Taabindagi (Sequel Of Sharar)

Chapter 24 is up on stck

•••

The sun was beginning to rise, its golden light peeking through the hospital blinds, but inside, the world remained frozen in uncertainty. The air was thick with the sterile scent of antiseptic.

Inside the ICU, masked doctors hovered over Shahnan’s still form. The steady beeping of the monitors was the only sign that life had not abandoned him. The accident had left a deep impact. Multiple fractures, internal injuries, and endless hours of surgery that had pushed the limits of hope.

Outside, the waiting area bore witness to an anguish words could never encapsulate. Every face was drawn with exhaustion, every pair of eyes heavy with sleeplessness and unshed tears. Yet, not one person allowed themselves to rest. They sat, waiting, hearts clenched in dread for any update that might arrive.

The silence was punctured by the rhythmic sound of Ehan’s footsteps. His arrival drew no reaction from anyone except Kian, who lifted his weary gaze.

“Eifa kaisi hai?” Kian asked in a hushed voice as Ehan stopped beside him.

(How's Eifa?)

Ehan gave a silent nod. Eifa had suffered a nervous breakdown. They had admitted her too. She would wake up, only to slip into unconsciousness again. She had just regained consciousness before the medication lulled her into another restless slumber.

Kian sighed and returned to his aunt. She was no longer crying, but her tear-stained blue eyes carried the weight of every sob she had swallowed.

•••

Back at Khan Haveli, Kaif's house was filled with family members who couldn’t go to the hospital, yet not a single soul had found sleep that night. The tension was suffocating, the air thick with anxious anticipation.

The moment Ayla, Kian, and Eifa entered, all eyes turned to them.

“Ayla, kaisa hai ab Shahnan?” Rubab asked urgently, voicing the question that hovered on everyone’s lips. Shyra rushed to her daughter, alarmed by the sickly pallor on her face. She gently cupped Eifa’s cheeks, her touch warm. “Theek ho?” she whispered.

(Ayla, how is Shahnan now?)

(Are you okay?)

Eifa merely nodded and allowed herself to be led to a seat. She was weak, her body betraying the turmoil within.

“Surgery successful hui, ICU mein observation ke liye rakha gaya hai.” Ayla informed them as she settled down. “Lekin, abhi kuch ghante kafi crucial hai, bas hosh ajaye Shahnan ko dua kariye.” She reached out, grasping her mother's hands tightly.

(The surgery was successful, he’s in the ICU under observation.)

(But the next few hours are crucial. Pray that Shahnan wakes up.)

Rubab’s eyes filled with tears. “Achha bhala toh tha woh, pata nahi kaise kab car leke nikla, aur yeh musibat agayi.” Her voice cracked, and her words struck Eifa like a dagger to the chest. He had left because of her. Because of her words. Because of the slap. This was all her fault.

(He was perfectly fine… I don’t know when or why he took the car and got into this accident.)

“Allah kare theek ho jaye woh,” Rukhsar murmured.

(May Allah grant him recovery,)

"Ayat Hanan ka ek hi toh beta hai, ussey kuch ho gaya toh woh log kaise rahenge.” Rehnuma added. The mere thought sent shivers through the room.