After the truth

~38~

A week had passed and Marwa was still unconscious in her comatose state. Whereas, Imran had just woken up. Zayn asked to see his cousin who seemed to be recovering fine. If having to depend on an oxygen mask and being unable to walk was considered fine. He wondered how the braggart would take it knowing that he wasn't as handsome as he was before and unable to walk.

He gave a curt nod to the officer by the door and quietly walked into the ward he was placed in. The crazy man smiled upon seeing him. Not a care in the world. Despite how he tried to act nonchalant, Zayn could see him struggle to get air in and muster up that courageous face.

"You look charming." Zayn told him, a smile on his face. He didn't want to let his attitude get under his skin. He was here for something and wanted that accomplished. No distractions.

"Sad that I made it?" Imran croaked out, trying hard to chuckle.

"I'm glad you made it. Just so you'd die all over again." Zayn grinned down at him. He loved the position that Imran was in. Helpless with all the feigned pride in the world.

"What?" Imran frowned, taking in a deep loud breath.

"Marwa might have failed to kill you but I won't." Zayn replied. "My sister survived. I would have loved to invite you to her wedding with Aaron but you'd be long gone."

"She's mine! We'll be together cos she's mine." Imran screeched, trying to sit up but to no avail.

"What? I can't hear you over the struggle to breathe." Zayn placed a hand over his ear. "Let me help with that." He pulled aside the oxygen mask. "Carry on."

Imran's eyes widened as he began struggling to breathe on his own. He began to panic and Zayn enjoyed watching every bit of it.

"You were so bold to even think that Marwa was ever yours to begin with." Zayn was furious. He watched as Imran struggled, fighting to breathe.

"You're clinging to life like you'd never die and you go about hurting people like power lies solely in your hands. The excuse is that you're mental, I say you're simply pure evil."

Imran leaned to the side of his bed and hit the red button, asking for his nurse. He could see Zayn smile down at him. And when Imran thought he really was going to die, Zayn snapped the mask back on.

He rushed over to his side on cue, as soon as the nurses rushed in. He pretended to pry Imran's hands away from the mask and cried that he shouldn't kill himself and should face the consequences of his actions like a man would. Imran had never seen the goody two shoes act that way. He was shocked.

"Nurses, please take good care of my cousin. Despite all that he has done, I really love him." Zayn pleaded, almost crying all over again. The nurses agreed, sympathizing with him.

"I'll leave you to it." He sniffed, wiping his nose.

When he got to the door, he turned and saw Imran watching him as the nurses attended to him. He gave him a large grin and slid a thumb slowly under his chin. He had successfully introduced fear into the arrogant Imran's mind.
**********
The house was silent and lacked it's usually warmth. His mum packed up her things and left the house immediately the divorce was finalized. Thirty years of marriage dissolved like it was nothing. Aaron was paralyzed by the fear of Marwa wanting nothing to do with him. And the thought that even if they went through with getting married, it wouldn't last.

Aaron decided that spending even just a day with Marwa would make him the most blessed man and it didn't matter if it doesn't work out at the end. The present mattered most and he was going to work towards making her fall for him. He was going to treat her right with no secrets, God willing.

He returned back to the hospital after showering and changing into a much more comfortable clothing. Marwa was still unconscious and Zayn had taken his mother and Zulfa back home so Mukhlisa could have family around. Aaron was grateful that he was trusted.

He knocked and said the greetings of peace despite knowing that Marwa was unconscious. She looked better than how pale she was a week ago. Aaron changed the flowers in the vase  and pulled open the window blinds so the morning sun could come in.

He picked up the calendar on the bedside table and striked the previous day. It was approximately 13 days since the unfortunate incident. Aaron was filled with hope that she would wake up the next day. He sat down by her bedside and spent the next five minutes talking about his morning. Then he picked up the Quran by the table and began reciting surah al Waqi'ah. Zayad informed him that it was one of her favorites, growing up.

Aaron was grateful for the blessings that Allah had bestowed upon him concerning the Quran. He could recite and with beautiful tajweed. When he was done, he adjusted the blanket around Marwa as well as the scarf that was placed around her hair.

"May Allah grant you shifa." Aaron whispered sitting back. "When you get better, will you Marry me?"

He was filled with emotions. Not once did Marwa show signs of regaining consciousness other than colour returning to her skin. The other thing that bothered him was her memory. She had hit her head so hard after all.

"I love you genuinely for the sake of Allah." He cried. His eyes moist. "I pray that Allah spares you from this suffering. I pray that Allah keeps you happy, be it with me or someone else. I pray Allah protects you and surround you only with the best of people."

"Mummy."

Aaron turned to see Zayad by the door and Mukhlisa running over to Marwa's bed. Aaron thought she looked smaller than before.

"Mummy, you promised me ice cream and that you'd be with me forever." Lisa screamed, tugging at Marwa's blanket.

"Lisa you need to be gentle with your mum." Aaron pleaded with the little girl.

"I'll eat my potatoes. Please wake up." She began crying, pulling at her legs.

Aaron pulled the girl to himself and hugged her. He placed a kiss on her forehead and tried to keep her calm. He reminded her of Allah and told her how mummy has gone through a lot of challenges so Allah was protecting her from the bad guys.

"What if she dies?" Lisa suddenly asked, looking up with watery eyes.

Aaron paused. He wanted to scold her, to scream that she should never say such things. But what if Marwa dies?

"Well, someday it would be our turn and In Sha Allah we'd return to Allah in his paradise where we'll be with your mummy without ever falling sick or getting hurt." Aaron responded, holding back tears.

"I don't have a daddy and my mummy will be gone too?" She began crying again. For the first time since Aaron had known the little girl, Mukhlisa was acting her age.

"If you don't mind, I'll be your daddy. And you have aunty Zully, grandma and all of mummy's cool brothers."

"You'll be my daddy? Will you be my mummy's husband too?"

Aaron stared at the little girl and without meaning to, he laughed. Children were such innocent souls. She had been crying about her mum and the possibility of her dying but is asking him to be her husband.

"Let me tell you a secret. Don't tell mummy." Aaron chuckled, watching her eyes widen with excitement.

"I love your mummy and I would be the happiest man if she agrees to marry me." He pulled away from her ears and saw her eyes fill with tears. He began panicking.

"Thank you daddy." She cried aloud, throwing her small hands around him. "Thank you."

Aaron returned the hug and he too, began to cry. The pair totally forgot the man standing by the door and for a little moment, the woman lying on the bed.