Dared Home

Chapter 3

(Adams POV)

The hospital waiting room was unreal, stuck somewhere between time and exhaustion. The fluorescent bulbs buzzed quietly, bathing all they touched with an unforgiving, colorless light.

Every second stretched endlessly. The faint sound of families layered in the background with a constant mechanical whirring from an old ceiling fan.

The room stank of antiseptic and stale air.

There was something stronger than fear here. Even the chairs, cushioned as they were, felt awkward. They offered little solace or comfort, only a stinging reminder that everyone here was waiting for news that could alter everything.

Behind the swinging doors, strangers waged a battle to keep Mina’s sister alive. She was helpless, her fingers entwined in her lap, heart racing out of control, her thoughts tumbling over one another as she repeated the same prayer silently.

Adams sat on a few seats away.

Moments later, in that murky, anxious place, he made an odd fit: too at peace and certain with himself. His dark suit was tidy; he sat up straight even after the long waiting hours.

Adams was one of those people who could fill silence without stressing. Though, he seemed to belong in a boardroom, not this shabby and overcrowded hospital.

Yet, he hadn’t left. He was still there, calm and silent—a presence that helped keep Mina in one piece even more than she’d known.

When the door was released, the creak of it cleaved the tension in the room. Dr. Sadiq entered, his face drawn but still professional. Before he said a word, Mina’s heart was already racing. She was already up, preparing for it.

“How is she?” Her voice was noticeably shaky, as if breaking.

The doctor pushed up his glasses and gave a weary but comforting smile. “She went through surgery all right and successful. For the moment she’s stable. That’s the good news. She is a fighter.”

The relief flooded through Mina, and her knees buckled, only to freeze again when he paused.

“But,” his tone softened, and his voice grew sinister, “the scans revealed more than we anticipated. There is a congenital heart condition—mitral valve prolapse. Maybe she never knew.

The stress of the crash aggravated it. She’ll require treatment—drugs, constant monitoring, even surgery at some point. If she continues to adhere to the regimen of care, she stands every chance of living a long, healthy life. But without it...”

He never got to finish. It was not for him to.

Mina swallowed hard, her world spinning. Adams moved closer, gently escorted her back to her seat, and her hands were shaking. “Breathe,” he said softly, calm and low. “Just breathe, Mina.”

His hand closed around hers—warm, firm, and real.

He said in a hushed voice, “She’ll be fine.” “You need to rest.”

Her gaze followed as tears blurred her eyes. His face was serious, and his eyes were fixed.

“I‘ll take care of it." He said simply.

She blinked, confused. “What do you mean? Haven't you tried all of it?”

He reframed with finality in his voice. "The drugs, the surgery, whatever it takes. Even if she has to go overseas. Don’t worry about the money. I will take good care of everything.”

Mina just stared at him, unable to speak. A whole new person—someone who had entered her existence from nowhere—was now extending her hand in a transaction she couldn’t begin to fathom.

“Why?” she whispered, too afraid to raise her voice. “Why would you say that? You don’t know me nor my sister.”

He went silent for a long moment; he didn’t answer. With that, he leaned forward, speaking in a raw and almost broken voice.

“Because I’ve been in your situation.” He spoke kindly. “I know what it’s like to lose someone when you are in a position to stop it—but can't.”

The emotion in his voice took her by surprise. His placid mask briefly slipped away to reveal a glimpse of sadness that had been his constant shadow from the years that followed.

“I won’t let that happen again.” He gently finished in a whisper. “If I can prevent it, I won't.”

Mina couldn’t speak. Her heart was in her throat, and she felt as if she might collapse from gratitude and disbelief. She cried again, but this time, her tears carried a delicate sort of hope.

“Thank you." She whispered, but the words felt too small for what she had just experienced.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You don’t have to thank me. Be grateful to God for everything.”

Dr. Sadiq cleared his throat from across the room. “Adams,” he said, his voice changing, “do you know what you’re signing up for? This is not going to be cheap. We are talking about some thousands of dollars, especially if the treatment is to be taken abroad or for any professional treatment. This can take months, even years.”

“I know.” Adams said without hesitation. “I’m ready for it.”

The physician observed him for a long moment before nodding. “Very well, I will get her reports and contact my connections overseas if needed."

As he left, the room seemed to become quiet again; the sound of the hospital never ceased.

Mina wiped her tears, her face white but resolute.

She said quietly, “I’ll find a way to pay you back. I don’t know how yet, but I will.”

Leaning back, he exhaled softly. “You owe me nothing, Mina.” Just hold on — to hope and faith, may they be your best friend, and that could be enough,” Adams said in a joking tone.

She sort of smiled out of that.

Their eyes connected more, and for a moment nothing else existed – not the flickering lights, not the whispers, not the scent of antiseptic. It was just the two of them, united in a realization that neither of them had anticipated.

Then the door exploded and opened. A nurse came hurrying in, a little out of breath. “Family of Ibrahim?” She said.

Mina sprang to her feet. “Yes, that’s me! What happened?”

The nurse smiled. “She’s awake—and looking for you.”

Mina’s breath left her lungs all at once. She put her hand over her mouth, her mind relaxing from terror into relief. She took the nurse’s lead without hesitation as they headed toward the ICU.

Adams watched them as they head in, a tightness settling in his chest. The stakes were no longer just about her sister. It was about Mina.

As Mina got inside the ICU and turned her face backward, trying to figure out if Adams was behind her, she found out he wasn't there, which got her more tense wondering what happened.