He picked it out as he scanned through it. He was really confused about how his identity card got into his drawer.

If this is really my card, then which card is she holding?

He couldn't put his head around it so he quickly dialled Hussein's number.

"Hussein, where are you please?"

"I'm at home. What's wrong?"

"Can we meet up now?"

"Is everything fine?"

"I'll tell you when you come"

"Now you're scaring me"

"Nothing to worry about" he chuckled "coffee house?"

"Alright I'll be there"

*****

"Oh my God! How is this possible?" Hussein said with surprise as he flipped the card in his hand.

"I don't know either" Fawwad shrugged while sipping on his frappe fruit juice. "But which card is she holding?" He looked confused.

"Could it be that she's just playing you?"

"Then I wouldn't spare her if by any chance what you're saying is the truth" he fumed.

"And I wouldn't stop you" Hussein laughed but Fawwad shot him a cold glare which kept him shut.

"It's not funny you know"

"I know but the whole thing seems funny. She was in danger, you saved her. Then, she suddenly fell in love with you and she thought you would reciprocate and when you didn't...she found a way to force herself in so that you'll finally agree and you'll live a happily ever after. Wow...that's a nice plot for a cliché movie tho" he finished with a glint of humour in his eyes.

"Can you just be serious for once?"

"That's the fact but on a serious note, how comes you didn't know where your card was?" He sounded serious.

"I was looking for it because I thought I've misplaced it. I searched everywhere in the house and office but I didn't see it. I thought it was in that trouser pocket I wore that night, so when she said she saw it, I had no doubt...I believed her because I was looking for it"

"Fawwad!" He facepalmed himself "how can you be so careless with such an important document that can easily be used against you?"

"I know I was careless but how can it be in that drawer for all this while?... I mean, I often open that drawer...everyday, but I didn't see it until today" he finished with a sigh.

"That's not the matter of concern for now. What matters more is that it's with you and safe"

"Yeah...I guess I have to be more cautious"

"Yes please...so what do you intend to do to the bitch?"

"She has to pay for what she'd made me go through"

"Let's wait until she calls you"

"Go on"

"You'll tell her that you've agreed to do what she asked for"

"I'm listening"

"Definitely, she must ask of the place you're going to meet...choose somewhere private so that people wouldn't suspect you"

"And where can that be?"

"Preferably...your private bungalow"

"Heck no! I'm not taking her there!"

"I'm not asking you to do anything funny with her" he chuckled "and besides I'll be there with you"

"What's the essence of going there?"

"Well, as I've told you earlier; it should be kept away from people's eyes"

"Okay fine"

"From there...we can execute the rest of the plan"

"Where was I when you became a genius because the last time I checked, you were a nitwit..." He finished laughing but Hussein's hard smack on his shoulder kept him shut. "Ouch! That hurts"

"Next time, mind your tongue" he finished with a smirk while blowing his knuckles nonchalantly.

"Whatever" he continued to rub his shoulder. "God! I left those Tom and Jerry sisters alone at the hospital" he said while he took a glance of his wristwatch and it was already quarter to six. "I should be on my way Hussein"

"Let me come along" he said as he picked his phone and car keys.

"Aren't you heading somewhere?"

"The health of my brother's wife is more important" he smiled and Fawwad smiled too as they got on their feet.

Fawwad couldn't thank God enough for gifting him such an amazing considerate soul as a friend. His life would've gone astray for a very long time if not for Hussein that stood by him and was always there guiding him to the way of Allah. He is the perfect friendship goal anyone could ever wish for. And Fawwad was just lucky enough to have him.

*****

Hafsat and Maya were seated in the hospital's corridor when they walked in. Hafsat was tapping her phone while Maya was fast asleep on her laps. Fawwad chuckled when he saw them like that.

Hussein nudged him to stop "even Tom and Jerry do get along sometimes" and they all laughed.

"Ya Hussein, ya Fawwad.... Good evening" Hafsat greeted them when they arrived at where they were seated.

"Hafsat, how're you" Hussein smiled.

"I'm fine...Alhamdulillah"

Maya turned when she heard their voices because it wasn't a deep sleep and her eyes flickered open.

"Ya Fawwad and ya Hussein... Good evening" she groaned with her voice still hoarse from the sleep.

"Evening my baby" Fawwad answered while lightly pinching her cheeks which made her chuckle.

"You girls must be tired...Hafsat call the driver to pick you up" Fawwad ordered and she nodded as she dialled the number.

A few minutes later, the driver arrived and they left. Hussein stayed back until nine o'clock before he left, leaving only Fawwad behind.

After he had escorted Hussein out, he went back to sit beside Walija's bed. And that's how he spent the night awake, silently praying for her.

He was deep in prayers when he heard the sound to Fajr adzaan. He rounded up the prayer before he moved to the Masjid(mosque) to pray. After he finished praying, he went back to the room and she was still unconscious.

He was just sitting with his hand close to hers deep in thoughts when he felt a slight movement on his hand. He briskly looked down and what he saw made him speechless. He just kept muttering Alhamdulillah thanking Allah for his endless Mercy.

Walija was finally moving her hand and he quickly looked at her face to see when she'll open her eyes because he wants to be the first person she sees when she finally wakes up. It may not mean anything to both of them but he still wants it that way.

Slowly and gently she opened her eyes and set them on him. He shot her a warm heartily smile which she tiredly returned before she closed back her eyes again.

He called her name several times but she didn't open her eyes again nor moved. He got scared and quickly rushed to call the doctor. The doctor rushed to the room with a nurse trailing behind him. He examined her for some time, checked her pulse before he disconnected all the wires from her body.

He turned and saw how tensed Fawwad looked and he just smiled.

"Congrats Mr Fawwad. Your wife is back. She's just weak for now and she's having a normal sleep and she'll wake up anytime"

"I can never thank you enough doctor, I'm really grateful"

"It's my job" and he smiled before he left the room along with the nurse.

Alhamdulillah was the only thing he kept muttering. He heard his phone buzzing and when he checked, it was Mami.

"Mami she has woken up" he half yelled out of excitement which earned him a chuckle from her.

"Masha Allah, Alhamdulillah. How's she now?" Mami was just as happy as he was.

"She's sleeping. The doctor said she's weak but she'll wake up anytime from now"

"That's such a great news. Let me go and inform your Abby right away"

"Okay, Mami bye" and the call was disconnected.

He also called Hussein and informed him and he was really excited too.

He went back and sat beside her hoping she'll wake up anytime soon. After about twenty minutes, he heard her mumbling.

"Faw.... Fa.... " she tried to call him and he quickly grabbed her hand in his intertwining their fingers.

"Fawwad?..." she finally managed to say.

"Yes Walija, how are you feeling?"

"I need...water" she stuttered tiredly.

He poured some water in a cup and helped her to sit up. He placed a pillow on her back to support her. "Ouch" she winced in pain.

"Sorry" and he gently placed her head on the headboard. "Here" he held the cup for her as she drank the water.

"How are you feeling?" He asked again with concern.

"I'm feeling okay...Alhamdulillah. How about you? Are you okay?" She asked.

She remembered she was out to look for him when she got into that condition, so she was still curious to know what happened to him the other night.

"I'm fine Walija" he said trying hard to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall but he couldn't as he just felt them on his cheeks.

She has just regained consciousness after being in a coma for two days and here she was asking him about his wellbeing when he has shown her nothing but harshness and cruelty. He suddenly felt guilty and ashamed of himself.

"Hey...why are you crying? I'm alright. Look, I'm totally fine"

"I'm really sorry Walija. It's all my fault that you're in this condition" he said with regret while wiping away his tears.

"It's alright and let's not talk about it now" she smiled.

He is still confused because he doesn't seem to understand which kind of heart she possesses. How can a person be so kind toward the person that did nothing but made you suffer in your matrimonial home?. She must surely have a heart of gold.

"I'm really sorry" he whispered loud enough for her to hear.

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