Zoya had been in hospital for a few days now, although her face had begun to show sign of life she was still tormented by the torture she had faced. Every night she would wake up screaming with her whole body covered in a cold sweat. On most nights Humera was able to calm her down by holding her close, on others her panic was so severe that Asad would have to inject her with medication to help calm her and to help her sleep.
Asad walked in to see her curled up into a ball, she sat in the far corner of her room 'Zoya' he whispered out to her, as soon as she saw him she got up and ran towards him crashing herself against him. Asad stood still as he looked down at her, it was only when her whole body started to tremble did he manage to hold her 'Zoya, it's ok...what happened?' Zoya looked up at him 'please make it go away...' She stepped back and put her hand on her chest 'the pain...the suffocation...I can't breathe...please make it go away'.
Asad felt a painful summersault in the pit of his stomach, he looked at her wishing he could do something but as a doctor all he could do was treat her physically. Asad took her by the hand and made her sit in the bed 'here, drink this' Asad put the glass to her lips, which she took a few sips from.
'Zoya, I want to transfer you to one of my private clinics, it's a psychiatric unit, that helps patience overcome traumatic life experiences...they use conventional medicine along with one to one and group therapy' Zoya looked at him and started shaking her head vigorously 'I...I'm not mad doctor...' Asad put the glass down and turned towards her 'I know and I never implied that in the slightest, it's just...I think it will help you, it's a small clinic in the middle of a beautiful country...the change in environment and atmosphere will help you Zoya' 'but...I won't know anyone there...and...' 'The staff there are exceptional, they are well trained and are brilliant at their job...if you like I can take you there...to visit and then you can make up your mind...what do you think?' Zoya reluctantly nodded, agreeing to go with him.
Asad called Haider and informed him of his plan 'have you had any progress with the case?' 'Yes, we managed to arrest a few people, we have a preliminary court hearing on the 21st of this month...Asad as much as it will be hard for her I need her to see if she can identify any of the men caught...if we are to nail these bas***ds I need her to testify'. Asad held the bridge of his nose and sucked in a breath 'I understand, how soon do you need her to do all this?' 'The 15th at the latest, seeing it's just the 3rd you still have some time' 'ok, well that's a plus...I will keep you informed...Allah Hafiz' 'Allah Hafiz'.
Humera finished helping Zoya get changed, she took out all the needles she had in her arm and hand 'bet that feels a lot better' Zoya have her a faints smile, in all these days it was the first time she had seen her smile. Zoya looked down at her hand, the bruises had turned a horrible blue colour 'don't worry, they will soon start to fade away...ok now that you are all ready I guess I can call Dr Khan' 'will you not be coming?' Zoya asked. Humera understood her hesitation and reluctance 'no...I am needed here, I have a number of other patients to attend to...Zoya, I promise you Dr Khan is one of the nicest most kind hearted people I know...you don't need to be scared or worried?'
'He is quite young...I mean for a doctor?' Humera smiled at her 'yes he is...I guess he is around 28, has managed to accomplish a lot...but I suppose that's what happens when you work so hard...he dedicates all his time, effort and resources in being here...and occasionally he spends time at his private clinic...where he is taking you today'
Zoya stood up to put her shoes on as she did Asad walked inside 'you all set?' 'Yes Dr Khan, Zoya is all ready to go' Humera replied 'good...I guess we can make a move...Zoya, will you be ok to walk, my car is just out side...I can have a wheel chair arrange...' 'No...I'm good, I can walk...thank you'. Asad nodded and then opened the door for her.
Zoya was taking her first step outside her room since she arrived almost a week ago. The minute she stepped out into the corridor she started to feel a numbness spread down her legs, she lowered her head and tried to breathe, feeling her airwaves constrict she quickly grabbed on to Asad's forearm 'Zoya' he said as he stabled her 'are you ok?' Zoya looked up at him with tears running down her face 'I...I'm sorry I can't do this' she said in a broken heart piercing voice. Asad helped her stand up he cautiously wrapped one arm around her shoulder and kept her hand in his other 'I'm right here...you take as long as you need Zoya...I won't let go of you'.
Asad sat Zoya down and helped her put on her seat belt. The drive to the clinic was almost two hours, Asad tried to initiate conversation but Zoya would only answer in mono symbols. 'What are you studying?' He asked 'I...I am doing my masters in computer science' she said in a low whisper 'wow...quite the brainy one...masters so I guess you are around 22...23?' Zoya looked up at him 'will be 23 next month'.
Asad pulled in to a gate with a path that led them straight to the clinic 'we are here' Asad opened the door and held his hand out for her to take 'come'. Zoya stepped out of the car making sure that she kept a strong hold of his hand. She looked around her to find herself surrounded by beautiful gardens, there was greenery for as far as she could see. In front of her stood a building that stretched out in a rectangle shape, she looked up up read the board 'Dilshad Ahmed Khan clinic'.
'I named it after my Ammi, she...she passed away a few years ago...this is in her memory' he said in a low voice, Zoya met his gaze 'I'm sorry...May Allah bless her with Jannah' 'thank you'.
Asad introduced Zoya to his members of staff 'this is Dr. Aman he is the the head psychiatrist and he has a team of three doctors and 8 nursing staff, at the moment we have around 12 patients admitted here, some relatively new and others have been here for almost a year'
'Hi Zoya, it's nice meeting you... come let's show you around' Zoya looked at Asad nervously, she tightened her grip on his hand once again making sure that he wouldn't leave her 'I am not going anywhere Zoya...promise' he said to reassure her.
Zoya followed Dr Aman and two of his nurse, Sasha and Aarti. They showed her the treatment rooms, where they held group therapy sessions, a recreational hall that had a TV, their small sports hall and then the gardens at the back.
On route Zoya saw a number of young girls and older women who were sitting around, some looked as if they were lost and others engaged in activities with staff members. 'Zoya, if you decide to come and stay with us for a few weeks this will be your room' Zoya stepped inside. The room by no means looked like one for patients. It had a nice size bed with a cupboard, a small table and chair with a book shelf full of books, a small TV and an en suite bathroom.
Throughout the whole tour Zoya didn't utter a word, she followed and she looked but refrained from saying anything.
'Sasha, why don't you take Zoya to the farm' Zoya looked at him wide eyed 'f..farm...you have a farm here?' 'Yes, just a small one...would you like to see it?' 'Will you come?' 'Yes, but I quickly need to have a word with Dr Aman first...I will be right here' Zoya looked down at their hands that had been entwined from the moment they got here, she slowly opened her fingers and pulled back her hand 'come Zoya it's this way' Sasha said as she tapped her shoulder.
Zoya followed Sasha but every few steps she would turn around to see to make sure that Asad was still there.
'You read her file?' Asad asked Aman 'yes...I'm confident that we will be able to help...you think she will agree?' 'I hope so...it wasn't easy for her to come out' 'she has formed quite an attachment to you' 'no Aman, it's because she doesn't trust anyone...she wouldn't let me near herself in the beginning...although I have to admit she did open up to me and managed to tell me exactly what had happened to her...' Asad went in to tell Aman about the pending court case and how Zoya needed to give evidence by the 15th.
Zoya came back looking visibly calmer 'did you like the farm?' He asked with a smile 'the horse...it's beautiful and the baby goat...it was so small' 'good...let's get you something to eat' Asad took Zoya to Aman's office 'what do you think...would you like to stay here?' Zoya put down the sandwich she had just managed to pick up 'you are going to make me stay here aren't you?' 'Zoya I can't make you do anything, I can only advise you and give you my professional opinion, I think you would really benefit by being here and it's only a matter of two weeks...after which when we review your case and then we can further prescribe what to do'.
Zoya walked towards the window that looked out to the front gate 'what if I can't cope...what if I need you...or...Humera' 'firstly I think you will do just fine and secondly, if you need me or Humera all you have to do is call Zoya, we are only a drive away'
Zoya turned around to face him 'ok...I will...I mean give it a try' Asad started smiling 'that's great...I will let Aman know and have your file and paperwork transferred here'.
Zoya stood with him by his car, he could see her eyes moisten as he got ready to leave 'I will be back in a few days to see how you are getting on...you have my mobile number...you can call me anytime you need to'
'Thank you Dr. Khan'.
Zoya stood rooted, it was only when she couldn't see his car anymore did she turn around. Sasha was standing behind her 'you ready?' Zoya nodded 'let's get you settled then'.
Eid Mubarak, hope this day brings all you beautiful people lots of happiness.
Hope you liked the first instalment of Part 2.
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