Architect and Mrs Dantata

40: AMAL

It takes a week for most people in the office to stop walking on eggshells around me and I know it has everything to do with Catherine who has become very protective of me. I don't mind. Who would say no to being babied by someone like her?

I take each day as it comes and live it to the fullest, to the best of my ability. Zayd and I's relationship gets even better and I work on getting back on track with everyone else. My in-laws are still the sweetest people and they don't hold anything against me for the month I spent cooped up inside the house.

Mama and Baba are still the best parents and Mahmud, who is now an employee of Nizamiye (let's not even talk about his salary!) is still the best brother.

August goes beautifully and I make sure to spend extra time with Aliyah, Halima and Sadiyah. On Zayd's birthday, which is the last day of the month, I adhere to his request of not wanting a party and take him out for dinner instead. I wanted us to spend a weekend in a hotel suite but with tomorrow being Eid, that'll have to come later.

Also, he loves the gift I get him. It's nothing big; two sets of architectural model building kits. I just had one customized to fit what I imagined Athena would be and I can tell he loves that one the most.

"God, Amal..." He raises his head and the soft lighting of this restaurant makes him look dreamy. "Thank you. I love them."

I smile back, my heart at peace with the moment. "You're welcome."

We spend Eid-el-Adha with his family and it's the best thing. Doing nothing except offering support is very nice. Do you know what's nicer? Ogling my husband shamelessly when he, Baba and Mas'ood coordinate the killing and butchering of the rams. Zayd in his khaftan trousers and a dark vest is the best thing and no one will tell me that I should lower my gaze. It can't get better than that.

At night, we go to Mabushi to attend my family's annual Eid party. I wanted to help them prepare but Mama forbade it and I know better than to not listen to her. As usual, Mahmud is nowhere in sight and I go upstairs to find him in his room, reading for an exam that's two months from now.

This man and social events! I'm tired of him. But then again, he takes after our father so...I'm done with the both of them.

After Eid is Aliyah's birthday (September 5th). She would have enjoyed it if she wasn't dealing with false labour. She says she just wants her baby girl to come out and I try not to put myself in her shoes. Not yet, at least.

On the 10th, we say goodbyes to Sadiyah, Idris, Halima and Kawu Imran. We say bye to little Zayn too. When we leave the airport, I tell Zayd to drop me off at Aliyah's place because I had been thinking about her since Fajr. What we don't expect to meet is Aliyah in actual labour, their help – Muna – calling Faisal who is all the way in Abaji to pick up something.

For a moment, I'm thrown back to that day in 2014 when Sadiyah went into labour. It takes a little longer than I'd like to get back to the present and I push every memory of that day away before jumping in to help Muna and Zayd.

We get her into the car and we keep Faisal on the line throughout the ride to the hospital, Aliyah holding my hand for dear life. It shouldn't be funny but I can't help but laugh when she promises to kill Faisal herself if he drives rough and causes an accident. We leave Zayd in the reception to do the documentation and make the necessary phone calls and when they ask if Aliyah wants me in the delivery room with her, she says yes.

I stand beside her bed, smiling even though my heart's thrashing. Ya Allah please don't let history repeat itself, I beg You. "You're going to be fine, Aliyah." I tell her. "In Shaa Allah this would go well."