AFTER 168 HOURS [BOOK 2,168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 26: Memory Lost

The Morning crawled in like a that of the early morning harmattan. The hospital was silent and less busy that it used to be during the day. Her eyes were still closed when she felt something strange, moving her fingers gradually as life got into her weak body.

"Hu..maira Hu..maira." Zainab's lips murmured incoherently before she finally opened her heavey eyes that looked as if she was floating on an ocean.

The day was bright but Zainab managed. Her vision went blurry as she closed her eyes and opened it again.
It looked clearer gradually, but a pain struck through her head, making it difficult to twist or turn. Her head was wrapped up in bandage as she lied on the hospital bed.

"Oh! She's moving! she's awake..." a nurse jerked beside her. She rushed out of the ward to inform the doctor.

He was a tall, mid-aged doctor.
On his to her ward, Mrs. Maikuddi and Khalid entered the hospital. They met the doctor on the way so, they introduced themselves and entered her room all together.

When they got there, Zainab placed her hand on her head, trying to endure the pain.

"Oh God... Where am I?" She asked, her voice sounding low and hoarse.

Mrs. Maikuddi couldn't help but to move closer. "Don't worry my dear, you'll be alright." She consoled sitting by the side if her bed. Zainab slowly closed her eyes and falls asleep.

Although, Khalid was concerned about why his mother was so interested about this strange girl, he couldn't help but to roll his eyes and hiss at all of this. He was still pissed up by the accident. To him, Zainab was the one at fault. He didn't care to look at her whatsoever because he wasn't even interested in knowing who she is.

"Doctor," Mrs. Maikuddi asked, facing him. "Tell me, is she alright? What exactly is the problem now?"

The doctor examines Zainab eyes and vains.

"She looks okay but there might be a slight complication when she wakes." The doctor reported.

"W...wwwhat? What do you mean complications?!" A frown finds its way to her face. Mrs. Maikuddi couldn't believe the accident was that serious.

"This young lady took a knock on her head. Our scan results revealed that there are no internal damages to her brain."

"Fuck!" Khalid hissed beneath rubbing his hand over his head faustratingly.

"Ah! Alhamdulillah!" Khalid's mum turned to her son with relieve on her face. "Better... We thank God for that."

"But... It may be too early to conclude." The doctor emphasized. "She suffered a severe concotion which may lead to lost of memory when she awakes."

"What do you mean by memory lost?" Khalid asked, finally giving into their discussion.

"She might not be able to remember somethings, places, events or people in her life." The doctor added. It was saddening indeed.

No one was expecting this to happen, especially Khalid. He wore a long face and he was still angry at her. He nibbled his lips with so much on his mind. Yet, he's unable to face Zainab. He just didn't want to. All on his mind was to get out of the ward already.

"Subhanallah! We don't even know her name!" Khalid's mum jerked and turned to the doctor. "Are you saying she's going to be like a young baby that can't even remember yesterday?"

"I don't want to put it that way. It's so unfortunate that her family members aren't aware. Even if she meets them, she might not be able to recognize them as her own family."

"What?! That's aweful!" Khalid's mum cried. "Doctor how long would this memory lost, last?"

"It may last one day, one week, one month or maybe a year." He concluded.

"One year?! Oh no...I really need to make arrangements. She has to be flown abroad for treatment."

"B..but mum!" Khalid tried to cut in.

"Don't mum me!" Mrs. Maikuddi blurted almost in tears.
"We have no choice than to help this girl the best way possible else, you're to be blamed. Poor thing... I bet her family would be searching for her somewhere right now. I'll make arrangement for her medical treatment in India."

"Umm... Hajia Fati. I'll advise that you have to be patient with her. What she needs now is love, care, attention and time to heal."

"She won't lack any of these, I promise. It's my son's fault that she's in this mess and I promise to fix it as soon as possible." Khalid's mum who's also known as Hajia Fati assured the doctor.

"But you didn't have to do all of these mother!" Khalid muttered sincerely, feeling so annoyed and disappointed inside.

"I'll find a name for her in the main time. Or... Maybe I should call her Aliyah. I've always wanted a daughter to give that lovely name to but God blessed me with a son instead."
Khalid's mum was already close to tears now. She brought out and hanky form her Gucci handbag and wiped away her tears.

An annoyed expression formed on Khalid's face. He hate to see his mum heartbroken like this but right now, there's nothing he would say to make her leave. She has seen Zainab already but he couldn't understand why his mother is ready to go to any length to save this young girl.
'She's a stranger for crying out loud! Only God knows where she's from.' Khalid hissed mentally as he watched his mum sniffing and weeping in her white hanky.

"Fuck!"

***

That morning, Humaira went to report about her missing sister at the police station.

It's 24 hours now and she's not back. I
want to file a report." Zainab informed the police officer as they took down the statement. Luckily enough, they were able to attend to her that morning without wasting much if her time. Humaira provided the police with relatable information.

Submitting 3 of her pictures to them. They promised to work on the case as soon as possible. Humaira gave them Zainab physical description and described the clothes she last saw her with.

"Where do you think she might go?" The police officer questioned

"I don't know officer, I have no idea."

"Don't she have friends or family members she might probably be with?"

"No sir. Zainab and I are orphans and we have no relatives. But.. she has a friend living at maitama."

"Good, have you failed her number? What did she say?"

"I tried calling her timelessly but her number isn't reachable. I don't know what is wrong officer, please help me find my sister. She's all I have." Tears pricked in her eyes as she tried explain.

"You need to be patient madam, I'll investigate on this personally. What happened before she left. I mean was there a fight or an argument?"

"Yes sir, there was an argument. It wasn't anything serious sir, I thought she would be back in minutes but I'm mistaken. She didn't even take anything along with her, this is her phone sir." Humaira huffed as she handed the new iPhone the officer.

"Okay, good. We might find something here." The police officer collected Zainab's phone and scolled through it.

"Ummm... I'm working on a case. I'll get back to you immediately I find anything relatable."

"Okay sir. Thank you Mr. Josh." Humaira whipped away her tears as she walked out of the police station.