Kaabil

36. NEWS

Murtasim

She fainted.

Right in front of my eyes, she fainted.

She was an arm's length away from me. Second time in my life, I felt helpless. My arms were quick to reach her before her head hit the table. I yelled her name, and with the worst fear of my life, I pressed my thumb to her pulse, trying to feel something underneath it. Slowly breathing out and with her lifeless body in my arms, I ran to the car, screaming at Bakhtu to drive since Meerab occupied my senses.

Chacha Jaan had called the hospital already, and Nurses were waiting for Meerab with a stretcher. One old lady came forward and tried to push my hand away from Meerab's shoulder.

"Sir, you need to let her go."

I shook my head. "I can't. Take me with her."

"Sir, please try to cooperate."

Bakhtu held my shoulder and pulled me away, "Khan Sab, Meerab Bibi will be fine."

The old nurse quickly pushed Meerab into the emergency ward, leaving me alone in the hallway with Bakhtu beside me. I glanced at him, he nodded, and I closed my eyes.

I need Meerab to be okay. She promised me she would never leave my side, and I'm counting on her to keep that promise. My heart raced with worry, and I felt like screaming to reassure everyone that she would be okay. I rely on her as much as on the air I breathe. She is my oxygen.

Ten minutes passed, and no one came out of the room. Our family occupied many seats along the wall. Ahmed and Haya were also on their way. Maryam most likely called them up.

Another ten minutes later, the door opened, and a woman came out. I yelped out of my seat to reach her. "Nothing to worry about. Her sugar was low, and she fainted. The Doctor will talk to you all soon."

I sighed, asking, "Can I see her?"

"Are you the husband?"

I nodded. "Yes."

She smacked her lips, "We have given her glucose and vitamin drip. You can wait in the room. I would prefer only you to go in. She might need you when she wakes up, which will be anytime soon."

Mama thanked the physician and turned to me, "Murtasim, see, she is alright. Meerab had been neglecting food and was not eating properly at the Iftar."

I exhaled and turned my feet towards the room from which the physician came out. Meerab was sleeping on the bed with an IV drip attached to her right hand. By her looks, everything looks okay, except she is a little pale. I find myself pulling the stool out and sitting beside her on the left side of the bed. My hand cupped hers, and my lips pressed against her soft skin.

She stirred, waking up. Her eyes barely open, and she whispered in her cracked voice, "Murtasim?" My inhale was loud enough for her to open her eyes and scan my face thoroughly. "What happened?"

"You fainted. Low sugar."

"Oh."

"The doctor will be here to take to us soon."

The door opened, and a middle-aged lady from earlier walked in with the young woman. "Hello, Mrs. Khan. How are you feeling?"

Meerab scoffed, "Like puking."

The Doctor smiled. "That is one of the most common symptoms. Everything looks good. Except your hCG levels seemed to have a peak, which led to doing a certain test, and the result was positive."

"What test?" My brain stopped working a while ago.

The Doctor beamed again, "Congratulations, Mrs. Khan, you are pregnant."