Jigsaw

8. Omar

I was pissed.

Which was fantastic since I was only ever livid or absolutely raving mad. The ever present scowl on my face deepened as I stood under the tarpoline shade in the construction site.

I was overseeing a high priority project for my father when the rain started. My yellow worker's boots were smeared with dried concrete and my baggy overalls were slightly damp.

The rain on the other hand was oblivious of my pissed state as it came down in torrents. I looked at my watch and tapped my booted foot impatiently. I had been hoping to see my siblings and mother today. That hope disappeared the minute the sky clouded over.

The rain had messed up my already packed schedule and now, I couldn't leave. Not that I cared, but if I left the site my father would have a fit and again, not that I cared, but I couldn't have the man barking at me again.

Minutes later it was still raining and I was certain I couldn't take it anymore. I hastily sent word to the workers to go home for the day and started gathering my belongings. Just then the chauffeur came running through the downpour with my phone. I eyed him wearily.

"What is it?"

"It's a call from home"

I frowned as I took the phone and pressed it to my ear.

"You know you're only supposed to call when there's an emer--"

My brother's voice came in strained.

"Omar, it's Mum. S-she fell and she's not moving. I don't know what to do"

My blood instantly ran cold. I could hear my sister whimpering in the background and my chest tightened.

"Stay where the fuck you are. I'm coming"

I didn't even give the chauffeur time to think as I slapped the phone into the his hand and dashed into the rain towards the car. Luckily the keys were still in the ignition. I wasted no time in bringing the engine to life and zooming off, leaving the yelling chauffeur behind.

Unfortunately the traffic was heavier since it was raining. The array of cars were squeezed together on the highway leaving no space for anyone to maneuver through.

"Please fucking move"

I urged, tapping fingers on the steering wheel anxiously. The A/C was blasting but I was sweating profusely. I could feel the lump in my throat as my anxiety and heart rate spiked with each passing second. Just then the car phone rang startling me more than it should have. I answered immediately. My brother was crying profusely now.

"Where are you? She's still not waking up, Omar"

"I swear I'm coming Kay. Just hold on for a while. I'm coming"

I finished whispering the last part. I punched the steering wheel ignoring the pain that shot up my knuckles.

"Fuck!"

The persistent horns surrounding me were beginning to do a number on me and soon, I couldn't take it anymore. I pushed frantically out of the car and began running through the rain which seemed to have only gotten worse.

I didn't stop running. Even when my breaths were coming out in huffs and my legs were threatening to give way. I didn't stop. Several people I passed were giving me looks but I ignored them all. I needed to get home. So I didn't stop running, until I was pushing into house dripping wet, screaming for my siblings.

"Kay! Issy!"

I almost cried when I saw them huddled together in the living room. When they saw me they literally flew into my arms ignoring the fact that I'd been soaked by the rain. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't hold them for long. We didn't have time.

"Where's Mum?"

I asked as I rushed up the stairs, my siblings behind me.

"She's in her room"

Kay coughed out. I could feel my heart hammering against my ribcage as I quickly ascended the stairs to my mother's room. My heart damn near stopped when I saw her lying face first on the floor.

She looked.... lifeless.

"God please"

I whispered, breaking into a cold sweat as I examined her.
She was still breathing. Thank God. I finally collected myself enough to ask

"What happened? Did you call the old man?"

I hoisted my mom into my arms and made for the door on slightly shaky legs.

"His phone wasn't reachable"

Isra mumbled, talking for the first time since I'd arrived. My heart broke into a million pieces. She was just a child for fuck's sake, she didn't need to go through all this. I had tried my best to protect my siblings from things like this and I hated myself so much for not being here with them today.

I was a fucking failure.

All because of that damned project. I couldn't help but blame my father for everything that was happening right now.

"It's okay, baby. I'm here now. She'll be alright"

Apparently they had just finished having lunch when it happened. They had been in their rooms and the maids were all gone on leave. Isra had been the one to find her and I couldn't imagine what my sister must have felt seeing her mother like that.

I didn't let myself think about it as I set my mother down in the backseat with Kay. I made sure Isra's seat belt was installed before getting in the driver's seat and speeding towards the hospital.

~~~~~

How I despised this place. The bright lights, murky white walls and severe smell of antiseptic made me dizzy. The nurses had taken my mother in immediately and told us that we couldn't go any further. Typical.

I had tried to call my father again but he still wasn't reachable, and for the first time in ages, I didn't let myself get angry. For my siblings' sakes.

The silence that engulfed us as we sat in the waiting room was heavy with unsaid words. I held Isra tightly as she sobbed quietly into my shoulder. Kay was sitting beside me, he wasn't crying anymore but I didn't miss the way his knee bounced up and down.

I felt an unfamiliar stinging sensation in my eyes as I looked at up the dull colored ceiling. I didn't cry. I couldn't cry. If I did, Kay and Issy would just feel worse. I had to be strong for them no matter the outcome.

No matter the outcome.

A//N
|Thanks For Reading|
|Vote. Comment|