Qurban

•23• Danger / خطرہ

Zainab's eyes were fixated at the big tall tree outside her hospital room. On the birds that chirped on it. So free and alive. She's been shifted into the ward after gaining consciousness. The doctor suggested to keep her under observation for two more days despite her being out of danger. The cut on her back was sewed, but she could still feel pain whenever she moved too suddenly. It would heal as per the doctors said, it would scar definitely though.

The door to her room knocked and her eyes darted to the sound where it creaked open revealing Safa and Narmeen.

"How are you feeling, love?"

Narmeen asked while sitting at the chair on the side while Safa kept standing by her side. Zainab gave a tiny smile and muttered

"I'm okay."

Narmeen ran her hand over her head and lowly whispered

"You had us scared. You don't know how much I prayed to keep you safe."

Zainab felt a pang of hurt in her chest at the sadness in Narmeen's voice. Holding her hand, she squeezed it and assured her

"I'm fine. Sorry to have worried you all."

She said while glancing at Safa. The girl shook her head and said

"We're just happy to see you awake and alright. Thank God Altamash Bhai saved you. The fire burned the whole gala to ashes."

At the mention of his name, Zainab's breath caught in her throat. She remembered the dream. Of him helping her out of that dark place just like he had done in real life when he put his life on line to save her's. Not meeting Safa's eyes, she asked in a whisper

"Where is he?"

"He went back home last night. He too suffered some burns on his upper arm."

Her head shot up and she asked

"Burns?"

"Yes, but he's fine now. Both of you are."

Narmeen assured Zainab, but she still felt her heart beating wildly in her chest.

He was hurt.
He got hurt trying to save me.
He suffered burns.

She wanted to see him, but how?

She couldn't possibly demand to see him. He already did so much for her when he didn't have to. He was only Subhan's friend. He didn't had to look out for her.

Yet he still did!

Her inner voice spoke and Zainab couldn't help but feel indebted to him. After all, because of him, she was breathing.

"Your father also is very worried for you, Zainab."

Her train of thoughts were broken by Narmeen's voice. Her eyes darted up to her and she asked, disbelief clear in her voice.

"He...is?"

The woman's eyes softened and she patted her cheek

"He very much is, dear. Jaweria told me he isn't eating properly."

Hope blossomed in Zainab's chest, expanding it just a notch. Her hands fidgeted as she asked in a slow whisper

"Where is he now?"

At her question, both Safa and Narmeen went quiet. Zainab noticed the silence on their faces, their closed off expressions.

"What? Where is he?"

Narmeen smiled and grabbed Zainab's hand, squeezing it in her hold

"He had some urgent work to attend to..."