Mrs Mahmud, Mrs Mas'ood

4

Mahmud hated the fact that the room was really cold.

He opened his eyes and the first thing he was grateful for was the absence of the headache that had threatened to split his head in two during the exams. A glance at the digital clock on the top of the nightstand told him it was 6:17PM.

With wide eyes, he pushed the duvet away and sat up. For a moment the world spun. The door went open then and he heard his mother's voice before she appeared at his side.

"Mahmud, do you feel better?" She scanned his body as though she would find any bruises. "Do you need anything? Does anywhere hurt? Have you –"

"Mama," His voice was deeper with a slight rasp and the smile he managed to give her was small. "I'm okay."

She stared at him for a long moment before she got angry. She hit his back painfully. "Are you insane!? I told you to eat and rest well but do you ever listen to me!? No!"

Mahmud's expression was pinched as he rubbed the sore spot. "Mama, haba mana."

"Do you know how scared your father and I were!?"

"I'm sorry."

"You better be. Your father has taken the doctor back to the hospital. They said you've been stressed and you need adequate rest but I know that'll be impossible because you have like two more written exams and then the vocal interviews or whatever it is."

Mahmud felt bad. "I'm really sorry, Mama. I honestly felt good this morning and I never saw it coming."

Aisha looked away. "That's your business. Stand up and pray Zuhr and Asr. It's almost time for Maghrib."

"Does today's fast still count for me?"

She would not meet his eyes. "I guess so. They didn't inject you or force anything into your body because your father said no. Just stand up and pray, Mahmud. I'll be in the kitchen."

He got out of bed as she walked towards the open door of his room. He easily caught her wrist, guilt eating him up from within. "Mama, ya hakuri."

Aisha did nothing for a few seconds. Then she turned around and her eyes shone with unshed tears.

"You have to slow down, Mahmud. I told you that you needed to slow down time and time again but you didn't want to listen. I know this exam is important to you but you're important to your father and me too. I know you really want to ace this but please take care of yourself. I'm begging you."

He nodded, tears pooling up in his eyes. "I'll be more careful. I'm sorry."

She used her free hand to wipe away her tears. With a sniffle, she smiled at him. "It's okay, Mahmud. You're okay now and that's the important thing."

She slid her wrist out of his loose hold and held his hand in both of hers. She squeezed softly. "Just pray and then come down so I don't stay alone in the kitchen. I know you have a paper tomorrow but you can't stay up late studying. You're going to take your medication, revise for about half an hour and then go to bed. Am I clear?"

Mahmud knew better than to argue. "Crystal."

Her smile widened. "Good." She patted the back of his hand. "Go and pray."

He sniffled. "I love you, Mama."

She kept smiling as she stepped forward and hugged him. She sighed when he hugged her back and buried his face in the crook of her neck. "You'll be okay In Shaa Allah."

Mahmud simply closed his eyes and hugged her tighter.

~*~

"Mama said we're hosting an Iftar this weekend. She wants you home too so you can help her cook."