Unexpected Promises

Chapter 66 ✓

Saad's pov:

Once the juice was spilled, it didn't take long for Atifa's health to take a turn for the worse. Fever, body pain and the risk of getting blood infection; that was what kept me awake that night. If it weren't for her sudden fever, she would have been discharged by this evening. But of course, some things aren't meant to be the way we want them to be.

Running my thumb across her knuckles, a tired sigh escaped my lips. I knew she was upset with me, but I didn't know how to make it up to her. 

She was eager to get back home, I was too. But there was no way the doctor's would allow her to leave in this state. At least not until they keep her monitored for a day.

Biting my lips, I moved to the other side of the bed, towards the window. Since it was going to be a long night, I might as well admire the sky and pray to the one above to make things okay.

Even if things would never be the same again, it could at least get easier for us to accept it. Only and only if we pray and try our best.

._._._.

Staring at the third incoming call from mama, a tired sigh escaped my lips. I had been avoiding them since I found Atifa. Not that I didn't call them at all, I did, but I couldn't bring myself to tell them anything. Guilt was gnawing at my heart like a plague, making me restless. But for how long? How much could I avoid them and hide the truth? They must have already gotten to know about it through Alayna but I still hadn't told them anything myself. It was rude of me, I know, but I couldn't muster up enough courage.

Rubbing my face, I exhaled loudly. I had to confront them today or tomorrow. But I didn't know why I was getting so worked up just to talk to them. Baba wasn't even upset with me anymore. And mama had forgiven me, but I didn't know about Atifa. I didn't know if she had forgiven her too or if she would happily accept her or not. In front of me, she was ready to accept her, but what if her return triggers her memories and she changes her mind?

Finally accepting the call, I moved out of the room. There was no point in avoiding them anymore. "Assalamualaikum mama."

"Walikumussalam. What's wrong? You haven't been picking up our calls lately. Is everything okay ya phir tum hame wapas bhul gaye?" I could feel her glaring daggers at me. Her taunt was an indication that she knew about them and there was no point in hiding it anymore.

(Is everything okay or did you forget us again?)

"Everything is fine mama. And I haven't forgotten anyone. It's just that…''

"What? Since you found your wife, have we become your second priority?" 

"No God! It's nothing like that! I was… stressed and didn't know how to confront you…"

"You could have at least informed us about your whereabouts. But you didn't even call us back after our calls. Were you that busy?" She fumed, making me squeeze my eyes shut.

"No mama. Things have been a bit… messed up, that's why I couldn't call you." Biting my lips, I tried not to lie.

"But you could have at least informed us that you found them!" She was frustrated. And I could understand her frustration. It was my fault.

"Believe me mama, I wanted to be the first person to tell you about it. But that couldn't happen. Things just… didn't turn out to be the way I expected and- yeah… that's it…" Pocketing my other hand, I walked into the lawn in front of the hospital. There were only a few people roaming around as it was still early morning.

"I still can't believe that I got to know about it through Alayna and not you. And how come she knew about it before me? You got time to tell her everything but not me?! Are you being serious-"