Unbreak Me - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
They were here.
Somehow, I knew it was her family although I'd never seen them before. Her father was a frail, old man who stood with the help of a walker and a benevolence shone in his eyes that ticked me. The woman next to him also looked worn out; her eyes sunken, lips puckered and spine curved as if the whole world weighed upon her shoulders. A loose scarf was wrapped around her head, covering most of her russet-coloured hair and she wore traditional clothes.
Then, there was her little brother. I remembered that age—curious, awed and genuine. When you could be who you were without worrying about other people. After that, your innocence was stolen, chewed and spewed away.
I headed down the corridor towards them and Uncle immediately looked over. He squinted his eyes at me, a wary expression marring his wrinkled face.
I greeted them with a Salaam and they responded in a similar fas.h.i.+on. "I'm Zayn," I said, "Leia's . . . cla.s.s fellow."
Uncle was still pretty suspicious but Aunty started firing questions at me, all of which I answered coolly, trying my best to ease her worry, all the while battling my own.
Even I didn't know how things would progress from now on.
"Ammar didn't come?" I tried to keep my face aloof and I thought I sounded pretty d.a.m.n smooth.
Whether Uncle was surprised I knew about Ammar, he didn't let on. "I've tried calling him; he didn't pick up. I'm sure he must be busy with work."
Work was more important to him than his wife? His son?
I nodded, though, leading them to Leia's room. The hallways reeked of medicine and tears. It was a place of utmost happiness and utter sadness; where life and death merged into one. I tried not to look at anyone's grief-stricken face as I strode to open the door.
I didn't raise my eyes. Couldn't.
I just held the door open for the three of them to pa.s.s. I heard the 'ooh' and 'ah' and my curiosity and interest would eat me alive but I wouldn't look. I let the door shut behind me, taking a seat right outside on the unsterilized, quite unsanitary bench, a safe distance away from a middle-aged man.
And then I started thinking of things to say to Leia. Of how to say them.
Dread curled inside my gut, burning a trail down my abdomen, as I realised I'd have to face my Dad soon enough.
