Anisa

"Are you okay?" Amal asks, breaking my trance of thought. Memories of my mother, taking over and breaking my heart.

"I think I saw Naveed yesterday. Was it him?" I spoke, avoiding her question.

"Yes. Naveed works in this hospital." She replied, and looked at me. As if she were waiting for something...

"So when is Dad coming?" I asked, trying my best to drive away from answering the question she asked.

"I don't know. He didn't tell me a specific date, just that he will come to see you." She spoke, lacking enthusiasm in her tone.

"And Imad?" I asked, trying to mask my excitement with genuine curiosity.

"He has a swimming event in Spain."

"So he can't come and see me?"

"No. He said he will come immediately after his swimming competition." She said, in a monotonous voice. I could feel something was wrong with her, her emotions radiating from her like a wave and I could sense it.

"I understand." She scoffs, like in disbelief by what I said.

"What?" She looked at me and forced a smile and shock her head and said nothing. "Mal? Did Imad do something?"

She remained silent and just looked at me. "Mal answer me." I got impatient. "I am not in a coma anymore can you just talk to me. Stop treating me like I am sick, I am not. I was in a coma and now I am awake, Amal I am here now." She told what Imad did... and it didn't sound like him. I mean we grew up together, it felt like she was describing actions done by a stranger to me and to match his actions with a familiar face just didn't make sense nor was it easy for me.

"He's just..."

"If you are going to defend him, don't bother." She cut me off, and spoke rather stern. "You always defended him. For once I'd like my sister on my side." Soon after she left the room and left the room. I wasn't going to defend him, nor pick his side just try to understand him and now I can't do that without hurting my sister. I can't walk properly yet, I have to undergo physiotherapy and so even if I wanted to run after my sister, I couldn't. So I called the nurse, with the call button and she walked in and asked if she could assist. I told her I needed to talk with Doctor Naveed as soon as possible, and she agreed and left the room.

He walked in moments later, as I was switching through the channels on the television. "What's wrong Anisa?" He spoke, when he immediately walked in.

"I didn't expect you to come so soon. You save lives don't you?" I asked, ridiculing him jokingly.

"Even if I answer that question. You and your sister will still think otherwise."

"Well let me cut to the chase, I don't want to take more of your valuable time. I don't think Amal is okay."

"Medically?" He asked, showing concern.

"No, emotionally."

"Anisa I don't know what you want me to do."

"I want you to care. Inquire..."

"We are no longer teenagers, if she wants help she will ask for it from someone she trusts and knows. I am sorry but I can't do anything about it. Take care Anisa."

"No Naveed wait. I am sorry, it's inappropriate. Me asking this of you. I apologize." I told him, embarrassed at my request.

"No need Anisa. I understand and respect your concern as her sister and please I hope you do the same for my response."

"Do you still talk to Imad?" I asked before he turned to leave.

"No. Anything else?"

"Did you ever tell Mal?" I asked. He sighed, and looked at me in the eye from a distance, knowing exactly what I was talking about and what I meant.

"No." He replied and left. Leaving the room agitated.

Later that day...

Amal

I wondered the hospital hallways, in search of a distraction from my thoughts. I left Anisa asleep in the room, after having a long conversation on the aftermaths of the accident. The one thing I could not tell her was about Jamal. My heart throbs at that fact that I can't tell my sister about Jamal and what he had done, without falling into tears. I have managed to look the other way and not let his betrayal get to me, but remembering moments with him and knowing it was all fake - it stings. It's not what she needs. It's not what Anisa needs right now. She needs strength and support. I can't risk being anything but...

"Excuse me." I look in search of the voice and look down to see a little girl with long umber hair and beautiful brown eyes. She looks at me, tears lingering in her eyes. I kneel down to look at her and ask her what's wrong.

"I am lost," she says and starts crying.

"Oh no sweetheart. It's going to be fine, I'll take you back to your parents." She nods agreeing, still sobbing.

"My name is Mal. What's yours?"

"Manayer." She replies, and wipes her tears away.

"Oh what a nice name for a nice girl. It's very pretty. I'll help you find your parents. Okay? Don't worry." I held her hand and we walked together trying to look for her parents. I asked one of the nurses if she could help, she advised that the security guard would be more of help and so I talked to him and he helped I'm search to find her parents.
And so we searched throughout each floor of the hospital, alongside the security guard - trying to spot her parents. Manayer didn't speak much, she clutched on my hand and didn't dare to let go - as if her life depends on it. She looked for her parents restlessly, through the sea of people. Until the security, had gotten some information through earpiece he wore. He told us that the parent was waiting at the receptionist on the first floor, and so that's where we headed.

As we walked towards the reception desk on the first floor, Manayer let go of my hand. Freed from fear, and ran towards a woman. A tall, slender and beautiful woman who had caramel for skin. She wore a fashionable, sky blue pantsuit, with three inch heels and wore a white hijab tightly and perfectly worn. Her makeup subtle, with red matte lipstick. She looked effortlessly gorgeous, and comely. Which made me question, how she could have been separated from her daughter. I mean she seemed to have her things in order, she looked composed. I observed as Manayer ran to her mum, and how her mother embraced her and kissed her face and talked to her so lovingly.

The security guard then talked with Manayer's mum briefly and soon after she walked towards me, she stood before me and thanked me repeatedly.

"I really mean it, thank you so much for taking your time to help my daughter."

"Really it's no problem." She smiled at me warmly and placed her hand on my shoulder, to thank me one last time.

"Daddy!" Manayer yells running past me. I turn around to see her running towards Naveed. He picks her up, carries her and kisses her on the cheek. I stood still, as if I was glued to my position. Unable to look away...

"Did she wonder off again?" He asked his wife, I assume.

"Yes. We have to have the talk with her Naveed, stranger danger. And setting rules like no more ice cream for a week."

"Nooo mummy." She cries.

"No princess don't cry. I'll talk to mummy."

"Why do I even bother? You two can never betray each other." She says and laughs. 

"I am sorry for keeping you waiting Mariam."

"No it's okay. When duty calls..." She turns behind to look at me and I smile awkwardly, pretending to be unaware and clueless. "This is the lady who helped your explorer of a daughter." He looks at me, and smiles.

"Did you say thank you?" He looks at Manayer, still in his arms.

"Thank you Mal." She sings sweetly.

"You're welcome Manayer." I told her and walked away. Naveed has his own family now, and he didn't even mention it. I mean I know we are not close anymore, but who forgets to mention that they have a kid and a beautiful partner. Isn't that what you lead with?