HONEYDEW (A murder mystery)

Chapter 28

It had been a long night for both of us, but alhamdulillah the critical hours had ended and Aahil was improving significantly.

He kept tossing and turning most of the night, due to the terrible pain of blisters which covered all of his chest and back, it still looked raw and had turned from crimson to purplish, therefore, even I hadn't slept well.

Whenever I saw his chest, I couldn't help but wince. I knew the pain was too much for him both from the surgery slit and also the skin burns he had endured, but he would never admit it to anyone.

Light filtered in through the windows, and fluorescent overhead lights gave the room a greenish tint. I glanced around the room, still groggy from sleep. I suppressed a large yawn and insisted myself sit up.

I went to his bed and watched his sleeping form and alhamdulillah he looked a little better. I couldn't help but smile as I liked to see him asleep, he looked innocent and there was a vulnerability the world did not see.

I ran and hand through his tangled mass of hair gently, making sure that I wouldn't wake him from his sound sleep.

I bent to check his breathing and it seemed to be coming less harsher than before, I kissed him on his cheeks and was about to turn when he held my wrist?"

"Darling."

I was mortified at being caught, "Yes."

"So you agree that you are my darling?"

I turned to see his amused smile, "Do you need anything?"

"You are avoiding my question."

"Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?"

He left out an exasperated breath, "I don't like hospital food."

"But you'll have to eat something, it is needed for you to recover soon."

I went to the washroom brushed my teeth and fixed my hair, as I stepped out there was a slight knock on the door. I slipped my discarded abaya over my nightgown and adjusted my hijab.

It was aahil's personal physician and a few nurses.

"How are feeling young man?" Doctor zaid asked cheerfully.

"I am completely fine. I do not understand why I need to stay in the hospital and waste my time."

Doctor Zaid returned a hearty laugh, "Of course, how did I forget that. You, my boy, are made from steel. Nonetheless, you will have to stay a few days in the hospital to recover completely."

He checked Aahil's blood pressure, breathing rate and the blisters. "You are going to be fine provided you do a few breathing exercises demonstrated to you and do not lift anything heavy for a few months."

"Here this nurse will tell you how to change the dressing of his surgical wound," He exclaimed and added in a low tone, "The incision is really deep and it can be really painful for a couple of days, be as careful as you can."

I nodded my head and gave a positive smile, "I'll take care of him."

He then faced Aahil once again, "You are very lucky to have her, young man. I heard the nurses say that your wife hasn't slept a wink from the day you had to encounter the fatal explosion. She has been reluctant to leave your side even for a few precious minutes."

I wished he wouldn't have said that and I looked everywhere but Aahil.

"Of course I'm lucky, not everyone gets an angel for a wife," I glowed like a neon bulb at the complement.

After that the nurse demonstrated the dressing technique upon his surgical wound, she left giving me all the required dressing materials and asking me to change it every other day.