HER CRUSH

Chapter62

Zarah..
Maybe Abdul's sickness has nothing to do with the hospital. Maybe his condition can't be treated within those walls. Why is that? Because the doctors have done their best, everything they can, but Abdul isn't improving. We were told to stay home today, but Sufyan and his mother left the house after Fajr, leaving me restless and wondering what could be happening at the hospital. Could something terrible have happened? I sat on my bed, hugged my knees, and buried my face between them, crying out loud.

A soft knock sounded from the door, but I remained in my position, crying. Later, the door flung open, and I felt someone standing between us. "Zarah!" I heard Abdul's sister's voice. I gently raised my head, and my eyes met hers, while Sufyan's sister stood there with a tray in her hand, a look of concern on her face.

"Habibty, why are you crying?" she asked, wiping away my tears. I fell into her embrace, crying uncontrollably.

Zarah, Abdul just needs your prayers, not your tears," she exclaimed, pulling me up as she hold my hand. "He's going to make it through, Zarah. This isn't the first time we've witnessed something like this." She tried to reassure me with her words, but I know deep down that this situation is different.

"You see, you're also pregnant, and the little one won't be happy seeing you like this," Sufyan's sister added, settling down next to me. "So, for the sake of this baby, please try to eat something." She handed me a steaming cup of milk and a pancake topped with maple syrup. I wiped my tears, took a sip of the milk, and ate a small piece of the pancake before lying back in bed and closing my eyes, trying to calm my worried mind.

*****

"Abdul has regained consciousness!" These four words made me jump out of bed, almost hugging Aunty Rukky tightly. "My Abdullah!" I exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down my face as I silently muttered "Alhamdulillah" under my breath. "He has been asking about you," she exclaim , "We're going to the hospital right now."

After getting dressed, we headed to the hospital. As the doctors has instructed, we have to avoid making any noise, as the patient needed rest. I waited outside the ward for a while, watching as Sufyan and his mother walked in with a hint of happiness in their eyes, a testament to how much Abdul meant to them. His brother is there, but his father is nowhere to be find.

They both walked out after a while, asking me to go in. I eagerly pushed open the hospital room door and practically threw myself inside. Abdul was lying propped up in bed, his face lighting up with a radiant smile as he turned to look at me. His hazel eyes sparkled, and his pale skin and finely formed features made him appear almost angelic.

"What are you staring at?" he asked, his voice raspy, as he laughed shakily and moved to the far side of the bed. "Get over here!"

I grinned back and sat beside him on the bed, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "The doctor's going to hate me," I exclaimed, "you weren't supposed to move!" He smile and I feel a sense of joy and relief at seeing him alive and smiling.

We leaned back against the pillows, and he sighed, his voice filled with relief. "I'm glad you're here, babe. It was lonely without you."

I snorted, "You were unconscious!" I'm the one who's supposed to say that, Abdul. It was lonely without you. I got scared, but then I know you're a fighter. I know you'd soon recover."

He rested his head on my shoulder, not replying, but I could sense his pain. I suppressed a shudder at the thought and squeezed him closer. "I'm never letting you out of my sight again," I murmured, trying to reassure him.

He tried to smile, his eyes still closed, and whispered, "Deal."

****

I knew it - Abdul's sickness has nothing to do with the hospital. He had a relapse right before we left, and the doctors couldn't do anything. We were told to go back home, and Ya Sadeeq drove us back because Sufyan was too distraught to drive. But how did they expect us to calm down after seeing Abdul in that condition? How did they expect us to calm down after seeing Ummi come out of the ward with an expressionless face, same as Sufyan's mother? How did they expect us to calm down when Abdul's father arrived at the hospital with two men, and Abdul was screaming unpleasant words at the top of his lungs? How did they expect us to calm down when we saw Sufyan crying, knowing Abdul is in bad condition?

It is clear - they didn't want us to witness what is going to happen. Abdul's stepmother is definitely involved in this, and I am determined to get to the bottom of it.

I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me, and I immediately lay down on the bed, with Hanan by my side, trying to comfort and calm me down.

Zarah, by Allah, everything will be okay. Since Ya Sadeeq said they'll come back with Abdul, I'm sure they will. You're pregnant, please don't stress yourself out; something might happen to the baby."

I sobbed, "Why him, Hanan? Why him, of all people? She chose to destroy Abdul's life. What had he done to deserve such cruelty?" I lamented, "He deserves happiness, but he never got it. He's been suffering from this sickness since he was a kid."

Hanan pulled me into her arms, "Zarah, don't forget that Allah always tests His patients in different ways. This is what destiny has thrown at Abdul, and we have to accept it." She pleaded, "Please, Zarah, stop crying."

My phone shrilled, and I was taken aback, having forgotten I even have a phone in this chaotic world. Hanan asked, "Should I answer it?" and I nodded. She picked up the call and explained everything to Ammi, who has instructed us to call her once things settled down. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and waited.

Around 5:00 pm sharp, we heard a car honk and rushed to the window. Two cars were parked in the lot. The first one carried Ummi, Mommy, and Ya Sadeeq, while the second car carried Sufyan and, to my delight, my soulmate, Abdul! I let out a happy scream and almost jumped with excitement, but then I remembered I am pregnant and restrained myself.

Abba hold Abdul's hands, and I noticed his head and hands were bandaged, leaving me wondering what other challenges he had faced. Yet, with Abba's support, Abdul is walking, which filled me with immense joy. Who could be happier than me at that moment? I quickly grabbed my hijab, which is lying beside me, and put it on. We both descended the stairs and met them outside. As Abdul walked towards me, our eyes met, and he smiled, raising one brow. I smiled cheekily, covering my face with my palms, and silently thanked Allah, "Alhamdulillah, ya Allah."

Finally finally Abdul is back 🥰🤞🏽