Checking the time on my phone one more time just to be sure, Farouq had said he would be here at 4pm and its 4:15 already. I wanted to get back home already cause I was starving . I debated on calling him just to be sure and then decided against it. 4:30 and I didnt care at all wether I seemed desperate or not , I was starving and couldn't careless. I called Farouq he didnt pcik the first time. waited for five more minutes and called again. At that point I gave up on him and called my driver it was 4:45 already I wonder what excuse Farouq would have this time I though as the driver drove us home. Mama made sure to bring me downstairs for dinner we ate in silence just Ummi, Baba and I. I couldn't help but wander about Sadiq," Baba have you heard from Sadiq?" I asked Baba while taking another spoon of the porridge Ummi had made. He chews on his food for a bit before responding, " yes , he called me just yesterday" he said taking another spoonful of his porridge. I could see from his body language that he wanted to know why I had asked but I decided not to say anything more.

Farouq did not call me that night I hoped in my heart that he was ok and that everything was ok. By 4pm the next day I recieved a call from an unknown number I picked and answered being cautious what I heard next would change my life forever.

I rushed down to the hospital I didnt tell any one at home yet. I prayed all the way to the hospital hoping everything was fine. The hospital the caller had described was about 30 minutes away from my office. Apparently Farouq had been involved in an accident and was seriously injured. I walked straight up to the private room where she(the caller) had described. I walked in and saw Farouq on a bed ,parts of his face was swollen and he had many things I attached to his body I held back a sob as I walked closer to his bedside. Someone was seated closed to his bed a lady I am assuming was the one that called me. She turned around when she heard me approach and greeted me, " Hello you must be Zara" she said in a whisper with a sad smile on her face , I nodded ," I'm Umeeta his cousin" she said turning back to look at Farouq as though worried that she might have woken him up. I moved closer to him ," what happened to him ?" I asked her unable to hold back the tears she nodded towards the door and I understood as I walked with her towards the door.

When we stepped out she released a breath as though she had been holding it in for a long while." sorry about that, the doctor said we should be careful what we say around him and to allow him rest as much as we can" she explained I nodded. "when did it happen " I asked. And she went on to explain. It happened the day he was supposed to pick me up from the office. The car had tried to steer clear from an oncoming speeding vehicle when it drifted into the bushes and crashed. His dad had called Umeeta to go take care of Farouq seeing as his father was away from the country and his mother died 10 years ago.

I cancelled my appointments at the office went home to explain the situation to Baba and Ummi changed clothes and picked a few just in case I needed to sleep there. And I carried a big cooler of food because Ummi insisted I had to eat and " must not be hospital food" she had said. Upon arriving the hospital I noticed another lady was with Umeeta(Farouqs cousin) she didn't answer me when I greeted her and merely looked me over once. I shook my head ordinarily I would have brought out the brat in me but at that point I didnt have the energy to, I just wanted Farouq to be ok. We sat in silence Umeeta constantly trying to make small talk with me and whoever the other lady was. Farouq was yet to open his eyes since the incident. And it frightened me.

I insisted that I wanted to stay that night when Umeeta told me I could go home the other lady had said she wanted to stay too. When the went to the makeshift room that was adjoined to the room Farouq was in I insisted I wanted to stay with Farouq to monitor him incase anything comes up. I sat on a chair close to him and didnt know that I had drifted off to sleep till I felt a hand touch my hand. I stirred the first time and then remembered where I was I jolted awake to meet Farouqs eyes staring at me. I couldnt help but smile. " Farouq are you ok?, should I get the doctor?" I asked as I started to stand up to press the buttons that will alert the nurses he stopped me with his hand. He seemed to swallow hard before speaking " theres no need to im fine" he said his voice was hoarse.

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