28. TENSION WAS RELEASING.....

WAQAS’S POV

“How could you even let her do this Waqas?” She was infuriated, I know she was right… but I didn’t have her answers.

“how can you be that selfish?” She was bursting up in rage and I was all helpless unable to reply her. She was her best friend… more like a sister I have seen her worrying for Mannat all this time… so she was right on her part. Maybe I could stop her and I didn’t, maybe I went all selfish for Hussain.

“Rida! Stop it…. please bus karo” I stood there in the laboratory in front of Rida looking down feeling bad when suddenly I heard Mannat coming out of the examination room.

“Mannat!.... Mannat, you are okay?” Rida almost ran towards her and held her face in her palms. Mannat held her hands in her and smiled.

“Am more then just okay yar… and ye kia? Tum bechare Waqas bhai ko q dant rahi then?” I looked up at Mannat and Rida shot a glare at me.

“Rida! It was my decision not his” Mannat said and Rida rolled her eyes.

“Oh! I know Mannat… I so know you girl, koi donor hota bhi na… to tum usey rok ker khud donate kerne chal preteen Hussain ko” Rida said rolling her eyes and I saw Mannat hushing her up.

“Waqas bhai… I know what you are thinking right now, please! Don’t feel bad about this. Werna mujhe acha nail age ga, it was my own decision…. You have nothing to do with it and you are not at all selfish… samjhe ap?” Mannat stepped near me and held my hand in her, I seriously couldn’t look at her… it became difficult to contain myself.

“Muskura he dejiye…. Wo killer wali smile apki” Mannat bent down and looked at my face and I chuckled.

“Am sorry Mannat!...” I said and Mannat sighed shaking her head.

“Am happy Waqas bhai…pata hea apko, koi bhi cheez khushiyon se ziada important nai hoti… koi bhi cheez rishton se ziada important nai hoti, or her cheez de dene k liye hoti hea……” she said and I looked at her face. “so bus….inta bara liver… poora rekh ker kia karoon gi mein, thora sa piece Hussain ko de dete hen” she winked at me and I kept on gawking her face in amazement… in awe. Awe of her courage, her selflessness and in awe of her love for Hussain.

“you used to say this about everything back in Pakistan Mannat… your dresses, your notes… even your car. But I never imagined that one day you would say that creepy line of yours for something that important…. Your body part” Rida said and Mannat chuckled.

“see! I have amazed you na? bus man lo ub…. Dada ji was right about me” Mannat winked at her and Rida chuckled while I didn’t get that.

“her Dada ji…. The great highness of Rajhandpur, once looked at her palm and told her that… “mannat beta! ek tum koi buhat bara kam karo gi…. Jis per tumhen he nai sab to tum per fakher ho ga” Rida said dramatically… trying to sound like her Dada ji I guess and Mannat laughed.

“there is no doubt in that Mannat!... seriously am spleechless on your courage and this… this unconditional love for Hussain you have” I saw her blushing.

“that’s me” she winked and I ruffled her hair… already messed up. Pata nai kab se pareshani mein moo hath dhona bhi bhooli hui thi… pagli.

We were getting out of the laboratory… When I saw Shehry and Minal entering in the hospital’s pharmacy….

“Shehry was really eager to meet you… I mean the donor” I told Mannat and she made a face…. “even Uncle Asif and Aunty were dying to meet you once” I added.

“koi bat nai… jab sab theek ho jae ga to sab bhool jaen ge…” I could feel a little pain and sadness in her tone… “ then all will be fine” she added.

“hmmm but till the last breath of mine, I will remember what you are doing for Hussain, Mannat…. I will never ever forget this, never!” I looked at her and she smiled warmly.

“Now, you should go and take rest… tomorrow is a big day for you” I put a hand on her shoulder.

“yeah! I will take care of the medicines and everything….. you just go and have some rest” Rida said and Mannat kept silent.

“yeah I will…. But abhi to its just 9” she looked at her wrist watch and I rolled my eyes.

SHAHERY’ POV

In past four days it was the first time when I was really hopefull for Hussain’s health, I was literally breathing today… tension started releasing the moment Waqas informed us about the donor. I was never that happy in life.

“Shehry! Did you people meet the donor?” Minal asked, we were standing in the pharmacy. I had to provide the doctors all the surgery medicines.

“nopes! We actually talked to bout this but… he said that the donor wants it to be confidential” I told her and she nodded.

“yeah! I have heard many a times the donors…. Specially the living donors don’t want to be disclosed” Minal said.

The pharmist handed us the packets, I took it in my hand which was free the other was in that idiot bandage.

“I dunno when this idiot bandage is gonna get away from my arm?’I said looking at my arm, when Minal took the bag from my hand.

“that’s okay… you look cute even in this bandage, when ever I look at this, it reminds me….. k mera hone wala husband kitna brave, sweet or caring hea” Minal said and pintched my cheek.

“oooowwww…” I chuckled rubbing my cheek and she giggled. we headed out of the hospital pharmacy, next morning Hussain’s surgery was due.

“I just hope khair se ye time guzer jae” I said and Minal slowly interwined her fingers between mine.

“inn Shaa Allah! Hussain will be alright very soon, akhir us ne hamari shadi mein dance bhi to kerna hea…” She smiled at me and I smiled back.

“han or meri kit bhi lagani hea…..” I said and Minal chuckled.  

“haha that would be a sight Shehry” she said and I shot an eyebrow at her.

“don’t worry you will be ragged as well…. Hone wali begum sahiba! They just don’t forgive anyone” I said and  Minal laughed.

“I can’t wait……” she said and I smirked at her.

“Can’t wait for what?” I asked elbowing her and found that cutest blush on her cheeks. She giggled and said nothing, I smiled and we stepped into lobby.

All the preperations were done and the doctor gave early morning time for Hussain’s transplant. I handed the nurse, all the medicines.

“You have to arrange for the blood, during the transplant he will be needing blood transfusion as well.” One of the nurse said and I nodded.

“um… can I ask you something?” I asked and she looked up at me.

“I was wondering…. Both the patients will be in the same OT? I mean the recipient and the donor?” I asked and she smiled.

“exactly….. there will be two teams of surgeons, handeling both of them in the same OT because the organs are always supposed to be transfused instantly” the nurse told me and I smiled nodding my head.

“I really want to meet this donor Minal, only if I could… just once. He is giving me back my life, my happiness… my reason for smile” I said and she put her hand on my shoulder.

“May be you can meet the reletives and thank them, I mean tomorrow is transplant and ofcorse somebody would definitely come with the donor from his family. Then you can atleast meet them” She said and I nodded.

Allah has His ways… in helping and blessing, indeed. There was the day when we were trying to find the donor everywhere but we couldn’t find one and now all of a sudden… Allah has blessed us with this donor. Jo bhi hea hamare liye to farishtey se kam nai ……….

***************

We were sitting in the lobby when I saw Waqas and Dad coming towards us…..

“Shehry, yar tu uncle or aunty ko le ker ghar ja…. Or khud bhi take some rest man! Your shoulder was hurting I know, I can see that on this bara sa thobbrra of yours” Waqas said and I shook my head.

“beta I think you both should go, Atif is here already. Me and atif will stay here…. They wont allow all of us here” Asif uncle said.

“nai uncle…. We all have a big day tomorrow, in the morning Shehry will bring you and aunty here, till then let me stay here.” Waqas said putting a hand on Dad’s shoulder.

“okay, then you take them home, I wont go” I said and Waqas sighed deep.

“Shehry beta! I think Waqas is right, you need rest as well. Your shoulder was hurting, we will come in the morning…. Aa jao” Dad said and I looked helplessly at him.

“Please Dad!” I made a face but he shook his head.

“Aunty k pass raho she needs your presence….” Waqas said and I reluctantly got up.

“Minal beta! come we will drop you home” Dad addressed Minal and she nodded her head.

We stood up to leave, I went to the CCU and the head nurse looked at me… with a look “phir se aa gaya” I smiled at her and she smiled back then shook her head.

“You cant come in now…. am sorry” she said in a matter of factly tone and I reluctantly turned back.

We came home,  It was hell difficult to spend that night for me, not for a second I could blink my eyes, Atif was sitting on the couch staring at his wafers holding in his hands… I got up from the bed and sat near him. he looked lost.

“He will be alright” I said, not sure… it was a question or a statement.

“He has to…. Use theek hona pare ga, aese nai ker sakta wo hamare sath” Atif said still looking down, trying to hold back his tears.

“Uski first movie release honi hea abhi to yar, superstar banna hea use abhi… itna kuch kerna hea us ne life mein… usey theek hona pare ga, he has to” Atif said, a tear escaped his eyes and I put a hand on his knee.

“Yeah! abhi to shadi bhi kerni hea us ne” I said and Atif weakly smiled.

“Han or bahat sare bachey…….” Atif said and I chuckled.

“Yeah! buhat sarey…. Gandey gandey bachey” I said, and Atif rubbed the tear from the corner of his eyes.

I hugged Atif and felt his heart was beating fast…. “he will be alright bro! he will be alright”…. I patted his back assuringly and he hugged me back tightly.

“chal…. So ja! Lemme see Mom” I patted his cheek and stood up to see Mom.

***************

MANNAT’S POV

To say that I wasn’t afraid of all that… was definitely a lie. I was afraid… but deep down the fact that I was doing it for Hussain gave me satisfaction and courage. For the whole of my life this word… “pain” was something I never experienced. Physical pain I meant…. Dard-e-dil to pata nai kab se pal rakha tha mein ne, usi dard-e-dil k liye to ker rai thi ye sab. Shaid thora sakoon mile dard ko.

I was lost in my thoughts when I felt somebody sat near me……. Waqas bhai.

“you left me there in the Pharmacy with that lioness of your’s…..” Waqas bhai said in mock fear and I chuckled.. “ hamla wamla ker deti mujh per to?” he added innocently.

“ap per to bari sari lerkiya hamla kerna chahti hon gi Waqas bhai” I elbowed him and he chuckled.

“no man! Not that kind of a hamla…. No, seriously Rida was hell angry with me. And I guess she was right on her part. May be I could stop you from doing all this” he said looking down on his hands.

“No, you could not Waqas bhai… nobody could stop me from doing this…. Nobody at all” I said and he looked up at my face for a couple of seconds he kept silent… just looking at my face, trying to search something.

“Buhat pasand kerti ho na Hussain ko?” he asked and I looked down… I felt my face was heating up.

“Buhat!” I said still looking down.

“hmmm… okay then let me talk to the parents” Waqas bhai said casually and I looked back at his face.

“parents? Kis k?” I asked and he rolled his eyes.

“Merey!.... yar, tumhare or hussain k obviously” he said and I looked away.

“us ki zaroorat nai” I said.

“q? bhaga k lejane ka plan hea Hussain ko?” He asked and I chuckled…. “see, this is the right age okay, talk to parents… get married.. have kids and have fun. No, actually pehle have fun so that you can have kids” he said all casually and I looked at his face in shock, my face all heatup.

“Waqas bhai!!.....” I literally gasped at what he said and he laughed.

“q? you don’t want this?” he asked nad I looked down

“chanhne se sab nai ho jata Waqas bhai,….am, am committed” I said and could feel his utter shock on his face. he literally jumped up at my response.

“what the…. Are you kidding Mannat?” he asked and I shook my head.

“when? I mean since when are you committed?” he asked looking all surprised… no, shocked actually.

“ I was a few months old… and he was 4 years of age” I said and he smacked his palm on his forehead.

“what are you saying Mannat? But you love Hussain. no?” He asked all confused.

“Waqas bhai…. in my family, girls cant get married outside, we marry with in the family. And that is why my marriage was fixed when we were kids… like all the other marriges of our family. Even my parents were married like this” I said and he kept on looking at my face…. “piyar ye sab rules and regulations dekh ker nai hota na” I added

“and you are happy with this?” he asked the toughest question to answer.

“I was happy Waqas bhai, I was…. I was that kind of a daughter who had never said no for anything… my parents, they are my ideals. My Baba is my superhero… whatever they decided for me I felt happy with that. They told me about Shehroz and I said okay!... I didn’t have any issues as long as my parents were happy I was happy….” I said, he was looking at me….

“but… but things changed, I met him, and everything… my whole life went upside down, suddenly my world started revolving around him, around his thoughts. Waqas bhai…. I dunno how, I fell in love with him like.. like you fell for sleep, slowly and then all of a sudden” I said looking down at my hands, my eyes pooled up. I felt warmth over my shoulder.

“Mannat, your happiness is with Hussain… you won’t be happy with anyone else” He said softly, putting a hand on my shoulder and I slowly rubbed a tear coming out of my eye.

“Waqas bhai… its not possible” I said, I felt a lump in my throat… I gilpped down trying hard to stop myself from crying.

“And even Hussain won’t want this…..” I said.

“And what if…. You proved wrong?” he asked and I looked at his face.

“matlab?”

“Matlab… if Hussain wants the same, Then?” he explained and I shudder deep down.

“then things would get even worse Waqas bhai, abhi its only me and my feelings I am fighting with…. I don’t want k he feels the same for me, things will go all messed up then” I knew Hussain doesn’t feel this about me. So sochna bhi bekaar tha.

“so, it means you would lead your life with a man you are not in love with…. And will, all casually and happily let Hussain be someone else’s?” he asked, it felt like acid on my wounds.

I couldn’t say another word, tears started rolling down my cheeks and I hated myself for this… for getting all weak once again all those feelings ingulfed me.

“Mannat!.... Mannat calm down, hey! Am sorry” he became worried, held me from my shoulders and tried his best to calm me down…

“sometimes.. love means to love and to get your love in your life but sometimes love means to love and let your love go away from your life. Hamesha pa lena he sab nai hota na Waqas bhai, and am happy! Trust me…. Am happy as long as Hussain is happy” I said, rubbing my teras and he smiled at me.

“yeah! I dunno who this Shehroz is, I dunno the rules your family have…. I will still pray that one day you get your love in your life” he said and I weakly smiled at him.

“chalo ub you should leave…. Go and have rest” he said.

“where is Rida? Why is she not back yet?” I asked looking around

“she had to collect your reports….. maybe usi ka wait ker rai ho” he told me and I nodded.

“Waqas bhai… I need a favor” I said making a face and he raised his eyebrows.

“can I stay here? Please!” I made a puppy face and he rolled his eyes.

“no… never. Chalo get up and get out” he said and I chuckled.

“seriously, I just want to stay with him…. please!” I said and he shook his head.

“the doc wont let you stay with…

“I have the permission already” I chirped and he looked at me shoxked.

“what?.... jhoooti”

“ch… am not lying, you can ask yourself” I said forefully

“but you need to rest Mannat…. Tomorrow is your surgery, girl take it seriously!” Waqas bhai said, getting up and I stood up.

“I have never taken anything that seriously in my life….as I am taking all this” I said and he sighed deep.

“or karo gi kia?” he asked.

“bus… use dekhoon gi dil bhar ker” I said smiling and he hide his grin.

“you are crazy Mannat…. Bilkul pagal ho tum” he said and I chuckled.

“acha… tackle Rida han! She will create fuss but ap sambhal lijiye ga” I said and turned to leave.

“hey hey! Itna mushkil kammmmm” I heard Waqas bhai yelling at my back and I giggled.

***************

WAQAS’S POV

We were standing across the glass door, the nurse was giving Mannat that green weird looking long coat to wear, she asked her to take off her shoes. Mannat scooped down and took off her sneakers, she put them in the shoe rack and came near us. We were looking at Hussain, he looked as if he was calmly sleeping… but his body… covered in bandages and those horrible looking machines… oxygen supply, IV stands on both sides, those ECG and blood pressure machines… all was too much to handle.  I looked away and found Mannat staring at him, her eyes all wet and face with a storm of emotions.

“Mannat! Are you sure you want to do this?” I heard Rida asked her into a whisper, we were not allowed to talk there.

“Anything for Hussain, Rida… anything for Hussain” she replied without looking away from Hussain and I blinked my eyes letting the tears roll down.

“Extra attendants are not allowed, kindly leave the place” the nurse came forward and said.

I looked at Mannat she looked up at my face….

“chalo, we are going….” Rida said patting her shoulder and she smiled.

“bye!... goodnight” she looked at me and said, I smiled weakly and we turned to leave the room.

“hey Mannat!....” I called her and she turned to face me.

“keep it halal” I winked at her and she bluched chuckling.

“Its hard to keep it halal in his presense, Waqas bhai!… but I will try” she winked back and we chuckled at her reponse. The nursed glared at us and we hurriedly left the room.

Me and Rida, we took seats in front of the CCU and RIda putting her head at the back closed her eyes. I could feel her tension, ofcorse if Hussain was my friend… Mannat was hers.

“hey! Things are gonna be okay” I said, trying to assure her and she opened her eyes.

“I really hope for this… for both of them” Rida replied and I smiled.

“I… I wish mein kuch ker sakti Mannat k liye” She said in a sad tone.

“you are doing enough….i think” I said and she shook her head.

“no, not like this… I mean, she loves him a lot, not from today… since too long. Shaid jab se dekha tha us ne Hussain ko, she fell in love with him like somebody fell off from a 100 story building…. Too hard! but it feels bad that they can not get together” Rida said and I couldn’t say anything.

“you know, she has a huge portrait of Hussain on the backpost of her bed…. Back in Pakistan, all the time she used to talk to that picture, and I used to tease her a lot on this… and the funniest part is that her own parents gifted that to her on her 16th birthday” Rida said chuckling and I looked at her in disbelief.

“Don’t tell me… honestly?” I asked and she nodded her head.

“she celebrates his birthday, makes the cake by herself and then together they celebrate. Her parents, Nafeesa aunty and Salaar uncle they are the world’s best parents. They know how crazy their daughter is about the dhoombros and specially Hussain Asif” Rida said.

“Then may be she can talk to them and things go all fine…. She should say no for that marriage, Rida! Convince her please… wo sirf Hussain k sath khush reh sakti hea” I said looking at her face and she shook her head.

“its not about her parents Waqas, they will never ever go against her wish…. Its about Mannat! If there is anyone she loves more then she loves Hussain… they ae he parents specially her father. She just can not bare a single word against him Waqas. Wo nai chahti k khandan mein uski waja se us k Baba per koi ungli uthae” Rida explained and looked down, feeling sad for her.

“I wish there is way out” I said and Rida nodded.

“hey! You want some tea or coffee?” I asked getting up.

“yeah! tea….” She smiled and I smiled back and headed to get that from the hospital café.

MANNAT’S POV

I stepped inside, smell was pungent there… like medicine like my anatomy lab in university. I slowly stepped towads his bed. And stopped near it… he looked weak, drenched.. as if he has lost all his blood, no life on his face. A tear rolled down my face and I took a step closer to his bed.

Kia ho gaya yea? Q ho gaya yea… ya Khuda please save him… meri jan le len but save him, please! I slowly raised my hand to touch his face but… but I just couldn’t, his eyes closed, his breath even, his chest moving up and down slowly… he had an oxygen mask over his mouth, his both hands had IVs going into his skin… it pained me inside, I crossed my arms tightly. The pain was just too much to bare, one thing I learnt today…. Apna dard berdasht ho jata hea mager apnon ka naheen…..

I slowly put my numb fingers over his forehead… it was warm, it reminded me of that hug… our first hug, his warmth was still with me. I could feel that by a mare touch. His hair were messed up, with my fingers I removed his hair back from his broad forehead.

“I don’t know Hussain, I don’t know you can listen to me or not…. I don’t know after tomorrow I will be able to look at you again or not, I just want you to be safe… a live, happy and healthy” I said into a whisper touching his cheek.

“I don’t know what you feel for me… but..but I love you a lot and I will always do” my breath hitched in my throat and tears came rolling down my cheeks, I closed my eyes and almost fell over my knees near his bed holding the brim of it.

“please… theek ho jao, please! We need you Hussain, I need you. Please get well soon” I couldn’t stop myself from crying, I was afraid… hell afraid of tomorrow, pata nai mein dobara tum se bat ker paoon gi ya nai? Pata nai mein tumhen keh paoon gi ya nai…..

“I love you Hussain.. I love you like I have never loved anyone else before, I know it because this pain is all so alien to me, this pain, these feelings… everything starts and ends on you Hussain. please get well soon” I was still on my knees, I put my head on his bed near his arm and held his hand softly in mine.

I don’t know how many hours passed by and I kept on looking at him, talking to him… holding his hand. It didn’t feel like he was sleeping or anything, it felt as if he was there listening to me… and replying me with his heartbeats. I could hear them very clearly… I got up and put a hand over his heart it was beating all too calmly….

I grabbed a stool from the corner and sat near him, started reciting and then blowing silently over his face and whole body. I always remember when my grand pa was ill… very ill, my Mama used to recite Surah Yaseen and then used to blow over his entire body specially face. I have never done that for anyone but felt like doing it for him…. I just didn’t want to skip or miss anything I want to do whatever least or most I can do for Hussain.

I was sitting there staring at his face holding his hand, my eyes were paining now…. when suddenly I heard footsteps I turned an d found the nurse and the doctor standing there. oh! I have to leave now…

The doctor came near me, I was still holding his hand. He smiled at me and patted my shoulder, gesturing me to come out and I reluctantly stood up, leaving his hand I went out.

“you should have slept for a while Mannat! Its your surgery with in 2 hours” he said and I looked at my wrist watch.

“Its okay, am fine” I said.

“you should better go with her, you have to go through the pre surgery procedure” the doctor instructed me pointing towards the nurse who smiled back at me.

“yeah! okay….” I said and looked at Hussain from the glass

“he will be alright… don’t worry” the nurse checked my expressions and assured me.

I handed her back the gown and she took me out, I saw Rida was sitting there, her eyes closed I guess she was sleeping, it was 6 in morning…

“hey! Good morning… laila!, majnoo kesa tha?” Waqas bhai came near me and asked, I chuckled.

“Majnoo was okay….” I replied and the nurse asked me to follow her.

“am going, Waqas bhai.. take care of him please, and… and do tell me as soon as he gets alright” I said, my breath was getting heavy. I saw Rida got up and came near us.

“yeah! I will… sab se pehle tumhen bataoon ga” Waqas bhai said and I smiled.

“hey! Mannat…. You.. umm

Rida tried to say something but then she hugged me all atonce… and I hugged her back trying to maintain my balance.

“Stay safe and jaldi se theek ho jana nai to mar khao gi muj se.” Rida said and I tried to smile. Though it was difficult at that time.

I saw the nurse waiting for me, I started following her and Rida and Waqas bhai started walking after us as well.

“Meri koi rukhsati nai ho rai jot um dono sath chal pare ho…. Go, Shehry, uncle, aunty…. they all must be arriving here anytime soon. Go” I looked at Waqas bhai and said.

“yeah! Waqas you stay here… I will go with her” Rida said and Waqas bhai reluctantly nodded his head.

I smiled and we headed towards the surgery unit… I dunno where it was I just followed the nurse, every step I took I just kept on thinking about Mama and Baba, I know they would get angry with me after knowing this but they know that I love him a lot… meri jaga wo hote or Hussain ki jaga mein to they would have done the same thing.

With all these thoughts I hugged Rida for the last time and stepped into the door on which SU & OT was carved in bold.