Hikayat ✔

Chap. 2

It was approximately 10:30 by the time Vania reached the ER of National Hospital.

Shaking all thoughts of Harris away she stepped down from the rikshaw and entered the hospital lobby, nerves tensed thinking of her family.

The moment she entered, the smell of alcohol and medicines viciously assaulted her senses, filling her lungs and stinging her eyes, making her dizzy. Her heart constricted with the shadow of the dark memories that took over her mind and she took in a shuddering breath, fisting her hands.

|Flashback|

"I can't see him like this!!..."

"Please... bacha len inhen!! Please, Dr. Ayeshaa! Please, Kuch toh kareyn!"

"Vania Please... Hold on bachey, Sabar karo! We can't help him-"

"NHI!! Khalu jan, aap himmat nhi haar saktey!! Hum aap ke baghair kaisay raheyn ge, aap ko larna hogaa iss bemaari se! Please don't give up!"
....

"Vania!"

"Kaisi doctor hain aap??! Bachayen naa inko!! Hum kaisey raheyn ge akele?? Meri khala?? Zeeshan Zainab!! Kaisey raheyn ge Khalu jan ke baghair hum log!! Please!!!"

"I am sorry beta. We did all we could... But He is no more..."

"Nhi!!! Please! Nooo!! pleasee! Khalo jann!!"

"Sabar karo beta.. Be strong..."

...................

Don't think! Vania!

Vania chided herself for falling weak and fists tightening she fought the memories of the past taking in large gulps of air. Her knees buckled under her weight but she held her front, eyes searching frantically for her maternal cousins, as her heart thundered inside her ribs.

Even though Zeeshan was 18 and Zainab was 14 years old, for her they were still children.

Children who didn't deserve an ounce of the troubles they were faced with. Innocent, gentle and kind hearted children, who had their childhood ripped away from them at a very young age and they had to face the harsh realities of the world.

If it were up to her she'd take all their pain away in an instant... but she was helpless.

Sometimes she wanted to do so much for the people she loved that she forgot she was only human herself. Forgot that she couldn't change fate, bring back the dead or take away the trials and tribulations her beloved had to go through. Because like all humans, she was helpless when it came to the will of the Almighty. But Vania foolishly, never stopped trying. Even if it broke her, she kept trying..

She was about to cry out in frustration, but just then she caught sight of a small girl in pink kurta and jeans, her head covered with a pink scarf and her face red as if she had just cried.

Vania's heart broke at the sight of Zainab's hunched shoulders and she hastened her steps towards her.

Zainab looked up at the sound of heels clicking on the tiled floor giving out a small whimper.

"Zainyy!" Vania called her.

"Appi!" she stood up and threw her arms around her cousin's waist, hiding her teary face in her abdomen.

"Shh! It's okay meri jaan.. Kuch nhi hogaa.." Vania wrapped her tightly in a warm embrace, engulfing her fragile body, protecting it with her own. She kissed her head and felt Zainab shudder against her.