No one could struggle with the fate. It wins all the time ~Zuha Tabassum.
........Aliyah' s POV........
"Naaanuu" i whisperd letting out a breathe.
My eyes were closed and my brain was mess. I could hear voice of sirens and screams around me. But i dont know where i was, what was wrong with me. I just know that i am in grave situation. I have to escape this situation , but i was helpless. I was not in a position to raise my hands, i was unable to utter a word clearly. I managed to say "Naanu" in a whisper.
"Someone is in here" i heard a voice from a far place. I dont know how much far, it was a man's voice.
I lay still without a move, my breathe inhaling and exhaling at the lowest. I dont know how i was lying, but i knew i was lying in an abnormal position that was causing me aches all over my body. But i laid still, not able to move or open my eyes. I was in a semi conscious state.
"Oh yes. There is a lady here". Said a man , in a loud voice, hurriedly.
"Slowly. Take care in opening the door. " other man said.
"She is completely stucked. I doubt she is alive" said a man, His hand touching my arms that made my body moved a bit because of the warm touch.
"She is aliveee" the man screamed.
As the man and other members of rescue team tried to pull me out, my body ached in all its joints.I managed to open my eyes and saw a blurred image, it was my car and i was in a knee-chest position. I was so stucked in the car. But they managed to remove me out of the rumble of car. It was devastated. Rumble of ground in pieces as if in movies. No, it was real.
The rescue workers made me lie on stretcher and poured water on my face. I gasped a long breathe , as my normal breathing pattern was restored. I felt warm blood dripping from my right eyebrow. My right hand was hanging down, numb.
I glanced at the surroundings and found many stretchers around me , some of them screaming out of pain. Some lying still, motionless, dead. A child was crying in a high pitch, trying to wakeup his mom, as a body of mother was engulfed around as in protecting the child, the mother was lying dead.
There were people running,hither and tither. And my head was similar to the situation, throbbing as if beating with hammers. I resisted myself to keep my eyes close, from loss of energy. I heard sirens And screaming, as my mind slowly made sense that it was the earthquake that has destroyed the place. I slowly drowned into deep sleep.
.................
I opened my eyes to see white bed, on which i was lying. I turned on my left, my hand pained like hell. I looked at my hand , it was bandaged. I felt aches all over my body. I couldnot s feel my limbs, they were numb, completely. I was hospitalised.
"Aliyah" said naaanu. Her eyes were wet and her nose quite red. I knew she was crying.
"Naaanu" i managed to say as tears fall from my eyes.
"You are allright Beta. nothing to worry okay?!"
"Is everyone fine at home?" i asked, as the horrific scene of earthquake flashed before my eyes. My voice so feeble.
"Everything is fine aliyah. Zynah is waiting to meet you since yesterday night." said naanu.
"Zynah, she is okay na? I dont remember how it all happened" i said thoughtfully.
"she is fine. It happened, but dont stress over it now. " naanu said.
As naanu went off from the room, zynah came in rushing.
"Liyahh.. I am so sorryy.. I wish it was me instead of you" she said.
"Shut up idiot" i said , my lips curving into smile.
"I mean seriouslyy... ! You should have stayed at my home, things would have been better. It was late.." zynah went on saying.
"Zynah.. How it all happend? I mean .. I just remember i was in a bad condition" i said thoughtfully. My eyes flinched as the scene of screams flashed before my eyes.
"Liyah it was earthquake. You left my home at around 12 midnight. Do you remember i insisted you for waiting at my home when you dropped me after the weekend program?" zynah said placing her hand over mine.
I thought for a while , as my mind recollected all the moments. Slowly one by one...
"umm yeah. I remember that we were in the cafetaria , after the program. We talked with. .. Aariz. and yeah i stayed at your home till late" i said thoughtfully, trying to make sense to myself.
"And lateef bhai went out for some work and couldnot come back. so you have to drive the car by yourself. " zynah said.
" When did it occured? yesterday night?" i asked.
As my mind could relate it as yesterday night.
"No liyah. it happened day before yesterday. you were unconscious." zynah said as a stroke of tear rolled down from her eye.
"Oh.. " I paused and coughed so badly, with pain all over my chest. The paroxysms of cough seems like neverending, i coughed and coughed so much that i closed my eyes, from loss of energy.
I heard zynah call the nurse. The nurse came in and injected some medicine through IV.
As the medicine made its way into my system, I slowly drifted into sleep. My mind was replaying moments from my life, happy, sad, anger , all the moments flashed before my eyes as if, i was turning the pages of my diary. The diary that was a replica of my life.
..................
.....Aariz POV...
I was at The City hospital, where most of the victims of natural calamity, earthquake, were admitted. It was much devastating . It took up many lives, not caring about the age.
The media, newspapers, Newschannels were cramped in the hospital surroundings showing up every little information they recieved. The rescue team were busy finding the possible miraculous escapes. The doctors were busy saving lives of many people and the policemen were busy keeping a strict vigilance on the locality.
I have never experienced earthquake before. I just know that it was really destructing. the terrible shaking made me fearful. It reminded me of doom's day. It was god's grace that my family and many other such people who were at home were safe. But those people that were riding to their destinations became the victim. Although the magnitude was not much high , it was the terrific shake that lead to many accidents and thus end up in death.
And one of my cousin brother was admitted in the hospital. He is in his teens , and got his legs amputated. Its really painful to see him this way. he has to go ahead so much in his life and it sucks to see that he just cannot.
I was asked to bring some medicines for him by the nurse. I walked towards the pharmacy. my heart was heavy seeing some people cry , mourning over the dead. Few faces told the story , a pathetic story with so much fear on their faces. No one could struggle with the fate. It wins all the time.
My mind, a galaxy of thoughts, i reached the pharmacy. And stumbled upon someone, a girl.It was her mistake. She was in a hurry, Ah. everyone is in hurry in hospitals. So i forgive you girl.
"Zynah?" I said. even before i could make sense, i spoke my mind.
and she looked up to meet my eyes. Her face dried up, smiliar to many others at the hospital.
"Assalamualaikum. I am sorry" she said.
" Walaikumsalam. Its fine." i said. As my heart beat raced in its speed, and i didnot know why.
Somehow my mind and heart related zynah with aliyah. It could be that Aliyah is hospitalised. and just the thought made my heart sink in, deep as in ocean. Incalculable depth.
"Hope everything is fine" I said. i want to know that Aliyah is fine. I was thinking just about her. I was selfish at the moment.
"No... she is not fine.. My bestie.. aliyah is not fine. " Zynah said, Her eyes glistening from tears.
"What happened to her?" i asked. As i hold in the breathe, not knowing what else to do.
She hurriedly walked away from me. As i stared at her, wanting to know aliyah's condition.
I took the medicines and came back to the room, where Abid, my cousin was admitted.
"I got these" I said handing those to the nurse.
"I was the most disciplined person. I was everything a parent wants in their son. I didnot do any wrong. then why me? Aariz Bhaiya tell me why i was choosen? Out of all those people who are murderers, cruels, out there. Why did he choose me? He should have taken my life, completely. Why did he just took away my legs, my ability to walk?" Abid said, completely lost.
"Abid.. dont stress. Just relax buddy." I assured him.
He was not crying. he was angry,so much that his temporals were throbbing. He was angry with his fate. I listened to him. I may not know how he is feeling, right now. But i am sure i would have done the same thing, if i was in his place. I looked up, and swallowed in , as if talking to Allah directly through heart. I didnot say anything, but i know he understands everything.
..............
I was at the reception. i wanted to know the room in which Aliyah was admitted.
"Can you please help me?" I insisted the receptionist for the third time.
She said she was busy, and it would be difficult for her to find the patient's name. As many patients were admitted in the hospital and the number increased every minute.
"I need to see her , madam. Please can you just spare few minutes for me" I said.
I have never pleaded anyone, in this way.
"I am sorry sir. I am busy right now, you see!" She said.
As Two more people were asking her queries relating the admission of patients.
I Waited patiently and as soon as she got done with the work , i again started pleading her.
"Please mam. It will be difficult for me to search her , all through five floors and different wards. You understand , right?" I said making my point.
"Sir you are the trouble. " She said and started searching for different files.
"What is her name?" She asked through her spects.
"A... Aliyah.. Aliyah Ali" i said. And my voice broke at the mention of her name.
She went on searching many pages of a thick register. Her finger crossing over each name and finally she stopped at one name.
" Aliyah Ali" she said.
" Room no. 256. Emergency ward" she read looking from the register.
" Thanks alot mam" I said, As mentally i memorized the ward name and room no.
I waited impatiently fot the lift and when it came i rushed through the lift. I searched for the ward hoplessly. As all other wards like gynaecology , surgery and many others were written in bold letters . My eyes were craving for the emergency ward.
My inner self told me that she is in grave danger. I want to meet her, Atleast once. I want to ask forgiveness. I want to talk with her just few minutes. I want to ... My eyes stopped at the board that showed ' Emergency ward' written in bold letters. I glanced for the room no. 256 . My hair dripped in sweat. My heart beating crazily as if it would jump out from throat.
I Saw an old lady, sitting on the bench. her eyes were closed and she was murmuring prayers. She was naanu, i mentally appreciated myself for recognizing her. I Saw a nurse pass by, i talked with her in a low voice.
"Can i meet her?" I asked.
"Just for five minutes. I will come back" She said more like a warning and went away.
I slowly walked towards the door and saw through the sqaure glass . She was lying on the bed, her nose covered with some instrument, probably for the oxygen supply. I slowly pushed the door and walked in.
"Mister you seem to be in wrong place" Said a female voice.
I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see , a lady in mid - forties. She was aliyah's mom. I remember meeting her at a party.
"I.. i am sorry. My name is Aariz" before i could complete my sentence, she spoked.
"You are fatima's son? Am i right , beta?" she asked.
"Yeah i am Aariz" i said again. Dumb me.
"Is everything fine at your side?" she asked.
As the earthquake occured. everyone seem to jump to conclusions , like something might be wrong with the other person. it happens.
"umm.. ya. My cousin is admitted in here" i said.
Our conversation made Aliyah woke up. She murmured something, that made me and Aunty calmed down.
My eyes landed on her. Her face was a bit unfresh, tired. her eyes partly closed, she was murmuring "Dad" continously.
"Aliyah beta, How are you? I am here okay? Daddyy will meet you soon" she said.
Aliyah opened her eyes to see her mom and then her eyes landed upon me.
"You okay?" I asked. And mentally face palmed myself for speaking my mind out.
She closed her eyes and then opened it , in a way to say, yes.
As aunty's phone ranged, she assured aliyah that she would be back soon. and i stayed there, utilising the opportunity to talk with her. I hope she responds too.
....................
Author's note : i really loved this chapter. I poured my heart in it. i could feel each and every line.
And hope that you people like it too. in-line comments are always loved.
do you feel that aliyah will talk with Aariz? Will there be happy ending?
comment. vote. share.
much love.
Zuha :)