Bound to the Don

chapter 4

Salma

I had lost track of time, but somehow, I found myself standing outside Omar's workplace.

He was sitting on a bench, his shirt slung over his shoulder, eating a simple meal of rice and lettuce. The sight triggered a loud growl from my empty stomach, and I mentally berated myself for the sixth time that day for leaving the house without eating. If only I had stayed home, perhaps I wouldn't have endured the humiliation I suffered earlier.

I approached Omar, my footsteps deliberate. "Omar," I said, sitting beside him. He turned to me, startled, and set his food down. "Sally?" he questioned, relief washing over his face, followed by a frown. I felt a pang of guilt for leaving the house without a word, knowing my family would be worried sick. I mentally chastised myself for the seventh time that day. What had I been thinking, leaving without telling anyone, not even Omar? I was foolish beyond measure.

Omar's voice broke the silence. "Sally, where have you been all morning? We've searched every neighborhood, even Aziza's! No one thought you'd go there, considering how you two don't get along." His eyes were wide with disbelief.

"Mami was frantic, calling everyone to see if they'd seen you. Papa was on the verge of a heart attack!" Omar's words hung in the air, a testament to the worry I had caused.

Omar's words cut deep. "You just left without telling anyone, not even me! Now Baba's in the hospital after almost having a heart attack due to being worried for you  I have to work twice as hard today just to make sure we have food on the table. This is my first meal all day, and I'm sure you're starving. Take it, eat!" He offered me his bowl of rice, but I was too stunned to accept.

The news of Papa's hospitalization hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. How could I be so thoughtless? Leaving home without telling anyone was out of character for me. My eyes welled up with tears, and I sobbed uncontrollably. "Papa's in the hospital! Is he okay? What have I done?" I cried, too distraught to accept the offered food

Omar set the bowl down and took my hands in his, gently wiping away my tears. I was a mess, having cried on and off since morning. The sun was now high overhead, casting a late-afternoon glow. How long had I been out? I had lost all sense of time

" Sally, it's okay come here " he said pulling close and embracing me. I hugged him back trying to find some comfort from because I'm totally list right now!

Omar's arms wrapped around me, offering a fleeting sense of comfort. "It's okay, Sally, it's not your fault do don't blame yourself" he whispered softly.

But his next words shattered the fragile calm. "Papa's heart is stable, but the doctor says the operation needs to happen now. We have to pay for it immediately." Omar's voice was heavy with worry.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. My heart racing, I stood up, clutching my stomach as if it could contain the anxiety building inside me. Tears streamed down my face, and I let out a strangled cry.

"How are we supposed to get the money?" I asked, my voice cracking with desperation. "Why is this happening to us? When will all this misery end?" I sobbed, feeling helpless and lost.

Omar looked up at me with sad eyes. "The doctor says Papa needs to stay in the hospital for supervision and to avoid any stress that could worsen his condition." He paused, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. "I used up all our money last night for today's hospital bills, medication, and food.

Now, I'm thinking of working two shifts today – 10 hours straight – to earn more money." He appealed to a higher power, "Please, God, give me the strength to do this. I've never worked so much before, but I have to try. My family is counting on me." His voice cracked as he buried his face in his hands, overwhelmed by uncertainty.