Junooniyat|✔

CHAPTER 26

Maryam Chaudhary
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I let out a groan, trying to shift in the bed, but every movement sends a sharp pain coursing through my body. I hear voices beside me, but I can't open my eyes. My body is aching all over, making it impossible for me to move. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping to block out the pain.

After what it feels like hours, I finally managed to open my eyes. Everything is blur, and I have to blink rapidly to try and focus. I look and realize that I'm in a hospital bed. Confusion and fear flood through me as I wonder how I ended up here.

I turn my head to the left and see my parents deep in conversation. I try to call out to baba, but my voice comes out as a weak mumble. He turns to me, and I see a beautiful smile on his face. "Thank goodness, gudiya, you're awake,". He says, coming towards me and gently kissing my forehead.

I let out a sigh and take a deep breath, trying to digest everything. "Water", I manage to mumble, looking at mama who is watching me with tears in her eyes.

"Of course, my love", baba said, handing me a glass of water and helping me take a sip.

"Mama", I whisper, wanting nothing more than to feel her love and warmth. But she shakes her head, telling that I need to rest. I pout and give her my best puppy eyes, causing her to laugh and sit on the bed beside me. I raise my head from the pillow and place it on her lap, feeling a sense of comfort and safety wash over me. As she runs her fingers through my hair, I know that everything will be okay.

After few minutes, a deep groan escaped from my lips. Tears formed in my eyes as the pain in my back intensified. Mama's gentle voice broke through my agony, "hey, gudiya, what's wrong?", she caressed my cheek with concern.

"My back is hurting so much", I managed to say through my tears. Just then, the door opened and Danish Raza Mir entered the room. Memories flooded back as I remembered how he had forcefully taken me from the cafeteria, claiming someone was trying to kill me. I begged him take me home, but he refused.

In desperation, I called him 'bhai' (brother), and he reacted by kissing me forcefully. I ran away, slapping him twice in my fury. But as I fled, a shot rang out, and that's the last thing I remember before everything went black.

Tears streaming down my face from the intense pain in my back. Baba interrupted by storming out of the room to call the doctor. I clung to my mother's hand for comfort, my eyes still closed.

When I finally opened them, I saw Danish standing there, looking miserable. His hair was a mess, his eyes red, and his shirt buttons were undone. I could also see bloodstains on his white shirt, and I wrinkle my nose in disgust before turning my head away from him.

"Don't worry, the doctor will be here soon, and the pain will fade away", mama reassured me, wiping my tears away. I nodded, grateful for her comfort, and closed my eyes, trying to push away the memories that haunted me.

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To be continued

Allah hafiz 💕💕