"Sometimes the people with the worst past, create the best future"- Hazrat Umar-Ibn-Al-Khattab (R.A)

My stupid hands just won't work. I tried wiping down the cell phone screen three times, but the noodle soup has made it slippery. My hands are also blistered in a couple of places, and they won't quit shaking with the nerves.

What do I do?

EMV is unhelpfully silent, for the first time ever.

I have no idea whether Areeb is still alive and breathing, I couldn't concentrate on the details that the hospital lady gave me. "Trauma" and "Possible Quadriplegia" might as well be Elvish, for all that I can understand. My tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth. What if he dies?

He isn't my favorite person on earth, but I still don't wish death on him. Oh Allah, please, please don't make him die!

I try ringing Adiba and Ali, but they must have been in the middle of dinner, because neither picked up. Maybe I should just drive there, and leave a message for Ali....

The idea scares me. I don't want to face this alone at all. South City Hospital, is a good distance from my place, and I'm not sure I can drive at this moment. I badly want Shehzer with me right now. I need his strength, his stability, in this insane moment, no matter the selfish motives.

I dial his number with difficulty, and wait out the ring-tone.

"Assalamualikum, Mina? what's up?" His deep voice sounds happy.

"Shehzer, I need your help. I can't drive because I was just eating noodles, and I am sure he is dead already. So please, just get here quick!" I rattle off tearfully.

"Mina calm down! Why are you sobbing? Relax, love, and tell me clearly what's wrong." his reassuring tone calms my nerves to some extent.

He remains quiet as I explain the awful phone call.

"What do I do?" I hiccup after the story.

"I'll be at your place in a minute." He says tonelessly before hanging up.

I take a check of my appearance with a mental groan, and run off to grab a long cardigan and shawl to wear over my PJ's. He always did have terrible timing.

I mindlessly grab a handbag, and throw in my wallet, car keys and cellphone. The doorbell rings as I am dashing around hunting for a hair tie. Too late. Ugh, Medusa hair it is then.

I yank the door close behind me before clicking it shut, barely paying much heed to my fiance.

"We might be too late already, we have to hurry, he can-" I stutter to him, as I fiddle with my Alto's car door.

"Mina. Stop." Shehzer has to actually grab my arm to make me halt. "Is it really necessary? Going to...Him.?" His face is devoid of any expression, and it shocks me.

"He is my best friend, Shehzer, who might as well be dead!" I retort brokenly.

"He is your former best friend, and fiance sweetheart. Someone who almost broke you beyond recognition." the banked anger in his eyes makes his endearment sound hollow, and meaningless. "Why did the hospital call YOU, of all people?"

I am speechless. He is treating Areeb like an insignificant stranger; someone who doesn't deserve help from loved ones during his crisis.

"I don't know why she called me. Okay?" I yank my arm away from his grip, "I just know that he doesn't have anyone else with him, and he is either dead or dying in a hospital bed. Will you help me get there or not?"

"What if I tell you not to go to him?" His clenched jaw made it obvious how hard he was trying to control his temper. I can't believe this juvenile attitude.

"You're not my husband yet Shehzer." I sniffle noisily, trying not to bawl my eyes out. I feel like a little girl, begging my parents for a new toy.

"So you'll choose him, over me? Your future husband?" He leans over me, making me press my back against the cold car door. "You'll go against my wishes, for someone who broke your heart?"

"No." I whisper back brokenly, brushing away the moisture from my eyes. "I'll stay home, if you ask me nicely..."

He looks stunned.

"...But, I won't like you that much for it." I can't stop the lip quivering, or the lone tear trickle down my cheek, "I always thought you were the most caring, compassionate man ever. The Shehzer I know will go to help someone, regardless of their past." I am staring at our feet, when I see his draw nearer.

He sighs audibly, "Well, if you want me to drive, you better move."

I know in that moment, that I love this man. Wholly, and completely. With every fiber of my being.

I think I always did.

The drive is awkward, and semi-dangerous what with Shehzer's relative inexperience with right-hand drive cars.

"It's like I'm in an alternate reality." He mutters to me, narrowly avoiding a rickshaw at an intersection. I bite my lip in worry. I'm confused what to pray for; Areeb's life, or our own.

I felt that there was a dream-like quality to the entire scene. The drive, the hospital, and finally the receptionist at the trauma center. It felt unreal. When we reached the information desk, I let Shehzer do all the talking for us. Wrapping my shawl more securely around me, I shivered slightly. It was freaking freezing inside the lobby.

"...Spinal damage to the first thoracic... Dr. Minwalla is the leading case authority...Sky diving gear malfunctioned...yes, Quadriplegia...high mortality rate in this case...Room 32-B..."

My worry mounts with every single word that drops out of their mouths. Wish I knew Doctor Speak.

Shehzer looks pretty shaken up as he walks up to me.

"What is she saying?" I plead.

"She doesn't know all the details, but the medical condition she describes is...well...It's pretty bad Minnie. I'm sorry." he looks worriedly at me, "But she may be wrong. So we have to contact Dr. Minwalla and find out the details. Apparently, he was in a sky-diving accident in Sri-Lanka. I have no idea how he was transported with his injuries. He could have died on his way here."

At this point, I am battling with my numb body to cooperate with my brain. Must keep breathing. Must keep walking. Must find Dr.Whatshisname.

I will never forget the way Shehzer supported me throughout this event. He had no cause for being here, or letting me be here, after Areeb's atrocious behavior, but he proved to be the bigger person.

"That's his room." Shehzer points to a glass-walled ICU room. I spot someone lying on the bed, but I make a U-turn for the nearest bench instead of moving forward. Inhale. Exhale. Breath Mina.

"I can't do this." I croak. "I can't see him like that. I just can't."

"Yes, you can. He is alone here. He may as well be dying....He needs you Mina, and you'll be strong for him." Shehzer crouches down in front of me to stare me in the eyes. "Have faith in Allah. He will make things better, Inshallah. I'm here with you too, love. We'll get through this."

His eyes are like warm pools of chocolate, and I draw unimaginable strength from his presence. I nod slowly, as I trudged back to the window.

Areeb doesn't look anything like Areeb.

His head is shaved, and his entire body is attached to so many tubes, and blinking machines, I can barely see his tall frame. He looks asleep, but the blue lips and the multiple scars on his face make his sleep very sinister.

"Are you Ms. Mina?" A clipped British accent made me turn away from the horror, that is my ex-best friend.

I see a clean-shaven, scrubbed doctor with salt and pepper hair looking curiously at me. I nod weakly.

"I'm Dr.Nadir Minwalla. Areeb is my patient here...."

The story he tells me makes no sense.

Areeb was in a freak sky-diving accident in Colombo almost a fortnight ago. His parents wanted Dr.Minwalla's expertise on this case, so they had Areeb flown to Karachi as soon as he stabilized. He regained consciousness for a brief period of time, a couple of days ago, and even managed a few words with his parents. Ever since then, his mother and father had left the hospital and neglected to return back. The hospital had tried to contact them, but beyond financial transactions, they refused to acknowledge their son. His second emergency contact under his job's health insurance records was, (Drumroll, please) Mina Amin.

"We really had no idea who else to call for him. We need important documents signed for his medical procedures. He needs three more surgeries for his spinal nerves, before we can even begin to assess the real damage to his body." Dr. Minwalla finishes off his tale.

"How can he be in a skydiving accident? He is so experienced with the equipment. He has been doing this for the past 8 years!" I demand back, not realizing the futility of my arguments.

"Miss, I'm not sure I should even be releasing such information to a family member; let alone a friend of Areeb's...but since you're the only contact here..." He hesitates for a bit, rubbing his face distractedly. "We contacted the Sri-Lankan authorities regarding accident details, routine procedure for such a situation. Anyways, they told us that there was nothing wrong with his parachute and other in-flight equipment..."

I frown confusedly, "What does that mean? If it was fine, why did he get hurt?"

"It means that whatever happened, he made it happen." I see pity in the Doctor's grey eyes. "He didn't pull the parachute belt during his fall. It tugged open automatically at the wrong angle because of the air pressure, which caused a spinal decapitation injury. In simple words, he did everything in his power to end himself. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the parachute saved his life...."

No. It can't be. I try to shake my head. As if the motion, can expel the insane idea from my mind. It Doesn't really change the facts much though. I can see it clearly on Dr. Minwalla's face...

Areeb tried to take his own life.

A/N:

Thank you for the love and support you have shown this novel. Honestly, almost 60% of my motivation to write comes from your reactions, and your comments. :) #TrueStory.

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