I'm Right Here

Chapter 25 - "Sister wives?"

"Fiza is in the hospital," Faisal stated with a hint of apprehension in his expression.

Asfia's heart began to race, her emotions in turmoil. She didn't know how to respond.

"I'm going... I'm going to the hospital a little early today," he informed her, avoiding direct eye contact.

Asfia's voice was filled with realization, not a question. "You are going to see Fiza." She momentarily wondered if his feelings for Fiza still extended beyond just guilt.

Faisal continued to avoid looking at her, his gaze drifting from the wall behind her, to the floor.

Tears welled up in Asfia's eyes. She couldn't help but feel frustrated with this recurring presence of Fiza in their lives. "You left him," she thought, her anger directed at Fiza. "Stay gone!"

Concerned, she inquired, "Umma and Uppa?" They had had plans to return to Calicut today.

"I've asked them to keep the spare key after locking the door," Faisal assured her.

One less thing to worry about, Asfia mused, her thoughts veering towards the relationship she wished she could have had with his parents.

Faisal swiftly donned his clothes, snatched up an energy bar for a quick bite, and gathered his stethoscope, as he made his way to the door.

Asfia hurriedly followed him, reaching out to tug at his arm. He came to an abrupt stop, seemingly surprised by her touch. "Won't you look at me?" she implored, her voice trembling with emotion.

Faisal turned his gaze to his wife's face, where delicate tear drops clung to her lashes, her raised eyebrows silently questioning him. He let out a sharp exhale and gently cradled her face in his hand. "Asfia," he whispered, and she closed her eyes in response.

With a tender kiss on her lips, Faisal left her side, closing the door behind him as he departed, leaving Asfia to open her eyes to an empty space where her husband had been.

Faisal reached the bustling hospital, his footsteps echoing in the sterile corridor. All he knew was that Fiza's roommate, Bharti, had discovered her unconscious and had rushed her to the hospital. Fiza was situated in a semi-private room on the medical floor, an aura of somberness enveloping the surroundings.

Before entering, he knocked lightly. Fiza, with her eyes closed, sensed his presence next to her and opened them, offering a faint smile. "Faisal," she rasped, her voice barely audible.

Faisal's heart sank as he took in the sight before him. Her once-vibrant eyes now seemed sunken, and her disheveled hair framed her frail face.

With a gentle, concerned tone, he inquired, "Fiza, what happened to you?" She merely shook her head in response. His eyes fell on her medical chart on the bedside table. It revealed that she had been admitted two days ago. He couldn't help but glance at the lab results. 'Bicarb 12, anion gap 24, glucose 50, sodium 129. Urine: ketones +++,' the data screamed. Faisal didn't need to turn the page to interpret the labs and understand what had transpired. The diagnosis read 'Starvation ketoacidosis.' Fiza hadn't been eating to the point where her body was starting to convert her fat stores to acid.

"Fiza, are you..." Faisal began but hesitated, struggling to find the right words that wouldn't invade her personal space. Taking a seat in a chair near the head of her bed, he extended his hand and gently pushed her hair back, his fingers lightly stroking her the top of her head. Fiza's eyes closed at his touch, her tense face momentarily relaxing.

As his fingers traced through her hair, he couldn't help but wonder about the turmoil in her life. However, he was cautious about prying too much, not wanting to be ensnared by any lingering feelings for her. After a brief moment, he withdrew his hand, and Fiza slowly opened her eyes.