Imran and Noor waited on the stairs next to the ICU. Imran tried his best to console Noor. But, in reality, Imran was fairly alarmed and terrified. Two years back, Imran secured admission at a school near Fahad's house. Since then, Imran had spent every weekend at Fahad's place. The two days of excellent food and good company kept Imran cheerful for the rest of the week. Imran and Fahad had grown closer, and their weekend calls to Noor had made her envious of them being together. As usual, Imran left for the hostel this morning. But, around the afternoon, he was informed about the accident. Imran couldn't believe that his younger brother, whom he left this morning, was in the hospital.
Imran and Noor came out of their thoughts, seeing the doctor coming out of the ICU. Everyone flocked around the doctor to know about Fahad's condition. Noor got hold of her mother's hands in tension. "I am sorry. Fahad is on the ventilator. We will try our best." Noor saw her mother gasping in pain. She understood that something tragic had happened to Fahad. She looked at Imran. He gave a glance back to Noor. They stood there being clueless about the situation. When Noor turned to her mother to enquire, she walked away, in the opposite direction to Sara aunty. Everyone around her was busy discussing the words of the doctor. She wanted to know about Fahad but did not know whom to ask. Imran called her to his side. "Noor, I do not know what he said. But I think it's not good." Tears clouded in Noor's eyes. She couldn't even see Imran properly. She felt as if her entire life was clouded and blocked. Imran wiped tears off Noor's face. He took her back to the stairs. They waited there for Fahad to come back to them soon.
Three days had passed. Fahad showed no improvement. His condition remained the same. Noor and Imran stared at the ICU the whole day and prayed for some good news.
The next morning, Noor's mamma and pappa called them both to the room.
"Noor, Imran, both of you should go back to school tomorrow onwards. There is no use of you both waiting here. We know you are in pain. But please listen."
"I can't, aunty. I cannot leave for the hostel when Fahad is here,", Imran whimpered.
"Imran, you are in tenth grade. It's not good for you to miss classes now. We will bring you back here when Fahad shows any sign of improvement. I promise you." Imran sat there in silence.
Mamma turned to Noor.
"Noor, I should be near Sara aunty. Right?"
"Yes, Mamma,".
"Good girl. Your pappa will leave town for work tomorrow evening. So, will you please stay at the school hostel for a few days until mamma is back?"
Noor couldn't imagine herself being separated from mamma in such a situation. She sniffled, looking at her parents. But she realized the need for her mamma to be at the hospital for her best friend.
"Do not worry. We will look after her well." The hostel warden looked at Noor as she entered the hostel with a miserable face. She stood there watching her father drive away. The warden led Noor to the dormitory.
The dormitory was an enormous hall built decades ago when the school was established. The stone walls with beautifully designed interiors and furnishing were a feast to the eyes. As she entered the hall, parallel lines of double-storeyed beds caught her eyes. But all that Noor could think of was about Fahad. Tears built up in her eyes all of a sudden, and her sight became opaque. Suddenly, a warm hug fell upon Noor. She blinked her eyes, and the tears fell down her cheeks. Riya stood there in front of Noor with her bright, loving smile. Noor could not stop herself from smiling back at her. Noor felt a sudden feeling of warmth and comfort after all these days. She hugged back Riya. The warden asked Riya to direct Noor to her bed. Noor took her school bag from the warden and walked away with Riya. She was given the bed next to Riya's. Noor felt relaxed being near her.
The next day morning, Noor woke up to the sound of the wake-up bell and weary groans of girls. Noor felt calm despite being her first day at the hostel. Maybe because what's outside scares her to death. She left with Riya to the school after breakfast. Riya had not asked Noor about Fahad nor the reason why she came to the hostel. Riya waited for Noor to open up by herself. Riya had been staying at the hostel from kindergarten. Her parents were working in two different countries so that she was enrolled in the hostel. This place had turned into a home for Riya. Riya was thrilled to have Noor at the hostel.
