Chapter 26: Chapter 26

The doctors were agitated, they have been trying their best, for almost an hour, but it loomed their efforts would be in vain. She was brought an hour ago, she got a tachycardia attack, and now the heart isn't even beating, everything halt for the past ten minutes. She might be loosed.

Meanwhile, her family were distraughted, waiting for the doctors to come out, so they could know her stand, for how they brought her wasn't something to think of. Deep down, they all gave up.

Amna was crying profusely, how she saw Hayfah's heart beating in an unimaginable speed before she dashed out was formidable. How her skin looked pale and cold, all her veins weren't beating, she doubt if she could make it. And Umma____she caused everything. Albeit they are all confused.

Abba had slumped on the ground since when they brought Hayfah, it was taking all the might in him not to break down, Umma had revived a guilt feeling in his heart, a feeling he dread to remember. And he was afraid, how would Hayfah look at him? Would she hate him because of what he did? Like he too is confused.

Hayfah was given a cardioversion treatment before her heart beat vulgarized___even though she might fall into a coma. Albeit it wasn't that worst, she might wake up today or tomorrow.

The doctors came out of the theatre room, a glum expression on their faces. Tahir and Amna rushed to a doctor, asking him about her well-being. He told them her condition and left, leaving them distraughted; as Tahir was sending daggers to Umma.

"Abba, let's go in, they say we can see her," Tahir whimpered, as he took hold of Abba's hand, trying to lift him up.

Abba looked at Tahir with his bloodshot eyes, "Do you think she would like to see me?" He slurred, gulping down the lump that chogged his throat.

Completely lifting him up, Tahir held his hand and began walking, "I see no reason as to why she wouldn't like to see you, Abba. Infact, the doctors said she might fall into a coma; but it isn't that serious, her heart beat can be back to normal soon. I'm also confused about the whole story," with that, they opened the door and entered; meeting the gazes of distraughted Amna and worrisome Umma.

Yanking his gaze off her, Abba trudged to the right side of the bed; were Hayfah's lifeless face was facing. He sat on the chair facing her, as the tears he had been fighting with found their ways out of his cornea.

Silently sobbing, his children flashed him puzzled look. They were confused. Why would Abba become disturbed about the story Umma narrated? They all took it as a work of her fiction. But if that happened, why would he become worried? Isn't she Hayfah's mother? Because for all they could fathom, that Rukayya of a woman Umma was telling them about might be dead.

"Abba, please stop crying, she'll wake up Insha Allah," Amna cajoled, as she rested her head on Abba's thigh. She too was confused. They all knows that Hayfah is the youngest, and this Rukayya of a woman was died from all indication, and how does that affects Hayfah? For all they could remember was seeing her heart beating vigorously, as she slumped on the ground.

There was an eerily silence in the room, only the tickling sound of the clock, and the humming of the machines connected to Hayfah's body, who seemed in another world.

Abba slowly looked at Umma, whose face held a devoid expression. Yeah, she was happy that finally Hayfah might get married, but the looks she saw on her husband and childrens faces was something unworthy.

"Shafa'atu, if something happen to her; Wallahi, you'll regret ever knowing," he declared, with a tone of finality laced on his voice, as he slowly yawed his gaze from the looks they were sending his way.

Umma kept opening her mouth to talk, but kept procrastinating, she knew when to joke with Talhah and when not. Suppressing the fear he inflicted in her, she spoke stubbornly "And what's my fault in her well-being and not? She demanded for the story, and so I gave her, not knowing she isn't strong as h..," knowing where her words would lead to, Abba lifted his bloodshot eyes and flashed her a warning look, a look emoting dare amd hatred. She knew what it meant, and so she abide.

Abba, Tahir and Umma left after about thirty minutes after; leaving Amna to sleep with her. Abba left with a heavy heart, he was afraid of what might be going through Hayfah's heart before she dashed out. From the looks she had been sending his way, though he knew she was confused, but he knew what it meant. She was afraid, she was afraid that the woman he humiliated was her mother, and where is she now? Dead as Umma said or Alive?

Amna spent all the praying to Allah to grant hee sister health. Early in the morning, a slight knock came from the door, she stood up and opened the door for the intruder; seeing it was Malik, she shifted for him to pass, as his gaze was unshaken on Hayfah's pale body.

"What happened? The doctors said if she didn't wake up she might fall into a coma?" He asked haltingly, afraid that the doctor's instincts might be true.

Amna sombrely sat down opposite him, clearing the tears that cascaded down her cheeks. "Yes. They said it was tachycardia attack. I'm afraid, Malik, she's had enough wallahi," she couldn't help but break into silent sobs. It hurts seeing her lifeless body on this bed, when she couldn't even move a finger.

"It's okay, she'll be okay Insha Allah," he was trying to sound strong, even though he was breaking inside. When his colleague told him they brought Hayfah, he at first didn't believe him, but seeing her like this___shattered his heart.

Crying, wailing and looking out for someone to help, for there was no glint of light, the energy in her was drained, she was even tired of trying to get out of the dark bush with no trace of human.

Pulling her leg out, she felt a chain tied to her legs and hands, bulging out her eyes, she saw there was no trace of where the chain ends, whilst the bush was getting more dark, she couldn't even see her palms.

"Someone should help me, pleaseee," she drawled weakly, as her tears soaked her shirt.

Out of blue, she saw a mascular structure, he looked scary at first, as he was coming towards her; light began filling the area, as the tight grip of the chains loosed. He came closer, not looking at her, but at the chains that held her hands and legs.

She quivered when his warm hands touched hers, as he unhooked the chains on her legs and hands. She heaved a sigh, clearing the strand of hair that rolled down her cheeks. Abruptly, a very dangerous and afflicting figure rushed towards her; she screamed and stood up, lifting her skirt up to run.

As her life saviour, he took hold of her wrist, which made her body shudders, and slightly pushed her backwards, shielding her with his mascular frame. She feel unscathed.

He chased the dangerous figure away, and turned his back at her, that was when she saw his face. He was no one but her one and only love. The person she believed is her reason to live.

Cupping her face in his hands, she closed her eyes at the electrifying feeling she felt. He cleared her tears with his hands, drawing a smile across her lips with his hands. "You always look beautiful with a smile. Never have a reason to cry," he spoke softly, as she felt all her fears vanished. The once dark forest was filled with lightness. She felt a solace feeling filling her forlorn heart.

Curving a genuine smile on her lips, she hugged him, so tight that she thinks his bone would break. "I miss you," that was the only thing she could come up with. For the emotions are just too much for her frail heart.

He broke their hug with an affectionate smile on his purplish lips. "I miss you more, Tesoro mio," he spoke endearing, slowly releasing his hold on her shoulders.

She flashed him a beseeching look, the tears filling her eyes. "Don't leave me please, it's dark and scary here, but you came along with lightness and solace. Don't leave me again, don't please," she pleaded, taking hold of his palms; sobbing silently.

He gently yanked off his hand from her grisp. "I love you. And that alone can make you strong, Tesoro. You're brave, you can do this. Fight your fears, face the grudges; before I come to take you forever with me. But for now___do this for us," he elaborated, flashing her an encouraging smile.

Her heart twinged as realisation hits her, he was going to leave her again? In thid dark and dangerous world? "Don't leave me please; I can't do this anymore," she pleaded; she was now sobbing profusely.

"You can do this___for us," in the blink of an eye, he was no where to be found. The chains were back, as darkness engulfed the forest, she began hearing those wild voices, as fear filled her frail heart.

She slumped down on the ground and sobbed, crying hysterically. "You can do this, stand up and fight, Tesoro," she heard his voice, it was faint, but she knew it was him.

"Come and take me, I can't do this!" as she lifted up her body, opening her eyes with aplomb, she fell into another world. Full of lightness.

Malik, and many doctors were beside her when she screamed and opened her eyes, which were wet with tears. They have gathered since she began muttering some incoherent words to herself, crying in anguish.

A wide grin broke Malik's lips, she has finally wake up. He rushed outside to inform her family, whom were chased out of the room for medical purpose.

Laboriously scrutinizing the room, her gaze fell on crying Amna, whom entered the room. She saw a distraughted Tahir tailing behind, with a shattered and broken Abba. As if waiting to see someone; she saw Umma's horrifying figure entering the room. It was when all downed on her, that too was a dream; she's back to the real dark world, a world where is nothing but pain. And her life saviour wasn't here with her.

Amna sat on the chair opposite her; whilst the doctors excused themselves and went back to their various works. Amna took her pale and cold hands in her hands; sobbing silently, as well as smiling. "Alhamdulillah you're back, we almost lose you," she jabbered with a rueful smile, she knew this is just the beginning of Hayfah's pains, as she was sure she too is confused.

As scourging as a knife would be, Hayfah felt something piercely stabbed into her heart. 'Rukayya' who is her? Is she dead? What of the pregnant Umma claimed she is? Who was Neema? What's her connection with dead Inna and not sure alive Rukayya? Who is she herself? She's confused.

Tahir sat at the other side, and held her other hand, carefully scrutinizing the red henna that was beautifully applied on it. He sombrely looked up, "I'm sorry, Hayfah, you have to be in this condition for not trusting you," he whimpered, his head hung low; for he can't look into those eyes that emotes sheer anguish, pain, and a crucified heart.

Hayfah kept looking at her siblings, as she couldn't form a single word from her mouth. Slowly, her gaze fell on forlorn Abba, whom has his gaze fixed on the ground, tears dripping down painfully. She stifled back hers, and asked the question she knew would completely crucify her frail heart.

"Abba, I'm comfused. Who is Rukayya? I feel a connection with her. Is she by any chance dead? Who is Neema? And the Inna that we lost?" She asked, unshakenly looking at her father; whom abruptly looked at her, he thought she would never ask those questions.