The off-white Land Cruiser came to a screeching hault in front of the hospital's entrance and Murtasim rushed inside, dodging the people acting as obstacles in his path.
Approaching the reception desk in a state of panic Murtasim nearly shouted at the stout young man sat behind the counter, seemingly too engrossed in wiping his huge glasses, as he inquired about his wife, "Aap ke paas eik patient admitted hai, M-Meerab Khan. Kahan hai woh?" There was a visible storm in his eyes that grew bigger and bigger with each passing second.
Scrambling to put his glasses on at Murtasim's thunderous voice he sensed the dark look in his eyes, the urgency in his voice and his tensed body language a dangerous mixture that had him shuddering in his chair but he composed himself quickly as he rolled his chair closer to the table, his fingers lingering over the keyboard, "aap ka patient se kya relation hai?" The man politely asked, simply doing his duty. But the calmness in his voice ticked Murtasim off.
"HUSBAND HOUN USKA!" He slammed his hand against the mahogany desk, a wave of anger surging through his body and the receptionist jumped in his seat, his chubby fingers quickly moving on the keyboard as he typed in her name to look for her details. But before he could say anything Murtasim heard a familiar voice call out to him from behind.
"Khan Sahab!" His head whipped in the direction of the voice and he stared at the face of the young man that stood before him. Images of the night he had caught him outside Saba's house and then of a few days later when he had stumbled upon his house during his search for Meerab, flashed in front of his eyes and fresh anger coursed through him.
Farukh visibly cowered in fear as Murtasim took fast, long strides and approached him. "Meerab kahan hai? MEERAB KAHAN HAI?" He wanted answers and he wanted them now, that much was evident from his tone. The fear showed in Farukh's eyes as he met the gaze of the man who had his fate in his hands now.
Khan Murtasim Khan. His black shalwar kameez, double breasted grey blazer, polished shoes and his hair neatly gelled back were a stark contrast to the messy hair, slightly wrinkled matching shirt and pants with his black bomber jacket and the lightly worn out boots he had met him in outside Saba's house or the brown shalwar kameez, matching boots and yet again messy hair he had when he raided his house with the police.
"Khan woh-" Murtasim grabbed him by the collar before he could form a complete sentence and his breath hitched as Murtasim moved closer to his face, fisting his collar in a death grip, glaring at him, "Dil tou kar raha hai yahin zameen mei gaarh doun tujhe." His voice was thunderous, the anger, the worry and the fear mixing together to form a poison that rendered him unable to think rationally, "Lekin iss waqt mujhe sirf Meerab ki parwah hai. Kidhar hai woh?" He roared, releasing his collar from his harsh grip causing Farukh to stumble back.
"Uss taraf..." he managed to whisper as he regained his balance, his voice lost in the fear Murtasim Khan ignited in him. He pointed a shaky finger in the direction of the maternity ward. Murtasim roughly motioned for him to lead the way. A part of him wished he hadn't left his pistol in the car, his fingers itching to rest on the trigger and press the muzzle into the back of the tiny man's head as he threatened him to lead the way. But a more rational part of his brain reminded him that this wasn't Hyderabad or his gaon or the panchayat. And that such an action would cause him trouble that wasn't worth it.
Meerab. Tabiyat kharab. Operation Theatre.
Aap baap banne wale hain Khan.
This was all he could think of as he rushed through the corridors with Farukh until they reached the maternity ward, his eyes frantically scanning the labels on the multiple doors for the OT. Finally spotting it he began to rush in that direction but his movements were halted instantly by Farukh's words, "Khan Sahab, operation chal raha hai andar jaane ki ijazat nahi hai. Yahin intezaar karna hoga" Farukh spoke slowly, fear etched in his voice.
"Woh meri biwi hai! Aur woh mera bacha hai. Mujhe wahan hona chahiye" Murtasim growled, the look in his eyes pinning Farukh to his place.
"Doctor ne kisi ko bhi andar jaane se mana kia hai! Uska operation chal raha hai" he restated, trying to make him understand the seriousness of the situation, hoping he wouldn't have to tell him what the doctor had told him and his aunt about the complications related to Meerab's pregnancy and delivery, afraid that Murtasim might then actually bury him in the ground.
*Flashback*
"Khala mai ne aap ko pehle hi din kaha tha ke inki pregnancy mei boht complications aayeingi aur ye delivery bhi normal nahi hogi. Aur wohi horaha hai" the doctor exclaimed to the worried old woman who's breath was stuck in her throat at the sight of Meerab lying on the hospital bed, breathing hard and suffering in pain as small tears trickled down her cheeks.
"Iska jald se jald c-section karna parega" the doctor informed. The old lady's brows furrowed in worry and confusion at the words, "c-section mutlab?" She asked, the concept unknown to her for she had no children of her own and had no experience ever being pregnant either.
"C-section mutlab operation khala!magar uske liye aap ko isko kisi dusre ache hospital le jana hoga kyun ke mere clinic mei operation ki sahulat maujood nahi hai. Aur paise ka intezaam bhi karna parega." She informed causing the tension in the room to rise.
Meerab lay on the bed by the window, gasping in pain as the doctor and the woman she had come to acknowledge as a motherly figure in her life in the short span of time that they had known each other stood in a far corner of the room, out of earshot and conversed rapidly.
The tension and stress was evident in their faces but Meerab could not focus on that for long as another shockwave of pain shot through her body, her heart hammering in her chest as beads of sweat trickled down her forehead and fresh tears lined her eyes. She threw her head back closing her eyes as she took deep, long breaths hoping they would help with the pain somehow. But they didn't. Instead she found herself struggling and gasping for air as her heart pounded and her pulse raced.
In the corner, the doctor informed the elderly woman of the hefty approximate cost for the operation which had her worrying even more but even then her main concern was Meerab, her baby and their health.
Farukh stood there with the ladies, intently listening to the conversation, letting his mind process the doctor's words while he let his aunt do the talking as he passed worried glances in Meerab's direction every few seconds.
Assuring his aunt that he'd arrange the money, he left the clinic, not announcing where he was going as the doctor rushed to make a couple phone calls and arrange an ambulance to take Meerab to the hospital.
*Flashback over*
The events following Meerab's departure from the clinic and after her arrival at the hospital were a blur for everyone. She continued to dip in and out of consciousness as a nurse fixed the oxygen mask on her face, her blood pressure rising way above normal which made her head ache and spin as the blood rushed through her body at an abnormally high speed as they rushed her to the OT.
She had no idea how long it had been, when the epidural was inserted, when the shocks stopped or when the anaesthesia began to take effect. All she heard were muffled voices and blurry figures moving around her hurriedly before her eye lids shut and darkness enveloped her senses.
****
I know these chapters are short but they'll get longer ahead!
Until then feel free to give your honest feedback in the comments!
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Fate
FanfictionMurtasim had believed life had been unfair when he had his passion for photography snatched away from him for responsibilities he never wanted. But he accepted it. Fate, he called it. He had thought that was the most pain he'd ever feel and that th...
