SOMEONE I KNOW

Ahmed's POV

Ahmed:

Present:6

I am lying on the hospital bed with lights turned off.The emergency monitor,which helps the hospital staff to check on me periodically,have a pin point green light to signify that its on;the only light source in my room now.I feel my fingers go numb with cold and I pull the blanket up to completely cover my feet and tuck it in between my hands.I curl up in foetal position which makes me feel a bit safe.

Sameer and my parents have just left before half an hour.Today,I tried making small conversation with my mom.I asked her to tell me about my childhood days and she narrated.That I loved eating marshmallows,I use to injure myself often in school and that made her damn worried,I use to play football with my dad on weekend evenings,I love to paint and the first thing I did when I turned 18 was to get my driver's license.Me and my sister,Shamiha(Sam),went to the same school and we argued about anything and everything;even now.And I almost went crazy with boredom when Sam left to Canada for MBA.But nothing made sense when my mom voiced-over my life,because I couldn't relate it to myself.I can't picture myself in those happy days and I don't even remember how happiness felt.

I close my eyes in an attempt to recall those memories now.Nothing but only darkness stretches ahead.Suddenly a long lost distant memory played in my mind.

******

It was Thursday evening.After a hectic day filled with meetings and presentations,I returned home hungry.In Spite of those ten minute breaks in between,my anxiety in making this deal a success prevented me from distracting myself with food.As I entered,the heavenly smell of my mom's special butter chicken and cheese naan welcomed.Sam is leaving to Canada in a fortnight.So we made a pact to have dinner together till then.My mother and Sam were chatting casually in the kitchen when I rushed to my room after greeting them.My phone showed 23 missed calls and 17 messages,from Mahreen.

Immediately after dropping my laptop bag on the bed,I dialled her number.She picked up on the third ring.

"Hello."The depth of her voice indicated how deep trouble am in.

"Hello..hey,sorry baby..I.."

"Stop Ahmed.I don't need any stories.Just tell me atleast will you make it or not?!"She demanded.

Its then I remembered.We were suppose to go on a dinner date today.I promised her two weeks ago.I wanted to make things better between us.We had some rough times recently due to my busy schedule,so I wanted to make up to her.

Cancelling a date at the last minute is a different thing.But forgetting it altogether is a disaster.It will be the worst thing you can put your girlfriend through.No wonder am screwed now.

"Hmmm..baby..Am really sorry.."I struggled with words.

"Don't tell me.I know you forgot it."She fumed.

"Mahreen,Its not that I wanted to do this to you.You know how important that deal is for me.If not for me,atleast for my dad.He will be very disappointed if I didn't make through it." I reasoned out.But reasoning never work with an angry woman.That's a tried and proven fact!

"I know Ahmed.I know.How important that deal is to you.And also how important am to you.Its clear where I stand in your priority scale.Thank you for making it so clear." She said with a light sob escaping her lips.I can imagine tears running down her cheeks and I hated myself for doing this to the one person who mean the world to me.

Suddenly I checked the time.It showed 8.30 pm.

"Baby,Its not late.We can still go with the plan." I said with hope.