Embrace me once and you'll never have to worry, love.

Jahan

I could not believe how reserved Saboohi felt in my arms. She was nuzzled in my chest, snoring lightly. Her brown hair falling over my arms as she remained in between them. The young woman in white coat, casted us another glance before pulling down Saboohi's shirt after stitching her back up. The bloodied cotton went flying in the bin as the woman tossed it and then carefully pushed her way back from us.

" I am sure she wouldn't have let me touch her if you didn't make her sleep."

I nodded wordlessly. And then looked down at my wife with a frown etched on my face.

Saboohi's behavior had stunned me. She was screaming at anyone that wasn't me. She wasn't even allowing her own mother to step inside the room. And since I had held her, she wouldn't let me leave. When the nurse came in to fix her stitches, she had caused a whole fiasco and I had to put her to sleep so that her wound could be cleaned and stitched back.

Before I could worry more, she stirred and slanted her arms around me. Her fingers tightening over the fabric of my hospital shirt.

" Ja-"

" I am here Saboohi." I rubbed her back carefully. And tilted her head so that her large eyes could look at me. Saboohi stared at me for a short second before she moved an inch away and twisted her mouth.

" Oh Jahan. Oh Jahan."

Her eyes bursts into tears and she clutched my shirt. My heart weakened and I enveloped her in my arms.

After Ronaq, I couldn't bare to loose her. Saboohi was everything Ronaq had left for me. Amd Saboohi was here, alive, breathing and I couldn't be anymore happier. I kept rubbing her back, pulling her towards me and seeing her face. Saboohi kept mumbling something incoherent that I couldn't understand. We got distracted as the door opened and someone cleared their throat.

I looked up seeing Saboohi's doctor, Farooqi. Behind him was a nurse and I tensed. Not because they had walked in but because Saboohi trembled in my arms. Her eyes met mine. And I could see the red veins in her large eyes balls and I saw the tears that pooled in her water line. And I saw how her eyebrows drew together. And I couldn't help but find more and more details about her. The woman in my arms, moved forward so that her lips were mere inches away from my ears as she whispered.

" Tell them to go away."

I looked up to doctor Farooqi, seeing him looking at us in a warm and welcoming manner.

" How are you doing, Saboohi?"

His voice boomed around us. And Saboohi turned her face away from him.

" Tell them to leave, Jahan. Tell them to leave."

She was shaking me. Yelling in my ears and dumbfounded I caught her arms seeing the nurse whispering something to the doctor.

" Saboohi, there here to make sure you're okay."

I cupped her cheeks and tried to slide off the bed. But she shook her head at me and copied my actions. Sliding off next to me. I pushed her back up. Afraid that she'd hurt herself again.

" Saboohi, sit down. We'll talk."

Doctor Farooqi, moved ahead. And Saboohi hid behind me.

" Saboohi. Look the doctor's here. Let's just get you checked." I tried to understand what she was feeling. What she was doing? But I couldn't because all she did was, hide herself in me.

" Jahan. I think she's not comfortable. We'll just put her on IV and come back later."

Doctor Farooqi felt disappointed as he looked at Saboohi's behavior. And I nodded my head seeing him leave whilst the nurse moved to our side and Saboohi jumped back.

" Stay away from us. Stay away from us."

She yelled at the poor nurse. The woman shrank back and looked at us with terrorized eyes. Saboohi's loud voice had shook me as well. And I pulled her with me to the small window in her room so that the nurse could do her work.

I rolled the thin curtains up and trapped Saboohi in between the window and my body. She looked outside just how a person would look who hadn't seen sun in days. And her eyes sparkled just a tiny bit and she sighed out. I placed a kiss over her head and gathered her fiery hair.

" Saboohi, everyone here is trying to help you. Don't you want to recover well so that we can go home."

I whispered in her ears.

" I want to go home."

She said, placing her hands against the glass window. I hummed.

" Then, I'll call in the doctor so that he could check you and we could-"

" I want to go home."

She interrupted silently. And I noticed that she was hardly paying any attention to me. Instead she was looking out at the kids that played in the grass downstairs. And that she wasn't even listening to me.

" Sabo-"

" Sir, she has the cannula in her hand can you bring her here so that I could pass the IV tube."

The nurse asked and I turned to her before nodding my head.

" Yeah sure, Saboohi-"

" Send her away."

Her voice was grave like and I looked at my wife and straightened away the lines on her forehead.

" She has to pass the-"

" You do it Jahan."

Her head fell over my chest and I looked at the nurse seeing her shift uncomfortably.

" Sir if you can then you do it."

I looked back at the tube stand and then at the nurse. I had gotten enough IV stranded to my arms that it wasn't rocket science and so for the sake of Saboohi, I agreed.

" I'll do it." The nurse nodded.

I walked Saboohi to the bed and helped her lay down. She kept staring at me like a child, with large eyes. Hooking up the tube to her arm, I sat besides her and stroked her arm to ease her off. She curled into a ball and held my hand.

" Don't leave it."

She said before she closed her eyes.

I sat there, staring at her, understanding her. And the door opened and my nurse walked in.

" Sir, you'll have to return to your room. It's time for your medicine."

I nodded and shifted to stand, feeling as if my lungs would explode. The woman's fingers tangled with mine and I stopped. Zaryaab walked in next. Worry etched on his face. And when he saw the position I was standing in, he sighed loudly.

" Jahan, there are certain rules for this hospital. You cannot waste a room this way, by paying and not living in it. You have to shift back in your room."

His voice was calm and encouraging. And I nodded but then I looked at the woman sleeping on the bed and placed a hand over Zaryaab's chest.

" She's not fine. Something is wrong with her. I cannot leave her, she's not fine."

Zaryaab nodded.

" I understand Jahan. But we need both of you to get out of here. We need both of you recovered."

" Sir. Your medicine time-"

" Come Jahan."

Zaryaab's convincing tone made me cast Saboohi a last glance and I finally let go of her hand. Aunty Sukhaina was standing by the door. Huddled in her long chadar. She smiled warmly at me but her swollen eyes did not go unnoticed by me.

" How are you doing?"

" Better."

" And how is she?"

Her tone wavered and my fists clenched just a bit. Aunty Sukhaina broke into a sad smile.

" She doesn't want to even look at me."

" Aunty-"

" I'll just sit besides her while she's sleeping."

I couldn't get the chance to say more because she rushed inside the room. Making me follow Zaryaab to my own room. Upon entering I saw the nurse setting up my monitor and my IV stand. I glared at Zaryaab, seeing the man hide a teasing smile.

" It's for your sodium balance."

He said before pushing me on the bed.

•

I could hear the shuffling going on somewhere around me. Monitors beeping, trolleys scarping against the floor, plastics being chirped.

My eyelids felt heavy and it was hard opening them. And as I turned on my back, a spurge of shivers crawled over my back till my scapulas and I bit back a groan. Tearing away my eyes, I welcomed the sunlight that filled the room. Stretching my limbs, I adjusted the blanket over my cold feet.

" Rise and shine honey."

A manly voice spoke and I tilted my head to look at the intruders that came in. My amber brown eyes contracted as I blew out a breath.

" What are you doing here?"

I asked with utmost shock. My back stretching out as I sat up seeing Bazid roll his eyes.

" For you princessa, I am here at your service."

He grinned whilst the woman after him, hit his shoulder and looked at me warmly and asked softly.

" How are you feeling, Jahan."

I smiled at Faraal and nodded my head.

" I am good."

Faraal came to stand my by side and I noticed the file she had in her hand and the white coat she adorned. No wonder Bazid couldn't keep his eyes off her and I smiled at the cuties.

" You don't have to worry about Saboohi now. I am here as long as you guys are."

My heart filled with warmth and the moister glistened my eyes. And I blinked.

" I am here too."

Bazid said in all seriousness as he stood beside his fiancee.

" You guys-"

I didn't have any words to say because of how much I felt.

" Tsk. Stop being emotional now you stupid, now tell me about the nurses here."

Bazid teased and laughed and I shook my head at him as Faraal glared at him and gave him a pointed look before walking away from us.

" I'll go see if Saboohi is up."

The woman said before walking towards the door.

" It feels like home here. Anyone could walk in and out of the corridor."

Bazid voiced out his thoughts as he peaked behind the curtain that separated me from the other patient and sheepishly he mumbled a sorry before sitting on the low stool.

" The special treatment is only for our family because Khan Dada has taken the hospital over his shoulders and then Zaryaab, you know him."

We shared a chuckle. Minutes later my physiotherapist was here to take me for the exercises. And no matter how much I wanted to see my wife first, I couldn't argue.

•

Today I wasn't in the wheelchair as I walked out of the spacious patients gym. Instead I was on my feet, walking. Feeling as lively as ever. I felt this energy in me that I wanted to transfer into Saboohi and bring her back to her older self.

I passed by my room and towards Saboohi's. A smile crawled over my lips thinking about how her eyes would sparkle upon seeing me. How wide she'd smile upon seeing me.

I walked to her room and turned the door handle, little did I know that I had turned my life upside down.

Saboohi was on the bed, crying. Her hands were bound with black belts and so were her legs. And she wiggled her limbs to break free off the restraints. I felt being punched in my gut. A pain grew and unfurled around my heart. I could hear my breaths in my ears now as I looked at the helpless state of the woman I loved.

" Who did this?"

My voice shook as I barked. Looking at the nurses who were ignorantly checking up the monitors and medicines. They turned around to look at me and sighed. Before one of them spoke up.

" Sir, the patient was becoming hyper. She wasn't taking her medication and wasn't allowing us near."

" Don't you see how much more hyper she is now."

I stated moving forward seeing, Aunty Sukhaina weeping silently in the corner.

" Sir we restraint patients daily-"

" Jahan."

Saboohi's eyes settled on me. And her voice was a broken whisper, but it was like a magic spell. Soft and soothing and broken. The perfect combination to move me forward and tear off the Velcro straps away from her wrists.

" She won't be restrained."

I stated as I undid the straps from her ankles as well seeing red marks adorn her beautiful skin.

" Jahan."

Saboohi voiced out with a red nose and she reached her hand to me. I smiled at her reassuringly and took her hand in my. Placing a kiss over her both wrists.

" I am here, my jaan."

I smiled yet again and wiped away her tears. The nurses rushed out and so did Aunty Sukhaina leave. Saboohi tried sitting up and I helped her up. Her wavy hair escaping her rich brown braid. I sat down before her and cupped her cheeks. Her hands molding over mine.

" Look Jahan, see what they did to my hands."

Her innocence pained me and I looked down at the marks she was showing me. Her bruised hand where the IV was passed. The Velcro strap marks. And I rubbed the spots softly.

" I'll not allow them to do it again. Okay?"

I said wiping more of her fresh tears.

" Don't leave me here, Jahan. Please don't leave me here alone."

I leaned forward so that she could rest against me. Her head fell on my shoulder and she looked up at me with large eyes.

" Saboohi, you know. You're not alone here. Everyone is here for you. Aunty Sukhaina, Khan Dada, Dadi Gul Jan, Zaryaab, Afaaf, Alamdar and you know what? Faraal and Bazid as well."

" But I want you only." 

She said quietly, yet I could hear how fast her heart raced. Her fingers pressed lightly over the wound of my temple and I hissed.

" Are you fine, Jahan."

She asked softly and I nodded.

" Yes, I am."

But you are not Saboohi. Something is wrong with you. There's something more to you.

I looked up from her and to the door seeing Faraal stand there. Her stethoscope around her neck whilst her eyes were fixed on Saboohi and me. And the way she looked at Saboohi made me realize that she was seeing something that I couldn't see. That she was acessing her in a way I was unable to. And she blinked before looking back at me. And she smiled.

And her smile was anything but true.

•

My blue dress shirt seemed so foreign against my body, after wearing the hospital shirt for half a month. And I straightened out the collar. Juts how Saboohi would do.

I had left everyone in Saboohi's room so that she could just try to be comfortable. While I was called for her doctor's appointment. And I was nervous about meeting her doctor. Faraal said everything would be fine. And that she would be there. But I felt a void growing inside of me. The more I thought. The more void I became.

I had gotten discharged and was good to go home. Yet I didn't want to leave Saboohi alone. So I had taken upon the responsibility of being her attendent.

" Ready?"

The nurse asked as she saw me walking towards her. And I nodded.

" This way sir."

She said leading towards the board room.

The door opened and blasting air clogged me. I stepped in, letting the nurse close the door behind me. My eyes scanned the large table and the various files and papers scattered over it. Before I ran my eyes over the highly sophisticated personnel. Seven people against one man.

Seven doctors against one Jahan.

I recognized doctor Zeba, Faraal and doctor Farooqi. Doctor Farooqi stood up and welcomed me to the only seat left. We exchanged greetings before settling down. Doctor Farooqi introduced me to his team and I was more nervous now.

The projector turned on and they elaborated me on Saboohi's condition from the time of the accident. We look at various scans, various report. The doctors explained rapidly in fluent medical terminologies that some details flew over my head.  Half an hour passed and then the lights turned back on.

" Jahan, we have been observing Saboohi critically, since the time she has regained consciousness she has only ever allowed you to be near. And this condition will destroy her socially. We have no time for experiments on her, and we cannot experiment on her. You see she's a grown woman. She has a circle, a social circle and maybe she has turned so traumatized after the accident that she does not expect anyone to cross that circle. I had my neurologist review her case and we have planned something for her."

Doctor Farooqi rose his eyebrows and I tensed looking at Faraal who was looking down at her hands. Doctor Farooqi looked over at doctor Zeba.

" We had to contact doctor Zeba as she had already seen Saboohi's case and we required her help. What I want you to do is understand that this is for the better future of you and your wife's. Jahan, we treat a lot of patients everyday and there is already such a rare case where we have to pull a whole board room and scheme to develop the patients life. And we will do our best to treat her with the best of our team."

I blinked rapidly and cleared my throat. Leaning forwards on my elbows, I clasped my palms together.

" What is.. what is your treatment.. plan?"

I cleared my throat again. Doctor Zeba smiled at me politely and fidgeted with the papers.

" We have planned out a seven month treatment plan for her. But there is only one problem."

" Problem? What is it I'll try-"

" You, Jahan. You will be the only problem in the treatment. You won't be allowed go meet her for seven months."

I frowned.

" Sorry?"

Doctor Zeba nodded silently, she looked ashen.

" I am sorry but we'll have to put her into rehab for months, Jahan. We'll have to build her a social circle where she's not dependent on you. Where she allows other people around her.."

My ears turned deaf.

7 months without her.

I was unable to breath without her now and seven long months.

How would she live without me?

How would we survive?

How could everyone turn so evil for love?

Why did love require separation?

A piece of paper was placed before me and I looked down at it. Seeing Doctor Farooqi stand besides me. His hand over my shoulder.

" Jahan, think about it. We don't have much time. But as long as you have time, make the right decision for yourself."

He walked out of the room and so did the other men. I closed my eyes tightly and all I could see was Saboohi's smiling face. Her beautiful smiling face.

" Jahan, it's for once and all. Don't you want to see her happy, don't you want to see her healthy, smiling, playing, running, loving, falling."

I looked at Doctor Zeba who stood besides me now.

" I know it's going to be hard, for you and for her. But trust me, these seven months would be worthy of the seventy years of togetherness you'll see ahead. If Saboohi would have been close to someone else we'd have to protocol them the same way we are doing to you. Maybe these seven months, would turn out better for you both. She'd be in and out of rehab, she'd go home. Learn new things, make new friends. But believe me she wouldn't replace you. She would never."

I had tears rolling down my eyes and I puckered my lips inside my mouth.

" I hope to see a wise decision from your side."

She spoke lastly before moving away. Faraal looked at me, she had tears in her eyes and I shook my head at her.

" I am sorry Jahan."

She cried out and I kept shaking my head at her. It wasn't her fault. It was no one's fault.

I looked down at the paper I had to sign. And picked up the pen.

•

Saboohi turned her eyes as soon as the door opened and I walked in.

" They told you."

I noticed the unshed tears in her eyes and I nodded silently, too afraid to walk near her. Because if I did I would never be able to leave her for months.

She turned her face away and sniffed. Her eyes looking at the wall before her now.

" I won't take this treatment Jahan. I won't."

My heart clenched painfully. She shook her head and started to pull out the IV from her hand. And I walked over to her.

" I don't want to stay here. Lets go home. Let's go home, Jahan."

I stopped her fumbling hands and took them in mine. Cupping her face, I shook my head at her.

" Shush Saboohi. Please don't do this."

" I don't-"

I pushed her to sit on the bed and sat besides her. My vision blurred and I pushed the hair away from her eyes.

" Saboohi. Would you do something for me?"

Her teary eyes stared at me and she nodded.

" Anything."

" Then let them treat you. Let them do whatever they want to make you better-"

Tears starting rolling down her eyes.

" Hey, it's only for seven months. You'll get better and then we'll never have to see this again. I promise. But please Saboohi."

She turned her face away and I turned mine away.

" Promise me you'll be here as soon as this all ends."

" I promise I'll be here the very next day this all ends."

I cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead. She curled towards my side.

" When would this all begin?"

I knew she was scared and I was too. But God, I'll give her every strength she needed.

" The day after tomorrow."

Her head whipped to me. And her eyes watered again. She grasped the front of my blue shirt.

" One night Jahan. Give me one night, where I wouldn't have to share you with anyone. Give me one night before many nights of longing. Please."

My heart clenched and I felt pain and sorrow and I felt separation. I shook my head. It would make things so difficult. Saboohi cried at my reaction and she scared her nails over my shirt.

" Please Jahan, just one special night where I wouldn't have to be in this hospital gown. One night of you and me."

She begged and my heart kept melting.

" One night, Saboohi. Only one."

I spoke after minutes.

" Just you and me."

She promised.

•

😭😭😭