HUSNA

Chapter61

"You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back." – Barbara De Angelis

**************

"Do you really think what you're doing is right?" Faisal's voice cut through the tension as he took a sip of his drink. "Think with your common sense, Captain . Did you ever for once believe Husna would do something stupid like this?"

He leaned forward, think about what your cousins said the first day she came into your house. She was sick, and you didn't even care about her health. She had to call me to take her to the hospital, Captain . You! If you're truly tired of the girl, then let her go back to her parents instead of shutting her down. You have no idea what she's going through."

He shook his head. "At least you should have called your mom. Maybe she could've helped solve all this before it got this bad."

Hameed took a deep breath, his jaw tightening. He bit his lower lip, staring down at the table. "You're right," he admitted quietly. "I'm a coward. I'm so stupid. How could I fall for this?" His voice cracked. "I shut her down completely without even hearing her out. I should've listened to her. Fareeda can go to any extent to get what she wants."

He dragged his hands over his face, massaging his temples as guilt pressed down on him. "Ya Allah, what a mess," he muttered under his breath. "I should contact Mom first."

He picked up his phone and dialed Fareeda's number. She answered on the first ring.

"Fareeda, can you please give the phone to Husna? I haven't been able to reach her line," he asked.

Her voice came smoothly, too smoothly. "Husna isn't in the house since you left," she said. "I don't know where she went."

"Alright... thank you," he mumbled, ending the call and glancing at Faisal. "You see? This is what she always does. And I always... believe her words."

Faisal exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Then fix the mess you created yourself. I don't know what else to say."

He  slumped back in his chair, guilt twisting in his chest. He scrolled to his mother's contact and hit call. Once, twice, three times  she didn't answer. On the fourth ring, he voice came through

"Abdulhameed, what is it? You've been calling repeatedly."

He rubbed his beard and smiled weakly. His mother always knew when something was wrong. "Mum, I... I need your advice."

He told her everything  about the pills, about Husna's sickness, about the fights and misunderstandings that had consumed their home. When he mentioned her stomach pain, his voice trembled.

"She's been suffering from pain for almost two weeks," he said softly.

There was a long silence on the other end before his mother spoke again.

"I need to see her first before putting her on any medication. How's her health now?"

He stuttered, struggling for words. "Sh-she..." His throat tightened. He couldn't finish the sentence.

His mother paused, sensing the distance between them, but she chose not to push. "Just take her to a gynecologist," tell me what the doctor says, and we'll decide what to do next."

He nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "Alright, Mum. Thank you."

When he hung up, he just sat there for a while  silent, hollow, and lost in thought. He'd messed up badly. Now the only question left was how to fix

*****

Cold winds harshly blew against the window, the sound a stark contrast to the warmth of her tears, which streamed down her cheeks. The argument with him still lingered in her mind, the memory of his angry words fresh in her ears. Closing her eyes, she laid her head down on her soft cotton pillow, clutching her blanket tightly to her chest. She shivered, despite the warmth of the blanket, her body trembling like a dog shaking its fur. She hugged her arms closer to her body, but her breaths became ragged, and a sigh escaped her lips. She hated that she still loved him, hated that she still wanted him. summoning her last bit of strength, she managed to stand up, despite her frail condition, and shut the windows tightly. She returned to her bed, covering herself with the blanket.

The stomach pain is unbearable, and she has used all the medicine the hospital had given her, but nothing seemed to be working. Her hair was splayed across her pillow, her silent eyes whispering a thousand words as she closed her eyes. Losing the trust and faith she once had in their relationship is the worst thing that could have happened to her.

The door creaked open, and without looking, she knows it is him . She pretended to be asleep, not wanting to confront him.

Hameed walked towards her, checking her temperature. "Shit, she's burning," he muttered
he tried to touch her forehead, but she immediately pushed his hand away. "Don't touch me," she scoffed.

He ignored her and stood up from the bed. "It's cold outside, but he need to take her to the hospital.
he rummaged through her closet, searching for a jacket. "Take this and wear it," he exclaim , throwing the jacket onto the bed.

She remained still, not even flinching an inch. She pulled the blanket over her face, shutting herself off from him .

"Don't make me repeat myself," he warned.

Husna tossed to the other side of the bed, paying no attention to Hameed's words. He slid the blanket down, gently raising her to her feet.

"Take this and wear it," he muttered , holding out the jacket.

"No, I won't," she spat, sending him a dagger. like glance.

"Okay, fine," he muttered , swooping in to pick her up in his arms.

He walked out of the room, carrying her. "You! Where the hell are you taking me?" she screamed, biting him on the chest.

Fareeda watched the scene unfold with great interest. She thought that they were still fighting, and she us determined to make them pay for their mistakes. She smiled to herself, polishing her nails with satisfaction.

"Let me down! Let me down!" She screamed, struggling in his arms. He lightly chuckled and placed her in the car, locking the door immediately.

The ride to the hospital is far from silent. She continued to shout and scream at the top of her voice until she grow tired and fell silent, gently shedding tears.

"Do you really hate me that much?" I'm sick, but you have to drag me out in this state. You're such a..."

Oh, shut up, will you?" he growled. "I swear, the moment I hear you call me with such names, you'll surely regret what I might do."

"I won't keep quiet. Make me shut my mouth," she yelled.

He halted the car in the middle of the road, his eyes fixed intently on her . "Say something useless again.

He could feel his gaze burning into her, as if trying to pierce her heart. "What will you do if I say...Abdulhameed?" she spat out his name, as if it left a bitter taste in her mouth. "You're a heartless person and a c..."

His hand rose, and she flinched, expecting a slap. But instead, his lips crashed down on hers, his tongue lavishing her mouth with a kiss full of emotion.