong.

“Mum what's going on here?”

Jennifer quickly acted like she really cared for Sumayyah.

“Mum, please don't beat Sumayyah. You know she is very weak, I remembered she almost died yesterday due to the beating she received from Jamiu. I know she made a mistake by pouring the oil on me, but I have forgiven her.”

“Let me teach her a lesson, why are you defending her.?” Mrs Aminat looked at Sumayyah. “Can you see how well-mannered she is? I wish she was my daughter-in-law and not you”.

Jamiu was irritated. “Mum, can you please answer my question right now.?”

“Sumayyah insulted Jennifer's mum, who so happens to be my friend.”

Jamiu was appalled. “I am so sorry ma'am, please forgive her. I promise Sumayyah will be careful next time.”

“Stop blaming me for a crime I haven’t committed.”

“Shut up and follow me. You need to rest, you look tired.”

Sumayyah was no longer used to Jamiu caring for her so it felt so strange that she burst into tears. “Why do care all of a sudden? it is none of your business whether I am tired, alive or even dead. I already told you to just ignore me and leave for school. Why can't you just give me some breathing space? I want to be alone.”

“Stand up right now and come with me,” Jamiu shouted.

“Jamiu, take it easy with her,” Jennifer said in a soothing voice.

“You can see how she is behaving rudely with everyone.”

“You know she is pregnant, she is just having mood swings.”

“I am not having mood swings, you have all frustrated me and forced me to speak out.” Sumayyah cut in.

“You brought this upon yourself, why blame others for your predicament? You have to fix yourself by admitting you made a mistake.” Jamiu insisted

“It is pointless talking to all of you.” Sumayyah rose and went into the room.

Jennifer kept up the pretense. “Jamiu, she is just stressed up right now. The nurse will be here soon. Maybe I should cook for her before she takes her medicine.”

Jamiu smiled at Jennifer. “Thank you so much.”

“Why are you trying to help that foolish girl?” Yusrah asked her daughter.

“Mum, don’t worry about it. You can chat up with your friend while I do the cooking.”

Yusrah nodded. “I hope you know your hand hasn't healed up.”

“Don't worry about me.” She smiled and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the family

Mrs. Aminat smiled at her friend. “Your daughter has grown into a beautiful and well-mannered girl. She makes a home calm and peaceful, and tries her best to make people happy.”

“Thank you so much, she has always been like that since she was a child.”

“All thanks to you. Hmm, I was thinking… could we get them married?”

“Who? Your son and my daughter?”

“Yes.”

“What about his wife, Sumayyah.”

Mrs. Aminat’s face clouded in anger. “Don’t call that disgusting thing my son's wife. She will be out of here very soon.”

“Well, I think your idea is a bad one.”

Mrs Aminat was surprised. “Why?”

“Your son is just too young to get divorced. Do you want people to talk bad about my daughter?”

“How?”

“They would say that he divorced his first wife because of my daughter. I don't want my daughter to go through such “.

“Don’t worry about what people will say.”

Jamiu had been listening to their conversation unnoticed and decided to interrupt his mother before she said anything else.”

“Mother, I am not getting married to anyone.”

“Why?”

“I don't want any girl in my life. I have yet to recover from my experience with Sumayyah.”

“No,you can't say that. That wretched girl will leave very soon, and you will get married to Jennifer. She is very kind and understanding.”

“Mother, I refuse to drag this matter any further. I am not getting married to anyone.”

Mrs. Aminat smiled. “We’ll talk about it later. Go and prepare yourself for school-.”

“Okay, mum.” Jamiu went straight to his room.

Jennifer moved away from the sitting room door where she had been listening to their conversation.

“You will be mine, Jamiu. Even if I have to kill Sumayyah to get you. You are mine, only mine. Sumayyah will be out of your life very soon and I will replace her. She is going to die a slow and painful death, just wait and see.” She mumbled to herself.

*****
Jamiu folded his clothes into his travelling bag when Jennifer and the nurse entered his room with a plate of rice. He quickly collected it from her, placed it on the table and thanked her.

“Jazakillah Khair, may Allah reward you for all you have done.”

“It is nothing, what are friends for if we can’t help each other in difficult times?” Jennifer smiled sweetly.

Jamiu returned her smile, then he noticed the nurse who has been standing behind Jennifer all along. “I am so sorry nurse, please come in.”

“It's okay. Please wake Sumayyah. She needs to eat before taking her medication.”

Just then, Sumayyah spoke up. “I am not asleep, I won't eat the food Jennifer has cooked for me.”

Jennifer started to shed crocodile tears. “Why do you hate me so much? I could never poison your food. Why can't you just understand that I am a changed person? If you want, I can eat out of it to prove to you that I haven't poisoned the meal.” She immediately ate a spoonful of rice. “Now you should be rest assured that I can't kill you. She ran out of the room and Jamiu tried to call her back.

Sumayyah hissed. “Drama queen”.

“Tell me what your problem is Sumayyah. The poor girl prepared breakfast for you and the only way you think to show your gratitude is to be mean.”

“I never told her to do anything for me.” Jamiu raised his hand to slap her but stopped mid-way because his hand was held by the nurse. Sumayyah saw what the nurse did. “Why did you hold his hand, let him hit me. I am used to it already.”

“Go out and let your anger subside. I am going to make sure she eats and treat her.”
“Thank you.” Jamiu said before he stomped out of the room.

******
The nurse made sure Sumayyah ate the meal. One of the things Summayah hated was injections but she had no choice. She really wished she had the old Jamiu there to support her. He would have said or done something to make the needle less painful.

“Please take it easy with me.”

“It is just two injections and will only take few minutes.”

Sumayyah closed her eyes and grabbed on the bed sheet. She let out a small cry when she felt the needle prick her skin. “Ouch.”

“See, I am done. All you need to do now is rest. I will be here tomorrow”. The nurse left the room and gave Jennifer the usual eye signal. “I am done.”

“How is she now,?” Jamiu asked.

“She should be asleep by now. I have to go. Bye.”

“Bye.”

*****
Jamiu went back to his room and continued packing since Sumayyah was still asleep.  When he was through he touched Sumayyah’s forehead to check how she was doing. Although she had hurt him badly, he still cared for her.

“Jamiu, you are leaving already.” Sumayyah opened her eyes. The medications coursing through her veins only made her condition worse and she felt weaker than ever. “My head is…”

“Don’t try to delay me with sweet talk. I won't be staying back because of your lies.”

Once that first tear broke free, the rest followed in an unbroken stream. “I am not lying to you neither do I expect anything from you.”

“Good. You will be fine without me. This might be the last time I see you because I won’t be coming back home. Go to the guy responsible for your pregnancy, he deserves to know he is becoming a father soon.” He carried his luggage out of the room without sparing her a glance.

Sumayyah let her tears flow but she still managed to reply before he left. “Only Allah knows where and who he is, but I pray he is very safe and sound. When I finally get to meet him, I would be very happy because then he’d shed more light on how he got me pregnant. My innocence would be proven then. Your house is no longer my home any longer, so I will leave as soon as I am fit. Do you want to know what I have been praying for?” She continued when she didn’t get a response.

“I pray to Allah to keep my child safe from the evil eye till he is born and after his birth because that is the only way I can get to find his/her father. I can prove my innocence and show the world who I really am. Goodbye and have a safe trip.” With that, she fell into a deep sleep.