Love Means Sacrifice

Ch. 18: About Us

Mehwish's P.O.V.

My eyes grew large and I began choking on the soup.

Javed was my partner? My boyfriend?! I-I fell in love? And I don't even remember?!

So this is why Javed has been so worried about me, he-he loves me.

I felt a mix of emotions. I was shocked, surprised, upset, and lost. Something so special, yet how could I not remember?! And it was so serious that I told Ma about it! Here Javed was, taking care of me, being there for me despite his own pain, in love with me, yet I couldn't recall a single memory of him, let alone our relationship and my feelings for him.

I tried with everything in me to remember, something, anything!

Immense pressure and pain spread through my head and my heart was beating faster while I started gasping for air.

"Mehwish!" Ma started panicking and set the bowl of soup on my drawer.

My head was now pulsing rapidly.

"Mehwish, stop! The doctor said not to put so much pressure!"

Right before I tried to calm down, I remembered something, but I could barely make out what it was since it flashed in my mind quickly. I could've sworn it was a dark silhouette of someone sitting in someone's arms... I guess it was Javed and I.

"Mehwish, please! Do not do that again! When you are better, you will remember everything on your own naturally. Got to bed now. Goodnight." Ma scolded me before handing me my pills and water.

As my eyes grew heavy, I could still hear my heartbeat in my ears. I wondered how I was even going to bring it up to Javed. He didn't mention anything himself... Why did this even have to happen? Why did I have to lose my memory?!

The following morning, Ma helped me out of bed, got me ready, and fed me breakfast. I was sitting up in my bed when I heard a male voice coming from downstairs. A minute later, Ma appeared in my doorway with a guilty look and I could hear footsteps approaching from behind her.

"Beta, Zahid is here. I'm so glad! He'll look after you while I'm gone. I'm so very sorry, Mehwish, but there is no one to cover my shift today. I've already taken so many days off of work. I'll be back before you know it, honey."

She explained to Zahid which medications I needed and when. He intently listened to her while holding a bag of food that he brought.

Ma was leaving me with someone who I guess I barely knew, I probably should have felt uncomfortable, yet, for some reason, I felt kind of relaxed, I felt some kind of security around Zahid. Maybe because he was so helpful at the hospital, so I knew I would be fine with him around?

Zahid's P.O.V.

Aunty left Mehwish and I in an awkward silence. I didn't know what to say to her. I was afraid I was going to make my feelings evident for her if I speak too much. I had to control myself. I also had to remind myself that I couldn't get used to taking care of her like this. I wouldn't be able to be around her all the time. Javed would have the right. Not me.

I cleared my throat, "How are you feeling?"

Her eyes lit up, "Fine, thank you...Did you sleep well last night?"

I gave her a brief smile, "Yeah, thanks."

"Have a seat." She gestured at her dressing table stool.

"Shehzad was saying Mahira Apa came to visit last night." I tried to engage her in a conversation to lift her spirits and avoid more silence.

"Shehzad?" She asked confused.