Chapter 37

Everything happened in a blur. I felt the tightening in my chest, throat as well as shortness of breath while my hands clammed with sweat.

My eyes glued to the spot. Flashback of Yusuf's death replayed back as one of my favorite movies. My body felt like someone was controlling it and that nothing could save me. I just wanted to fade into nothingness. My breathing became shallow and hyperventilating. I began to shake while my mind went black, I was unable to think at all. I felt lightheaded and collapsed on the floor, crying uncontrollably and having breathing difficulties. My hands tensed up and went tingly from lack of oxygen due to hyperventilating.

No, I screamed internally in anguish.

I felt a warm hand, soothing my back and wrapping me into a hug. I couldn't make out the person's shape or figure, but the person looked familiar. The person instructed me to breathe in and out. After my breathing had been back to normal, the person left me alone. I felt cold instantly. I wanted to tell the person to stop, but my voice wasn't working.

I heard the ambulance blaring from afar. I looked at my boy with my bloodshot, puffy, crying face on the ground, gasping for breath. He went pale and limp. A pair of hands pulled me back. His body was lifted onto the stretcher and into the ambulance with me. The van stank of Sulphur, like chemicals. I sat on the provided bench with my sweaty hands clambered together while the paramedics seized up my boy for breathing.

Ya Allah, the King of kings, please save my boy. You are the one who heals, please save my son. You are the one who cured prophet Ayub's sickness? Please do save my son. I sobbed silently while muttering some prayers.

The road to the hospital was terrifying with every pothole the ambulance bumped in, made my anxiety reeled up.

Oh Allah, the Creator creators, please save one of your creations. Oh Allah, the lord of west and east, please save my son. Oh Allah, don't... I bit my lips to stop where my thoughts were going.

As we reached the hospital, the stretcher in which my boy was strapped to was rushed inside the hospital with the nurses running up and down to attend to the emergency.

I ran to the doctor and held his hand, "please save my baby," I pleaded hoarsely. "Please, save him," I whispered, clutching the doctor's sleeve.

"We will try our best, ma'am, but Allah is the only one who could save your baby," he replied shortly before he entered the ER for medical intervention.

I've been walking to and fro in the ER, praying and crying before I saw Abdulrahman, Maryam, mom, and Lut walking to me.

I burst out another wave of tears.

I was scared!

Expect the unexpected!

Abdulrahman came to me and pulled me in a comforting hug while I accepted it without missing a bit.

I needed it desperately!

I wailed in pain while hitting him on his chest, biting my lips, and breathing was hard.

"W-will h-he be ooookay?" I hiccupped while he soothed and rocked my back.

"Sophia, he will be okay. Remember the boy is strong," Maryam joked softly, but I didn't see it as a joke.

"Sis, my nephew is fine. He is coming back," my younger brother, Lut, assured me, smiling softly.

"Yes, he will be," Abdulrahman replied, his voice wavered while sniffing and biting his lips. I knew he was trying to be strong for me and my baby.

I don't think I would be able to be myself again if anything happened to my baby, I cried.

I smiled at them for having faith where I had lost mine.

After several hours of waiting at the ER door, still, the doctor wasn't out. I started to feel a wave of panic again.

Is he okay?.

What is delaying them?.

Has he d-de-ad? No, it can't be! I shook my head vigorously.

My boy is strong.

Maybe he has a d...

No way!

The door was opened, and a doctor came out with a worried expression. I stood abruptly while leaning on Abdulrahman. My chest tightened, I choked on sob thinking of the worst.

"How is my son? is he okay?" I asked panicked.

"Ma'am," I held my breath, "your son is okay," I exhaled, "but.." My heart beats raised.

"But what?" Abdulrahman asked, soothing my back.

"He has lost a lot of blood. We need a blood transfusion from his father within twenty-four hours or what we are saying now won't be what we will be saying later," the doctor stated while I screamed as Abdulrahman continued to rub my back. I was very grateful he was here because I didn't know what to do without his support.

"I'm his father," Abdulrahman said. The doctor glanced from him to me. I tugged his cloth while he looked at me with tears glistening in his eyes.

He left with the doctor to the laboratory but came out after some minutes, looking down.

"What's wrong?" I asked urgently, feeling scared as my anxiety spiked up.

"Nothing, the doctor said my blood wasn't compatible with his" that was all I heard before I collapsed on Abdulrahman's hand.

~**~

He stood in the hallway, watching the scene before him. He was sad because Sophia was sad yet angry because the excuse of a man—Abdulrahman—was comforting her when he was supposed to be the one.

He helped her with her panic attack earlier and called for the ambulance. He wanted to stay with her then, but he didn't want to reveal himself.

He took his phone out from his pocket and dialed a number.

"Hello doc," he said goofily.

"Find suitable blood for the child. And if the boy dies, All your family members will pay for it," he said dangerously and hung up.

"I'm coming for you soon, Sophia," he whispered to himself and left.