10 🐚

2.4K 124 14
                                        

The waiting and anticipation was killing Aliya. She needed to know her brother was okay, she needed to know that he'd make it. That he'd be fine and back home. Had her mother been by her side she would've felt some sort of solace but she was so far away and her absence made it hard for Aliya to keep herself together.

Long before she knew what she was doing, she called Shams. She knew calling her father would only add to his stress. Part of her thought Shams would not answer her but to her surprise he did. She asked him there had been an update and he told her that it wasn't all as easy as it seemed. This was a national accident, they had procedures to follow and were told to wait. He wasn't reprimanding her like she'd expected him to. She didn't feel like she was being scolded, instead his voice was calm and filled with concern, as he tried to explain the situation to her.

Four hours later, the house phone rang. Dua's mother was fast on her feet to make her way towards the landline and answer it. The news she received was not something she could bear in her vulnerable state but she had to hold on. For the sake of the two younger girls that were left in her care. She had to be strong for her daughter who was carrying a child with her.

"Ali bhai is alive." Shams told his mother. "But he's been declared brain dead." The words were enough for the older woman to hold back a choked sob as the receiver slipped out from her hands.

Aliya watched the reaction of the older woman, she had been by her side the minute she heard the phone ring, thankfully they managed to put Dua to sleep, coaxing her to sleep for the sake of her child.

Aliya grabbed the handset and put the to her ear. She could hear her former enemy calling out to his mother. She made it known that it was her on the other side of the phone and he relayed the information to her. He told her they'd be bringing Ali back to their city and would be admitting him to their local hospital. The doctors have informed that there is only two percent chances that he might wake up. But they're free to keep him attached to those machines for as long as they wanted. For as long as they can hold on to hope.

The sun had risen and a new day arrived, but the darkness still loomed over the Siddique household. When Dua woke up, she asked her mother if there had been any updates on Ali's situation. The other two females had previously decided to keep the major information concealed from the pregnant woman.

"Yes beta. He's alive, Alhamdulillah." Her mother faked a smile, "He's unconscious at the moment but they're bringing him back." She didn't know how long they could keep this ruse up but she cannot afford to tell her daughter the truth.

At this, Dua was relieved. Her mood seemed to lighten. At least he's alive. If only she knew that it wasn't enough. Seeing her reassured, her mother's and Aliya's worries were eased a bit. Aliya shuddered a bit at the thought of losing his brother, lying to her sister in law. But she couldn't do anything about it.

Around seven pm, Shams called his mother informing her they'd landed back home. They've taken Ali to the hospital. Shagufta had arrived at the Siddique house three hours prior. The woman had been a mess but she allowed her daughter to sob in her chest. Finally letting go of her inhibitions and lamenting the loss of her brother. He wasn't dead but he was as good as dead.

As expected, Dua requested to go see her husband. She needed to see him and make sure he was fine. She wanted to see it with her own eyes. Her mother in law tried to get her to back down but the younger woman was having none of it. Begrudgingly the woman agreed and the four of them made their way to the hospital.

Aliya chewed on her bottom lip. She knew the truth would be out sooner than they had expected. She was worried how it would Dua. She knew they shouldn't have lied to her. But they had no other choice.

After arriving at the hospital, all hell broke loose. Watching her husband being attached to all sorts of machines, Dua grew concerned. She demanded answers. Shams told his sister to calm down but it only aggravated her more. She was told her husband was fine so why on earth does he need a breathing pipe to be shoved down his throat. Why couldn't a normal oxygen mask suffice.

"Dua." Shams grabbed her sister's shoulders. "Ali bhai is alive, but theres something you need to know." He added leading her to sit on of the chairs present in the hallway.

"What is it?" She asked tears welling up in her eyes.

"He's brain dead. He might not wake up." He informed as calmly as possible. Shams wasn't one to cry, but his words wobbled as he spoke. He loved Ali like a brother. He respected him more than he did anyone else. And his heart was aching for his sister. "But the doctors said there's hope, we could wait."

Dua hadn't been listening, she could see Shams' lips moving but she couldn't hear him. There was loud ringing in her ears and before she knew it she was gasping. She felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. She screamed out loud and her mother and mother in law were by her side immediately. A sheen of sweat had appeared on forehead before her head lolled to the side as she lost consciousness.

Thankfully for them, they were in a hospital. Dua's father had called a doctor to help them, she was immediately taken to the ER. Aliya watched as her parents and Dua's parents broke down. She wondered what curse had befallen on her family. Her head was pounding and her heart was aching.

Soon enough a doctor emerged out of the ER.

"Stress triggered her labor. She's gonna give birth." She informed the family. Aliya let out a gasp. It was only the seventh month. Would the baby be alright? Would Dua be fine? Numerous thoughts clouded her head but she knew all she could do was pray. And so she did. For the next few hours she begged Allah to ease her pain, to help her family and to keep them safe.

After what seemed like eternity, the doctor again emerged from the delivery room. She had a solemn look on her face.

"It's a girl." She announced, her face somber. "We couldn't save the mother. Seems like she had given up."

And here Aliya thought this day couldn't get any worse. Loud sobs were echoing the hallway as her mother and Dua's mother collapsed onto the floor. Their husbands holding onto them to stabilise them. It was all tears and wailing and she felt herself running out of oxygen. She heaved and panted as she rubbed her chest to find it in herself to breath again.

Shams wanted to break things, curse out loud, cry and burn the whole damn world but then noticed her, he noticed she's hyperventilating. He balled his hands in tight fists before taking deep breath and reaching her.

"Aliya. Look at me." He coaxed her as gently as he could. "ALIYA." He exclaimed and she gasped looking up at his tall figure. "Breath with me." He inhaled deeply, telling her to copy his actions. "Out." He exhaled and she followed his lead. A few seconds later she was breathing on her own but her body had gone in a state of shock, not allowing her to feeling anything or even cry out.

All she felt was numb.

A/n: phew it was intense.
Also I'm not a doctor so forgive me for the mistakes or if anything doesn't make sense because it doesn't make sense to me either. Bye❤️

Tamanna E Khaam ✨Where stories live. Discover now