The morning light seeped gently through the lace curtains of the small Nashik apartment. The golden hue danced across the dining table where Hadi and Rubina sat, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee swirling in the air between them. The apartment was calm, except for the soft splashes of water coming from the bathroom where Maira was taking her shower.
Rubina cradled her mug in both hands, blowing softly at the steam that rose and curled in the cool morning air. She looked thoughtful, almost hesitant, as she stole a glance at Hadi sitting across from her. His eyes were distant, lost somewhere in his own maze of thoughts, but present enough to sense that Rubina was holding something back.
Finally, breaking the gentle silence, Rubina spoke in her soft, considerate tone.
“Hadi bhai,” she began, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her cup, “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Hadi looked up, setting his cup down carefully. His expression was calm, his eyes attentive. “Of course, Rubina. What is it?”
Rubina inhaled deeply, as if mentally preparing herself for the conversation she had been rehearsing in her head all morning.
“My in-laws have called me to Bangalore. My brother-in-law’s wedding is coming up in two weeks,” she explained, her voice carrying both duty and subtle regret. “They’ve requested that I come early to help with the preparations.”
She paused briefly, watching Hadi’s expression for any hint of displeasure or concern.
“I see,” Hadi said softly, nodding. His voice carried no surprise, but rather an acceptance that perhaps Rubina had anticipated. “You should go. They must be looking forward to having you there.”
Rubina let out a small breath of relief but quickly added, “But Hadi bhai… that means I won’t be able to stay here with Maira.”
Hadi’s gaze softened. His thumb lightly traced the handle of his coffee mug as he processed her words. There was no frustration, no disappointment, only gratitude for all that Rubina had already done.
“You’ve done more than enough, Rubina,” he said gently, offering her a polite, sincere smile. “I won’t hold you back any longer. You’ve already given so much of your time, your care, your life, for both of us. Thank you.”
Rubina smiled softly, though a small trace of worry still lingered in her eyes. “I only did what anyone would have done in my place.”
“No,” Hadi shook his head slightly, his voice quiet but firm, “not everyone would have done what you did. You’ve been a sister to her, a caretaker, a guardian… and a blessing.”
Rubina’s eyes shimmered for a moment. She lowered her gaze, humbled and touched.
After a pause, she asked carefully, “So… what will you do, Hadi bhai? She’ll be all alone if I leave.”
Hadi leaned back slightly, his brows furrowing as he pondered over her question. His fingers drummed softly on the wooden table as his mind raced through possibilities.
“I haven’t fully thought about it yet,” he admitted with quiet honesty. “But before making any decision, I think I should consult Dr. Zafar about her condition. She’s come a long way these last couple of months, but I need to be certain.”
He exhaled, glancing toward the direction of Maira’s room as the sound of running water finally stopped. “Maybe… I should take her along for a proper check-up today.”
Rubina nodded in agreement. “That sounds like a good idea. Dr. Zafar will give you a clearer picture.”
Their conversation gently faded into a peaceful silence just as the bathroom door clicked open. Maira stepped out, her damp hair tied in a loose bun, her fresh face glowing from the morning shower. She wore a simple, pale pink kurta that complimented her delicate features.
“Good morning,” she greeted with a soft smile as she approached the dining table.
“Good morning, Maira,” Rubina greeted back warmly.
“Morning,” Hadi offered her a small smile, his tone gentle as always.
They all sat together for breakfast, a simple spread of buttered toast, boiled eggs, and fresh-cut fruits that Rubina had prepared. The clinking of cutlery and light chatter filled the room, their conversation flowing easily, unburdened by the weight of more serious matters.
For those few moments, everything felt almost... normal.
As they finished their meal, Hadi placed his cup down and gently turned to Maira. “Maira, I was thinking we should visit Dr. Zafar today for a check-up. Just to see how your recovery is progressing.”
Maira looked at him, slightly surprised, but quickly nodded. “Of course.”
Her agreement was simple, but internally, she felt a mixture of nervousness and quiet gratitude. She appreciated how Hadi always involved her gently in decisions regarding her health, never forcing but rather suggesting, leaving the space for her to feel respected.
Rubina stood up and started clearing the plates, while Maira quickly moved to assist. As they worked together in the kitchen, Rubina glanced at Maira with a gentle smile. “I’ll be heading to the NGO once you both leave. Just dropping me off on the way would save me some time.”
“Of course,” Hadi responded from the living room, already checking his phone for appointment confirmations.
Within half an hour, they were all ready.
---
The drive was quiet, with light conversation between Hadi and Rubina occasionally filling the car. The streets of Nashik moved past them in a blur of soft morning sunlight, people starting their day, shops just opening, hawkers arranging their stalls.
Hadi drove with calm focus, his occasional glances at the rearview mirror checking both traffic and Maira, who sat in the back seat quietly observing the city pass by. She liked these morning drives, the world always seemed a little less complicated when it was in motion.
As they reached Rubina’s NGO, he pulled the car to a gentle halt.
Rubina turned slightly toward the backseat, smiling at Maira, her voice filled with sisterly affection. “Don’t worry, you’ll do great at the doctor’s.”
Maira smiled softly. “I’ll be fine, Rubina Di. Thank you.”
Then Rubina turned to Hadi, “Call me after the appointment.”
“I will,” he assured her.
As Rubina stepped out and waved them goodbye, Hadi merged back onto the main road, now only him and Maira in the car, heading toward the hospital.
Though the silence between them was easy, it was not empty. There were many unsaid thoughts resting quietly between them, respect, gratitude, guilt, and something even more fragile that neither dared to name yet.
The car drove forward, toward Dr. Zafar, toward answers, and unknowingly, toward decisions that would soon begin shaping the next chapter of their lives.
---
The hospital was quiet that afternoon, its sterile white walls gleaming under the soft glow of ceiling lights. The faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, blending with the occasional echoes of hurried footsteps and distant murmurs of conversations. Hadi and Maira sat side by side on the cushioned bench outside Dr. Zafar’s consultation room, waiting for their turn.
Maira sat calmly, her hands folded in her lap, while Hadi sat with his usual composed expression, though his mind raced beneath the still surface.
The door finally opened with a click, and a nurse politely called them in. They both rose to their feet and entered the familiar room where Dr. Zafar sat behind his desk, flipping through Maira’s medical file.
“Assalamualaikum, doctor,” Hadi greeted respectfully.
(Peace be upon you)
“Wa alaikum assalam, Hadi, Maira” Dr. Zafar greeted back with a warm smile. “Please, have a seat.”
They both sat across from him as he continued to scan the latest reports from her tests and scans.
“Well…” Dr. Zafar finally looked up, his tone gentle yet professional, “overall, everything looks quite good, Maira. You’ve made excellent progress over the past two months.”
Maira allowed herself a small smile, quietly relieved by the words.
“Externally, the injuries have healed well. The internal healing is also moving in the right direction,” he continued. “You will still need to continue your medications for a few more months, but there is no cause for worry.”
Maira nodded, her voice soft, “Thank you, doctor.”
“But,” Dr. Zafar added, his tone more serious, “remember to take your medicines regularly. They’re crucial. And don’t overexert yourself.”
“Of course,” she answered obediently.
Hadi listened attentively, his expression calm but his chest tightening slightly. The reassurance helped, but he knew this wasn’t the full story.
As they both stood up to leave, Dr. Zafar suddenly looked toward Hadi. “Hadi, if you don’t mind, could I have a word with you? In private.”
Maira looked at both of them for a brief moment, sensing something she couldn’t quite place. But she didn’t question it. Dr.Zafar gently smiled and said softly, “Maira, could you please wait outside for a moment?”
“Sure,” she replied, her voice quiet. She walked out slowly, closing the door gently behind her, though a faint trace of curiosity lingered in her heart.
Now alone in the room, Hadi turned toward the doctor, concern evident in his eyes. “Is everything alright, doctor?”
Dr. Zafar offered him a reassuring nod. “Yes, overall she’s doing very well, Hadi. There’s nothing alarming at this point.”
Hadi exhaled in relief but waited, sensing that the doctor hadn’t yet said everything.
“However,” Dr. Zafar continued, lowering his voice slightly, “as I mentioned before, the injury to her abdomen was severe. She’s healing, but abdominal injuries can be unpredictable. Some tissues take longer to regenerate. We cannot say with certainty if there will be long-term complications or not. We are still in that grey area.”
Hadi swallowed hard, his jaw tightening slightly. “So… there’s still a chance that....”
“There’s a chance that everything may heal perfectly with time and care,” Dr. Zafar interrupted gently, trying to keep his tone optimistic. “And there’s also a chance that some issues might remain. We won’t know for sure for several more months.”
“I understand,” Hadi said softly, lowering his gaze for a moment. “She doesn’t know the full extent yet.”
The doctor’s expression softened, understanding the delicate position Hadi was in.
“Perhaps it’s better this way for now,” Dr. Zafar said kindly. “Her mental state is equally important. Let her focus on recovery, not worry. But make sure she doesn’t skip any medication or miss any appointments.”
“I will, doctor. Thank you for being honest.”
“One more thing,” Hadi hesitated, then asked carefully, “is she fit to travel?”
Dr. Zafar leaned back slightly, thinking. “If it’s not a stressful journey, yes. She can travel. Just ensure she rests enough, avoids lifting anything heavy, and takes her medicines on time.”
Hadi nodded. “Thank you, doctor. Truly.”
Dr. Zafar smiled. “You’re taking good care of her, Hadi. She’s fortunate to have you.”
Hadi’s heart clenched at those words, but he simply smiled back, offering a small nod of gratitude before excusing himself.
---
Maira stood quietly in the waiting area, her hands clasped together, trying not to let her thoughts wander. She looked up as Hadi emerged from the consultation room.
He approached her with a soft smile. “Shall we?”
She nodded and they walked together toward the parking lot. The warm afternoon sun was beginning to lower, casting golden streaks across the sky. The air smelled faintly of blooming roses from nearby flower stalls.
Inside the car, as Hadi started driving, Maira couldn’t suppress her curiosity any longer. She hesitated for a few moments, then finally spoke, her voice soft and careful.
“What did the doctor say?” she asked, turning her head slightly toward him.
Hadi gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter, his gaze locked on the road ahead. His mind raced for a moment, carefully weighing his words. He didn’t want her to worry, not now.
“Nothing much, just routine things,” he answered lightly, forcing a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “The same, keep taking medicines, avoid strain, regular follow-ups. That’s all.”
Maira sensed that he wasn’t telling her everything, but she trusted him. If there was something more, he would tell her when the time was right. She didn’t want to push him.
She smiled faintly. “Okay.”
The car fell into a comfortable silence again, the only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the occasional breeze tapping gently against the window glass.
Hadi’s mind, however, remained anything but calm. Thoughts swirled like a storm inside him. He needed to make decisions, soon. About Maira. About Rubina leaving. About how long he could keep hiding the truth. And most of all, about where all of this was heading.
But for now, all he could do was drive, and pray.
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