Chapter 3 Adah

Adah

The moment she said she can help me, I wanted to run to her and hugged her in gratitude but knowing her identity, I was skeptical, thinking why she would want to help me? I immediately didn't turn around and was biting my lower lip, contemplating whether I should accept her help. On receiving no response from me, Nilo approached me and placed her hand over my shoulder.

"How much do you need?"

I couldn't raise my head and look into her eyes; here I was indirectly insulting her by not graciously accepting her help instead kept mum. When she was about to walk away, I whispered, "Hundred....one hundred thousand."

I saw her staring at nothing in particular, deep in thoughts. Maybe she got offended by my silence, or perhaps she was playing a prank with me. But her silence dissipated my hope of getting money for my dad's treatment; however, she spoke again.

"I don't have that much, but I know someone who can help you." She replied. I was annoyed at her reply; if she didn't have the money, why did she ask how much I wanted and ignited my hope?

"Thank you, but I think I will arrange from someone else," saying that I walked away from her. I know what I did was rude, but it was necessary. To some extent, I can trust her, but how can I trust the person she wants me to meet?

When I attempted to walk again, she held my hand and said, "I know what you are thinking? I would think the same if I was at your place."

My place? I abruptly face her with a questioning look as she seems to understand my unspoken question, "Do you think I started doing it for fun?" "No," she laughed, and I wanted to slap myself for acting mean to her.

"I am sorry," was all that I could say to her.

"It was when my mother was diagnosed with cancer I started doing the job," she said, gesturing the word job flexing her index fingers.

"Unfortunately, she lost the battle, but I still had to take care of my siblings," she replied with a sigh.

"What about your father?" The moment I asked her, her face fell, and I never felt the need to hit myself more than I felt at that time.

"I.." I started to say, but Nilo completed, "am sorry."

"Nobody spoke to me about my family as I never had a friend to share my problems. I don't know where my father is. He left us, and God knows whether he is alive or not."

"Not everyone is lucky to have a father," Nilo replied, but I saw her eyes start to moist.

"Yes," I agreed in a low voice.

"Take my card, and if you decide to take my help, you can call me," I was surprised when she pushed her card in my hand and walked away. When I was about to turn towards the hospital entrance, I saw her getting in a luxurious car.

"At least she didn't leave because I hurt her," I shook my head and went inside. I already decided I will never call her; something inside me told me not to contact her, and I am sure it had nothing to do with her job.

When I met my mom, she gave me her warm smile, but her eyes were twinkling with unshed tears.

"How's Dad doing?" I asked even though I know the answer.

"He is fine. The doctor said he is out of danger," even if I didn't hear her phone call, I know she was lying. Mom never makes eye contact whenever she lies, something which I inherited from her.

"I made breakfast. You might be hungry; you have been busy since last night to care for food," the moment I gave the tiffin box to her, my mom genuinely smiled this time.

Since Dad was in ICU, we were not allowed to enter the ward. However, I peered inside when a nurse went inside. The tears that I was holding so far spilled out, and I placed a hand over my mouth. I walked back, and when my back hit the wall, I slouched on the floor, feeling helpless. My body was shaking as I cried harder, feeling scared and sad at the same time. It was only when my mom hugged me I nuzzled my head into her chest and said, "I am scared, Mom. I can't see Dad in pain."

"You have to be strong Adah, your dad never liked to see you cry. And he will be fine soon. Tomorrow morning they will take him for an operation, and then he will be back," Mom was rubbing my back to console me even though she was afraid. Her rapid heartbeat and trembling hands were enough for me to know. I nodded into her chest and then raised my head.

"I know he will be fine," saying that Mom and I stood up.

"Can you stay here? If they ask anything, call me," I know where Mom was going, but according to her, I didn't know. After giving a longing glance to my Dad through the glass panel on the door, Mom left: without eating.

Without caring for the passersby, I sat on the floor and leaned my head towards the wall. After what felt like hours, Jawad came, and he looked tense. I immediately realized something was up, and from the way he was avoiding looking at me, I was sure it had to do with the money.

"Jawad," I called him to get his attention.

"What is it?" to which came his quick reply, "Nothing."

"Where is Mom?" when I asked, I was met with silence.

"Jawad," the fear in my voice made him punch the nearby wall in frustration.

"She was duped," my heart started pounding in my chest; I refused to accept what that would mean.

"She trusted an employee of the pawnshop and went along with him; however, he hit Mom and ran away with the jewelry."

"She....she was bleeding, yet all she cared about was us," Jawad broke down and was clutching his head in his palms.

"Argh! I am so useless. I can't even help her," he cried like a kid.

By now, I was breathing heavily and had to lean on the wall to support myself. At least with the Mom's jewelry, there was still hope, but with it, that hope was also gone. The only option left for me was to call Nilo. I will be lying if I say I didn't know what would happen once I asked her for help but was there any other option? No.

I pushed myself away from the wall and scoot toward Jawad, who was sitting on the floor, helpless.

"Stay here," this was all I could say at that moment. My throat was clogged, and I felt a heavy burden on my chest. I wanted to run to Dad and, like always, ask him to solve the problems. But this time, it was my turn to solve the problem, a situation that was indirectly created because of me.

Jawad raised his head suddenly, "Where are you going?" He asked, and I know Mom might have asked him to take care of me.

"I promised I will save Dad, right?" This caught his attention, and he immediately wiped his face looking expectantly at me.

"You can?" he asked with a half-smile.

"Yes. Be here and don't tell Mom," I replied, and he frowns at the mention of hiding from Mom. I never hide anything from my parents, which was the first time I did, and it didn't settle well with him.

"I might be late, and if I tell Mom, she will be worried about me and will not take care of her injury," I told the partial truth and hid the fact that I was going to sell myself for a night to get money for Dad's treatment.

When he was convinced, he let me go and reminded me to be careful on the way. What an irony!

As I stepped out of the hospital, I called Nilo; however, she didn't answer the call.

"Please answer the phone," I was holding the phone in a tight grip. To my fear, the call went to her voice mail. I again called and got the same response. My hands trembled, thinking, what if Nilo didn't answer the call? I was still lost in desperation when my phone rang, and a wave of relief washed over my face when I saw it was Nilo's call.

I answered the call in haste, "Hello," my throat was already dry with the strain.

"Who is this?" was her reply, and it was then I noticed she was panting.

"Adah," I replied and had to fist the hem of my dress, realizing what she was busy with, and soon I would also be in her place.

"Adah, did you decide?" By now, her breathing was normal, and I could hear a rustling sound in the background.

"Yes, I want to meet your friend," I gulped down the heavy lump.

"I will send you the address. Dont worry, I will also come with you." Sometimes, a small assurance matters a lot. The fear of meeting a stranger lessened a bit when she assured me she will join me. At least someone I know will be with me instead of going alone.