Divided Love

Chapter 5

The two families' lives, once filled with laughter and happiness, had taken a somber turn, after the painful revelation of their dear daughter Sarah's life-threatening disease.

Sarah and Shahveer's cousin - Zohaib, Fariyal and Arshad, three doctors were trying their best to provide effective treatment to Sarah, and Shahveer, although he knew nothing about medical, didn't left a stone unturn to find out how to cure his wife.

Since Sarah was in the terminal stage, surgery was not an option, thence Doctors recommended smaller doses of therapy and treatments to relieve symptoms and prolong her life.

It's been a month and despite their constant efforts Sarah's health was deteriorating day by day. She would always feel tired and sleepy. Her violent coughing often led to vomit blood. Shahveer stayed with Sarah all the time, constantly praying for a ray of hope to save his wife's life.

More than anyone else, Sarah's miserable condition was affecting him mentally as well physically. His once welcoming demeanor had given a way to a perpetual seriousness, his face a picture of tension and concern.

Somber expression became Shahveer's new norm, accompanied by an unsettling reserve. He now exudes an aura of quiet contemplation, his smile a distant memory as if it was him who was dying bit by bit.

One night it was raining cats and dogs. Both Shahveer and Sarah were fast asleep. Suddenly Sarah's sleep broke hearing some noise, muffled cries and whimper. She woke up and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes realised it was Shahveer who was crying in sleep, his body was trembling and face twisted in a painful grimace.

Must be a nightmare. It was difficult though she had managed to get him out of the nightmare but his condition was heart-wrenching. His crying stopped but tears continued to flow silently. His whole body was shaking like a leaf as he kept looking at her like a lost scared child. Before she could ask anything he hid himself in her arms seeking shelter from all distress.

"Shahveer what happened?" She asked, caressing his arms to provide comfort.

Shahveer lifted his head and looked at her. His eyes again shone with unshed tears.

"I saw...yo..you di...." His voice cracked as droplets of tears escaped his eyes. "I saw that you are no..no more...you left me.." A tremulous sigh escaped his lips as he tried with all his being to control his emotions, just like he always did but today it felt like his pent up emotions found a way to burst out, after Doctor's another revelation that shook his entire existence.

"Mrs. Sarah has very little time. Hardly ten or twelve months."

Doctor said that his Sarah had only ten or twelve months to live, when he dreamt to live lifetime with her, and grow old together, holding her hand.

Sarah clutched his shoulder and let out an easy breathe "Shahveer!"

Worried his palms fondled her cheeks as he asked anxiously, "Tum..tum thik ho?"

[Are you okay]

Sarah nodded, passing him a faint smile, "I'm fine Shahveer. Just don't worry so much." She cupped her face and looking deep into his eyes, pleaded, "Don't make it hard for me please."

The hidden meaning behind these words made Shahveer more vulnerable. He released a quivering breath and pressed his forehead on hers. "Kya karun tumne mujhe itna Dara Diya hai ki aab saanse lene se bhi Darr lagta hai agar tum na rahi toh?"

[What should I do, you have scared me so much that now I am afraid to even breathe what if you are no more]

Words escaped his lips brittle. With hands that trembled with emotion, he cradled her face and begged, his words tumbling out in fervent entreaty..