DREAM GIRL

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Author pov

"Ashraf's grief consumed him like a raging inferno, leaving him a shell of his former self. He was so engulfed in mourning the loss of his wife, Jeedarh, that he forgot to care for himself, neglecting his sickle cell condition and pushing his fragile health to the brink. His family watched in despair as he refused food, water, and medication, his body weakening by the day. His mother, in particular, was torn between mourning the loss of her daughter-in-law and worrying about her son's deteriorating health. As the days passed, Ashraf's sorrow only deepened, until one day, he slipped into a coma, his body finally surrendering to the exhaustion and heartbreak. His family was left to pick up the pieces, mourning Jeedarh's passing while also caring for the newborn baby and praying for Ashraf's recovery. The hospital room was filled with the sound of their whispers, tears, and urgent prayers, as they begged God to bring Ashraf back to them, to restore balance to their shattered lives."

"Suleiman and Walida were consumed by a shared anguish, their hearts shattered into a million pieces as they grappled with the loss of their beloved elder sister, Jeedarh. They had always looked up to her, seeking guidance and comfort in her warm embrace. Her absence left a gaping void in their lives, a chasm that seemed impossible to bridge. Suleiman, once full of laughter and mischief, now wandered the halls with a vacant expression, his eyes red-rimmed from crying. Walida, usually so full of life and energy, was now a shadow of her former self, her smile extinguished by the darkness of grief. Together, they would often find themselves in Jeedarh's old room, surrounded by memories of her bright spirit, clutching her clothes, her books, and her photos, as if holding onto these tangible pieces of her could somehow bring her back. Their parents' concerns about Ashraf's health and the newborn baby's well-being seemed distant, as they struggled to come to terms with the loss of their sister, their confidante, their friend."

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"Jeedarh's mother, too, was consumed by an ocean of sorrow, her heart shattered into a million pieces. She had lost her beloved daughter, her rock, her confidante. The thought of living without Jeedarh by her side was unbearable. She went through the motions of mourning, her eyes red-rimmed from crying, her body weak from lack of sleep. She would find herself wandering aimlessly, calling out Jeedarh's name, hoping that somehow, someway, her daughter would answer. The pain was so intense that it felt like a physical weight, crushing her chest, making it hard to breathe. She would look at her newborn grandchild, and while she felt a sense of joy and gratitude, it was tempered by the anguish of knowing that Jeedarh would never get to see her child grow up. The thought of raising her grandchild without Jeedarh by her side was a daunting task, but she knew she had to find the strength to do it, for Jeedarh's sake, and for the sake of their family."

••••••••••

"Aneesah and Zahra, Jeedarh's two best friends, were devastated by her passing. They had shared countless memories with her, from laughter-filled sleepovers to tearful heart-to-hearts. The thought of living without their partner in crime, their confidante, and their sister-at-heart was unbearable. They spent hours reminiscing about their time together, scrolling through old photos, and re-reading Jeedarh's messages. Aneesah, usually the strong and stoic one, found herself breaking down in tears at the smallest reminders of Jeedarh - a song they used to sing together, a quote Jeedarh loved, a place they used to hang out. Zahra, typically the bubbly and outgoing one, became withdrawn and quiet, struggling to find the words to express her grief. Together, they attended Jeedarh's funeral, holding hands and supporting each other as they said their final goodbyes. In the days that followed, they visited Jeedarh's family, offering what little comfort they could, and began to plan a memorial service to celebrate their friend's life."