Waking up to the distinct smell of hospital corridors and plain white walls and linens around, and a splitting headache, it took a while, for Noorjahan to actually put two and two together, before the realisation sunk deep into her heart. Sitting up with a sudden shriek, she looked around, frantic, as fear began to creep into her. Tears began to stream down her now pale cheeks, as she desperately tried to move back into her pillow. Within seconds, the nurse was there, by her side, to help her out. The doctor too, ran in, panic struck, to find his patient trembling, and hysterical. Paranoia was creeping its way into her mind. This had to be controlled. He rushed out, trying to handle the situation as calmly as his profession could permit! His wandering orbs found the slumped figure of Kabir, against the walls of the adjoining corridor, his chest heaving, with every breath that he took. Dashing out towards him, all that he managed to say, was "Traumatic shock." That was enough to push the adrenaline through Kabir's veins, as he rushed through the corridors, and into the ICU, engulfing Noorjahan into a warm, tight embrace.
"Noorie...", he looked down, into her deep brown eyes, as her forehead was furrowed deep, as many emotions raced through her. Fear, panic, shock, sorrow, guilt! Anything but happiness.
"Beerah! Why am I here? And why can't I move? Please take me home! Please!" She cried out, hugging him as close to her weak self as she could.
This was it. He now had to tell her about the accident and her lower body paralysis. He could literally imagine what would happen the very next moment after the words would have left his lips. But he couldn't run away from every situation and every person. Sitting down beside her, he held her by the shoulders, as he looked at her for one swift moment, trying to form the words in his mind.
"Noorie, you were driving to the airport at 3 AM to catch you flight to Jakarta.... And a car made a sudden turn at the corner of the block, ramming into yours. You lost consciousness. And then you were brought here, to the hospital." Kabir could not bring himself to tell her the truth ahead of this.
She continued staring at him, waiting for him to continue. Mustering every ounce of courage that he had, he started, "your accident was a massive one, Noorie. You've been lying here since the past four days, for three of which, you were swaying in and out of coma..." Noorie gasped at this statement, bracing herself for what was to come next. When Kabir was silent for far too long, she managed to whisper, "Beerah, why am I unable to move my legs?"
Looking into her eyes, searching for any emotion, apart from that of shock, Kabir fumbled with the next few words. He had lost all sense of coherence. Softly, he mumbled, "Noorie, that's...that's just...that's temporary Noorie...Just, temporary...lower body paralysis", and soon regretted it. He should have been more calm and composed. Noorie fell back into the pillow, reeling with shock. Noorjahan Khalid, was a dancer all her life. She knew what exactly an accident could do to the victim, especially a ballerina. She had seen many people face the consequences of rash driving, be it their fault or not. She knew, a temporary paralysis of the limbs meant no more dancing. Even walking, was to become a herculean task for her. And she knew, that it would be months before she could even feel the twiddle of her toes.
She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Vehemently shaking her head, she looked up into his eyes for a confirmation, her heart pleading to believe that she had heard wrong. When she saw the pain and sorrow in his eyes, all her hope crumbled to ashes, as she burst out crying, trying her best to push Kabir away. Holding onto her wrists, firmly, he pulled her to him, and held her tight within his grip, as she broke down on his shoulder, her hands limp, resting on his forearms. For a long time they remained that way. She needed to shed all those tears, and embrace reality, however harsh it may seem. She needed to forget and move on, and he was there for her, by her side, through it all, no matter how long.
***************
Strolling up and down the room briskly, Razaak was still unsure of his decision of scheduling the wedding three weeks from then. He didn't sway from his stance that Asif was the best match for Ayat, though. He knew that his experience and age were proof enough, of his wisdom in such worldly matters. Sure he was ageing, but he wasn't too old to perceive things the way they were. He had lived and learned, to look beyond that façade of charm, and he possessed the ability to know a diamond from a glass shard. He let out a deep breath, as he walked towards the mahogany table, pulling out an inland letter card, an scribbling something on it, before pasting its ends and entering the receiver's address in the front. He had made up his mind, and this time, he was sure he was right.
Placing the letter under the copy of his most cherished book, "Bhookh", he stretched, as he yawned, tracing his way out of his study, and into the bedroom, his mind now peaceful, and his heart, content. Peering into the grandfather clock, he menrtally made a note, to speak to his daughter the next day. It was too late into the night now, but he was sure of the sunshine that lay beyond.
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Finding Love
Romansa****COPYRIGHT RESERVED WITH AUTHOR*** The star lit sky above, and the blanket of darkness around... In a heartless and ruthless land, they committed the folly of loving. Ayat Shah, an enigmatic, exuberant, optimistic, free spirited 20 year old, and...
