Only You

twenty-two

I felt a shock go through me as I processed his words. Mariam was his wife? Is that why she asked me about him? Is that why she wanted to talk to me? If she's back, does he want to back out?

"Oh," I said with a raspy voice.

"I don't want you to worry, I don't know why she is back. All I know is I don't want anything to do with her." He said sternly.

I stared at him blankly, not knowing what to say. I was nervous, she was Haniah's mother. It scared me to think that I'd have to back out.

"She's Haniah's mother though," I said slowly and quietly.

"A mother is more than just birthing, she left Haniah when Haniah needed her the most." He said almost frustrated.

"I don't know what to say," I said

"Don't worry about it." He said.

How can I not worry about it? What did she want? She was here for Adeel's surgery why does she want to talk to me otherwise?

I nodded at him and got up clutching my handbag.

"Huda." I paused at his voice.

I turned around to look at him as he looked at me. I for once stared into his eyes without panicking. He looked nervous, he didn't look like the neutral Dr. Khan I always encountered.

"We'll be fine." He said.

My heart began racing, as I couldn't help but smile.

"Inshallah," I mumbled, before leaving his office.

I looked around the hall and Mariam wasn't there, relieved I walked away and went home.

I wondered throughout the night why she wanted to talk to me, did she know that I was involved with Dr. Khan? Did she not like that?

I wasn't so pleased with her anymore, I thought of how she had abandoned her own daughter at such a vulnerable age. No matter the reason, Haniah was innocent and so young there shouldn't have been any reason for her to be left behind.

I was sure Haniah was raised wonderfully by Dr. Khan and his family so far, but a mother is a mother. Had she not thought of what would happen to Haniah when she grew up? If she found out her mother didn't care enough to stay?

My heart broke at my thoughts, thinking of Haniah feeling dejected.

I fell asleep drowning myself into the pool of my questions and speculations.

- - - - - - - - - -

It was the next day and I was doing my rounds. Adeel was next, and I was informed he did fine throughout the night. I had to continue with everything normally, my professional life shouldn't interfere with my personal.

I knocked on the door and went inside. Adeel was awake and sitting up.

"Good Morning Adeel, how are you feeling?"

"Sleepy." He mumbled.

"That's alright, do you feel any pain?" I smiled at him.

"My stomach hurts," he said.

"On the inside or outside?"

"Outside."

"That's okay sweetheart, it's going to go away with the medicines okay?"

"I'm going to check you up," I said

I checked his eyes, throat, and took a look at the surgery wound- it looks perfectly fine.