The laptop screen illuminated Hamdan's face as he typed the phone number to his iPhone. He tapped on the green call button and raked his fingers through his hair pacing up and down in Salem's office.
"Hello?"
He had not heard Sarah's voice in what seemed to be an eternity and couldn't keep his heart from jumping.
"Hi, it's me," he replied.
"Hamdan," it was not a question, she sounded sure it was him.
"Yes. Listen Sarah, did you make it home okay?"
"Wha— Yeah, I'm on my way to pick up Rooster from a friend's... What's going on?"
He could hear the confusion in her tone.
"It's Princesa."
"What?"
There was no easy way to say it. "She is sick and it could be serious. We're not sure yet and I thought you might want to know."
"What's wrong? Are you with her?"
"Yes. She's sedated at the moment in the quarantine stable. The vets are running some tests, they're trying to rule out EPM."
"EPM!?" She cried.
He regretted saying that. Perhaps he should've left out the fact that Princesa might have a potentially life threatening infection. "Sarah, calm down."
"I'm on my way!"
She hung up and he went back to the quarantine stable, which was on the opposite side of the rest of the stables. The stalls were spacious white rooms with rubber floors and a sliding door. Hamdan sat alone on the floor resting his back against the wall. Princesa was surrounded by a wooden structure to keep her in place with a support holding her head up while sedated.
After about fifteen minutes, he heard the quick steps approaching and put his cellphone back in the pocket of his grey sweatpants. Sarah stopped when she saw Princesa through the grilled door, she grabbed the handle and slowly slid it open. Her gloomy face squeezed his heart. She was wearing distressed capri jeans, a white top and Adidas Superstar shoes. Her tanned skin was glowing and her eyes were fixed on Princesa. He wasn't even sure she noticed him.
She cautiously walked up to the mare and rested her head against Princesa's. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you."
Hamdan rose to his feet and she turned to look at him.
"Where is everybody? Where are the doctors?" She asked, frowning.
"Doctor Al Barsha ran to the lab to get the test results. Majid had this dinner with his in-laws and I told him I could keep an eye on her," he explained, bringing his hands into his pockets. "I'm sure she will be fine."
"Hamdan, if she has EPM I—"
He took two steps forward. "Even if she has it, we caught it early. There would be high chances of a full recovery."
Sarah's frown disappeared and she turned to Princesa once again, running her fingers through the grey mane. She kissed the mare in the forehead, walked past Hamdan and sat next to where he was seating before. He followed suit.
She stared down at her crossed legs and sighed.
"Hey," he shoved his shoulder against hers and she looked at him with pursed lips. "We'll do everything for her," he assured her.
"I know. Hi."
He lifted his brows. "What?"
She chuckled. "I didn't say hi to you, so... hi."
YOU ARE READING
Promise This (English Version)
Fanfiction"A strand of hair was laying over her left eye and he slowly tucked it behind her ear with his index finger. His hand kept going down to the back of her neck and he caressed her blushing cheek with his thumb. She did not seem to be cold anymore. His...
