Whispers Between Petals

When Iman arrived home, Ammi and Abba were already waiting at the gate. Ahmer had informed them everything over the phone and had also explained not to ask any questions. As soon as Ayesha helped Iman to her room, Ammi broke down into tears looking at her. Ahmer tried to calm her down.

"Khala, please have courage. Everything will be okay."

"Why can't this man leave my daughter alone? He's already married, and still he's after her!" Ammi shouted in frustration. "Why don't you speak to your brother?"

"I will," abba said firmly. "He has crossed the line. Now, it's time we talk."

Abba was visibly angry.

Amma stayed restless until Fajr. As soon as the morning prayer was done, she went to check on Iman. She was sleeping, but her face still showed signs of pain.

"I don't know how much more my daughter will have to endure," Amma thought to herself.

---

Meanwhile, Ruwaid's fever had gone down, and he had been shifted to a private room.

"When will he forget all this?" Mama asked Daddy.

"He will… once someone new walks into his life," Daddy replied. "Just think about getting him married."

"He did mention a girl a few days ago… but never told us who she was," Mama said.

"Whoever she is, he likes her, doesn't he? That's enough. Talk to him and move things forward."

---

When Iman woke up the next morning, it took her a moment to remember everything. Then, as she looked at her hand, the entire night replayed before her eyes.

"What did I do? Why did I tell Ruwaid everything? What must he be thinking of me now? I'm such a fool!" she muttered to herself, burying her face in her hands. Regret gripped her tightly.

"I should call him," she decided.

She dialed his number. The first call went unanswered. The second was picked up — but by someone else.

"Ruwaid Baba is in the hospital," said the voice on the other end.

"Hospital? Why?" Iman's heart dropped.

"He had a high fever last night, so sir took him to the hospital."

She quickly asked for the hospital's name and ended the call.

"Should I go? What if I make another mistake? Ya Allah, please guide me," she prayed.

Just then, Azra came in with breakfast.

"Azra, ask Ghafoor Chacha to get the car ready."

"But breakfast—"

"Later!" she said and disappeared into the washroom.

"Ammi, I'll be back in a while," she called out, rushing outside.

---

Even after reaching the hospital, Iman hesitated at the entrance.

"Should I go in? What if someone else is in the room? But now that I'm here, I need to clear things up," she resolved.

She got the room number from the reception and walked toward it. The door was slightly open, and a nurse stepped out. Iman gently knocked.

"Iman? What a pleasant surprise!" Ruwaid's face lit up instantly. "Please, come in!"

He tried to sit up, but she stopped him. "No, please lie down. Don't stress yourself."

She sat on the couch across from him.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"I was unwell before, but now I feel just fine," he said with a warm smile. He looked genuinely happy — as if he hadn't expected her to come.

"I had called your phone. The servant told me you were in the hospital," Iman began awkwardly. "About last night… I don't know what came over me. I shouldn't have said all that—"

"Iman, why are you so worried?" Ruwaid interrupted gently. "Whatever happened, forget it. You can always share anything with me… there's space for that in my life."

Iman had no words.

"How's your hand?" he asked.

"It's fine," she replied. "You were okay till last night — what happened suddenly?"

"Sometimes, certain memories open old wounds," he said quietly.

"Did I say something that hurt you?" she asked.

"No. Not at all. But I couldn't handle your tears," he admitted.

Iman's heart fluttered. His words were more open than ever before.

"I should go now. Please take care," she said, standing up.

"You too. And… by the way, thanks for the flowers," he added, gesturing to the bouquet she brought.

She smiled and turned to leave. But as she glanced back, she saw him struggling to reach the bouquet with his free hand, the other restricted by the IV line.

"Let me help," she said softly and handed him the flowers.

There were other bouquets in the room too — probably sent by his office.

"Flowers are all the same, aren't they?" she said casually.

"No," he replied, "These carry not just their fragrance… but yours too."

Iman froze. She had no reply. He stayed lost in the bouquet, and she walked out silently, sitting on a bench outside.

"What is happening?" she thought. "I should've stopped him from saying all that… but why didn't I?"

---

That night at dinner, Iman was quiet. Alizeh tried hard to tease her, but she didn't respond.

"Did you see how quiet Iman was today?" Ammi asked.

"She'll be fine. Give her some time," Abba assured her.

"No, it's not just yesterday's incident. Something else is bothering her. Ask Ayesha," Abba insisted.

---

The next day at work, Iman remained lost in thought. Ayesha and Ahmer had asked her multiple times what was wrong, but she stayed silent.

Then, Ruwaid's call came.

"How are you? And your hand?" he asked.

"Fine. When did you get discharged?" she asked, her tone softening.

"Yesterday evening. I'm perfectly okay now."

They ended up talking for a long time.

After hanging up, Iman finally smiled, rolled up her sleeves, and started clearing her pending work.