A KNOCK ON the door had Aisha snapping out of her trance. Her head shot up in the direction, hands moving to tightly grip the edge of her table. "Come in" She called out, only to realize her voice came barely above a whisper. So, she cleared her throat, and then spoke again. "Come in!"
That was all it took for the doorknob to twist, and then Chris poked his head, offering her a smile. "Aisha"
Her lips curled upwards into a small smile, although it was forced. She honestly wasn't in the mood for anything, and for a moment, she thought of going back home because it's obvious her mind isn't on work-she doubts it will be for the entire day. "Yeah?" Faking her emotions all feels like déjà vu to her. Everything that has happened so far, from the message that came with the white roses, to the change in her mood all reminded her of her past, and she surely hated every minute of it.
Chris didn't seem to notice the change in her too, just like Abdallah didn't. Besides, even if he did, she doubts he would say a thing about it. They get along, but they aren't close so he wouldn't bother. "Dr. Aslam wants to see you"
Aisha would be totally honest, in between taking Jannah's work along with hers, and everything that has happened so far, she has forgotten about him, and their patient. It wasn't her intention to do so, but its apparent, things aren't going in her favor at all. She parted her lips to ask why he didn't ask her himself, but she then realized how stupid it'll sound. First of all, it's not like they are that close and secondly, they don't have each other's contact so technically, he could only send someone. "Okay" She replied instead. "Where is he?"
"Well, he's currently in his office" Chris replied, "But, he said to meet him in the VIP ward, room A01"
She nodded, already knowing what room it is without him saying it. There's only one VIP room Aslam could ask her to meet him at-the one he's in charge of. "Alright, thank you"
With a curt nod, he turned around and left, making sure to close the door behind him. In all honestly, he's glad he wasn't picked as Aslam's assistant-not because he didn't want the position, or didn't like the man. Frankly speaking, he would rather choose to work with Aslam than any other Professor he has. However, he already has enough on his place as a fourth year resident, he didn't want any more.
Besides, he thinks Aisha could do the job just well.
Aisha took a couple of minutes to get herself in check, before she finally got out of the confines of her bedroom and made her way towards the elevator. A part of her worried about going there alone, but it's not like she can avoid it in any way. Truth be told, she wished she could just ditch it though. After everything, she didn't want any reminder of her past.
Luck seemed to be on her side, because as she left the elevator and took cautious steps towards the suite, she found herself halting in her steps with her head tilted to the side slightly.
It was empty.
She blinked once, then twice, wanting to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her and there were really no guards there. After a couple of seconds, with her simply standing there, she was convinced she wasn't imagining stuff.
A sigh of relief escaped her slightly parted lips, as she took that as her sign to continue her little venture over to the room at the end of the corridor. Reaching the door, she rose her hand up and knocked on it, knowing that it would seem rude for her to just head in like that. She then waited, which wasn't for long because almost instantly, a voice came asking her to come in.
Blowing another low breath, she reached her hand out and held the handle, then twisted it to the side. Pushing the door open slowly, she then stepped in with a salaam which was answered instantly.
The first thing she noticed when she stepped foot in the room is that there wasn't any soldier in sight. Well, apart from the one seated on the bed, it's pretty much clear. Plastering a small smile on her face, she pushed herself to walk further into the lavish suite, once again, a bit awestruck by how much money the hospital put into making sure the VIP suites look the best.
"Good afternoon" She greeted, her gaze moving from the man on the bed, to the two people sitting on the chaise lounge. They seemed a bit identical, and considering how young they looked, she would say they are his children. Besides, they resemble him slightly, especially the young man.
The old man was the first to offer her a warm smile that eased her nerves, which she really didn't expect considering he made her restless the most. The two others offered her smiles too, before the man went back to whatever he is doing on his phone. The girl on the other hand, had her gaze fixated on the TV yet again.
"How are you?" Aslam's father asked, his warm smile never wavering. He wasn't blind to see the girl seems restless around him, he has picked that up from first visit and now. Speaking of which, he knew his son noticed it too, hence, why the guards aren't around. They will be back, obviously. But, whenever there's a doctor coming over-her in particular, they have been given a break of some sort.
She shot a brow hastily, as if not believing he asked her that. Her eyes were slightly widened, and her lips set into a tight line. It took a while for the wheels in her head to stop turning, and remember he asked her question. "Uhm..." That was when she realized how stupid she must've sound and looked. She cleared her throat slightly, before she answered, coherently this time. "I-I'm fine. Alhamdullilah"
His smile widened slightly, "Dr. Aishatu? Right?" He could remember Aslam telling him the name, and he was sure he's correct, but he still feigned the little act, hoping to start a small conversation with her.
She nodded, this time managing to respond fast without embarrassing herself. "Yes" Her lips stretched into a small grin. The fact that he hasn't said, or looked at her in a way that made her feel like she's being judged, makes him seem a bit friendly.
He nodded slightly. "I don't think I got to thank you the last time"
She blinked, a crease forming in between her brows. "Thank me?" Why would he thank her? She doesn't remember doing anything that will make him thank her.
"Yes, thank you" He didn't change his words, "I mean, you're assisting my surgery so it's only right I thank you"
"Ah" Her lips parted slightly, taken aback. When she recovers, she then waved it off. "Oh no, please. There's no need to thank me. I'm just assisting" She had been thanked by people before, but it still doesn't mean she's used to it in any way.
"Wait, you're assisting his surgery?" It was the girl that spoke, gaining her brother's attention. Her gaze was fixated on the doctor, before she flickered her gaze to her father who shook his head, chuckling lowly. That was all Yasmine needed to know she's the same woman her father told her about.
Aslam didn't tell her anything. Baba though, considering how close he is with his daughter, told her that her brother is being assisted by a girl he seemed to have taken an interest in. That of course, gained her attention because it's the first time she's hearing about Aslam being interested in someone since what happened. So, she wanted to see who the girl could be.
Aisha nodded, although she is sure the bit of confusion she felt considering the girl is asking her the question showed on her face. "Yes?" She answered, but it sounded more like a question.
Yasmine's face broke out into a wide grin, earning a wary look from Yazid.
"This girl is mad" He muttered under his breath, but it seems she heard him because she turned around and glared at him making him shrug, not caring that he has been caught.
Rolling her eyes slightly, Yasmine made her way towards Aisha, before extending her hand out once within arms-length. "Hi, I'm Yasmine Abd Al-Rasheed" She introduced herself, her grin back intact.
Aisha didn't know why, but she found herself casting a glance towards the old man who offered her a curt nod, as if to show her that his daughter means no harm. Her lips then slowly stretched into a smile as she took Yasmine's hands in hers. "I'm Dr. Aisha"
If possible, Yasmine's grin widened. "Nice to meet you, Aisha. I have a feeling you and I will get along well"
Aisha nodded slightly, not knowing what to say.
The sound of someone clearing his throat had Yasmine releasing an exaggerated sigh before she rolled her eyes. The action reminded her of action, and the thought had Aisha's smile widening slightly. Using her thumb to point behind her, Yasmine spoke. "And that idiot over there is some homeless person I picked up on the street"
"Yasmine"
The addressed woman's expression dropped, hearing the voice that came, a bit stern. Her eyes drift behind Aisha, as the sound the door closing reached their ears. The family didn't have to turn to know who the voice belongs to, Aisha on the other hand had to since it wasn't a voice she's familiar with. And for a moment, she really wished she didn't.
Approaching them is a woman Aisha had never seen before, all dressed up a lace of some sort. A big veil, matching her outfit covered the upper part of her body. Her face, though held little makeup did nothing to hide her beautiful features. She approached the others, her steps never once faltering in a way that will not be labeled graceful. If Aisha is being honest, she would say the woman reminds her of her Mommy-the only difference being her mother being taller than the said woman.
But that wasn't what had Aisha's breath hitching for that moment. It's the fact that behind the woman were two soldiers, who took their spots on either side of the door leading outside.
Aisha would admit the small interaction she had with Yasmine and her father had taken her mind off what happened earlier. However, seeing these men only brought back the uneasiness she felt.
"Stop disturbing the doctor" The woman scolded, her eyes slightly narrowed at the woman standing in front of Aisha.
Yasmine's lips curled downwards into a deep frown, "I'm sorry, Mama" She apologized, before turning around and making her way back to the chaise lounge to sit back quietly. Even Yazid who wanted to retort to what she said about him zipped his mouth shut, knowing better than to say anything that will earn him a scolding from Mama.
The said woman then turned to her husband, whose fell had fallen too. "I was informed that there were no guards here, so I brought some with me" She explained, her stoic expression never wavering.
"I asked them to leave, they are on break"
She quirked a brow slightly, as if silently asking him if that makes sense to him. Since when has soldiers been given breaks? Especially ones guarding him? What is this? Kindergarten? "I don't know what your reason for that is, but I'd like to remind you that you are in a vulnerable state now. We can't afford you being without protection" She stated, her voice sounding less stern compared to when she was speaking to her daughter.
She knew better than to speak to him like that.
Even though her words sounded like nothing but a reminder to him, he couldn't help but agree too. It wasn't right for him to remain without protection. But at the same time, he was doing this for his son. He parted his lips to ask the soldiers to step out, when the door opened again.
This time around, Aisha was already facing the direction so she knew who came in before they all did. She was still fixated in the same position as when she watched the woman come in. Her eyes were widened slightly, a crease formed in between her brows and her lips curled downwards slightly.
It doesn't take a genius to know she isn't alright, and that was the case for Aslam. He already knew something is wrong, since he saw the guards outside in their post. He, of course, asked what they were doing there at the time and their response was that Hajiya Babba brought them back.
The rational part of him, tried to get him to understand and see from her point of view. The other part of him though, the bigger part that despised her to no ends was too blinded to care.
His lips curled downwards into a deep frown, as he strolled further into the room, closing the distance between them.
Aisha's eyes followed him, her shoulder slumped slightly. In all honesty, she would much rather prefer his company to anyone else in the room, hence why his presence there comforted her a bit.
He stared at her for a couple of seconds, before his head swiveled to the side, his gaze meeting that of the woman he hadn't seen in so long. He resisted the urge to scoff at the look she was giving him-a look of yearning?
Oh please. He thought in his head.
Hajiya Babba looked between him, to the woman standing beside him. It didn't take long for her to put the pieces together. "Are you the doctor that will be assisting my husband's surgery?" She asked, her question directed towards Aisha that had her head hung low.
Aisha looked up, a bit taken back that the woman is directing a question towards her. Nonetheless, she nodded. "Yes, Ma'am"
Hajiya's Babba's lips curled into a small smile for the first time since she arrived, and for some weird reason, Aisha didn't feel creeped out by it. "Thank you then, for doing this" Her voice also sounded much softer than when she was speaking to the others.
Once again, Aisha didn't know how to respond to someone thanking her when she was doing her job. She didn't have to answer though, because his voice came.
He had turned around to look at her, choosing to stop boring holes into the head of the woman in front of him. "You should go back to your office, let's talk later" He wanted to run a quick test with her help, but it seemed as though there's a little family reunion he didn't want her to be part of.
She blinked, her gaze flickering from him to the woman, and then to old man before moving it back to him again. "Are you sure?" She asked, despite wanting nothing more than to be away from there. "Can you handle everything here?"
He nodded, "Yeah, don't worry about me" He still managed to make his voice sound teasing, despite feeling otherwise.
She quirked a brow, wanting to retort something about her not worried about him. But, she knew it's not the time judging from how tense the air in the room is. Despite not knowing they are related, it's impossible to miss the tension in the air.
So, she nodded and quietly slipped out of the room, leaving the family alone.
Once Aslam is sure she's gone, he turned to Hajiya Babba, taking off his face mask so she could see his blank expression. "Let's talk outside"
"Aslam--" Baba started, but was stopped short when the woman turned to him and offered him a small smile that showed she can handle this.
Aslam didn't wait for her response, as he walked out, making a quick move to dispose the mask in the trash can. He went out first, asking the guards by the door to give them space just in time she worked out. The two men quietly walked away, going a safe distance away from the two.
Hajiya Babba stood opposite him, not having the same expression she did when she walked into the room. Instead, a small smile adorned her expression, as she took in how much he had changed since the last time she has seen him. "It's good to see you Aslam"
His blank expression didn't waver, as his piercing eyes remained fixated on hers. "I can't stop you from coming here for obvious reasons. But, I'd like to ask you to stay away from me as much as you can. Let's not see each other, not here, not at home. That should be easy, right? After all, I won't be here for long" His words were cold, and so was the look he's giving her.
"Aslam--"
"And the Doctor you just saw too. Don't get involved with her either" He would ask her to stay away from any other doctor he interacts with, but there weren't really much and Aisha is the only one he sees frequently anyway, so she is his main concern.
Hajiya Babba said nothing for a while, as she simply stood there gauging his expression. After a while, she spoke. "Why are you worried?" She asked. "If you ask me, I think the girl seem like a nice"
Aslam's lips stretched into a smile that would be labeled a sarcastic one. "Well, if you think such, I'm starting to doubt my decision about her" There's no way he and the woman can have the same impression about someone. No way.
Her eyes widened slightly, her frown deepening. "Aslam, do you hate me that much?"
He gave her the look that screamed are-you-seriously-asking-me-that? "Do you really want me to answer that?" He asked, the look masking his features showed he wouldn't hesitate to give her an answer if that's what she truly wants.
She swallowed thickly, her eyes never leaving him though she didn't say a word more.
Aslam took that as his answer. He took a step closer to her, "I'll repeat this in case you didn't get it. Stay away from me and it'll be better for everyone if we ignore each other's existence" With that said, he took a step away from her and then walked away, no longer feeling like checking on his patient again.
He's sure his mood has been ruined for the whole day.
~*~
Toh, Aslam wetin hot like this?
I updated again! Bruhhhhh drop comments! That's literally what made me write today.
Impression in Hajiya Babba? I have this love and hate relationship with her so far.
This chapter is a long one, because yall obviously deserve it.
Random fact; Do you know that I've had this book idea with me for over a year now? Like I've had the name and all, but I forgot my original plot so I'm writing something completely different now. The only thing that's the same is the introduction on the first chapter which I wrote months ago and then Aisha and Abdallah's name.
I don't know why but I suddenly like the name Abdallah. Not Abdullahi fa, Abdallah (Yes, I know it's the same) Oh and no offence.
Thoughts on this book so far?
Share please?
Okay, bye. Make I go back to my Kdrama.
Love, Jannah and her Korean Drama.