Destined Strangers

Chapter 29

"Not everything in the heart can be said, so God created sigh, tears, long sleep, cold smile, and shivering of hands"

Nizar Qabbani

🌙

Losing someone and the fear of losing someone are two distinct experiences, with the latter being significantly more painful. When a loss occurs, time allows for acceptance, and even if that acceptance is slow to come, a person eventually reaches a stage of understanding. However, living in the fear of losing someone is far more consuming. The uncertainty of what may happen, or when, weighs heavily, and in that state of fear, life becomes increasingly difficult to navigate.

SANIA SLOWLY, pulls the phone away from her ear. Her face is pale, and completely devoid of any expression, like a blank canvas masking whatever storm brews inside her.

"Is everything okay?"

Azlan's voice cuts through the silence, bringing her back to the present moment. For a few seconds, she just stares at him, her gaze distant, as if trying to grasp reality, trying to remember where she is and what's happening.

"Sania?"

Her lips part, but it's only a small, absent nod that follows.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine."

She hears herself say it, the words barely above a whisper, more for her own reassurance than his. They sound empty, hollow.

"You can go now."

Her voice is firmer this time as she stands up, her movements stiff, almost robotic.

"I need to go somewhere."

"Should I take you?"

"No."

Sania grabs her bag. As she steps outside into the cool air, her legs feel like lead, resisting each step. Her heart pounds erratically, but her face remains expressionless, eerily calm, like a statue devoid of life.

In the parking lot, she fumbles with her keys, unlocking her car. She pauses, staring at the vehicle as a wave of uncertainty washes over her. Can she drive? Does she even have the strength? The answer seems to echo in her mind: No. Her chest tightens as she looks around, searching for someone.

"Adam?"

Her voice comes out hoarse, weak, like it's coming from the depths of a chasm.

Adam, who was just a few steps away, stops. He turns, before walking toward her, his steps quickening when he sees her pale face.

"Can you take me somewhere?"

He looks at her, startled by the request, but after a moment's hesitation, he nods silently. No questions-none are needed. He just gets into the driver's seat without a word. Sania follows.

She tells him about a hospital that's not too far but not too close either. The name of the hospital, combined with Sania's state, starts to piece things together for Adam, but he keeps his thoughts to himself. Now is not the time to ask questions.

The silence in the car is thick, suffocating. It lingers until Adam finally breaks it.

"Are you okay?"

"Hmm."

Sania's gaze is fixed outside the window, lost in the blur of passing scenery. A few minutes later, the car comes to a halt. Sania steps out slowly, her legs unsteady, and without a word, she walks into the hospital.