Out Of Wreckage?

Chapter Nine

His head was hung low. His eyes were shut. He was wearing the same shirt from yesterday. The same yellow shirt.

I panted hard. He opened his eyes and then he finally looked at me.

There was a lot of pain in his eyes. He stood up abruptly.

Confusion was etched on his face.

I stepped forward, "Assalam alaikum."

He blinked twice then replied softly ,"Walaikum assalam."

He was dazed and confused about my appearance. Even I felt a sort of discomfort.

"I know what you might be thinking but that's not important right now. How is she?" I asked directly.

He cleared his throat.

"Can't say. Doctors have not told us anything." He answered.

I glanced around, "Where's Iqra?"

He inhaled sharply, "I sent her home."

I nodded. I knew how she must be feeling right now.

He suddenly broke into tears, "I'm scared, Rabia."

My heart ached to see him cry.

"Have faith in Allah! Everything will be fine." I said, consoling him.

He gazed in my eyes and smiled.

I smiled too and bobbed my head.

"Aameen."

We both fell silent for few minutes. There were too many words unspoken between us.

I was about to give an explanation to him but he suddenly stood up. His focus was on the man who was now approaching us.

"Excuse me, Hamza. I've few things to discuss about your mother. Please come in my cabin." A doctor in his white cloak interrupted us.

Hamza looked at me, excusing himself. "I'll be back." He blinked his eyes.

I nodded my head. He exhaled loudly and left with the doctor.

I occupied a seat and waited gripping the purse tightly in my hand.

The hospital was very chaotic. People were rushing in and out of the rooms. I didn't like the way they were gawping at me.
It made me feel self-conscious and then I realized, Hamza was gone for too long.

The clock on the wall caught my sight. I had to leave now but Hamza was still in there.

I wanted to let him know before I left from here. I wanted to bid a final good bye. My eyes fell to the adjacent room where his mother was admitted.

I wiped a lone tear and went inside.

She looked paler than usual.

"Assalam alaikum, Auntie. It's me, Rabia." I mumbled and placed my hand on her cold ones.

Her eyes were shut and the machines were constantly beeping. I wondered whether she could hear me or not but I still continued.

"You have to be fine. Your daughter needs you. Your son needs you. Please get well soon." I sobbed and wiped my face from the back of the hand, "I've to go now. Allah Hafiz." I said and finally left the room quickly.

I had fulfilled my one promise  but there's another major one which I had to fulfill as well.

A promise that I made to my Abba.

I was getting engaged today. I was going to commit to a man. A man who gave me chills and I knew nothing about him.

The sun was about to set and I was pretty sure that Rumana must have noticed my disappearance by now.