14 14. “I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU!”
Zain was numb. He didn't see Moona collapsed on the floor. It seemed that everything around him had switched to slow motion. The doctor was saying something but he couldn't hear the words. It was then, when the doctor bent down to reach Moona, Zain came out of his shock. He bent down to reach her also. The doctor patted her cheecks and after about three minutes, she came into consciousness. When she recognised her surroundings, she started to cry. Zain couldn't control himself. He just pulled her to a bench in the corridor and went to the glass wall, where he saw the nurse pulling the white sheet on Khalil's face. A sheath of tears formed in Zain's eyes as he looked at the still body of Khalil. The nurse shreiked and came out of the room to get the doctor. Moona stood up from the bench and Zain looked at the approaching doctor with confusion.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Let me check." The doctor said and went inside. Zain and Moona came by the glass wall again. The doctor checked Khalil and then put the oxygen mask again on his face. Moona put her hand on her lips, her eyes wide with shock. Zain smiled at her and then reached his phone. The doctor came outside.
"I don't know what just happened. But he is alive." He smiled.
"How could this happen?" Zain asked.
"His heart had stopped for a while. But he will be okay in sometime. Maybe one or two hours." He replied and then patted Zain on his shoulder. When he left, Zain looked at Moona who was standing by the glass wall, crying.
"He is gonna be alright." Zain smiled.
"I know, it's just.. I can't stop crying."
"I am calling Hashim. Let him know that bhai is gonna be conscious in sometime." Zain said dialing his number. Moona just noded.
...............
Khalil was shifted to his room. Everybody was present there except Shanzay. She was at home with the babies.
"You scared the hell out us bhai." Zain said as he fixed the pillows beneath Khalil's head.
"What happened?" He asked.
"You died." Moona said.
"WHATTT???" Hashim shrieked. Every body was looking at her.
"He what?" Humna asked, a little bit calmed now.
"Yes, he died. His heart stopped." Zain replied.
"When? How?" Hashim asked.
"This morning after you left. But then his heart started beating again so now he is good." Zain explained.
"Oh my god. Khalil you died??" Salma cried. She held his hands in her own.
"I am fine, my dear." He smiled.
"I think we should try to calm down. Everything is okay now." Hashim said.
"Yeah. What should be our next move?" Moona asked.
"I am confused. I don't know if Aasim was behind this attack." Zain said.
"Ofcourse he was!" Humna said.
"How can you say that?"
"Because only he knew that baba will be there." She said.
"No, Shanzay also knew that." Zain said.
"What do you mean?" Hashim glared.
"I mean may be she had told her father about this." Zain explained.
"His father has nothing to do with us." Khalil said.
"Oh he has a very solid reason. His daughter spends a lot of time with us." Zain said.
"I think you are overthinking now." Salma said.
"I hope so." Zain said.
"You all should go home now. Shanzay is alone." Khalil said.
"I am staying here with you." Salma said.
"Ofcourse you are. I am talking about the children." Khalil said.
"Alright lets go." Hashim said standing up.
"Baba, I took care of the family when you were not there." Asad said kissing on Khalil's forehead.
"Really. That means you are ready to take care of this family when the time will come." Khalil smiled.
"Yeah, I am." Asad replied.
"Okay, Asad let's go. Your father needs rest." Zain said as Humna and Yumna leaned over to say goodbye to their father.
"Get well soon, bhai." Moona smiled and they all came out.
"Moona, take the children home. We will come soon." Zain said. Hashim looked at him, confused.
"Why?" He asked.
"I need to talk to you." Zain said. Moona noded and walked away with three of them. Zain and Hashim followed. In the parking area, Hashim gave her the keys of his car. After they had left Hashim and Zain sat in Zain's car.
..............
In a deserted street, Hashim and Zain were standing with their backs leaned over the bonnet of the car.
"So what is the matter you wanna discuss?" Hashim asked.
"It's actually a very serious matter." Zain replied.
"What?"
"I have to go to Islamabad." Zain told him.
"WHAT?? WHY??" Hashim turned towards him.
"I have some important work to do." Zain said.
"More important than this case???" Hashim asked.
"I don't have a choice."
"Khalil bhai is still in the hospital. He was nearly killed in this case. We have lost two persons. How can you do that??" Hashim asked.
"That is the reason I am going." Zain said.
"What do you mean?" Hashim looked at him, confused.
"They want me out of the case. So I am out. Also I will not be in contact with the family anymore." Zain said.
"You should atleast say goodbye to everyone." Hashim said.
"I can't."
"And what about Moona?" Hashim asked.
"She will understand."
"Why are you doing this?"
"It's for your own good." Zain replied. "Okay then, goodbye." He smiled and pulled Hashim into a hug. After that he sat in the car.
"Wait, what about this case?" Hashim asked, leaning over the window of the car.
"I am leaving this case in good hands."
"Whose?" Hashim asked.
"Yours." Zain replied and drove the car away.
"Oh my God! Zain! Are you crazy??!!!" Hashim yelled after him but he had gone far far away.
...............
Hashim entered the villa alone.
"Where's Zain bhai?" Humna asked.
"He left." Hashim said sitting on the couch and taking Saud in his hands.
"What do you mean, he left?" Moona frowned.
"He just left us alone in this case." Hashim explained.
"How can he do that? Wait a minute, I am going to his appartement!" Moona stood up.
"Hey! Moona wait!" Hashim tried to ran after her but Humna caught him just in time.
"Let her go." She said. Hashim noded.
"Let's hope everything is gonna be alright!" He said.
"Where are Zain and Moona?" Shanzay came out of the kitchen. She had gone in to take something for them to eat.
"She has gone to check if he is okay!" Humna told her.
"Why? What happened?" She asked putting the bowl of fruits on the table in the centre and sitting on the sofa with them.
"He left us actually."
"Oh! That's strange!" Shanzay said, deep in thought.
"How?" Hashim asked.
"Why would he leave at this point of the case?" Shanzay asked.
"He always has good reasons." Hashim replied.
"Anyway, I have to go home. Baba must be waiting." Shanzay stood up. Hashim just noded. Whereas Humna took the bowl in her lap and turned on the TV.
..............
Moona stromed out of the car and pushed the bell botton outside Zain's appartemt. After a minute, the door opened and a shocked face of Zain appeared.
"What is wrong with you?" Zain asked, getting irritated after seeing her.
"I can ask you the same question!" Moona said.
"Come on in!" Zain said, moving aside to let her in.
"Where are you going?" She asked him, once inside. The appartement telling her of his departure as his clothes and other necessities were lying here and there.
"I thought Hashim had told you." Zain said.
"He did. But he didn't tell me that you are leaving the city or may be the country."
"Indeed I am. I am going to Islamabad." Zain said, putting his shirts in a suitcase.
"Why?" Moona asked.
"Because I have to. I can't stay here and put you all in danger." Zain said.
"You didn't." Moona said, tears forming in her eyes.
"Now, if you will start crying, it will be difficult for me." Zain came over.
"Then don't go." Moona asked.
"I don't have a choice." Zain said standing in front of her.
"You always have a choice." She insisted.
"Not this time." Zain said, as he casted his grey eyes on her.
"I hate you!"
"I know." He smiled. Moona just looked at him, anger filling her eyes now.
"I thought you will never leave us, but I was wrong! Just go to hell!" She turned to leave. When she reached the door, his voice stopped her,
"Whenever you need me, I'll be there for you."
She stopped for a moment, then opened the door and left. Zain stood there, grief holding his heart as he watched her leaving.
............
