𝐂𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐕𝐨𝐰𝐬

Chapter 3

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For every girl who has ever felt powerless

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AAMIRAH.

It's been past midnight and there's no response from mama or baba. Inaya has slept as she has her class tomorrow morning but I can't, I don't why, there's a 'this' uneasiness within my heart.

I already made calls and has sent several texts but all of them were unresponsive.

When the phone rang, it was an unfamiliar number. I answered, and the words that followed felt like they were coming from a distant place. The voice on the other end was calm but carried a gravity that made my stomach drop.

I could barely process what was being said—something about an accident, my parents, and the hospital. My hands shook uncontrollably as I hung up the call.

My legs felt like they were made of lead as I stumbled to the living room. The room seemed to spin, and I tried to grasp the reality of the situation. I could barely breathe, my chest tight and my mind racing.

Every worst-case scenario flashed before my eyes. I felt a deep, gnawing fear, and all I wanted was to be with them, to make sure they were okay. My world felt like it was falling apart, and I didn’t know how to hold it together or what to do next.

The phone rang again and this time I picked it with calm mind as this might be a joke.

“Is this Aamirah Sheikh?” The voice on the other end was calm, but there was a gravity that made my stomach churn.

“Yes, this is Aamirah,” I replied, trying to steady my voice.

“This is Officer Harris with the local police department. I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but your parents have been in a car accident. They’re currently at Al syed's Hospital.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. I felt my breath catch, and for a moment, the room spun. My mind raced, trying to grasp the reality of what I was hearing. “Are they... are they okay?” My voice cracked, betraying the fear that had taken hold of me.

“They’ve been taken to the emergency room. They’re in stable condition, but we need you to come to the hospital immediately,” the officer said.

I could barely process the rest of the conversation, my thoughts a whirlwind of panic and confusion. “Thank you,” I mumbled before hanging up. I sat there for a moment, the weight of the news settling over me.

My hands were shaking as I tried to get up from the bed. My legs felt weak, as if they might give out at any second.

I grabbed my abaya and some cash, fumbling with them as I tried to focus. Every movement felt surreal, like I was moving through a thick fog. The drive to the hospital felt interminable.

I didn't tried to wake Inaya up but had left a message for her.

The usual landmarks seemed unfamiliar, as if they had suddenly changed while my world had been turned upside down. I kept glancing at the clock, each minute stretching into an eternity.

The fear gnawed at me, each second seeming to pull me further from any semblance of control.

When I finally arrived at Al syed  Hospital, the sight of the building felt both comforting and intimidating. This hospital infact the country whole particularly owned by Al syeds, they are influential and powerful people.

Many prefer to maintain their distance from big names and do not want to associate with them as this might lead to troubles according to my parents.

I forced myself to take deep breaths as I walked through the sliding doors.