Blessed by you

Two

Dawud's POV:

"Have you got your clothes? What about your toothbrush? Oh you haven't forgotten your epipen have you?" My mum asked for the tenth time today, rushing around the house frantically, opening draws and rummaging through its contents.
"Yes mum. Don't worry." I told her, a grin spreading across my face. It was the exact same story every single time I left for university. She cared so much for me. It warmed my heart knowing the love she held for me. I took a second to be grateful and truly count my blessings with her as a mum. Alhamdulliah.

"Yes well. You really ought to be going." My dad said from the corner of the house, a dark figure hidden amongst the cluster of shadows.
"No, he can surely stay for a bit longer." My mum insisted, brown eyes pleading and my mouth twitched slightly.
"He's right mum. I should." I put a comforting hand on her shoulders, the bones feeling incredibly thin.
"But-I don't," She began, stumbling through her words "No you're right."
The tone of her voice seemed normal, disguised with a mild disappointment, but I could sense the layers of disappointment beneath it. My brows knitted together as I analysed my mother, the woman who has graced me with her presence for my whole life, caring for me and tendering to my emotional and physical pains. She had gone so skinny and old, her previously dark brown hair now threaded with strands of white. I felt an overwhelming urge to protect her from all the evil of this world, just as she had done for me.
"If you need me to stay, I will do it without hesitation." I reminded her but she dismissed the thought with a simple wave of her hand.
"Don't be silly! Now go, you need to be back before it gets dark." She smiled reassuringly. Perhaps I was just being paranoid. It was in a mother's nature to long for her child's companionship. I kissed her lightly on her cheek and hugged her tightly before reluctantly letting go and leaving the house to be greeted by my sister Inaya. It seemed as if only a few days ago I was holding her in my arms, gently rocking her back and forth whilst marvelling at her miniature size. Now she was fifteen. Where did time go?
"Bye bayaa." She said awkwardly whilst I hauled my luggage into the boot of my car with a grunt of effort. We were never good at goodbyes.
"Inaya. Please tell me if something is wrong in the family. I am your older brother and I-"
"Have a responsibility to look after you. Yes you have said," She said, rolling her hazel eyes "I have told you. Things are fine. I promise, okay? You worry too much. I am fairly sure this is a sign of becoming an old man. Is that a grey hair I see?"
"Hey! I am only 24," I responded defensively "Okay but please. You need to tell me if something is wrong. You have to."
"Yes, yes. Go on then." She said dismissively. With a final glance in her direction, I walked to the car and drove away, sparing a look at my mirror to see my family waving me off. Well, Inaya and mum. After giving them a final wave, I fixed my eyes on the endless road ahead of me, trying desperately to ignore the lingering seed of doubt that had been planted in my mind