Bowled Over By The Broken

Chapter 11: This Is All You've Got

13th October, 2016

Hey guys! I know I know it's been forever since I updated but it's been a crazy month at college so I really had no choice. Anyway, here it is.

Please pretty please do not compare the story's events to my other book, Winged Dreams, and pass negative comments on my choice to show reality and attempt to keep you grounded while still letting you enter a land of dreams. Now that we've sorted this out, here you go! :)

"And most certainly shall We try you by means of danger, and hunger, and loss of worldly goods, of lives and of [labour's] fruits. But give glad tidings unto those who are patient in adversity."

Qur'an 2:155

Chapter 11:

This Is All You've Got

The act of forgetfulness is both a boon and bane. There are a lot of aspects of the world that we know exist but we bury them in an uninvited corner of our minds, not remembering that it is only a matter of time that they will resurface - again leaving us in a pool of distress.

As Anabya walked to Tammara's room, her straight face didn't give away the numerous thoughts racing through her mind. Unlike her mother and brother, she hadn't waited to exchange pleasantries or discuss the situation with her Phoupee, heading straight to her sister's room. Since the door was left ajar, she took the first step and then stopped mid way.

Her heart broke to find her sister on the bed, leaning against Raiyyan, with him rubbing her back soothingly with one hand as he dried her tears with the other. Since Tammara was resting her head on Raiyyan's shoulder in a half embrace, she hadn't realized yet that Anabya was here. Raiyyan, however, looked up, his eyebrows raised in desperation while he acknowledged Anabya's presence and looked back at his wife, dropping a gentle kiss on her hair.

"Tammy, Anabya's here," he whispered to her and when Tammara still remained in her earlier position, he called Anabya to them.

"Hey Tam," Anabya greeted, and Tammara peeked at her sister through her lashes, before turning back to Raiyyan and hiding her face.

Anabya stood there in silence, contemplating on the right words that could be said in such circumstances and yet ending up with none. However, she was extremely glad when her mother entered the room, Furqaan and Aamina right behind her.

Raiyyan moved away as he let his Aunt sit beside Tam, patting Tam's back soothingly in an attempt to get her to acknowledge her relatives who were here.

"Qadr Allah, Tammara. Allah took away what was His, and He is Al Wahhab, The One Who is The Bestower, He can give you a better gift. Be patient, beta," she spoke.

Listening to her mother's words as she leaned into her touch, Tammara brought her hand to her face as she cried silently, a pained expression in Raiyyan's eyes to see his wife this helpless and yet unable to do anything.

At the entire exchange, Anabya turned around, moving the curtains as she pretended to stare out of the windows while she blinked back her own tears.

Of the bits that Anabya had heard, it seemed like Tam had severe back pain last night, so bad that Raiyyan was all set to take her to the hospital. However, Tam refused, saying 2 a.m. was still too late and she didn't want to go into the emergency unit. After he had massaged her back and even placed a hot water bag, Tam had asked him to go back to sleep, promising that she felt much better.

However, an hour later, he heard her panicked cries from the washroom, only to discover that she was bleeding heavily with painfully excruciating cramps.