The Nanny

Chapter Thirty Six

I walked, more like saunter along the sick people, nurses and doctors. When my hand trembled, I clenched it into a fist. What if he never wakes up? A thought that pierced my heart, a thousand needles worth of pain. Tears lingered on my eyelids as I stopped by the vending machine, it hurts.

I rested my hand on the vending machine and breathed in and out, trying to synchronize my breathing. You would think in a hospital someone, anyone would notice that I am having a panic attack. As I looked around, my vision blurred, my heartbeat escalated with fretted thoughts. Thirty minutes have passed and Imad still hasn't woken up. Ya Allah please give ash-shifa (healing) to Imad... a dua instinctively formed in my heart, unable to mumble it but it was there in my mind and heart. You could say that lessened my panic attack and somehow I was able to breathe again, though still tremors overcame me. "Layla." An overfamiliar voice called out, Ahmed. I look besides me and see him, his eyes swollen and looking at me with a soft stare.

"Adil called me and explained everything," he said. "Imad is being moved to a private room, he's still unconscious but the doctors say his vital signs are good."

"Okay," I responded. My hand started trembling again, I quickly hid it behind my back.

"Do you need anything?" He asked, looking concerned. I move my head side to side, indicating no. He doesn't look mad, an emotion that I expected. Ahmed shifted his arms, crossing them across his chest. That's when I realized he was wearing a thobe, it was definitely a different look on him. A good type of different. We stood there for a while non of us saying anything, because honestly I didn't know what to say. I didn't know whether I should apologize, or talk about the wedding or tell him how worried I am. "Layla.." He said my name in a low tone, he stretched out his hand and clasped my hand. "He's going to be okay. It's not your fault... Don't worry," he spoke in a sincere tone.

I looked at him, hopeful. His words were filled with certain comfort, that I didn't want to object too. "We should be with him," I said. "Ahmed I think I know why he want back to the beach..." He looked at me intrigued.

"He went back to look for the ring. Maybe he thought I needed it for my wedding," I spoke, my voice breaking. Tears already racing down my cheeks. Ahmed pulled me in for a hug, it was sudden, unusual but it felt warm and secure. Despite the heaviness in my stomach fluttering because of the feeling of my body being pressed against his. The arms that held me were soft, yet strong. I didn't hug him back, nor did I push him away... My eyes were filled to the brim with tears. I don't know why I am being so emotional right now. All I know for sure is I don't want to lose Imad. He held me in his arms for a while, until I heard Adil's voice.

"Imad is awake," he said. Ahmed stopped hugging me. Adil walked before I could catch a glimpse of him, I paced behind him and followed him to the private room. Hearing that Imad is awake, felt like a weight being lifted off my heart. When I entered the room and saw him talking and alive, it was a complete relief. The nurse was standing besides the bed and she was talking to Imad. I walked towards the left bed-side and held his warm hands. "Imad habibi..." I said in a low tone and kissed his forehead.

"Layla," he mumbled my name, unable to speak aloud.

"I thought I'd lost you. I love you so much," I said in a low tone, still holding his hand.

"Sorry for... making you worried. I wanted to find your..."

"I know Imad. Don't worry."

"I will be back in an hour to check up on him," the nurse said, and looked at me. "And you need to rest Imad," she looks at him and smiles. When the nurse left, Ahmed walks in and heads straight towards the other bed side and greets him and holds his hand.