Between two brothers

Chapter 2 love in the dark

Amina didn’t just receive love from David. She returned it.Fully.Intentionally.Without holding back. If David noticed the little things about her, Amina made sure he felt seen, too. Have you eaten? She would ask him now. Don’t worry about me, he’d reply.

I will worry, she’d say firmly. You’re not allowed to be taking care of me and forgetting yourself

She started doing small things, packing food for him during his exams, and sending him long messages before his papers. You’ve got this. I believe in you. Don’t stress too much, okay? Sometimes she would even sit quietly while he read, so that he wouldn’t feel alone. You’re distracting me, he teased once. I’m literally not talking, she replied. You’re still distracting me.

She smiled. Good.

It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t dramatic. But it was real.

One evening, after a long day, Amina found herself in David’s apartment. I’m too tired to go back to the hostel, she said, dropping her bag. Then don’t, David replied. You can sleep here. She hesitated for a moment. Then nodded.

That night felt peaceful.Quiet.Safe.They talked for a while, laughed about random things, and before long, Amina fell asleep.

She didn’t know what time it was when she woke up. But something was wrong. Very wrong.

David? she called softly.

No response.

She sat up quickly. And then she heard it. Struggling for breath.Sharp. Uneven. Painful.

Her heart dropped. David? She rushed to him. He was gasping, holding his chest, and fighting to breathe. Asthma, he managed to whisper. Where is your inhaler? she asked frantically.

He pointed weakly. But when she searched, it wasn’t there.

Where is it?! David, where is it! Her voice broke as panic took over. She searched everywhere. The table.The bag.The floor. She found Nothing. Tears filled her eyes.

Amina didn’t just receive love from David. She returned it.Fully.Intentionally.Without holding back. If David noticed the little things about her, Amina made sure he felt seen, too. Have you eaten? She would ask him now. Don’t worry about me, he’d reply.

I will worry, she’d say firmly. You’re not allowed to be taking care of me and forgetting yourself

She started doing small things, packing food for him during his exams, and sending him long messages before his papers. You’ve got this. I believe in you. Don’t stress too much, okay? Sometimes she would even sit quietly while he read, so that he wouldn’t feel alone. You’re distracting me, he teased once. I’m literally not talking, she replied. You’re still distracting me.

She smiled. Good.

It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t dramatic. But it was real.

One evening, after a long day, Amina found herself in David’s apartment. I’m too tired to go back to the hostel, she said, dropping her bag. Then don’t, David replied. You can sleep here. She hesitated for a moment. Then nodded.

That night felt peaceful.Quiet.Safe.They talked for a while, laughed about random things, and before long, Amina fell asleep.

She didn’t know what time it was when she woke up. But something was wrong. Very wrong.

David? she called softly.

No response.

She sat up quickly. And then she heard it. Struggling for breath.Sharp. Uneven. Painful.

Her heart dropped. David? She rushed to him. He was gasping, holding his chest, and fighting to breathe. Asthma, he managed to whisper. Where is your inhaler? she asked frantically.

He pointed weakly. But when she searched, it wasn’t there.

Where is it? David, where is it? Her voice broke as panic took over. She searched everywhere. The table.The bag.The floor. She found Nothing. Tears filled her eyes.

No, no, no, no, she whispered, shaking. David’s breathing was getting worse.Faster.Weaker.I’m here, she said, her hands trembling as she held him. You’re going to be fine, okay? You’re going to be fine, but she didn’t even believe her own words.

She stood up suddenly. I’ll get help. Without thinking twice, Amina ran out into the night. Barely aware of what she was wearing.Barely aware of anything.

The streets were quiet. Too quiet. She looked around desperately. No car, please she muttered, tears streaming down her face. Then suddenly

Hey, a rough voice called. froze.

A group of guys stood not too far away. Watching her and smiling in a way that made her stomach turn. Where are you running to this night? one of them said, stepping closer. Amina’s heart pounded. I I need help she said, her voice shaking. Another one laughed. We can help you now. They started moving closer. Fear gripped her. But then she rememberedDavid.Struggling to breathe.

Waiting for her.

I don’t have time for this she said, her voice suddenly stronger. She pushed past them and ran. Ignoring their voices behind her and ignoring the fear.

And then Headlights.A car. Please she screamed, running into the road. Please stop. The car slowed. Then stopped. Help me, she cried. “Please, he can’t breathe Moments later, Amina was back in the car with David, holding him tightly as they sped toward the hospital.

It’s okay, she whispered over and over. I’m here, I’m here

At the hospital, everything became a blur.Doctors.Nurses.Urgency: They rushed him in immediately.

And Amina? She stayed. Sitting outside. Hands shaking. Eyes swollen with tears.Praying silently.Hours passed.

But she didn’t move. She couldn’t. Because in that moment, she realized something she couldn’t ignore anymore.

This wasn’t just love. This was the fear of losing David. And that kind of love? It changes everything.