Strangely Familiar - The Stolen Fate | On Hold

Chapter 1

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." - Baba Ruth

***

"Think I should be the one to say that, don't you?" His expression turned to relief as he said in a breathy voice.

Samraat slid into the chair next to the bed and tried to put on a brave smile, but it faltered at the sight of her. Though he looked tired like he hadn't slept for days, he still tried his best to keep up. Naina wanted to ask, but her throat suddenly felt too sore and dry.

She coughed. "W-water, please."

Nodding, he quickly fetched a glass holding a straw out for her. "Here, this will help."

She sipped in, grimacing as the water slid through, almost like her food pipe forgot the feel of H₂O.

Keeping it aside, she wiped her mouth. "What h-happened?"

Her voice came out in a rough whisper, tripping on a few syllables.

Naina asked, trying to lift her upper body. No matter how hard she tried, the more she strived to pull her weight, the heavier it felt. She struggled to sit up straight. A pair of arms helped her get up as he pushed the CPR button to lift the upper edge of the bed, relaxing the mattress. Naina sighed after her body inclined backward, taking support from the back.

It felt good to sit up but she wanted to stretch her limbs as well. Seeing wires on her body, needles attached to the upper side of her palms, she knew it wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

"That's a million-dollar question, Nans." Her brother, nonetheless, understood and spoke in a low voice almost scared that she will slip into the state of unconsciousness again.

Naina wanted to speak, but her voice was too scratchy. It felt different. Perhaps her voice was down because of a sore throat.

Confused, she stared down at him. "W-what do you mean?" Her panic flared. "Did something hap-pen to you? Are you hurt? Mr. Kazmi? Tia?"

"Relax," He said soothingly though his voice sounded anything but. The tone was troubled and did not match his words. Naina shook her head slightly, her chest tightening as a sense of dread washed over her.

"Tell me the truth."

She was suddenly taken into a warm hug, his arms tightening around her, too strong for her fragile bones. She tried to break as he was squishing her bones together but couldn't move in her frail state. It took her a minute to realize that her brother was shaking in the embrace.

"What's w-rong, Sammy?" She spoke in between his low whimpers and sobs.

He pulled away as his tone became tense. "I thought I lost you."

"I t-thought so too, felt it too," She said carefully, clearing her throat. "I w-was ready for it."

He raised his head to meet her broken eyes. "I know. We all know."

The expression that greeted Naina was mixed with hurt and anger, but largely, it was the devastation that was etched all over his face.

The door opened once again, and Rahil Kazmi appeared in the room with a pleasant smile. "I heard the Doc say you were awake. How do you feel?"

Naina smiled tersely. "Like I am an elastic band st-stretched in two different directions with my bones break-ing, so you know, better."

"It's a good thing you can still joke about it." Rahil Kazmi said lightly.

She looked at them in anticipation, hoping someone would explain something. They merely exchanged glances and nodded.

"I know you must have a lot of questions."