DECE-P-TION

DXLI

Alya's point of view.

I hold babas hand in mine, sniffling. The door swings open and I raise my head to see Falah. He walks in, his eyes stuck on baba. "Anything?" I shake my head,leaning back on my chair. "Nothing." My chin quivers before I stand up and hug him for comfort. He holds me tightly, letting my tears wet his shirt. I felt his lips on my forehead with his arm caressing my back.

"I'm scared he won't wake up." I hold him tighter, replaying the sight of baba being dragged by the horse. "Let's pray he does." He kisses me on the forehead again. I raise my head to look at him. "Thank you...for everything. I don't know how to thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." He pulls away, holding my hands in his. I furrow my brows in confusion and worry. What could possibly make him say that? "Baba told me something for a while now....". He starts, my curiosity getting piqued with each second. "He told me he had cancer, stage four." I step back, using my hand to cover my mouth.

I keep calm and take a seat , tears starting to fill my eyes as Falah squats in front of me. "I know you're angry...".

"Angry?" He sighs. "He didn't want you to worry and we wanted to find a solution first. Chemo wasn't possible so we decided to try the drugs that was prescribed for him." I shake my head. "Is it from doctor haleem?"

"No, it's from a family doctor in India so I introduced Arun to baba."

"You couldn't tell me?"

"I'm sorry." I stand up, wrapping my arms around my body. "Why are you telling me this? Now?" I bite my finger, seeing the hesitation on his face. "Falah, why?" He shifts his eyes away from me. "He might not make it-". I start sobbing when he runs to my side. "It's not a fact, I just wanted you to know." I pull my arm away from him.

"You couldn't warn me or anything, I was just supposed to accept his sudden death? I could've spent the rest of his....days with him doing something he likes, not fighting with him." I whimper, regretting the things I said to him. "That wasn't my intention."

I was about to shout when I remind myself of baba so I keep it down. "It doesn't matter, I'm still finding out when it's late. Hopefully not too late but I can't talk to you right now. I want to be alone, please leave." I sniffle, calmly with my hands interlaced. He nods,walking out of the room. I enter the rest room,crying hardly into my hands.

Is baba truly gone? Is that it? It can't be. He's going to wake up. It's not his first nor will this be the last. He will wake up. I wipe my tears, washing my face with the water from the faucet I opened.

I step out of the restroom and decide to check on the others outside, hopefully to tell Jabir and Lateefa the news. I open the door to see Falah still sitting on the chair. He has done so much for me and my family but withholding something like this is not appreciated. What was he thinking? I turn my head to see Rayyan walking in with bags in his hands. I smile weakly at him as he walks to me.

He drop the bags beside me before pulling me in for a hug. I pat his back, feeling my eyes sting. "I'm sorry, I came as soon as I heard." He pulls away making me sniffle. "Thank you for coming. You didn't need to buy all this." He shakes his head. "If there's anything, I'm here. How's he doing?"

I shrug, trying to stop my chin from quivering. "Praying for the best." I slightly bite my lip. "Do you mind if I stay?" I furrow my brows. "Not at all." He holds my hand. "Rayyan." Jabir calls rayyan from behind which makes us turn to look at him. "Good day, Jabir."

"Good day, rayyan."

"I offer my condolence-".

"He's not dead, he's in a coma." Jabir counters before rayyan could finish. "Fortunately, hopefully he'll wake up soon." Jabir nods and I take a deep breath. "He bought all this for us." I tell Jabir to show appreciation. "He didn't need to, Falah has already gotten everything but it's appreciated." He counters making rayyan smile. "Where is Falah?" Rayyan looks around and I dart my eyes to where he was but he isn't there anymore.

"I don't know. Maybe he stepped out." Rayyan takes a deep breath, nodding. "Okay. I'll be here if you need anything." He walks to the chairs as I turn to look at Jabir. "What was that for? He was simply helping." Jabir rolls his eyes. "I know you never liked him but that was years ago."

"I didn't dislike him anymore, I just started again because he struts in and embraces someone's wife in front of him and his family members. That's not someone to like."

"You just like Falah."

"Hasn't he proved himself worthy?"

"He didn't tell us that baba has cancer, stage four. He just told me now." I look at Jabir but there's no surprise on his face. "You knew." I scoff, shaking my head. "At this point, does Lateefa know?" Jabir exhales. "I recently heard from Falah and I can understand you but what do you want him to do? For baba to confide in him and then he comes to you to relay everything? Would you call him a man then?"

I shrug. "I don't know about that but what I know is, if this hadn't happened, would I just be informed of baba's death just like that? I don't deserve that. He doesn't." I cross my arms, shaking my head. "I'm not saying you should forgive him immediately but be fair. Does he deserve this treatment? To be frank, he isn't his father but he has been a huge help to him and to us."

"That doesn't change what he did." Jabir sighs, placing his hands on my shoulders. "I hope you realize how helpful and lucky you are before it's too late." He walks away as a stray tear rolls down my cheek.

* Vote

* Follow

* Comment