9 - Bachi Babhi with a Bandage.

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His shawl billowed behind him, one end fluttering freely while the other remained draped over his shoulder. Almeer's heart thundered in his chest as he raced towards his destination, each step accompanied by the telltale signs of distress – beads of sweat on his forehead, quivering lips, and trembling hands bearing witness to the agony he endured.

Throwing open the car door with urgency, Almeer wasted no time before jumping into the driver's seat. In an instant, the dust kicked up by his speeding vehicle trailed behind him as he careened down the road, his sole focus on reaching his destination as quickly as possible.

Navigating through the city streets, leaving the village far behind, Almeer's hand remained glued to the horn, a constant warning to any obstacles daring to obstruct his path. Despite narrowly avoiding collisions on multiple occasions, he pressed on relentlessly, his erratic breathing growing more pronounced with each passing moment.

Just when he was mere minutes away from reaching the hospital, disaster struck. His car sputtered to a halt in the middle of the road, leaving Almeer gripping the steering wheel tightly in frustration. Desperately, he attempted to restart the engine, but after numerous futile tries, the car refused to respond, leaving him stranded in the midst of his race against time.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!!!!!" Almeer's expletives echoed in the stillness of the car as he repeatedly pounded the steering wheel in frustration. With a sense of urgency gnawing at him, he flung open the door and stepped out, his mind racing as he contemplated his next move.

His heart sank further when raindrops began to fall, each droplet a cruel reminder of the impending storm. "Please no, Allah please...." Almeer's plea was drowned out by the intensifying downpour, signaling the onset of yet another trial in their tumultuous journey.

Rubbing his face in frustration, Almeer's gaze fixed on the path ahead. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, his shoes skidding on the slick streets as he raced towards the hospital. Each step fueled by desperation, his breaths grew ragged and labored, his thoughts consumed by worry for Aynoor.

The pain gnawed at him relentlessly, threatening to overwhelm his resolve. Yet, with every ounce of strength he could muster, Almeer pressed on, his eyes ablaze with determination as the hospital loomed into view.

Running towards the entrance, Almeer abruptly halted at the reception desk, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. With a shaky voice, he addressed the receptionist, "May.... may I know.... in which room.. Aynoor, Aynoor Almeer Khan is?"

The receptionist regarded him with sympathy, her gaze softening as she responded, "Who are you to the patient?" Almeer felt a pang of apprehension at the question, mindful of the delicate situation. Aware of the legal implications, he replied calmly, "I'm her guardian."

The receptionist nodded in understanding, her demeanor professional yet compassionate. "Very well sir, let me show you to the room where the patient is. The school staff members are also here, along with what seems to be her brother or friend. All of them are just as worried." Almeer scarcely registered her words, his sole focus fixated on seeing Aynoor.

As they navigated through the hallway, Almeer's gaze landed on Yazdaan, who sat on a bench in the waiting area alongside the school principal and another teacher. Despite the chaos surrounding him, Yazdaan's presence provided a semblance of comfort in the midst of uncertainty.

The moment Yazdaan saw Almeer, he ran towards him and enveloped him in a tight embrace. "I'm sorry bhai, I'm really sorry... I don't know how this happened. It's all my fault. I'm sorry," Yazdaan sobbed, his voice choked with emotion. Almeer's heart ached at the sight of his younger brother in such distress. Despite his own pain, he couldn't bear to see Yazdaan like this.

"It's okay. She is strong, she will be fine," Almeer reassured Yazdaan, his hand gently caressing his brother's head. Yet, in his own uncertainty, Almeer couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to comfort Yazdaan.

Yazdaan shook his head vigorously, his voice trembling as he spoke, "No, no bhai... Khoon, there was a lot of blood." Almeer's gaze fell upon the bloodstained patch on Yazdaan's shirt, his stomach churning with nausea. His legs felt weak beneath him as the gravity of the situation threatened to overwhelm him.

"Is her family here or not?!!" a doctor's voice thundered through the hallway, prompting the principal to gesture towards Almeer. As if driven by instinct, Almeer's feet carried him towards the doctor.

"How.... how is she?" Almeer struggled to form coherent sentences, his anxiety palpable.

The doctor looked at him with compassion, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "She's safe. Although she lost a lot of blood, the young man who had kicked the ball donated blood and saved her," the doctor assured Almeer, eliciting a sigh of relief from him.

"Can I see her??" Almeer asked hopefully, his gaze filled with longing.

"Of course you can, but please complete the paperwork first. In the meantime, another doctor will check her pulses and blood levels," the doctor advised, handing Almeer some forms before departing.

Despite his overwhelming desire to be by Aynoor's side, Almeer felt as though he was restrained by the pain. "We are extremely sorry for this unfortunate event, Mr. Khan," the principal apologized, her words tinged with remorse.

Almeer's response was cold and unwavering. "Had I not told you to take care of her? However, I will settle this later," he asserted, his gaze piercing as he held the principal accountable for the negligence that had led to Aynoor's injury.

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"Tumhe Ali Baksh ghar chord dega, I will take care of everything here," Almeer stated firmly, almost pushing Yazdaan into the car.

"Nahi bhai, please let me stay," Yazdaan pleaded, but Almeer remained resolute in his decision.

"No, I'm here, that's enough," Almeer insisted urgently, his attention consumed by Aynoor's well-being. If only he wasn't so preoccupied with his worry for Aynoor, he might have noticed the fire burning in his brother's eyes. Yazdaan had ventured down a dangerous path, and Almeer remained oblivious to the turmoil brewing within his younger brother.

»»————>

"Almeer?!" Hania's voice echoed through the hospital hallways, drawing Almeer's attention as he turned around to see Ahad and Hania approaching. Despite the tension between them, Almeer felt compelled to acknowledge their presence with a nod of greeting.

As they drew closer, Ahad's concern was palpable as he asked, "Sab thik hai? Why are you here?" Almeer's stress was evident in his demeanor, his mind consumed by worry for Aynoor. Sensing his distress, Hania chimed in with genuine concern, "Are you okay, Almeer?? Is your family fine?"

However, instead of acknowledging Hania's genuine concern, Almeer's response was directed solely at Ahad, his tone clipped and businesslike. "Aynoor is here, she was hurt," he stated tersely, as if dismissing Hania's inquiry. Despite her genuine concern, Almeer's apparent disregard for her feelings left Hania feeling hurt and dismissed, a pang of sadness seeping into her heart at his response.

Ahad sensed the tension in the air and pressed on with his inquiries, concern etched on his face. "Is she fine now?? What had happened?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Almeer sighed heavily, his impatience evident as he fought the urge to rush to Aynoor's room. "I was just going to see her. Mai abhi us se mila nahi," he replied, frustration evident in his voice as he ran a hand through his hair in agitation.

Observing his friend's intense reaction, Ahad was taken aback. He had never realized the depth of Almeer's feelings for Aynoor until now, seeing the urgency and concern in his eyes. It made him feel a pang of sympathy for Hania, knowing that Almeer's heart was elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Hania felt a surge of bitterness rise within her as she observed the turmoil in Almeer's eyes for Aynoor. This was the same Almeer who had never spared a second glance for even the most attractive women, yet now he was visibly distraught over a little girl. The realization filled her with a mix of anger and resentment.

"Toh let's go see her! We will also ask her about her health and meet your wife. What say, Ahad?" Hania suggested to Ahad, her tone carrying a hint of eagerness. Almeer was about to decline, but Ahad couldn't let this chance slip by; he was curious to meet Aynoor.

"Haa bro, hume bhi milwa de bachi bhabi se," Ahad agreed, though his last words were barely audible. Almeer simply nodded in response, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of Aynoor, as he led the way towards her ward.

»»————>

With visibly shaking hands, Almeer pushed open the door, his heart pounding with apprehension. As he stepped into the room, his eyes immediately sought out Aynoor, his Noori. She was seated with a nurse, who was checking the bandage wrapped around her head. Aynoor's long brown hair cascaded down her back, framing her delicate features, but Almeer's gaze fixated on the red spot on her bandage. It felt like a stab to his chest, a physical manifestation of his pain.

The moment Aynoor caught sight of Almeer, she hastily pulled out the IV from her hand, startling the nurse, and leapt from the bed. Rushing towards him, she stumbled, but Almeer was quick to catch her, his arms wrapping around her protectively as they both ended up on the floor.

"Kahaan thy aap, KHAN?!!!" Aynoor cried out, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clung to his collar. Almeer's heart ached at the sight of her distress. Gently, he captured her in his arms.

"Ab bhi kyu aaye hai? Jaante hai kitna dard hua mujhe? Kitna khoon baha?? Kab se intizaar kar rahi hu aapka??" Aynoor's voice trembled with emotion as she repeated her questions, tears streaming down her cheeks. Almeer longed to tell her how much pain he had endured, but the words caught in his throat, his own emotions threatening to overwhelm him. Instead, he silently wiped away her tears, his heart heavy with the weight of their shared suffering.

Hania and Ahad observed the scene, the depth of emotion palpable in the room. Ahad wore a small smile, touched by the profound connection between Almeer and Aynoor, while Hania struggled to contain her tears, raw vulmerabilty.

"Bolein na Khan?? Kya aapko meri fikar nahi? Khan maine aapka kitna intezaar kiya, kyu derr laga di??" Aynoor pleaded, resting her head against his chest, finding solace in his embrace. Despite the turmoil in his own heart, Almeer remained silent, his arms enfolding her protectively, silently conveying his love and devotion.

As they sat intertwined in each other's embrace, Ahad wished them well for the future, his heart filled with hope for their happiness and healing.

"Arey, babhi ji humne aapke KHAN ko baaton mai laga diya tha warna ye toh bhaage bhaage aa rahe thy aapke pass," Ahad said, his tone light and teasing, attempting to lighten the mood. His words brought Almeer back from his reverie, and he chuckled softly at the playful jab.

Aynoor glanced between Ahad and Almeer, her eyes seeking confirmation. "Sachi, khan?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity as she wiped her running nose with Almeer's shawl, her actions reflecting their closeness.

"Muchi, bandariya." Almeer affectionately wiped her nose with his palm and gently brushed her tears away, eliciting a smile from her.

"Aap kon hain?" Aynoor inquired, her attention now turning to Ahad and Hania. Almeer glanced at them, then fetched Aynoor's dupatta from the bed, wrapping it around her shoulders protectively. However, Hania's reaction to his gesture was less than favorable.

"What are you doing, Almeer? She's just a kid. Tum kyu typical mardon ki tarah possessive ho rahe ho?" Hania's words carried a hint of accusation, her attempt to sow seeds of doubt in Aynoor's mind palpable.

Almeer chuckled softly at Aynoor's question and gently held her hand in his as he replied, "Men are definitely not possessive of their playthings, I agree. But she is my dignity, my honor, my pride. If I am not possessive and protective of her, I will not consider myself a man." His words carried a hint of challenge, aimed at Hania and her modern views.

Hania, feeling the sting of Almeer's words, attempted to mask her envy with a semblance of concern. "I understand, Almeer. But she's just a child. Perhaps, ye he tumhe galat na samjhe," she remarked, her tone laced with skepticism.

Before Almeer could respond, Aynoor interjected with a surprising maturity that left them all momentarily speechless. "Mai apne Khan ko galat kyu samjhu gi? Ye mujhe kabhi nahi daant te aur mujhe inki baat maanna acha lagta hai"she declared, her innocence adding weight to her words and leaving an impact on everyone present. It seemed as though she had unwittingly embraced Almeer's values as her own, painting herself in his colors.

Hania, unable to find her words, cleared her throat awkwardly, while Almeer's heart soared with happiness, feeling as though he was frolicking in a field of flowers like a fairy. Ahad, breaking the silence, introduced himself and Hania to Aynoor in a friendly and light-hearted manner.

"Waise bhabhi, mai Ahad hu aur ye Hania hai. Hum aapke Khan ke dost hain," he said, his tone playful.

"Mai Aynoor hu. Aynoor Almeer Khan. Mai bhi inki dost hu," she replied, her gaze shifting to Almeer with a hint of defiance in her eyes. Almeer was taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor. She abruptly left his lap and settled on the bed, wrapping herself in the strange blue comforter, pointedly ignoring both Almeer and Hania.

Ahad, trying to lighten the mood, asked Aynoor, "Toh aap kis class mai padhti hain?" His expression hinted at Almeer, indicating his amusement at the situation.

"Mai 8th aur aap?" Aynoor asked with a smile, albeit a forced one, and Ahad replied, matching her facade, "Mai toh college jaata hu aapke Khan k sath."

Almeer felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that crept over him as he watched them interact. It was as if a storm was brewing within him, battling against his desire to maintain composure.

Almeer watched them, his expression souring as he observed their interaction. "Hogya introduction?? Chalo ab dafa ho yaha se," he interjected, almost shooing Ahad away. Hania's envy deepened at Almeer's dismissive tone.

Ahad, seizing the opportunity, brushed off Almeer's remark, "Abey yaar, tu Hania se baat karna mai apni bhabhi se thode gappe lada lu." As Ahad mentioned Hania, Aynoor shot Almeer a glare before turning her attention back to Ahad. Almeer's confusion grew—he felt torn between wanting to confront Ahad and understanding why Aynoor was reacting this way.

Almeer's gaze flickered between Ahad, Aynoor, and Hania, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. He wanted to assert his presence, to reclaim Aynoor's attention.

"Ji jaayein aap dono... Maine bhi Ahad bhai se baatein karni hai."

As Aynoor chimed in, supporting Ahad, Almeer was further taken aback. His mind raced with incredulity at the sudden camaraderie between Aynoor and Ahad, fueling his mounting shock and frustration.

"2 minute pehle mili ho aur Ahad bhai? Kaha ka bhai hai ye tumhara? Aur tu....Khabees jaanwar, shakal gumm kar apni," Almeer's voice thundered through the room, directed at both Ahad and Aynoor. The intensity of his words echoed off the walls, punctuating the charged atmosphere.

Hania, sensing getting ignored, decided to make a hasty exit from the room, With Hania's departure, the room felt lack of tension, jolly energy crackled in the air.

"Aap inhe gaali kyu de rahe hain??" Aynoor scolded Almeer, her voice carrying a note of reproach. Ahad, undeterred by Almeer's fury, stuck his tongue out playfully, further provoking Almeer's ire.

"Ye toh aisa he hai, meri itni pyari si bhabhi hai yaar. Jaan pehchaan toh badha lu," Ahad said innocently, his playful demeanor contrasting sharply with Almeer's simmering anger. He made a move to pull Aynoor's cheeks, but Almeer intervened, swatting Ahad's hand away with a swift motion.

"Zinda jaayega ya murda?" Almeer's question, laden with intensity, hung in the air like a heavy cloak. Ahad, unfazed, simply snorted and made a hasty retreat from the room.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Thank you for reading ✨🤝🌻