WE JUST PLANNED OUR WEDDING

"I don't know what's gotten up with George. She doesn't talk

to me anymore. She is so busy." I groaned and buried my head

in the files scattered on the table.

"Your brother keeps her busy with all his surprises." he

smirked.

"I hate him. He never gave me surprises." I pouted and rested

my elbow on the table and placed my chin on my palm.

"What can I say? Little sisters are always demanding. I have 2

of them remember? He laughed lightly and pushed his hair

back. I smiled at him.

It had been a week ever since I told him to teach me how to

love. One week since George had taken a week's leave and

ghosted me. One week since Daddy and Hamza had disagreed

and now Hamza had taken a week off to clear his mind

promising Daddy to abide by his rules starting today. One

week since I had started spending more quality time with

Azaan. My what? I didn't know what was he to me now.

"My boss is going to degrade me in a conference room full of

handsome delegates if I mess this up again." I laughed

nervously.

"Handsome delegates? Are you passionate about your job or

those handsome delegates that your firm receives?" he

laughed and pushed his hair back again.

Can he stop doing that?

"Handsome? No, I meant handsome like substantial

delegates. Like so many." I facepalmed myself.

"I like your ways of defending yourself." he smirked.

"No." I cried out loud.

"I mean it." I said grimly when I saw that he didn't believe me.

"Okay." he coughed.

"I told you to take deep breaths." I walked up to him; my

assignments of the week lay long forgotten on the table now.

"I swear this thing won't let me sleep." he muttered irritated.

His coughing worsened at night time. It was because the

phlegm would accumulate and forced him to wake up with

forceful coughs. I couldn't stay with him during the nights but

he always complained about lack of sleep when I visited him

in the morning. He looked different now. He had eye bags

under his eyes and his skin looked tired all the time but

nothing could me from admiring the man that had planted

flowers in my heart. I giggled lightly at that thought.

Planted flowers in my heart? Really, Romi? That's the best

cheesy line that I could come up with.

"Are you laughing at my misery?" he looked up at me as I

adjusted his bed.

"I'd never." I covered a yawn.

Well, truth to be told I was tired too. With all those daily visits

that I made to the hospital, running back and forth between

the hospital and my firm when I had a break and

compromising on my assignments because of my visits. Which

meant I had to compromise my sleep for these assignments.

Sometimes I would bring over some of them to the hospital.

My internship program was nearing its end. That meant I had

to take up a real job soon or another internship.

Compromising? I was beginning to use and apply more of that

word.

"You are compromising your assignments and rest for me,

Romi. I am distracting you. You should really concentrate

more on your career. I am not going to stay with you all your

life, your career will." he sighed and closed his eyes.

I pretended to ignore his negativity.

"The coughing has disturbed your sleep. We should do

something about this."

"Are you avoiding me?" he mumbled, his eyes still closed.

"I am just trying to wipe out all of these negative thoughts

from your head, Azaan. You need to stop." I sighed.

This week he had voiced out more negative thoughts than I

ever expected.

"And, I know what I am doing. I am not a child and you're not

my daddy." I groaned.

"Well, I am pretty sure your daddy would come barging into

my ward someday barking at me about how is daughter isn't

his anymore and has started concentrating more on a person

who keeps coughing all the time." he spoke calmly.

He was right.

This past week my arguments with Daddy and Daniyal had

been frequent. My very protective dad and brother couldn't

stomach the fact that their baby girl was running through

work, hospital, work and then back home. Mama found this

whole ordeal stupid and she wanted me quit my job while

Daddy and Daniyal hadn't been direct but I knew they didn't

like me compromising on my career and my life for one

person.

Well, I wanted to spend my life with him. They better get used

to me prioritizing him.

"Get well soon, Azaan." I pecked his forehead when he began

to doze off.

I was collecting all my assignments when the door of the ward

open and George walked in.

"Finally. Look who has decided to un-ghost me." I stated

sarcastically.

"Oh please. I was on a much-needed break." she laughed and

hugged me. When she pulled back, I could see her glowing

with happiness.

"You don't know how much happy I am, Romi. He said he

likes me." she smiled and we sat down.

"He came with a bouquet of flowers and a little surprise every

morning at my doorstep. At first, I couldn't believe it but the

next day I started waiting for him. We would go on long

drives, carnivals sometimes museums. Like seriously what has

gotten onto your brother." she chuckled.

"He would be busy now but, he promised me he would be with

me on the weekends." she smiled.

I smiled sadly.

Was I envious of my best friend? I couldn't help it.

The fact that her feelings were returned and not mine didn't

settle well with me. Like she had feelings for my brother ever

since she was 10. But her feelings were returned even though

Hamza never even glanced in her way. It just took one

moment and Hamza was all hers. I couldn't believe it. I

glanced at Azaan who was probably in a deep slumber,

unfazed by the havoc he had created in me.

Will he ever share my feelings?

Will my feelings be forever unrequited?

Will it take 15 years for him to see my love too?

"Can you believe it?" George shrieked.

"Shh." I smacked her arm.

"He is sleeping. "I whispered.

"Sorry." she smiled sheepishly.

"And, do you know..." she began again.

"George." I cut her off.

"I promise I'll listen to all of your stories but, for now can you

please give me an update on his condition. Dr. Leo doesn't

bother to explain what he's speaking." I sighed.

"Oh yes. Just let me check with Dr. Leo." she got up to make a

call and I collected my files. Glancing in his direction for one

more time I walked out.

She held up Azaan's Radiographic image. I waited hopefully.

"What's new?"

She sighed.

"Not good news, Romi."

"What do you mean?"

"He has developed Parapneumonic effusion."

"Para? What?"

"Parapneumonic effusion. It's a complication of Aspiration

Pneumonia. We have to conduct an Ultrasound or CT scan to

differentiate between empyema or other transudative or

exudative effusions."

I slumped down on the couch. The negative thoughts that he

had voiced out this week began to cloud my mind.

"Romi, I am sick." he muttered weakly.

"Come on. It's just one picture." I clicked his pictures despite

his annoyance upon it.

"I look horrendous." he stated when he saw it.

"No, you look beautiful." I kissed his cheek.

I felt him stiffen for a second before he relaxed and I leaned

away from him.

"You need to stop. The more you get close to me the more..."

"The more I get close to you the chances of you sharing my

feelings will increase." I grinned.

"No, I was going..." he began.

"It's okay. I get it. This is the most famous strategy that

people use if they want a person to fall in love with them. The

more you get close to them the more they'll fall in love with

you." I grinned and then looked back at him.

"Are you crazy?" he asked grimly.

"Yes, crazy for you honey." I let out a rather girly voice and

then burst into a fit of giggles.

He didn't say anything instead he suddenly grabbed my

wrist and pulled me towards him.

I was so close to him. I rested my hands on his shoulders.

"Azaan." I breathed out.

"The more you get close to me the more it will hurt me." I

whispered.

He didn't say anything. I cupped his cheek.

"It'll hurt me because you don't share my feelings."

"Exactly my point but with a different reason." he held my

hand that was busy in grazing his stubble.

I was too lost in that moment.

"The more you get close to me the more it'll hurt you when I

leave you. So..." he pushed me. I fell on the bed.

"Stay away." he muttered.

I was too lost in that moment that I hadn't even think about

what he had said in the end.

"Why is this bloody Pneumonia not leaving him alone,

George?" I groaned.

"It keeps popping up with a little different name and different

features. Why can't it go away? Why can't his WBC and

Antibiotics fight it? And, even if they're fighting why are they

not winning?" I buried my face in my palms.

"Romi. Relax. Just wait until tomorrow then we'll know if this

is serious or not."

"What if it's serious?" I turned to her horrified.

"Think positively, Romi. You're always on the brighter side.

What happened?"

"Positive? How can I be positive when no one else is? Daddy

and Daniyal aren't. The tests aren't. Dr. Leo isn't. You aren't.

Azaan keeps voicing out so many negative thoughts. Like so

many. So, how could I think positively?" I cried out.

"I hope he gets well soon, Romi." she hugged me.

"I guess the blue one would look pretty." I heard Daniyal's

voice when I entered the lobby.

"Blue represents sadness. So, shun it." I stated as I entered the

living room.

Hamza was sprawled on the sofa. Mama and Daddy on the

other hand were decorating the room.

Decorating the room? Why?

"What's the occasion?" I smiled slightly. It wasn't a genuine

smile just a fake one. I didn't want them to see my negativity.

Mama and Daddy's face fell. And Hamza sat up worriedly.

"What happened?" I inquired again after a while.

"You don't remember?" Mama asked me with a sad

expression.

Hamza burst out laughing.

"She does. She's pranking us. Grow up, Romi. You can't prank

me anymore." he spoke between his laughter.

"You're not pranking us?" he asked me after sobering up.

Suddenly I realized what I had missed.

Daniyal.

His birthday.

Great.

I buried my face in the pillow.

"Hey, I remembered now at least." I defended myself when I

saw everyone looking at me like they had seen a ghost.

"Where is he?"

"He went to San Diego. To his friend's wedding." Hamza

replied grimly.

"He didn't tell me." I smiled sadly.

Mama scoffed.

"Seriously? He didn't tell you or you didn't have the time to

listen to him?"

"I..." I didn't know what to say so I grabbed my stuff and

walked into my room.

Whatever happened to my little mission to bring my family

together?

I tried calling Daniyal but it went straight to voicemail.

"Hey. Daniyal. Please give me a call when you're free. Take

care." I left a voicemail for him.

I lied down and closed my eyes.

I heard my phone ring. I sat up excitedly and received

Daniyal's call.

Daniyal had come back home but the excitement of receiving

his calls was still there.

"Hey. How was the wedding?"

"Wedding? Are you dreaming, Romi?" I heard a very familiar

voice.

"Azaan." I slumped back on the bed.

"Let me sleep, will you?" I muttered sleepily.

"I am sorry. I couldn't sleep. "His voice sounded groggy and

hoarse.

"Should I narrate you a story?" I smiled.

"Yes."

"What? I was joking."

"I am not. Come on can't you this much for the person you

claim to love."

Was he taking advantage of my feelings?

Probably yes.

"I'll try. Don't laugh."

I heard him hum.

"Once there was a dragon." I began.

"I am sorry to interrupt but what's with you and a dragon.

This past week you've mentioned dragon a lot." I heard him

laugh lightly.

"I like it and please don't interrupt. Close your mouth and

eyes." I smiled.

I heard him hum again.

"So, there was a dragon who rescued the people of Maryland.

But the people didn't know him."

"Dragons are supposed to be the annihilators not saviors,

sweetheart."

I ignored the goosebumps that rose on my skin upon hearing

his last word.

"Oh, can you stop calling me that. And what did I tell you

about interrupting me?" I snapped.

"Oh please. Admit it that your skin has goosebumps when I

call you that." he whispered.

How did he know?

"I am going back to sleep." I threatened.

"No, please stay. I'll behave." I heard him chuckle and then

cough.

"So, there was a little boy who was trying to sleep at night and

he saw the dragon passing by the window."

"Wait. Is this story from the medieval period or..."

"I am hanging up."

"Okay. Okay. Wait. I'll behave."

I stifled a laugh at his desperateness.

"So, the little boy saw him and he thought he was a Dragon

the annihilator."

"It's Annihilator. You pronounced it wrong." came his hoarse

voice.

"Annihilator." I repeated after him.

"Wait. What did I tell you about interrupting me?"

"I... You pronounced it wrong. I was correcting you not

interrupting." he defended himself.

"For our friendship's sake stop it. I am hanging up."

"Romi. Wait." he whispered softly.

"Do you know what I thought of you when we first met?"

"No." I held my hand up and checked my nails. It was a pink

ombre nail art that I had done myself. Nail art was my stress

reliever.

"That you were a nervous wreck."

"I expected you to say that. I kind of lost my sanity when I saw

you." I laughed lightly.

"Didn't you expect something beautiful?"

"Like you thinking of me as a beautiful fair lady who made

your heart flutter. Nope. I am over the fact that you don't like

me and the fact that I have pimple freckles for most of the day

of the year." I laughed lightly.

"It's not like that..."

"Can I ask you something Azaan?" I cut him off.

"Are you going to ask me to marry you?" he laughed lightly.

"That I will. But I wanted to invite you to my home. It's

Daniyal's birthday."

"I am pretty sure he wouldn't be happy if I come and also, I

don't think I could come with all the constant coughing and

occasional needs for nebulizers."

"I... Never mind." I yawned and closed my eyes.

"Go to sleep, Romi."

I think I sensed him smile.

"No, the dragon." I whispered.

"Yeah, the dragon is asleep." he whispered softly.

I dozed off after that.

I was so scared. So nervous. Today he was undergoing an

ultrasound and a CT scan. A part of me didn't want him to

know what was awaiting him. That would increase his

negativity a lot. Today we would find out if his

Parapneumonic effusion was serious or not. If I wasn't able to

wipe out his negativity earlier, how could I do it now? Besides

he had even refused to meet a therapist.

I walked inside his ward. He was awake and his whole family

was present including Asmara.

"Hi." I smiled at everyone and looked at him. He smiled sadly

at me.

I sat down as his family was engaged in a little conversation. I

was nervously fidgeting my hands.

"We all don't have to worry about you, Azaan. You are in safe

hands."

I looked up and everyone looked at me.

Were they talking about me?

I looked back at Azaan. He was gazing at me intently.

"Look at how she's looking at him." Zainab giggled.

I immediately looked away.

Awkward and embarrassing much.

"It's time, Sir." George entered the ward.

I smiled at Azaan and we all got up.

I saw it all. I saw how Malik and his dad helped him to it on

the wheelchair and how Sarah looked like she was going to

have a breakdown any moment. I briefly observed his face. He

didn't want this, his face held so much negativity and sadness.

"Can I go in?" I asked George when he entered the room.

"Yeah. Just make sure to give him proper instructions despite

your nervousness." I heard seriousness in her tone.

"Here the ball. You can squeeze it and talk to us via an

intercom." I handed him the ball and glanced at the CT. A

month ago, I had been here numerous times but today was

different. I didn't want him to go inside. But I couldn't show

him my negativity.

"Are you scared?" I asked him when he didn't say anything.

"I know what awaits me." he replied grimly.

I sighed deeply.

"Azaan."

"Please don't say things like that. I am right here, baby." I

smiled sadly and leaned down to peck his forehead like I

always did these days.

He closed his eyes. I pecked his forehead lightly and leaned

backward. I glanced at his face and then George called me

outside.

"Romi, sit down. Will you?" George sighed exasperatedly; I

stopped pacing the room.

"Okay, the scan is done. You can take him to the Ultrasound

room." she flicked her fingers.

After the tests we escorted him back to his ward.

"You'll see how the tests will turn out to be good and you can

come back home, brother." Sarah chirped.

I adjusted his blanket and smiled at him widely. He smiled

back.

"Let him rest." I announced and everyone left the ward.

"You'll see how everything will turn out good." I kept my hand

on his.

"If it doesn't?" he smiled sadly.

"If it does?"

"If it does then?" he raised his eyebrow.

"Then we'll get married." I giggled.

He laughed with me.

"I am serious." I blinked when I saw amusement in his eyes.

"How serious are you?"

"Serious as a funeral."

I rested my head on his chest. He encircled an arm around

me.

I smiled.

Did he develop some sort of feelings for me?

At least a fraction of mine.

Probably yes.

"What kind of wedding do you want?" I looked up at him.

"Romi..." he closed his eyes tiredly.

"Come on. I am sure you have a vague idea of it in your mind."

He was silent for a few minutes.

"I want a dimly lit hall. A small one." he began.

"It should have a round staircase with candles or fairy lights

around it. Few tables across the hall each with a bouquet of

Peonies, blush pink to be precise. We can decorate the hall

with Peonies too."

His eyes were closed. His skin was flushed. I cupped his

cheek.

"Is that your favorite flower?"

"Yeah." he smiled.

"And?"

"And a few people around me. I don't want a huge crowd."

"We can have Lemon Garlic chicken also mashed potatoes for

the wedding feast." I suggested.

"Yeah." he smiled again.

"We could have a red velvet chocolate cake too."

"Yeah, but dark chocolate. Otherwise, it would be too sweet."

"Yeah." he frowned.

"What else do you want?"

"I want slow dances not flashy ones." he was frowning.

I rubbed my palm across his chin and eased the frown with

my fingers.

"We can play some soft music. And, we..."

"I know right. I hate the flashy and noisy weddings. I want a

quiet one. We could just sit and engage in quiet

conversations."

He kept saying we.

Could it be possible?

"What would you wear?" I traced his eyebrow.

"What would you wear?"

"I don't know."

"Same." he smiled.

"I think you would really look good in an all-black tuxedo."

"Really?" he raised his eyebrow.

"Yeah."

"And, I think you would really look good in a blush pink gown

and Peonies in your hair."

"Oh, dear lord. I am not putting Peonies in my hair." I

laughed, and his chest vibrated with laughter and coughs too.

"I think you should sleep." I muttered when he didn't say

anything.

He hummed.

"Azaan."

He hummed again.

"Do you know what we just did?" I looked up at him.

He didn't say anything.

"We just planned our wedding."

He didn't say anything.

I got up and adjusted his blanket.

Planting a kiss on his forehead and I walked out.

Maybe he would never know but I would do. Maybe he would

never understand but I would do. I think I loved him a little

too much.

I wore my coat and walked out of the hospital. It was so cold

today. I hugged myself.

Is it really possible?

Could it be that he has feelings for me?

Will we ever get married?

Like the way we just planned.

I hope we do.