Okay my peeps, you know that hospital scene bothered me. So here's my own version 😉 This is how I wanted Isra to respond! Leave me a good review as always, I am very greedy. 😆
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ISRA’S POV
I had never felt as helpless as I did right now. My mother was lying unconscious on the hospital bed, while doctors were trying to stabilise her. How did all this happen? Was it my fault? She had been unwell for days, and it all started after I “left” my house. But mom told me I should try to make my wedding work…she would not keep me away from her if she was in immense pain…would she?
My heart thudded erratically when I noticed some irregular patterns on the ECG machine. The nurses moved quick, grabbing an oxygen mask and putting it on her. I breathed a slight sign of relief when I noticed her heart rate returning to normal.
From the corner of my eye I saw Shahzaib on the phone, filling in his mother on the details. From what it looked like, she was concerned. But knowing her, it could all be a lie.
Shahzaib…when has he not been there for me? Despite all the insults and physical injuries caused by my family members, he was here. He did not think twice before grabbing his car keys and sprinting outdoors. Shahzaib was actually turning out to be exactly how he would say he was. Every negative incident was kept aside, and he was here today. As a son-in-law. Would anyone else do this? I doubt it. Even Hammad bhai did not have such a huge heart, had the roles been reversed.
‘Hammad had called me. When I heard Aunty fell sick and he wasn’t around, I got scared too,’ I heard an all-too familiar voice. ‘And you are her daughter…’
Disgust coarsed through my veins, knowing the source of the voice, causing my brain to drain out his remaining sentences. Haaris. The same man who was interested in my qeemat.
I decided to ignore him, hoping he would leave. But he was too thick-skulled to understand he was being ignored. ‘Don’t worry at all, she will be absolutely fine.’ I felt his fingers graze my back, causing bile to rise at the back of my throat. ‘My mom is equally concerned.’
And why do I give a flying f**k of what anyone else thinks? I am here, my husband is here. I know kicking out Haaris would cause more problems with bhai, problems that I would not be able to solve over one conversation.
‘Don’t worry, she will be fine.’
For heaven’s sake, leave me alone! And step back!
‘Shahzaib!’ My mind screamed at me.
I felt comfort engulf me when Shahzaib walked next to me, his face was dangerously dark, eyes full of anger. Involuntarily my body moved towards him, seeking comfort. Haaris was on a phone call now but was still around, his presence was filling me with discomfort and disgust.
I looked at Shahzaib, my eyes pleading him to do something. For my mother. With regards to Haaris. I noticed his eyes softening when he looked at me. His frustration was radiating off him, as he paced between Harris and I. But he was holding himself back, avoiding to come closer to me. But why?
‘Because,’ my mind began sarcastically. ‘You are the one creating the barrier. If you don’t accept him as your husband he for sure will never touch you!’
I was so engulfed in my own train of thoughts that I never noticed a doctor stepping out. She informed us one of us could meet her. I began to walk swiftly towards the hospital room without a second thought. My eyes welled up with tears when I saw my mother’s weakened state.
‘I want to say thank you,’ she said softly.
‘No no!’ I took her hand in mind. ‘Don’t apologise. I am your daughter.’
‘We’ve wronged you.’ My heart broke as he voice broke. ‘Where’s Shahzaib?’ She changed the topic.
‘Outside. He’s been here with me since the time you were admitted,’ I told her truthfully. Very cautiously, I added, ‘Haaris is here too.’
Mumma contemplated her next words, ‘Okay Isra, listen to me carefully, before I go to rest. Shahzaib’s your husband. Any Tom, Dick or Haaris does not matter. Focus on your husband now, and your family. I know you are facing problems there, but seeing what Shahzaib did tonight for me…I might have been wrong about him after all.’
How did mummy know I was having issues?
‘Mumma—’
‘Not now Isra. I want to sleep, they’ve given me some sedatives. I will see you in the morning okay?’ My heart soared at the thought that my mother wanted me to stay. Smiling at her and squeezing her hand gently, I walked out of the room.
My heart began stuttering again when I witnessed Shahzaib and Haaris in, what seemed to be, an intense conversation. Shahzaib’s back was to me, but the look Haaris’s face ran chills down my spine. My gut feeling could not be so wrong. The unpleasant vibes from him were very much there and true.
‘What are you waiting for?’ My mind asked me. ‘You know what to do!’
For once I decided to listen to my mind…because my heart was on the same page too. I walked upto both these men, standing next to Shahzaib. He had not realised I was next to him.
‘Hey,’ I said quietly, touching his arm gently. My gesture seemed to throw him off guard.
He cleared his throat, ‘How’s aunty?’
‘She’s fine, sleeping now. She wants us here in the morning.’ My words were definitely pissing Haaris off. So why not take it a notch higher. ‘Excuse me,’ I said too-sweetly to the freak. ‘You’re standing between my husband and I.’
That did it. Haaris staggered backwards as if I had slapped him.
Moving closed to Shahzaib, I added, ‘You can leave now, her family is here to take care of her.’
‘Hammed asked me to stay,’ Haaris’s aggression was surfacing. But I would not back down. Not after what he said to me. Because this was not just about me, but about my husband’s self-respect too.
I shrugged, ‘Suit yourself.’ I knew what to do next anyway. I turned to completely face Shahzaib, who looked like a confused ten-year old. It was endearing, to see a grown man exhibit child-like innocence.
‘You okay?’ He asked me.
‘Mmhmm.’ Surprising him, I stepped closer and put my arms around him, resting my head on his chest. I closed my eyes, inhaling Shahzaib’s perfume, he had been using the same one I had gifted him on his last birthday. This was so familiar, was I really so stupid to gave given up on this sense of warmth, security and love?
Feeling tears rise at the corner of my eyes, I whispered, ‘Hold me please?’
Shahzaib’s shoulders relaxed and he wound his arms around me, burying his face in my hair. Just like the first time we had hugged, two years ago.
‘Anything for you,’ he murmured. A huge grin spread on my face, mixed with a few tears staining Shahzaib’s shirt. This entire feeling of comfort was why I was so adamant on marrying this man.
I felt his hand stroking the back of my head, his deep breaths in my hair. His heart was hammering as fast as mine was. It felt like teen love, the innocent kind we see on TV.
‘Calm your heart,’ I teased him, for once being in my surroundings that was Shahzaib.
‘I am trying, but you are full of surprises.’ His baritone register directly in my ears fired me up, and this was not the place or the time for such thoughts.
Cheekily, I pressed my lips on his chest, my smile growing wider as his heart thudded on, ‘Hope its not a problem.’
Now was his turn. He gently placed his lips on my forehead, kissing me. ‘Not that all.’ The softness in Shahzaib’s voice and actions calmed me down.
I held on to him tighter, not caring if Haaris would see us or a doctor would reprimand us for PDA. No one can stop you from doing anything in the confines of your home.
And this was my home.
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