BY ZEE ASLAM
CHAPTER SEVEN
Farida was filled with an undescribable sadness as she sat down facing the doctor alongside Bello.
Madam you have to take heart…….Dr Hassan started but she cuts in popping out her eyes like they were going to fall off her socket.
“Is my mum dead”?
Calm down, it hasn’t gotten to that but am sorry to say, she is in a vegetative state. We have done our best, the next thing to do now is to fly her abroad but don’t worry I have a friend I would love to recommend you to in India. “Dr Hassan explained”.
He brought out his phone and started pressing probably dialing a contact.
“Good day” he said when the receiver picked the call.
He briefly explained the situation at hand and they had little discussion before he hung up.
Farida just stared at him dumbfounded when he was giving them the feedback. She only worried about the expenses. Where would she get such huge amount of money the doctor was demanding for.
“So when do you think it’s appropriate to take her there. “Bello asked firmly”.
This question shouldn’t be coming from you, ofcourse there is no time to waste. As soon as you are able to raise half of the money, then prepare for the trip so that treatment can commence immediately.
Farida was devastated and speechless, Bello noticed that but all he could do was to hold her by the arm, atleast to show that he will always be there for her.
“Babe am here for you” he managed to say.
“Thank you” she silently said and rolled her eyes.
They kept glaring at each other with so much love and passion in their eyes till the doctor cleared his throat which got them jolted.
Ehmm…..thank you doctor. Farida finally said when she found her lost voice.
It’s my pleasure. Your mum will have to stay here till you both are ready to fly her out of the country, we will continue to do our best till then. “He said to them”.
“Thank you, we really appreciate” Bello said then stood up and shook hands with the doctor.
They left his office to the room Umma was given a bed rest.
Umma! “Farida stuttered, her eye lids abating” she felt so withdrawn and sad, she couldn’t remember the last time she heard Umma’s voice nor saw her smile.
“Hey babe calm down” Bello marveled.
She faked a smile to hide her pain but deep inside her, she was hurt.
She was extremely nervous and anxious, who wouldn’t be? Her mother is in a state of life and death.
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“Khaleel left work transferring his aggression on anyone that crosses his way. What happened that day really got him annoyed.
On his way home, he thought about how he had first met his secretary.
That fateful morning as he was on his way to work, his car moved with full speed and splashed mud on the dress of a lady walking by the roadside. The road wasn’t a busy one so he drove the way he desired.
Hey!! Hey! ! Hey!!! The lady shouted but he didn’t slow down, she was totally mad at him for ruining her dress.
She picked a stone and threw it at his car with all her strength and the back glass broke. That was when he revised to where she was and came out of the car.
“Are you insane! How dare you do that to my car? He asked furiously.
“How dare you ruin my dress and still had the gut to yell at me”? She asked him too annoyingly.
“That is the problem of all this middle class people, I ruined your cheap dress but look what you did to my expensive and precious car”.
He said squeezing his face.
“Well you ruined my dress and I ruined your car, it’s vice versa so sort it out yourself” She said and was about to walk away but he pulled her back.
Don’t you dare lay your filthy hands on me, am a married woman. “She croaked out”.
“Married woman indeed” he said and hissed.
“You think I don’t know ladies like you hide under the umbrella of being married so as to get away with everything”.
Whether you are married or not, I don’t care. All I care about is you paying for the damages you inflicted on my car. “He added shutting her up”.
She did not sat a word again, rather she just turned and walked away.
“I will surely find you” She heard his voice echoed.
“Whatever” she shrugged.
He got to his office that morning only to find out that lady was the same lady that had actually applied for a job vacancy in the company.
She was on her way for the interview when they had that horrible encounter. She only got the job after the intervention of Khalid.
