Jaan-e-Azlan❤

17....

Mantasha stirred in her sleep, blinking away the drowsiness as she rubbed her eyes. Through her half-opened lids, the first thing she saw was Azlan, his eyes fixed on her with a tender warmth that made her blush. He chuckled softly at her reaction, his gaze lingering on her reddened cheeks.

She glanced out of the window and noticed they had parked outside the clinic. Sitting up straight, she turned to Azlan, who was still watching her with a gentle smile.

"The red in your cheeks suits you. And knowing I caused it warms my heart," Azlan said softly, his voice carrying a hint of affection. He wanted to say more, to express how much she meant to him, but he held back, waiting for the right moment.

"How long was I asleep?" Mantasha asked, her curiosity piqued. Azlan shrugged, glancing at his watch. "We've been here for 45 minutes," he replied casually, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

"What? Why didn't you wake me?" Mantasha exclaimed, a touch of irritation in her voice. Azlan sighed gently. "I thought you could use a bit more rest. I figured you might be tired. Shall we go inside now?" he suggested, reaching out to help her out of the car. She nodded in agreement, letting him assist her as they walked towards the clinic entrance.

Despite Azlan's reassuring presence, Mantasha couldn't shake her discomfort. The sterile scent of hospitals always made her uneasy, and she wrinkled her nose as they entered. Azlan noticed her expression and squeezed her hand reassuringly, offering a small smile to ease her nerves.

That's why he always accompanied her—to provide comfort and support, even in the simplest of moments.

He held the door of the doctor's office open, guiding Mantasha inside and helping her settle into a chair. Every movement seemed to cause her pain—her legs, stomach, back, even her face ached as if her entire body had been shattered. Azlan's earlier caution about the adrenaline wearing off now rang true.

The doctor examined Mantasha with a concerned furrow in their brow. After a brief assessment, a nurse hurried in and began bandaging her wounds carefully. Azlan was asked to step out while they assessed the extent of the damage to her legs and back. The nurse gasped audibly at the sight of the purple and red marks marring Mantasha's legs, along with bruises dotting her stomach. They worked meticulously to treat her injuries, applying gentle care to each area.

The doctor recommended further tests before discussing her condition. Azlan's worry was palpable, though he tried to maintain composure for Mantasha's sake. He stayed close by, ensuring she underwent all necessary tests promptly. They were informed that some results would take about 30 minutes, while for one test, they would need to return in three days to collect the report.

Throughout the wait, Azlan remained steadfast at Mantasha's side, offering silent support and a reassuring presence, even as concern gnawed at him.

After collecting all the reports except for one, they made their way back to the doctor's office. Mantasha was visibly exhausted, on the verge of tears. Azlan knew she couldn't hold back much longer. Finally, as her strength waned, she buried her face in his shoulder. Without hesitation, he held her close, his heart breaking at the sound of her sob.

He gently rubbed her back, trying to soothe her. "It's okay, Misha. Just a little longer, princess. I'll ask the doctor for more painkillers. You're so strong, you can do this, right?" Azlan murmured, his voice tender and reassuring, comforting her like a child. After a moment, she took a deep breath and nodded faintly.

Azlan wiped the tears from her face and affectionately patted her head. "That's my girl. Let's go finish this up, okay?" he encouraged, and she nodded again. Leading her back into the doctor's office, Azlan presented all the reports. The doctor, with a relieved expression, assured them there was no internal damage.