Chapter 29: Roses are red. 

*

"Her heart ached, 

She didn't know why. 

Would she find her answers,

In a maze without a light?"

-2am-

*

Iftari rolled by and Aanabia was anxious. She walked into the small kitchen of the mosque to help out in Iftari setup.

"Aanabia! Thank god you are here" she smiled at Ayisha who was grinning at her.

"Salaam to you too" she said and Ayisha replied, with a smile before shoving two dishes in her hands.

"Place two of each on each plate, please" she said and Aanabia nodded. I love this girl. She walked over to where numerous plates were set out and started placing two of each on the plates. It is Ramadhan, Aanabia. Every good deed is multiplied by 70 so you got this!

Iftari at the mosque went somewhat like this. The Islamic society members would come early and space out the plates and cups, make juice and when dishes begin arriving from homes, they would dish them out before setting them on the large table up front. There, the people coming inside would pick a plate each and settle down for Iftari.

"Ayisha!" Aanabia placed the dish down and turned to face Laham. She remembered him as the Egyptian.

"Ah salaam. Ayisha is outside" Aanabia replied, pointing towards the doors. Laham nodded before smiling gratefully and walking away. She sighed and turned back to work. There were a few more plates to be filled. I wonder where Nahal is? She said she would be here soon.

"Aanabia?" she turned around so fast that a few fried pakora's that she was dishing out, flew out of the dish in her hands. Yazdan's eyes widened as he reached out to catch them. She stared at him scramble around for the Pakora's before letting out a small laugh. Good reflexes. But he couldn't catch me when I fell. Wow.

"It is alright" she told him before turning to her work at hand. Her heart raced like a maniac and she knew she was blushing.

"I uh.......came to..... say?" she turned to Yazdan who stood there muttering. Cute. Adorably cute. She raised an eyebrow at him and he sighed. She looked at him, like really looked at him. He was wearing a white thobe with jeans and his hair was in a bun. Oh Allah. There goes my heart, dying. In love. She rolled her eyes at her dramatic thoughts, with a fresh coat of blush on her cheeks. In Love.

"What is it?" she asked him and he shrugged cutely. Why is everything he doing, cute?

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing" with that he walked away.

Zamaairah let out a chuckle when she saw a confused Aanabia staring after Yazdan. Upon her chuckle, Aanabia turned to her, who held her hands up.

"I was here the whole time" she admitted and Aanabia's eyes widened. Zamaairah let out a small laugh again. "And I won't tell anyone about your encounter with him"

"Thank you"

"You know..... I know him since we were kids. He came here to tell you something but decided against it and walked away" Zamaairah told her. Aanabia raised an eyebrow at her. Am I supposed to be jealous or angry or relieved that she knows such a thing?

"Ah thanks?" Aanabia said awkwardly and Zamaairah grinned, patting her head.

"Good luck. You got the tough brother"

The last comment left her confused.

-

Yazdan wanted to slam his head on the wall multiple times. Why? He went there to tell Aanabia that Hijab looked nice on her, Masha Allah but ended up walking out looking like a blabbering fool. She looked exactly like what he had dreamt of after Istikharah. She was in Hijab and she looked so beautiful. Just like now.

"Stop and concentrate!" muttered Yahyah, in between the Taraweeh prayer. Yazdan shrugged as they stood up for another set of prayer.

After the prayers, the boys waited in the car-park for Zaiha. And when she did come, she got Aanabia with her.

"Where is Nahal?" questioned Yahyah and Aanabia rolled her eyes at him. Yazdan saw that and let out a small smile.

"She went home. I stayed back to help out" she muttered, looking at her shoes. Yazdan found that act of hers adorable. Oh Allah. I want to tell my family about us as soon as possible. Us, huh. I like the sound of that.

"Then shall we leave?" said Yahyah and Zaiha nodded. Yazdan got into the back seat along with Zul and Yahyah while Zaiha took the wheels and Aanabia took the passenger seat.

The ride home was a silent one. As soon as Zaiha parked the car, Aanabia bid them goodbye and rushed home while Yazdan got off and rushed inside after Yahyah. The two boys then set at the balcony of Yahyah's room, staring into the night street.

"We are so done, aren't we?" said Yahyah and Yazdan let out a small laugh.

"I am planning on telling mom and dad a day before Eid" said Yazdan and Yahyah nodded.

"And Aanabia?"

"On Eid?" Yahyah let out a small laugh.

"I think it should be the other way around. Tell Aanabia before telling your family. Just to be on the safe side" Yahyah replied, making Yazdan re-think his decisions.

"Ah but how? Will she even listen to me?"

"She is a literature teacher! Stories are her favorite!" replied Yahyah and Yazdan nodded, rubbing his beard. He had gotten his beard and hair trimmed neatly and sent his mom a picture. Qaidah approved of the beard, just not the hair. Like always.

"Alright. I guess I would do it this week. Next week, I may have to fly to Adelaide for work" said Yazdan and Yahyah nodded, understanding he needed to work for a living.

"What day this week then?" asked Yahyah and Yazdan shrugged. Friday? Thursday? It cannot be Tuesday, that is tomorrow.

"Do it Wednesday. That way, you would have two days before the weekend to know the results. I mean if she avoids you or not. Plus you have one day to prepare" suggested Yahyah and Yazdan nodded thoughtfully.

"What if-" Yazdan started but Yahyah cut him off.

"No what if's! You are Yazdan Zaeef. End of story" reprimanded Yahyah and Yazdan nodded. I am Yazdan Zaeef. Just tell her everything, Yazdan. If she accepts then good and if she doesn't, her loss.

But Yazdan forgot that if Allah has willed it to be, it would be.

-

The following morning, Yazdan woke up and followed his morning routine of reading Quraan, helping Zaiha and having Suhoor. But after Suhoor when he was reading Quraan again, he felt light headed. He ignored it as a random sign and continued his way through the morning routine. He felt fatigued but he ignored it (again), thinking it was just the effects of fasting for too long. It usually happened.

By 10am, Zul was at school, Zaiha was at work and Yahyah was at some meeting while Yazdan stayed at home. He was pacing the living room, looking at the time on his watch. It was 10:03am and the rose was not here. So far, he had collected over a dozen roses with notes that lay in the box under his bed. Today, he wanted to see the owner though. Where is she?!

He saw her place the rose on the front step and rushed out.

"Aanabia!" the woman in question turned to him with wide eyes before rushing away. Yazdan followed her but his eyes got blurry before he felt his knees give in. Soon he was on the ground with a splitting headache and abdominal aches. Oh Allah, not again. Don't black out, don't black out-

"Aanabia-" he whispered, as he saw her blurry face hovering over his. He faintly heard her calling his name and he felt wetness over his forehead before his eyes closed and darkness took over.

-

The last thing Aanabia wanted was to be caught by Yazdan like that. So she ran. Bad mistake. She thought as she cradled the head of Yazdan in her laps. Tears fell freely as she called out for Nahal. Nahal didn't come but Saher did, who was passing. When she saw the sight in front of her, she called Ambulance before rushing towards the two.

"What happened to him?" she questioned and Aanabia shook her head. I don't know! How would I know if I was avoiding him? Oh Allah.

"I (hiccup) was rushing (hiccup) out (hiccup) when (hiccup) he fainted" she managed out. Saher looked at the mess of a person Aanabia was and sighed.

"Let me stay, please freshen up yourself" Has this woman lost it? My heart is about to burst staring at a lifeless Yazdan and she wants me to do what? Oh Allah. Allah please if you hear me, save my Yazdan. Please Allah. I do not know what to do. Please Allah save him. Anything. I'll do anything, just save him! Allah please.

The ambulance was there and soon he was taken to the hospital. Everything happened fast and in a blur. Aanabia could not comprehend what was going on, or how Saher made her stay back because she was obviously not in her right mind or how she had been crying ever since.

Three hours later, she was still at home, too scared to leave. She had managed to call Yahyah and tell him what happened before the boy rushed to the hospital. She didn't want to know that Yazdan would not survive. Her chest still hurt from the thoughts running through her head.

"Aanabia?" she looked over to see Nahal by the door of her room. "You alright?" Aanabia barely answered before tears took over. Nahal rushed to her and hugged her, soothing and comforting her. Aanabia has been praying ever since the incident and she could not muster the courage to call Yahyah and ask.

"We should go to the hospital with Iftaari things" said Nahal, standing up after Aanabia had finally subsided her crying. Aanabia nodded before standing up too. She decided to shower and change before heading to the hospital.

She stood in front of the bathroom mirror and stared at herself. The woman staring back was not her. She had bloodshot eyes and puffy cheeks with tear stains. Her hair was messy and she looked stressed out. I am stressed out.

"Aanabia, hurry up. We leave in 15 minutes"

Aanabia showered and changed into some jeans and dress with a lose hijab over her braided hair. She looked nothing like her usual self. What is wrong with me?!

"Lets go" Nahal pushed Aanabia out of her house before locking the door. Aanabia wore her slides from the shoe rack outside and got into the car parked outside the gates. Nahal locked the gates before getting into the drivers seat.

"He was transferred to Kingston Hospital in the city" said Nahal and Aanabia's eyes immediately watered. He must be in a bad condition. Oh Allah. Please. Please let him be fine. I saw him unconscious in my arms. Please let him be fine.

The sisters drove to the city and arrived in an hour in front of the hospital. Nahal parked the car and the girls got off, taking the food baskets with them into the hospital. Aanabia looked around to see people crying, others happy and some wailing. It did not help her mood nor did the scent of the place. So this is what death smells like?

"Come on" Nahal pulled them up the three steps towards the reception. She looked at her phone before her eyes widened.

"Um Miss. Where is the ICU?"

Upon hearing ICU, Aanabia's head snapped to her.

"ICU?" she whispered, fisting her hands and placing them on her heart. Why is he in the ICU? What is going on?

****

Heyy! As salaam alaikum. :) :) 

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Also: I wanted to thank the readers of mine who kindly pointed out my mistakes. Thank you guys so saving me!! haha. I love you guys for that! :) 

Next update, soon in sha Allah. 

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xoxo, 

-aalihha.