After the truth

~40~

It has been a full month since Marwa went into coma. In that month, Mulki had moved into the Hussein family house living in the midst of the strongest family she has ever known. Belinda couldn't bear to be around the family so she returned home to Somalia with Farhan. Aaron played the role of Mukhlisa's father so well that the girl told everyone about him. Maryam and Cherry were still her best friends. Imran was getting discharged and a case was to begin as soon as possible.

Aaron stared down at Marwa's peaceful face. He sighed loudly, feeling frustrated. He wanted to move her hair away from her eyes but he couldn't touch her. Instead, he gently pulled down the scarf placed on her head.
"You should definitely replace Aurora. You sleep like the dead." Zayad suddenly said, piercing the silence of the room.

On Aaron's request, she was moved to a VIP room and currently he was seated by her side with Zayn pretending to read a book which was upsidedown in his hands, Zayad peeled tangerine skins by the window side. The doctor had mentioned familiar things to be done to speed up her recovery and pull her out of unconsciousness. Zachariah was on the phone with his 'arabian princess' as he liked to call his fiancee. Mukhlisa and Maryam were laid on the floor, right beside Mulki's wheelchair, colouring some pictures.

It was Lisa's birthday today and the whole family was spending it in Marwa's room upon her very loud demand.
"Mummy's going to be up today. You'll see."

Aaron looked back at the little dreamer. That was his nickname for her. She had insisted on everyone being here because her mother had told her she was going to be up. Her direct words. Aaron turned back towards the love of his life. If Mukhlisa wasn't a child, he would have promised her a beating if her mum wasn't up by night time.

"Yes." A voice croaked.

Aaron's eyes widened. "What?" He asked standing from his seat.

"I'll marry you Aaron Sidique." Marwa croaked.

"Get the doctor." Aaron screamed out at the same time Mukhlisa shouted excitedly "Daddy, mummy just spoke."

**********
It was dark, very cold and she was alone.

Everything became warmer at the sound of a familiar, comforting voice that spoke kindly to her. She couldn't remember who it was. Although it was still dark, she felt warm.

She could smell the man who visited her every day without fail. He smelled like comfort and peace. Later on, she could smell the flowers. Was her visitor the one who had brought it?

Light began to peek on the days the strange man began to recite words that she would recite after every solat. What day was it? When will she become conscious? She wanted to pray.

Oh. Right. She tried to end her life. How could she pray if she was dying?

It was dark all over again.

That is, until he asked her to marry him. Until she heard him say that he loved her. She wanted to scream yes! She couldn't tell who her visitor was but his voice held warmth and peace. He felt like a familiar place. A safe place.

And just like that, Marwa began to dream of all the things that had occurred in her life.

Aaron Sidique. Aaron Sidique. Aaron Sidique.

She loved him. She missed him.

For the first time since she became a mother, Marwa thought of someone other than Mukhlisa. Someone that somehow made her feel safe. She felt good and for once since her unfortunate accident, she didn't want to die.

"Ya Allah! Help me." She screamed into the white nothingness.

"Ya Allah! Ya Raheem." She began to cry. "You promised you were always there. Please help me God."

"I don't want to die. Not yet. Please help me..."

**********
Zulfa smiled to herself and muttered a tiny Alhamdulillah. She was seated on the pristine white floors of the masjid, facing the Kaaba. Her sister, Maimuna was in her wheelchair right beside her making duas.

Zulfa watched the people move about the masjid but she was more fascinated by the guard who stood near the Kaaba. She made a silent dua, asking Allah for her heart desires.

The Hussein family have dealt with a whole lot of trauma over the past few months. She dared say years. Zulfa had felt guilty about what happened to her twin and the best punishment was to be away from her. That was what she thought. Now she wished she was right by her side like always. She wished she could tease her about how she had proposed to Aaron.

It dawned on Zulfa that the memory of Marwa's past trauma was different  from what had actually happened. Along the line, she had changed the story to dull the ache and agony she felt when Marwa was found.

There was a ping from her phone and she hurriedly checked it. She let out a small gasp after viewing the message on the family group chat. It was a picture of Marwa and Aaron hugging. They had invited an Imam to officiate their nikkah soon after the doctor had checked Marwa. These people. Zulfa chuckled.

She made a quick sujud in gratitude to Allah. Her sister Maimuna had just finished her prayers. They both decided to retire to their room and chat over coffee.

Zulfa was grateful for this umrah trip. An opportunity that got her closer to Allah and helped form a bond with her sister.

"Alhamdulillah."