SECRETS. Secrets can sometimes be burdensome. It's just a matter of time. No secret can stay for long. When unearthed, they can destroy relationships.
***
Zainab followed Maha that Friday when she went to see Farah in the city. She saw the same woman open the door of that house. And Maha was there the entire day, while she impatiently awaits. It was late noon when Maha finally left Farah's house.
Farah knew Maha won't have that much time to spend with her if she will still have to buy the food. So, she bought a small cake and some food that morning. Even if she wasn't sure Maha would show up. And when suddenly Maha called that morning, Farah was glad.
After Maha had left Farah's house for quite some time, Zainab showed at Farah's door. She doesn't know Zainab and almost closed the door on her. When she asked her how she knew Maha. She said she was the midwife who delivered Maha's baby. That they had the remains of the baby cremated and scattered into the sea. And Maha was grateful for her help, Farah said. They became friends. Zainab was quiet. There was nothing more she can say. She had no proof to refute her otherwise. She left, but she was doubtful still. But for now, she'll let it go; she said.
Farah was glad indeed that Maha had mentioned the possibility of being asked how they knew each other. And coincidentally, it happened. The woman works with Maha. Why was she interested in Maha? How can she warn Maha about Zainab? It might not stop here. The woman might continue to dig into this, she thought.
What does Maha have of Amir, aside from the newspaper article with Amir's photo in Maha's wallet? What else? She hopes nothing more. The woman seemed nosy, and this was alarming. This would surely destroy Maha with her partner if they will come to know of Amir. And Amir, they'll look for the baby if they'll know he's alive. She will have to warn Maha.
***
It was the morning after when Farah could tell Maha when the latter called her. Maha thanked her. So Zainab had followed her. Had she in the past been following her too and see something else? Maha wondered. Her phone has Amir's photo, and the torn clipping in her wallet. She has to be extra careful. Zainab would readily tell Tristan, Maha thought. And she's not sure how he will react. Tristan may love her, but he may not trust her completely yet. She doesn't know if Tristan would easily believe Zainab. Can he forgive her if he'll come to know? Maha's not sure about that. She just realized that she didn't know Tristan that much. Even if he loves her, but will that feeling hold should he come to know that the baby is alive and that he is not his son? The guilt and the secret are weighing her down.
***
After Amir's first birthday celebration, the couple went to Jamil's flat with Amir. Jamil had purchased a crib the day before and cleaned up for this purpose. He had wanted some alone time with Yasmin. But Yasmin insisted on bringing Amir with them.
When the baby went to sleep, Jamil asked Yasmin if they could now start planning for their wedding. Yasmin wanted to change their earlier wedding plan into a quiet and solemn one to avoid the press. Although they'd be including Amir in most of the photoshoots, it will still be hard having to deal with the press. They could ruin their wedding day. In the end, they may still have to end up answering the proverbial question of who the child's mother was.
Even though Yasmin had followed Naira's advice to go home once a month for her one-week vacation leave, the couple hadn't stopped missing each other. Yasmin is now ready to commit to a lifetime of togetherness and start a family life with Jamil right after her employment contract ends. Yasmin has only a few months left and soon she'll stay permanently in Dubai.
She was glad that her mother had stayed longer now in Dubai with her father and stepsister, Amina. Having her mother nearby and knowing that she's with her father, Yasmin was peaceful and contented. Jamil's mother, Mona, marrying Jamil's father, was even more surprising. No one had expected that she'd finally agree to marry him, not even Jamil. But it was so sweet of her, especially as Jamil's father must have been too proud to ask her again. No one was happier but Jamil. He needed his mother for Amir. Having his mother around when Amir suddenly featured in his life and, at the time of his subsequent confession to Yasmin, had helped him a lot. He wouldn't have known how to face his problem.
Seeing and having Jamil's parents in the Abdallah residence being sweet and cozy had changed the atmosphere of the residence. The house has turned into a home. And with a baby in the house, no wonder Jamil had stayed there more often than in his flat. He was considering finding their own home and relinquishing the flat. They would like to be near to both their parents' homes. Soon, with their growing family, Yasmin will need help with child care when Jamil's at work.
It was hard to accept at first when Jamil hurt her with what happened between him and Amara, but now that they had Amir and she can see how the baby could make Jamil smile despite a tiring day, she has accepted Amir.
When Jamil asked Yasmin to start with their wedding plans, Yasmin was quiet. Sometimes she still has doubts.
"Do you still have feelings for Amara?" She asked.
She had to be sure before they will become husband and wife; she said. Jamil sat up on the bed and pulled her to him. He apologized for having caused her so much pain. He wanted her to trust him again. What transpired during that time resulted from the situation he was in, he said.
"Trust me, believe in me once again," Jamil said. She nodded. Yasmin can't help it but she'll try to forget what had happened during that time. Amir will always be a constant reminder of Amara. But she loves Jamil, and she has to include Amir too since he is his son. It won't be hard though because Amir is very lovable.
***
Zainab can't hold her peace any longer. She wanted to tell TG about the midwife and, one day; Zainab found a chance to talk with him. She asked him if he had met Maha's midwife, who helped deliver her baby. TG looked at her long and hard. If she had failed to hold his attention in the past, this time, she seemed to have succeeded.
"You met her?" he asked.
"Yes, I saw Maha went into her house, and she stayed with her the entire day," she replied.
"Don't you think you should meet her too? You should thank her for helping Maha and the baby at least," she said. TG was thinking. Then he left Zainab.
Why hadn't Maha mentioned her at all? Is she the one she's meeting in the city? When will she be able to talk about that day? He knew it was hard to talk about her losing the baby, but it was their baby and not hers alone. He would like to meet with the midwife or the woman who helped her and their baby. It's been a year. Can he ask her to say something now? Can he ask her without mentioning Zainab having seen her? For sure, Maha will confront Zainab. But he would like to hear something about this from Maha herself. How? How can she make her open up about this?