A taste to remember

Chapter thirteen

Ahmad pov

I lay there, my eyes closed, yet acutely aware of the conversation unfolding around me. Fara and Munira spoke in hushed tones, their words laced with concern.

"What did the doctor say? When will he wake up?" Munira asked, her voice trembling.

I sensed her worry, even without seeing her face. They spoke for a while, and then she left, citing some urgent matter.

Suddenly, Farah came back burst into the room. "Ahmed, open your eyes! She's gone, you can get up now," Farah exclaimed.

I sat up, my gaze fixed on the window, avoiding her eyes. "For how long will you keep up this charade?" Farah asked, her voice firm but fueled with empathy. "Munira needs to know you're awake. We've been awake for a week and three days now."

She added, "This emotional manipulation isn't fair to her."

I took a deep breath, my head against the wall, unsure of how to face Munira or where to begin. "After all I've put her through," I whispered.

Farah corrected me, "After all you've put us through."

She continued, "Ahmed, this game ends now. Munira comes every day, worried and distraught. It's not fair to her."

She moved her chair closer to my bed. "You must stop this. You should have considered the consequences before acting out the way you did."

I realized I had good friends, but I didn't know how to reach out to them. Despite my past actions, they hadn't mentioned it, brought it up, or treated me differently. Instead, they had tried to comfort me and bring a smile to my face.

But I feared facing Munira after the hurtful words I spoke that day. My brother's arrival brought me back to reality.

Did he even notice when he came in.

We both greeted him politely and Fara h vacated the room leaving us to have a private conversation with my brother. We spoke for almost an hour, and at first, it seemed like he had a plan to address my situation.

As I conversed with my niece over the phone, she asked, "When are you coming over?"

I replied, "Soon."

After speaking with her mother, we ended the call. My brother, who had been observing our interaction, rose from his seat and said, "Let me give your new friend some space. I've noticed they've been lingering outside your room." He added, "I'll be back," before exiting the room.

My brother had taken charge of my life, making decisions on my behalf. I didn't resent him for it; I had missed my opportunity, and now he was trying to help me recover and i appreciate his efforts.

My friends, Farah, Zaid, Yesmin and Khalid, regaled me with stories and jokes. As the evening wore on, they began to depart, leaving only Yasmin and me. We decided to visit the hospital garden, a serene oasis in the center of the hospital. The garden was encased in glass walls, allowing us to observe the doctors and patients inside. The glass ceiling revealed the starry sky above. We sat on a wooden bench facing a small pond and a gentle waterfall. The atmosphere was tranquil, with the soothing sounds of crickets, dripping water, and the scent of fresh plants and flowers.

The silence between us was broken when Yasmin asked, "Why are you so quiet?"

I replied, "I'm simply enjoying the breeze."

She took a deep breath, then exhaled, adjusting her position. "Do you remember some years back when I was hospitalized for a month after ingesting a whole bottle of cough syrup?" she asked, her voice consumed with a hint of nostalgia.

"Yes, you were 11. I recall it vividly. After school, we all visited you, exploring the entire hospital, including the nurses' station. It was a memorable experience."

Yasmin paused, her expression introspective. "Actually, that wasn't a mistake."

Her words struck me, and I turned to gaze at her face, wondering what could have driven her to take such drastic action at such a young age.

"I was overwhelmed by anxiety and felt lost, contemplating escape as my only option. But in hindsight, it seems irrational, considering my youth. Most people would wonder what drove me to that point, but life had its reasons, and we both ended up on the same path for different reasons."

She paused and continued"I understand what you went through, Ahmed. You were searching for a way out, trying to hide from your problems and everyone else. But I've learned that running away from your problems is futile. They'll still be there, no matter how far you go. The best approach is to confront them head-on, face your fears, and address your pain. Remember, no matter how long it lasts, it will never be forever. After every hardship comes ease."

She fell silent for a moment, and I realized I had no idea she had endured so much. I had many questions but didn't know where to start. "How did you recover from all that?" I asked.

She smiled and nodded. "After my hospital discharge, I returned to my old life. Initially, I wanted to make excuses to change schools, but then I thought, What if I face them instead? I decided to confront them for the first time, defended myself, and even broke one of their noses. This time, I wasn't scared of them. I started working out, built confidence, and engaged in public speaking activities. I read extensively and tried to excel in various subjects. I built a strong reputation, and people had no choice but to respect me. Prayer was the most significant factor in my recovery. I believe every human has a purpose, and God tests those He loves. Take all that has happened to you as a test, and have patience. It will all come and go someday, like it never happened. It will be nothing but a story you use to inspire others. Everything will fall into place; just have faith and be patient."

"Thank you," I said, deeply moved by her words. "You've perfectly captured how I feel now. I'm blessed to have a friend like you."

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As I savored the delectable dish, I realized it was the most flavorful and spicy food I had tasted since arriving at the hospital. Farah's culinary skills had surpassed my expectations, and I indulged in the delightful combination of dried fish and chicken.

Munching slow eating pace annoyed me, and I exclaimed, "Please, hurry up! How can someone eat so slowly?"

Just then, a charismatic figure entered the room, exuding confidence and sophistication. His expensive suit, tie, and designer watch made a statement, and the scent of his designer perfume filled the air. "Good morning, sir," we all said, following the usual routine.

I was taken aback, unable to believe my eyes. It was my father, standing in the hospital room. He complimented the food, and Farah offered him a seat. They both left the room, leaving me speechless.

As we resumed eating, my father said, "Let's enjoy our meal before it gets cold." He relished the food, reminiscing about the last time he had tasted something similar, when my mother was alive.

I lost my appetite, feeling uneasy about eating with my father after all these years. Our brother had arranged this unexpected visit, and I was curious about the reason behind it.

"Good morning Dad" I greeted again, finally managing to put my food down. My father smiled, encouraging me to eat up. After we finished, he helped me clear the table and arranged everything neatly.

We fell silent again, and I decided to break the silence by asking a question that had been on my mind. "How did you know I was here? How did you find out?"

He looked at me, then shook his head. "You may not have been in touch with me, but I have been in touch with you. Your brother called and told me everything."

I was astonished. Why would our brother inform him about me?

He continued, "I know I haven't been the best father, but I have been asking about you. I know your mother's death affected you deeply, and I'm sorry for my past mistakes. I hurt your mother, and I regret it with all my heart." His voice was filled with remorse, and he lowered his head in shame.

I handed him a tissue as I sought forgiveness for my longstanding anger towards him.

He nodded, and I could see the emotions welling up inside him. "I was so angry at you," I admitted, "but that didn't change the fact that I loved you deeply."

There were moments when I tried to erase him from my life, but seeing him with his new wife made me think he had forgotten about us and moved on. It was a poignant, emotional moment for both of us.

"What you don't know," I began, "is that before mom passed away, she never stopped praying for you. She always tried to see the good in you, and I remember the day she told me she had forgiven you. It made me so angry that she was so compassionate towards you."

He took a deep breath without saying a word.

We spoke for a while, catching up on the little we could. He revealed that he wasn't with his wife anymore, having left her after discovering she was deceiving him. I should have felt happy, but I didn't.

"It's not all good," he continued said, trying to process his emotions. "I never stopped loving you, i supported your education and accommodation without your knowledge. I argue big mommy to keep it a secret".

I just found out that both my brother and sister were in touch with him all those years. I guess I was the only one holding a grudge.