Qurban

•22• Tabloid / اخبار

Before Zainab woke up:

It's been four hours since Zainab had been taken into the ICU. She hadn't woken up yet increasing the tension and worry of the people waiting outside. Safa was patting a hysterically crying Jaweria who got there as soon as possible after hearing the news. Narmeen, Owais and Bahar, were also present while the rest stayed at home since the children couldn't be brought to the hospital. Irtiza, who went out of city for a meeting, still hasn't come. Last time Jaweria heard from him was when he called her and informed about Zainab. He said he was coming from the earliest flight possible.

He still wasn't here yet.

Altamash stood a safe distance from the family. He didn't know but it felt like he was intruding or something. They were her family and he was no one. He was some guy who saves the daughter of a family.

Then why was he still there? Why was he still waiting to hear any news of her?

The question was there in his heart, in his mind, but he didn't let it resurface to the shore. Some secrets were better left buried. And his secret was one of them.

He eyed the time and his worry grew more. It's been hours. The doctor told them that she was out of danger, but she had to wake up in twenty four hours. Only twenty hours were remaining. Suddenly, he heard rapid footsteps and looking up, he saw Irtiza Aqeel hastily walking toward the family. He didn't look like the man he saw on tv.

The man on the tv was crisp suit and perfectly gelled hair. The man on the tv was steady and calm.

However, the man here, the Irtiza that was here was anything but. His hair were dishelved. His kurta bore wrinkles and he didn't appear even an inch close to steady and calm.

He looked a burning inferno. He was chaos. He was a father whose daughter was fighting for her life. 

"How did this happen?"

His voice was steady, completely in opposition to his attire. Deep and something....sinister.

Altamash heard his best friend narrate him the entire turn of events and his dark eyes at once shot up to him to where he was standing. It was like he knew he would here, standing in the shadows. Something akin to unadultered fury passed in his eyes and he marched in his direction. Grabbing him by his collar, he roared in his face

"What did you do to her?"

Suddenly, every person in the room was crowding them.

"Mamo, leave him."

It was Subhan who uttered those words as he grabbed his Mamo' arm to pull him back from Altamash.

The man didn't budge. He, instead, tightened his grip further causing his left arm to strain.

"Answer me. What. Did. You. Do. To. Her?"

"Nothing."

He simply replied. His voice was neutral. Steady and calm. Completely opposite to how he was burning on the inside.

Irtiza glared daggers at him and if glares could kill, Altamash would be ten feet underground. But, he didn't deter and maintained eye contact with him. Looking into his angry yet pained eyes. Knowing too well he was hurting.

He was only a father, after all.

"Your grandfather threatened me, boy. This is my last warning, what did you do to her?"

"I just told you. Nothing."

Irtiza's nostrils flare and he looked so close to punching him, but before he could do any physical damage, Subhan spoke