The clock ticked as the hands of the clock moved slowly by. The sound echoing through the silence of the dark night. The warmth of the air so delicious thanks to the burning gas heaters. Outside, the sky pelted rain with such anger that it was a sight seldom seen. The dark heavy clouds covered the stars and moon from shining their light on the dark roads for passengers to see. Other than the rain and strong roof tearing winds not a lot could be heard. It was unusual. Occasionally after a few minutes would a car pass by honking and flashing their headlights full to make sense out of what the enigma of the night was.

The enite day had passed and yet the feeling of dread covered Mahrukh's senses. She had not been able to understand what was happening. But all day long her senses were alert, she was on her toes. The natural instincts that she possessed all gave signs of something going terribly wrong. At eleven pm, Mahrukh sat on the jai namaz (prayer mat), her hands raised high in the air as tears fell non stop. The chaos in her heart not settling. Her worry never easing.
"Oh Allah! Leep my family and  I safe from evils of the night. Whatever I am feeling make it a nightmare. Help my Allah. Erase this heaviness from my chest send relief my way"
Her hands trembled as she continued to ask for forgiveness and protection. Zain looked at her, worried.

Getting off of their large bed, Zain went upto Mahrukh and sat next to her. Wrapping his muscualr arms around her shoulders, he pulled her into the warmth if his chest. Kissing the crown of her head. He sat there on the ground for a long time just holding Mahrukh waiting for her sobs to die down. Before he could speak and ask her any questions. At times you did not want to talk to someone. You just needed a shoulder to cry on. And that is what Zain was doing. Suddenly, as if a switch was clicked, her cries died down into soft whimpers. Zain continued to kisse her head and then spoke in a soft tone, one would use with a naive child.
"Mahrukh what has happened ?"
Zain's question broke Mahrukh out of her reverie. Looking at him puzzled for a few seconds before gaining control over what she was feeling, Mahrukh began in a heavy voice full of tears.
"Since the morining I have been feeling like something dreadful is about to happen. I don't know what it is. But I am just so scared. Zain please take this feeling away from me,"she said as she started to rub at her chest inorder to ease the her heart. The tears clogged her throat and she felt choked. Suffocated. Tonight even Zain's loving words were not enough.

Ya Allah Reham! (Oh Allah have Mercy!)

The night trickled by slowly. Like a drop of water leaving the tap at a turtle's pace. Mahrukh had finally slept with eyes swollen and cheeks marked with tear stains. Yet even in her dreams she was not at ease. It was not only her that felt weird. The particular night was heavy on everyone. The weird weather a great symbol how everyone was at the moment.

The thunderstorm continued with full rage, silencing all that was to be heard. Isolating each man to the confinement of their home's four walls. As the silence covered the capital city of the country like a thick blanket, a loud shout was heard from Saad and Shifa's room.
"Shifa! Shifa are you okay?"
Saad spoke almost losing his mind as Shifa continued to heave and cough blood. He had tried to call the ambulance but to his bad luck, no service could be provided immediately due to the heavy rain as it would take a long time for it to reach. And he sure as hell did not have a lot of time to spare.

Doing before thinking, Saad rushed to Zain and Mahrukh's room. Knocking on the door like a maniac. The knocks, in the silence of the night echoed and semmed ten times louder. Zain, who was having trouble sleeping opened the door and was shocked to see such a disheveled Saad standing at their door.
"Saad Chachu is everything okay?" then noticing the blood on his shirt he became alert.
"Chachu whose blood is this? Is everything alright?" Saad heaved a huge sigh and spoke brokenly
"Shifa... blood... can't breathe," the broken language was enough for Zain to put together the pieces as he instantly grabbed his car keys and followed Saad to his room.

Saad lifted Shifa in his arms and they carried her to Zain's car. The dark and gloomy night became bright as a huge thunder rang. The sky lighting up for a second before becoming dull and dreary again. Zain started the car and the gaurd who was on duty, came out of his well insulated chamber with a raincoat on to open the door. Eventhough the need of the hour was to drive insanely fast, Zain drove with caution and patience so as not to have an accident as seeing anything in the heavy rain was next to impossible.

They had arrived at the large hospital thirty minutes later. Shifa rushed into the ER immediately. Only then did Zain think of Mahrukh. Taking out his phone he dialed the number of his father. Knowing that telling Mahrukh directly would not be the best thing to do. The phone rang for a minute or so before Akram picked up and began to speak in a sleppy voice.
"Zain have you seen the time? Why are you calling me at three in the morning?"
Zain gathering all his courage spoke
"Baba listen carefully. Shifa chachi was having trouble breathing and was coughing blood. Saad chachu and I have brought her to the hospital. She is in ER. I need you to wake mama and then bring Mahrukh to the hospital".
"O-okay".
Hearing what Zain had to say, Akram felt the floor slip beneath his feet. Aliya who had woken up due to Akram's voice inquired from him what had happened. And what she was told broke her heart.

Aliya ran into Zain and Mahrukh's room. She shook the poor girl and delivered the news to her with patience. Mahrukh immediately became numb and demanded to be taken to the hospital. Aliya nodded. Akram had woken up Akbar in the mean time who was equally shaken. The car ride to the hospital was full of silence with Mahrukh's silent sobs being the most dominant voice.

Mahrukh ran inside the hospital as soon as the car stopped. Having asked te receptionist where her mother was, she ran until she spotted Zain and her father.
"Baba. Mama?"
Mahrukh asked him. Saad just shook his head and grabbed her into his arms.
"The doctors aren't saying anything right now. InshAllah all we be fine".
The father daughter duo sat on the flimsy plastic seats, basking in their warmth and prayed for the wellness of Shifa.

Zain was rushing around with Akbar and Akram getting all the things that the doctors were asking for and arranging blood as Shifa had lost quite a lot due to internal bleeding. Meanwhile, Aliya tried to calm Saad and Mahrukh down. Telling them how Shifa was a warrior eventhough her own heart was broken over seeing her best friend go through such pain.

After what seemed like years but were only hours, the rain stopped. By now the first ray of sunshine covered the horizon. With itself bringing a ray of hope. The doctors walked out and looked at the Butt family. One of the more elderly looking doctors spoke
"Family of Shifa Saad?"
They all nodded their head with enthusiasm waiting for a good mews. But the drop of the doctors face and teary emotions in his eyes said all. But still a hope of candle lingered in their hearts but was soon blown to darkness when the doctor said
"We are sorry. We tried everything. The patient could not make it".
The words did it. Mahrukh fell on the ground feeling her knees buckle. Her mother. Her friend. Her advisor was gone.

Being allowed to see her one last time, Mahrukh ran into the room and looked at her mother. The pale withered face and hands were a proof of how hard the woman had fought for her life. Mahrukh cried into the shoulders of her once warm mother. Eventhough the scent of her motherly love lingered, it was not the same.
"WHY DID YOU GO? YOU PROMISED TO STAY. YOU CAN NOT DO THIS. PLEASE COME BACK".
Mahrukh began to shout hysterically. Piercing her nails into Zain's arms who held her for support.
"Zain tell mama to wake up please," she looked into his eyes with such faith that it broke his heart. He shussed her and placed her head into his own chest. Allowing her to cry all of the pain out.

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It was around Zuhr time. All the distant relatives and neighbours crowded the living room of the Butt family. Everyone giving their condolences to Saad and Mahrukh. Mahrukh sat next to her mother's dead body that was placed there so that the women could see it one last time before they took Shifa to her final place. She was completely silent. Drained. Not a word left her lips as she silently let the pain and emotions eat away her inside out. Her body and mind were both numb. She did not feel or listen as people talked to her.

And yet the atmosphere did not feel like as if someone had passed away. It felt more like a festival to celebrate a woman who had lived her life wuth dignity. Had been a source of love and warmth. The brids chirped louder than ever and the weather was as pleasant as it could be. The women all talked about the beautifuk life that Shifa had lived.

Mahrukh was trying to control her self. Trying to come to terms with the death of her mother when the blanket was lifted to cover Shifa's face. Even then Mahrukh was silent. When the men lifted the charpai (a small bed) Shifa lay on she was silent. When her mother exited the door of the house for the last time she remained silent. Her heart was bruised so bad that no words left her mouth.

In the evening when the men came back after burying Shifa, Saad and Zain walked to a worried Aliya.
"Mama what happened?" Zain questioned.
"Mahrukh refuses to eat. She refuses to drink water. She has closed herself up in your room. Zain please talk to that child. She is hurt deeply," Zain nodded and took a tray of food for her upstairs.

Entering their room, he saw Mahrukh was sitting on the ground her knees brought to her chest as she stared out of the window. Zain came and sat next to her. Remaining silent. Waiting for her to speak.
"Zain she left me," Mahrukh spoke after ten minutes of heavy silence. Zain looked at his wife and replied
"Yes she did. But she lives in your heart." The words did little to soothe the ache in her heart.
"She will never come to me and crack lame jokes. Or feed me with her own hands. She will never walk into our room anymore and tske your side over mine while we are fighting. Zain why did she go?"
Zain looked at his wife. Feeling pain in his chest that was not even one percent near the pain that Mahrukh felt.
"I understand you Mahrukh. Allah took her beacuse her time in this world was done. We all will leave one day or another. She may not be here in physical form but she lives forver through us and through her love for you. Whenever you feel lonely and miss her. Remember her and she will run to you. She will send you warm hugs and kisses from heavens. Instead of crying pray that Mama gets the highest rank in heaven".
Mahrukh nodded feeling her emotions coming under control. Zain paused for a minute before continuing
"Now come on let me feed you with my hands".
Mahrukh reluctantly nodded as Zain proceeded to feed her small morsels of food. In her heart, Mahrukh thanked Allah for a husband like Zain and prayed in her heart for every mother on earth.

May Allah protect every mother on this earth. Amd may every mother be rewarded with the hights ranks of Jannah (heaven) Ameen (Amen).

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