I Almost Lost Her

"Jacqueline is staying with us. Don't you miss her?" Anston looked at his táng dì. Hidayat leaned against the ceiling-to-floor window as he observed the cityscape from the office building's top floor. His expression was impossible to discern, but his form was tall and dashing. In his black Emporio Armani wool classic formal suit, he looked both mysterious and ominous as he emitted a domineering aura.

At this moment, his expression was very calm but it couldn't mask the killing intent he emanated. Even the news of his fiancée's whereabouts did not soften his gaze. His hatred towards the person who caused his twin's accident was nailing his heart shut.

Anston was perturbed with Hidayat's intensity. This was the first time he's seen Hidayat so angered. "Jessica and I want you to come to our place for dinner. It's time for the 2 of you to talk.

"No, not tonight. Hiddy had a relapse last night. I don't think I can concentrate on the dinner if I go now. Hiddy needs me. Damn… I... I need Hiddy, Anston. I nearly lost her last night…" Tears welled in his eyes threatening to fall.

"What happened? Why didn't you tell us, Hidayat?" Anston asked. The twins were like his own sibling. He had stayed at the patriarch's home when he was younger growing up together with Hidayah and Hidayat. The relationship between the 3 of them was tight knitted. In fact, he was closer to the twins than his own younger siblings. Anston stood up from his seat and walked towards Hidayat. Standing by his side, he pulled Hidayat towards his front. "Is she okay?"

Hidayat's head fell. His bottom lip quivered, and his shoulders dropped in resignation. Anston draws him closer and gave the man a hug. The gesture broke Hidayat's wall and the man sobbed, his body shaking uncontrollably. "It will be fine… Hidayah will be fine… Shhh…"

**********

That night, Hidayat and his parents stayed with Hidayah. Azizah was already asleep on the folding bed that was provided by the hospital. Kamari was sitting on the chair by the bed and Hidayat was leaning against the wall facing his twin. The incident previous night made the family anxious.

The solemn atmosphere was nerve-wracking for the nurses and doctors that did their rounds. Even Imran, who was working that night could not hold a conversation with the family for long.

Tuttut tuttut… Hidayat's phone rang.

Leoneil: We've found the b*stard! I'll send you the details shortly.

Hidayat put his phone back into his pocket and told his father about Leoneil's message. He gave Hidayah another look when he saw Hidayah's brows twitched. He froze. Am I seeing this right? Hidayat ran out of the room. He rushed towards the nurse station, "Imran! Hidayah… Hidayah…" losing his breath.

Looking at Hidayat's wrecked mien, he looked at Hidayah's vital monitor. "Did she wake up?" Hidayah's heart rate was stronger. Imran stood and walked out of the station and briskly walked towards Hidayah's room.

When Imran and Hidayat entered the room, they could see Hidayah pulling the endotracheal tube out of her mouth. Gagging at the same time. Azizah and Kamari were standing by the bed a little distressed.

"Gosh, Hidayah… Are you nuts!" Imran exclaimed. Hidayah was still in the midst of pulling the tube out when Imran took over. "You could hurt yourself!" A drop of tear slid down from her eyes. After the tube was completely out of her, she took in a deep breath and smiled.

"That thing is making me gag…" Hidayah croaked. Azizah and Kamari bent over hovering their daughter, overjoyed.

"Honey… you're awake… you're awake…" Azizah bawled out. She hugged her daughter so tight that Hidayah had to pat her mother's back before Kamari had to intervene and pulled her back to release their daughter.

"Mom… you're suffocating me..." She giggled making both Azizah and Kamari giggled too.

"Hiddy…" Hidayat sniffled. The four ended up snuggling each other with Hidayah still on the bed… Imran left the room giving them privacy. Smiling. It seems the little family had totally forgotten about the staffs in the room.