Ashes to Roses

Chapter 2

The sun rose the next morning, blessing the world with its glory. Sunrays spread in the hospital room, unable to lighten up a certain someone's mood. Arish Arafat sat on the sofa in the hospital room. His eyes not leaving Soha for a second. Watching his wife's fragile form on the hospital bed, each laboured breath a painful echo of her battle, Arish was consumed by overwhelming sadness. Tubes and wires surrounded her body. Soha had always been afraid of needles and hospitals.

Soha held onto Arish's hand and gulped when she saw the nurse preparing the syringe. Arish could feel her racing pulses.

"Arish, Do I have to get the injection?" Soha looked up at him with puppy eyes.

"Yes, jaan, the doctor said it is important for you and the baby." Arish squeezed her hands.

"I don't like injections." Nervousness clear in her tone.

"Okay, Soha, just a small prick, and we'll be done," the nurse said, trying to reassure her.

Soha nodded, but her anxiety was evident. She tightly squeezed Arish's hand as the nurse approached with the needle. The moment the needle touched her skin, Soha winced and looked away, unable to watch.

"Look at me, Soha. Focus on my eyes. It'll be over before you know it." Arish tried to distract her.

Arish was lost in his thoughts when the doctor entered the room.

"Mr. Arafat." said the doctor.

"How's my wife, doctor?" Arish couldn't help asking.

"Mr. Arafat, your wife had pre-eclampsia. Although it's rare for patients with this condition to fall in coma but your wife has slipped into a coma." Arish experienced an overwhelming sensation, as if a colossal force had struck him. His palms turned damp, and his heartbeat surged. The news was too difficult to grasp.

"Will she be okay?" Arish felt a lump in his throat.

"I can't say anything. Comas can be unpredictable." The doctor replied.

"Please, do whatever it takes to bring her back. Our daughter needs her mother." Arish nodded, trying to hold back tears.

"We'll do our best, Mr. Arafat. Right now, all we can do is wait and hope for the best," the doctor reassured him.

Arish sat beside Soha's motionless body, holding her hand. He whispered softly, "Please come back, Soha. It's as if someone is suffocating me, depriving me of air. I can't live without you. Come back." He kissed the back of her hand.

* * *

That evening, Arish walked into his house. He saw nobody in the living room, so he headed upstairs. He passed by the nursery where Nawra was singing lullabies to Irha. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't bear looking at his daughter. He walked into his room, locked the door, and slumped on the floor, letting the tears fall. The world didn't have to see the weak Arish. The world didn't have to know that his biggest weakness was his wife.

The sight of Soha lying unconscious in the hospital bed haunted him. He felt a mix of emotions — fear, sorrow, and anger — all swirling inside him, threatening to engulf him completely.

Nawra stood outside his room. Nawra had seen Arish passing by the nursery. Once she put Irha down and made sure she was deep in sleep, she decided to go ask Arish about Soha.

Nawra was about to knock on the door when she heard the muffled of quiet sobs from inside. Knowing Arish's reserved nature, she decided to just leave him alone.

Nawra went to Irha and sat on the nursing chair kept by Irha's crib. Her mind drifted off to Soha once again. She had known Soha since they were both 15, attending the same tuition classes for four years before finally entering the same university. They stood strong in adversity and celebrated each other's successes. They had lost connection for a significant two years due to unfortunate circumstances, but Soha had been a pillar of strength for Nawra after that time as well. Unbeknownst to her, sleep gradually overtook Nawra.