The Nanny

Chapter Fifteen

"Anisa, it's your sister Amal. I am here now." I said and squeezed her hand slightly scared to hurt her even though I know she can't sense my touch. "Please wake up. I need you. I need my sister more than ever. I miss you so much." I held her hand, and didn't let go. Praying. Praying for her to wake up. I looked at her and watched as a tear streamed down her pale face. I wiped it away and kissed her hand knowing that she's fighting to wake up, doing her very best. Because my sister is a fighter.

I walked out the room, and head to the cafeteria. I came to the hospital, straight from the airport. Not only am I jet legged, I am exhausted and famished. I got to the cafeteria, got myself a tuna sandwich and an apple juice. I sat alone, eating. Trying not to reply back the moments with Jamal, the moments he lied to my face and me naively believing him. This was my escape from it all. Visiting my sister, the one person who hasn't betrayed me or hurt me. I couldn't stay in London all alone in a hotel eating the snacks from the fridge. Indulging my sadness, and drowning in my own thoughts that weren't at all productive or bright. I had to escape.

"Amal?" I look up to see Naveed's puzzled face. Naveed in an old friend, well actually Imad's friend. They used to be in the same school, and he would come over at our home frequently. They were pretty close, until a dispute that happened years ago that seemed to pierced their friendship. But we stayed in touch. Until we didn't.

"What are you doing here?" I asked surprised, unintentionally ignoring the white coat he's wearing and the stethoscope around his neck. I chuckled momentarily, once I realized he probably works in the hospital. He smiled, and looked at me.

"I work here Mal," He replied, telling me the obvious, with a hint of satire to his tone. Naveed removed his hand from his white coat pockets and pulled out a chair. "Mind if I join you?" He asked before he sat.

"Sure." I limply smiled. "You, Imad and my sister are the only people who call me Mal."

"I remember the day we assigned you that nickname."

"You do?" I asked, sounding rather surprised.

"Of course. I have a good memory. How do you think I became a doctor."

"Yes sure." I said and chuckled.

"You are here to see Anisa." He stated.

"Yes still asleep." I replied, breaking away from my gaze.

"I am sure she will wake up soon," He said. I looked back at him, happy to hear words of hope.

"Naveed I am sorry for not staying in touch..."

"No no Mal. I don't need any explanation from you. You're here now, and I am here now. Please don't hesitate to ask me for anything." He cut me off and spoke sincerely.

"Thank you." I told him.

"I'll see you around Mal. Duty calls." He stood up and paced towards the exit. He still has the British accent.

When I got back to the room, Aunty Hudaa was sitting besides Anisa and reading out loud the Quran for her. When she saw me, she stood up to hug and greet me. "You should have told me you were coming." She said.

"I didn't want to trouble you aunty," I told her.

"Don't speak like that. You're family Amal, not a stranger." She glances at my suitcase. "You'll be staying with me. No more hotel room service. You need a home cooked meal."

"It's really fine."

"Hmm. If you stay with me, I'll tell you stories about your mother that you probably never knew about." She's bargains well.