Until Heaven Unites Us

Chapter Thirteen

Faisal watched as Haya mingled and played with the children. There was slight color on her face which made him feel at ease. He knew it was the last time she would be coming here. She was playing all the games that the children knew. Both the ones that took a lot of energy and the calm ones. He assisted her in every way he could as well as her fellow volunteers. Hamza was the clingiest with her. He thought she was finally okay and was visiting as usual.

Faisal's vision blurred at the thought of little Hamza not seeing Haya again in the shelter anymore. He frequented the bathroom to pull himself together and not break down in front of the children. And in front of Haya too. The feeling of her death nearing was too much for him to bear.

They had returned from the road trip a few days back after spending a week away. He had fulfilled her To Map List with her and she had been joyous and energetic throughout the ordeal. After coming back home, she took two days to rest and now, they were in the shelter as per her request.

Haya had been feeling lighter. She didn't want the pain and her fate to deter her from what she loved doing. As she took her chemo sessions well, she took her former lifestyle even more serious. She painted, took photos, wrote in her journal and now she was at the orphanage with her little ones.

It was all she could ask for in her final weeks. She knew that after today, she won't be there anymore so she made sure to put a smile on the children's faces. When it was finally time to leave, she made sure to tell them,

"See you later" instead of bye.

"Bye Hayati!! Bye Ms Haya!!" the children chorused and waved as she got into the car. Hamza ran to the window and whispered,

"Come back soon. With Uncle Faisal of course. It turns out he's fun after all"

He then ran back and that made Haya burst into laughter. Hamza was so mischievous, she thought. Looking at all the children she had worked with the past few months of her returning, especially little Hamza, she felt so blessed to have encountered them.

She remembered how Hamza was like a wounded beast when he first arrived and how it was a challenge being his guardian. And then now, he was able to mingle and mix freely with the other children without the fear or distrust he previously had in his eyes.

As Faisal drove away, she muttered an Alhamdulillah under her breath and made sure not to cloud her mind with thoughts of her incoming death. Instead she dwelt on the fun she had today.

"Did you have fun today babe?" Faisal's voice cut through her thoughts. She turns to him with the biggest smile and said,

"Verily. I'm so glad I spent time with the kids today. Thank you so much for bringing me here honey"

Faisal smiled at her lovingly.

"And thank you for coming with me too" she said, putting her hand on his shoulder. Faisal's throat was clogging up. He was relieved they were at a red light.

"I'm just so happy. I'm glad you had fun and the kids... they were really excited to see you. Apparently I'm known as Prince Charming" he said, bringing up a moment where a group of little girls were calling him that name.

Haya laughed heartily and explained.

"Hanna and Imani. After I told them I got married, they began referring to you as that. Apparently I'm princess Haya to them and therefore, you're Prince Charming"

They chuckled at the children's antics.

The next day, Haya developed a sudden fever. They were supposed to go for her chemo session but instead, they went to the hospital for her fever. She was in severe pain so the doctor had to administer anesthetics for her and put her to sleep. Faisal stayed with her throughout her unconsciousness. Malik, Haya's parents, his parents and his siblings had all stayed with him the first and second day. He manages to get them to go back to their business and simply come visit. He didn't want them to be burdened because he knew Haya wouldn't want them staying and worrying over her in such a manner. Only Malik and Yusra came frequently as Usman had to return back home to be with his parents and in case of any home emergency.