Before the cab halted Umaira opened the door and climbed down. Ibrahim got down quickly and together they rushed inside the Red Cross hospital.
'Patient Mr. Mehran Ahmad Ali.' Ibrahim asked the reception.
Quickly they got into the elevator. Umaira felt anxious as the door of the elevator closed, Ibrahim held her hand.
'Don't worry.' He assured her. She held and held his arm tightly.
The doctors came out and once again everyone gathered around him, bombarding him with their queries. The doctor assured them that until now things seems under control, only after the results come will they be able to confirm. Everyone relaxed little, Amreen made her mother sit on one of the bench. Siham got her water. The elevator door opened and Umaira along with Ibrahim stepped out. Umaira looked around and found Mehran's family by a ward. She hurried towards them.
'Mehran! How is he?' she asked gasping for breath. Amreen, Mrs. Ali and Siham looked at her. 'You?' Siham said sharply and held Umaira's hand.
'Please tell me, how is Mehran? Nothing serious? Please tell.' Umaira pleaded. Siham's grip loosened seeing Umaira's condition she realized Umaira is genuinely worried. Mrs. Ali stood up, she walked towards Umaira.
'You? Mehran is very hurt. Please help him. I know he loves you very much. He will wake-up if you are with him.' she said, her voice hoarse with all the crying. Umaira extended her hand and held Mrs. Ali's hand.
'Nothing will happen to Mehran.' She assured her. After Mrs. Ali's words Umaira felt confident. Amreen also came to them, she placed an arm around her mother and looked at Umaira, she smiled sadly at her.
'I hope Mehran recovers because of you. I will be forever grateful to you.' Siham whispered sadly to Umaira. She simply looked at Siham.
Umaira is pacing anxiously outside the ward, while Mrs. Ali is sitting with Amreen beside her and Siham stood beside them. Ibrahim got water for Umaira who refused, Ibrahim insisted and so she took one glass. He also passed water to Junaid, Mr. Ali, Amreen and Mrs. Ali. Siham sat little away, separate from the group. She has her face buried into her palms and is silently crying. Ibrahim's gaze fell on her. He walked towards her.
'Here, have some water.' Ibrahim said politely. Siham looked at him, then at the glass and back again. She sighed and took the glass from him.
'I know how you are feeling.' He sighed relaxing little in his seat. Siham smiled sadly. She took a sip and looked at Ibrahim, 'Won't you have water?' she asked concerned.
'I will have later.' Ibrahim smiled at her, she smiled back at him.
One hour later, the doctors got the reports. They began examining Mehran again. He seemed to be unconscious. Everyone had their breath stuck in their throat.
'Luckily, there isn't any internal damage in the head but there is a small blood clot in the abdomen which we will operate soon.' The doctor informed. Mr and Mrs. Ali looked terrified but the doctor assured him that the clot isn't much and it be a small surgery. Everyone sighed in relieve when they were informed that Mehran has gained consciousness. Surgery will take place in half an hour, the doctor left to make the necessary arrangement for the surgery.
'Who is Umaira?' a nurse came out from the ward. Umaira rushed to the nurse.
'I am.' Umaira said urgently.
'Patient is calling for you.'
'He is awake?' Umaira asked, little relieved.
'He is gaining consciousness.' Nurse informed. Umaira looked at Mrs. Ali who silently asked her to go in, Umaira smiled gratefully and entered the ward. Her heart raced as she twisted the knob and entered.
She looked at Mehran lying on the bed dressed in his blue depressing hospital robe. She wiped her tears with the back of her palms and took a deep breath. She walked towards him. Mehran seemed to be half conscious, mumbling something. On coming closer, she could hear him mumbling her name. Calling her subconsciously. Umaira smiled sadly.
Her smile fades when she noticed how badly hurt he was, his face, arms, legs, and little of his exposed chest badly bruised. A needle piercing his forearm, he has lost a lot of blood. She could feel his pain.
Her hand trembled as she held his, 'Mehran?' she whispered. She smiled little feeling his finger flicker and then hold on her palm tightly. She began caressing his forehead. Slowly he tried opening his eyes, as his eyes opened Umaira felt nervous. How will he react on seeing her? Will he get angry? it might worsen his condition.
Last Mehran remembers before passing out was an old woman crossing the road, to dodge her he had moved his car to the side, since the speed was too fast, his car skid. A building construction was going on the side of the road, his car skid right into the construction work. Mehran fell unconscious with the impact, but before his eyes closed he had seen Umaira and once again was reminded of the rejection. Luckily, the workers helped Mehran and had him admitted him to the hospital which again was nearby. Fortunately, there wasn't any casualties.
Now, as he gained his consciousness Mehran recollected Umaira once again. This time, he was pleading desperately to her to come back to him. Then he smelted her perfume and felt her touch. He opened his eyes and saw a blurred image of Umaira standing in front of him, holding his hand. She is here for real. As his vision came to normal, he remembered how she had rejected him and chosen Ibrahim over him. Suddenly, he felt angry again. He jerked his hand from hers and turned his head away from her.
Umaira bit her lower-lip, tears filled her eyes. It pained her to see Mehran refusing to see her, but then she deserves this she thought.
'Won't you even look at me, Mehran?' she said sadly. Mehran doesn't respond, he kept looking to the other side. Umaira sighed sadly, 'Fair enough. But I won't go unless I tell you this... that... I... love you and...I want... (she took a deep breath) ...to be with...you...I have realized I can't live without you...Mehran, I love you.' Umaira confessed.
Slowly, Mehran turned his head and looked at her. Umaira wiped her tears and smiled sadly.
'I have decided...' she forwarded her left hand, her ring missing. Mehran looked at her hand and then at her. She smiled at him, he hesitantly smiled back.
Umaira carefully held his face and leaned forward, 'I love you.' she whispered and kissed his forehead. Mehran held her hand with his free hand, 'I love you, too.' He smiled. Umaira kissed his cheeks, Mehran closed his eyes, his smile widened. She smiled and placed her lips over his. 'Be gentle, my lips are hurt as well.' Mehran whispered against her lips. Umaira smiled 'Don't worry. My kiss will heal your lips.' she whispered back. Mehran closed his eyes, his grip on her arm tightened. Umaira kissed him gently and soon Mehran began to responded to her kiss. They kissed very slowly and gently for less than five minutes. They parted, Umaira took a step back. They looked at each other.
'Idiot! You should have decided earlier. Bekar mein I had to break my bones.' Mehran joked and Umaira laughed for few seconds before saying, 'I am sorry! I know I am an idiot.' Umaira lowered her head shamefacedly. Mehran smiled meekly at her, he extended his hand and held her hand.
Umaira felt her heart skip a beat as she stared into his grey eyes. She could see love, she missed staring into them.
'You are my idiot, and I love you. And I will love you forever.' He said smiling at her. Umaira smiled. Every time, he said he loves her, it makes her feel happy and more alive. She smiled and placed her other palm over his.
'I love you so much, Mehran. I love you, I love you.' she kissed the back of his palms, Mehran smiled, her confession acting like a medicine for him, he felt better.
'Excuse me, Miss. We need to take Mr. Ali for surgery.' Doctor interrupted them. Umaira nodded, she is about to leave Mehran's hand but he held her hand tightly.
'See you soon, love.' Mehran winked at her smiling. Umaira blew him a flying kiss, 'Very soon, my love.' she smiled.
She walked out of the ward holding Mehran's palm as he was being wheeled out. She was with him till the OT. Mehran smiled at her one last time before the OT door closed shutting Umaira out. She took a step closer and placed her palm on the door and peeped through the circular window. Her heart beating rapidly inside her chest with nervousness and anxiety. She watched as the Doctor gave him anthesia. Mehran knew Umaira will be looking at him, he smiled seeing Umaira's head peep from behind the window. He blew a flying kiss to her, Umaira frowned at him. He winked at her and mouthed, 'I love you.' Umaira smiled and mouthed back, 'I love you too....'