𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

45

Airah POV:

I tiptoe out of my room, looking around to see if anyone on the floor saw me. After confirming that no one did, I breathe a sigh of relief. Slowly, I walk down the stairs. The living room is empty, so I take advantage of the quiet and rush towards the main door.

Two days ago, after a not-so-good experience in the middle of the night, I visited Dr. Humera. She told me to consult a cardiologist, which freaked me out. But I did it. Yesterday, I went to see a cardiologist, and she told me to get some tests done. Arsalan doesn't know about any of this. I don't want to worry him. He's already busy with his office work and his father's health. I made sure he didn't find out I wasn't home.

I look around the porch, checking if anyone is there. Thankfully, it's empty. "Airah?" I freeze mid-step. Slowly, I turn around and meet my father's confused gaze. I smile innocently. "Yes?" I ask.

"Where are you going?"

"Nothing... uh, just meeting up with my friends." He looks at me for a second longer, then nods, "Alright," and turns away. I jog out of the porch, stopping at the garage. Should I drive? No, that's not a good idea. Taking one of these fancy cars will attract attention, and that's the last thing I want. But I can are risking, since I'm left with no options I take one of the car, a black Mercedes.

The whole ride, my mind is filled with negative thoughts. When I arrive at the hospital, I take a deep breath, trying to focus on at least one positive thought.

A few moments later, I'm sitting in the doctor's office, tapping my foot nervously on the ground. The doctor carefully inspects the test papers. "Can you please show me your feet?" she asks with a smile. I take off my shoes and show her my feet. She looks at them carefully and nods to herself. Looking back at the test papers, she sighs, and I know that something's wrong.

"Do you have any guardian with you outside, Mrs. Airah?" I shake my head at that. I know what's coming. She simply nods. "See, don't panic about what I'm gonna say. Take deep breaths first and try to calm yourself." I do as she says, my fingers continuously twisting my ring. "Airah, the tests indicate that you have severe mitral regurgitation caused by mitral valve prolapse." She continues, "Severe mitral regurgitation happens because your heart's mitral valve isn't closing completely, so blood leaks backward into the heart, which is causing your symptoms like shortness of breath and swollen ankles."

I listen silently. "What is its cure?" My voice is barely a whisper.

"In the starting stages, medicine is recommended, and if the condition worsens, then I will recommend surgery," she answers. Is my condition worse? I want to ask, but the words don't make it out, so I simply stare at her. Her eyes soften and she replies, "Your condition is not that worse but also not that good. First, we'll start with medicine and see if it's working, and if it does, then that's a very good thing, but if it doesn't, then... we'll have to go with the second option."

I purse my lips. "The surgery is possible now too, but if you want, we can try medicine," she says softly. I nod and murmur a thank you before exiting.

I walk out of the hospital, the conversation with the doctor repeating again and again in my head. I slowly walk towards the parking lot in the basement. The parking lot is huge, but there's no one in sight other than a girl sitting in her car and scrolling through her phone. She doesn't even notice me, so I sit down, leaning back on a car for support, and suddenly the dam breaks loose. I'm not worried about myself; I'm worried about my child. What if they're also affected because of it? I failed as a mother.

"Airah." The sound of my name, and on top of that, that voice makes my blood freeze. Goosebumps rise and my body suddenly becomes cold. I slowly look up, those set of black eyes. He seems different than before, no longer the nerd boy, but instead a man with black trousers and a hoodie. I slowly stand up, my tears coming to a halt. This is the man who broke my heart, who insulted me, who made me cry. But now, I'm not the same; I won't cry in front of him. He actually disgusts me now.

His lips curl up in a wicked smirk. "It's been a long time."

Arsalan POV:

I sit down on my chair, exhausted from work. All I want is to go back home. As I open my eyes, they land on the dried rose on my desk. I think I'll pick up a bouquet on my way back. Checking my phone, I notice there's no message from Airah. Normally, my inbox would be flooded with her texts by now, but today? It's unsettling, to say the least. I call her, and it goes straight to voicemail. Well, this is new. I call her again, and again it goes straight to voicemail. What the heck?! I loosen my tie and rake my fingers through my hair. For the next several times, it's the same. So I check her location. It's near a hospital. What the fuck?! What the heck is she doing over there? Wasn't she at home?

Just as I get up and grab my keys, my phone rings. It's Airah. Relief washes over me as I quickly answer. "Assalamualaikum," I say, trying to steady my voice.

"Waalaikum assalam." Her voice blooms from the other side, but it's different. The usual spark and excitement are missing.

"Why are you at the hospital?" I ask, my concern growing.

She doesn't answer for a couple of seconds, and I can almost hear her thinking. "Nothing. I'm just with my friends. You remember Ana?"

"Yes," I reply, my mind racing with possibilities.

"Yeah, so she had an emergency at the hospital. As you know, she works in the ER, so we're just waiting for her."

I breathe a sigh of relief, thankful that nothing serious has happened to her. "Why didn't you tell me that you were going out, my love?" I ask softly.

"Uh, must have forgotten. I'm sorry," she replies.

"No problem. Just be safe, alright?" I say.

She hums softly from the other end.

I sit back down, feeling better, but I still can't shake the feeling that something's off.

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