Chapter 32: Best Friend. 

*

"'When he gets hurt, 

I feel the pain too.

When he cries, 

I cry with him too. 

It is just how 

a bond between best friends is"

-2am- 

*

The following morning, Yazdan woke up at around 11am to see his mother beside him. Qaidah's face was tear stained as she watched her son wake up. Yazdan smiled at her slightly before she pulled him in a hug.

"Stupid boy. What if something happened to you?" she whispered, running her hands over his head. Yazdan let out a small laugh. Mom. He missed his mother's warm hugs. She then placed a kiss on his forehead and blew onto him some Surah's that she read for his protection. He knew this because she usually did it with him and the siblings. Typical mum. 

"As salaam" he said to her and she replied with a smile. Her expressions were that of happiness but sorrow laced some parts of it.

"I am fine, Ammi. Its okay" he told her and she let out a sigh.

"You didn't take your injections on time, Yazdan. This is why it happened"

"My blood sugar was under control, Ammi"

"You didn't check them, I bet. You used your internal clock for it, I bet" Yazdan let out a small laugh at this. It is true though.

"Where is abba?"

"Outside with Kayan. Grandma and Grandfather are also here but they are outside" Yazdan let out a small sigh.

"I troubled all of you. I am so sorry"

"It is fine, Yaza. We were worried sick that something big happened to you. They kept you under observation until 10am today, when we arrived" she told him and he nodded.

"Am I still under observation?" he questioned her and she let out a smile. Qaidah saw the little 6 year old Yazdan asking her this question when he was first diagnosed with diabetes. It was type 1 and he was admitted in the hospital for four days. The most painful four days of her life.

"Yes. But I promise it will all be okay" she hugged him and Yazdan let out a content sigh. His mother's hugs were the best ones.

"I see he is awake" He opened one of his eyes to see his father, grandfather and grandmother enter the room. He let go of his mother and grinned at them.

"Don't grin at us, young man! You almost killed yourself with that carelessness of-" Aahil was cut off by his mother.

"He is sick, Aahil. Stop berating my grandchild." She then turned to Yazdan and walked over to him before giving him a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Never do that again, Yaza."

Yazdan merely nodded. He looked at his family and smiled in content. Never do it again, Yazdan. You cannot hurt them.

"Please call Kulthum, Sahl, Safwah and Karmaan and tell them I am absolutely fine and that they don't need to fly here" he told his mom and Qaidah smiled before walking over to her seat. She picked up her phone and messaged on their family Viber group stating that Yazdan was fine. Soon, videos began piling in. Qaidah opened them and gave the phone to Yazdan since it were for him.

The first one was Karmaan, sending hearts and yelling Get Well Soon Bhaiyu, only to be scolded by the nurse. Yazdan looked to his mother who nodded. Karmaan is here.

The second one was Kulthum, blowing fly kisses and hugs before telling him to get well soon.

The third one were of Kashaf and Kavyaan, both yelling Get Well Soon Chachu and I love you's. Yazdan laughed at this one. He missed them terribly.

The fourth one was Sahl's message. 'Salaam bhaiyu. Get well soon! Take care and please stay safe. I can't lose you.' Yazdan felt like he was about to cry. His brothers were too scared to lose him.

The fifth one was Safwah which was by far, the most colorful one. He was throwing rainbow kisses and lollies and what not. He also said GET WELL SOON BHAIYU! WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER. I LOVE YOU!!! And that was it.

Yazdan let out a laugh when the video ended and turned to his mom.

"I promise not to be careless again"

"You better"

Just then, the doctor entered and requested everyone to leave so that they can carry out the necessary  tests needed. Yazdan wondered where Yahyah was. He hasn't seen his best friend since he woke up.

-

Yahyah hasn't had an ounce of sleep for a day now. He is walking on caffeine in his veins and he was stressed out. How could I be so careless? I should have warned him! I should have asked him, reminded him for gods sake!

He placed his head in his hands and let out a frustrated growl. He hated this feeling. Guilt. You let everyone down, Yahyah. He could have died because of your negligence! The sun rays glinted against the green dew covered grass of the hospital terrace, where he stood. The trees and plants swayed against the soft winds and Yahyah clenched to his cardigan. He should have been careful. He thought as he stared into the large city ahead of him. Manchester was bright and early this morning.

"Yahyah?" he turned around to see Kayan walking up to him. Kayan gave him a small smile, patting his back. That was all he needed before silent tears cascaded down his cheeks. The once fair skin was now pale and pink.

"It's alright, you know" said Kayan, looking ahead to the city. Yahyah wiped away his tears and stood there in silence. Kayan turned to him with a small smile. "You didn't know this would happen, Yahyah. Don't beat yourself up for it"

"I knew about it. I should have been careful" Yahyah said, running his hand through his messy hair. Kayan saw the bloodshot eyes, stress marks and the eye bags under his eyes. He knew this man did not sleep and was worried sick. He also knew he was pinning himself guilty of Yazdan's condition. But the truth was, it was no ones fault. No one knew this was coming. And Yazdan is fine, that is the most important thing right now.

Kayan placed a hand over Yahyah's shoulder.

"It is okay. It is no ones fault so stop pinning yourself guilty. Yazdan is fine now, so quit the negative thoughts." Yahyah let out a small shrug. If only. I would have lost my best friend because of my carelessness.

"He wants to see you, you know" the sentence caught Yahyah off guard. He hadn't met Yazdan since he gained conscious. He felt too guilty to do so.

"He didn't say so but I know. You and him are attached at the hip, Yahyah. He would never see you responsible for his condition. If anything, he would be angry that you didn't visit him as soon as he woke up" Kayan explained and Yahyah nodded slowly. Great, another thing to be guilty about.

"I will see him as soon as he is free"

"Which is never happen, now that mom and Harmoni are here" sassed Kayan and Yahyah let out a small laugh.

"I will see him soon. Don't worry" Kayan nodded and patted his shoulder once more before leaving.

"Come down soon or he will be-head you" he called out with a laugh causing Yahyah to laugh too. Perhaps I should go see him. I need to anyway.

Yahyah walked downstairs to the private wards and found the one with Yazdan Zaeef in it. He let out a deep breath before knocking. Of course Qaidah answered and enveloped him in a hug.

"As salaam alaikum, Ammi" he muttered and Qaidah let go of him before replying to his salaam. She then placed a kiss on his forehead and held his face in her hands, her eyes shining with pride.

"My son has grown up so much since the last time I saw you. But you look stressed"

"Your other son has me stressed" he said and Qaidah let out a small laugh before ushering him inside. He tilted his head to see Yazdan talking to his grandfather. He walked over to Aahil and said his salaams before going to Grandmother Zaeef and hugging her. The older woman repeated Qaidah's gestures before letting the boy go. Yazdan caught sight of him and frowned at him. He didn't like it that his best friend came so late. Ah typical. I missed this.

He then met Grandfather before standing in front of Yazdan. The family noticed the tension between the two so decided to leave them alone.

"Yahyah?" Qaidah called out and Yahyah turned to his mother. "You stay here with him. We are heading to the hotel to get freshened up. We will be back soon" Yahyah nodded and with that, Qaidah and Grandmother Zaeef kissed Yazdan's forehead and bid the two boys goodbye, while the men simply walked out.

The door shut and Yahyah turned to Yazdan who was staring at him with one raised eyebrow.

"What?"

"Dude. I am up since 11am and its what? 2pm? You are late! And where were you last night when I woke up?" Yazdan fired questions causing Yahyah to let out a small smile. He is ever so charming. Smh.

"I was here, I just didn't want to.....face you?"

"Why not?" Yazdan's expression morphed into a deep frown.

"Because...... It's because of me that you are here" Yahyah said, looking at the tiled floor. Interesting. That was when he felt a stinging at the back of his head.

"Ow ow ow" Yazdan muttered and Yahyah looked at him with concern.

"You alright? Should I call the doctor or something?"

"No. I am fine. I lifted my hand up a little too much to knock some sense into you" he smirked and Yahyah rolled his eyes, before taking a seat on the chair beside his bed.

"How are you doing?" he asked and Yazdan let out a frustrated sigh.

"Everyone is asking me that. But the point is, you are not responsible for this, alright? It was my fault for missing my shots and stuff. Don't beat yourself up for this" he said and Yahyah shrugged. I should have reminded you.

"I should have reminded you! Yazdan, I could have lost you because of this! Dude, do you realize how big this is?" he said and Yazdan stared at him with amused eyes.

"But I am not dead! Calm down Yahyah. Look on the bright side!" Yahyah looked at him with scrutinizing eyes.

"Which is?"

"I learnt my lesson?" Yazdan let out a small laugh and Yahyah heaved a sigh, his smile giving away.

"Ah yes. Aanabia was here yesterday till like 2am" he informed Yazdan. Yazdan let out a small sigh.

"I was going to talk to her. She left the rose on the verandah, so I was going to ask her if she was free the other day. By the time I reached her, I fell and the last thing I remember is seeing her face" Yazdan explained and Yahyah raised an eyebrow. 

"Saw her? But Saher was the one who called the Ambulance and got you to the hospital" replied Yahyah and Yazdan frowned. 

"No. I remember her crad- uh- making sure my head doesn't hit the ground." replied Yazdan, looking away but Yahyah caught the blush and grinned. Something definitely happened. 

"Something happened and I will wait until you tell me about it" he replied and Yazdan shrugged, shooting him a small smile. 

"She was a mess by the way. She wanted to see you but since you were barely awake and only Kayan bhai was allowed here, I told her not yet" Yahyah added and Yazdan's smile died down. Yahyah knew what he was thinking. 

"I really need to talk to her. I doubt mom and dad would leave me here after this fiasco" Yahyah let out a laugh.

"My mom came?"

"Yeah. Met me today morning. I didn't see Zul though"

"He is at school. Mom had to force him to go"

"Yahyah?" Yahyah looked over to Yazdan who gave him a wide smile. Yahyah rolled his eyes.

"What do you want?"

"Can you get me to talk to Aanabia as soon as possible? Please? Pretty please?"

"I can call Nahal and ask-"

"No. My family nor yours can find out. Not yet anyway. I simply need to tell her.......things"

"You sure about this?" Yazdan remembered when he had asked Yahyah that exact question about Nahal. He grinned.

"Never been sure of anything else"

"Ah. I think the drips are making you hazy. Look who's talking corny now" Yahyah laughed and Yazdan let out a laugh himself. Yahyah watched his best friend with happiness. Thank you Allah, for saving him. I would not make it a day without this one by my side. I feel blessed right now. 

****

Hey Guys! Salaam. 

Update. :) 

Remeber I said something about the update schedules, well guess what? Your dearest author just realized she is very  bad at following schedules online. So I apologize to my loves. I will however, try to update as frequently as I can. Thank You so much to those of you who stayed back on this book and did not give up. I love you guys for that. 

| R - C - V |

Kisses, 

-aalihha-