The mother, who had two miscarriages before Saud was born, was glad that Hadia wasn't the jealous type. She believed that Hadia's longing for a sibling was the reason behind that. She used to encourage that in Hadia by delegating some of the small responsibilities to her, such as shaking the milk bottle or taping the pampers on.
During Eid nights, Hadia and Saud used to run to Hadia's room as soon as they got back home. They'd close the door and start counting their 3eediya. Being the elder one, Hadia naturally used to get more than Saud. As soon as she'd see the confused look on his face after calculating the money, she'd run to her 7a9ala, open it, turn it upside down until every single coin was on the floor. She'd then collect all the coins and give them to Saud, who without saying a word would take the coins and leave the room.
As the years passed by, Saud would always turn to Hadia when he needed support and comfort. When he was 17 years old, he lost his best friend in a Jet-ski accident. It was Hadia who provided him with all the strength that he needed to get back on his feet. Their father, who was a very famous and successful lawyer in Bahrain, was trying to force Saud to get into Law school in order to carry on with the family business. But Hadia, who had her ways with her father, convinced him that Saud would be better off studying Business. Saud made his way through Business School and graduated from The University of Westminster in UK with a BA in Business Studies.
When Saud and Marwan met, they immediately clicked! They both were ardent Liverpool supporters! They soon formed a couple who'd tease and argue with Mr. Foad continuously, as he was a Chelsea supporter. It was one of Hadia's best moments to see her husband, brother and father watching a game together especially when Liverpool were playing against Chelsea. They'd gather infront of the TV and their screams of joy or disappointment would echo in every corner of the house. Hadia would get them a tray full of seed packets and small transparent cups with red tea in it. Sometimes she'd also get them popcorn and small bottles of Pepsi. She'd then get her book, sit on the rocking chair in the hall way and listen to the cheering of her three most loved men in this world.
During the past year, when the whole family was busy with Hadia getting married, Hadia noticed a change is Saud's behavior. At first she thought that it was about her getting married and leaving the country. But after noticing his unusual absences and the long hours he spent on the phone, she was sure that love was in the air. "Her name is Dana, and I have a strong feeling that she's the one" he said when he finally opened up to Hadia about it.
~~
It was a long drive from Bahrain Airport to BDF hospital. What made it longer, in addition to the crazy traffic, was Hadia's quiet and subdued reaction. Since Farida told her the news she barely spoke a word. Her face was pale, her breathing was heavy. Farida was expecting her to breakdown any second, but she didn't. She managed to hold herself together until they reached the hospital.
As soon as Farida parked the car, Hadia opened the door and hurriedly walked to the entrance of the hospital. Farida followed her and tried to keep up with her fast steps, she asked her to slow down several times, but Hadia wouldn't listen.
The waiting room of the ICU was now few steps away. Blurry familiar faces started to appear, everything that surrounded Hadia; chairs, patients, nurses, white walls, wall hangings, was now turning around in wide, dazzlingly fast colorful circles. Suddenly, everything went black!
The first thing that Hadia saw when she opened her eyes was a blurry close up of her mother in law's face. She was holding her hand and whispering some verses of Quran. She gave Hadia a warm smile: "Don't worry my daughter. Everything is going to be alright".
It took Hadia few seconds to realize where she was and what had happened. She tried to get up but Um Marwan stopped her. "You have to rest." She said "Your blood pressure is low. You've had a long flight and you must be exhausted". Hadia dropped her heavy head on the pillow: "Where is mama?" she asked in a very weak tone. "She'll be here soon" said Um Marwan.
Everything went black again.
Behind the walls of that room, Hadia's mum was having a nervous breakdown. When the doctor announced that Saud was in a coma, she collapsed. She's been surviving on sedatives since then. Today, she was gathering all her strength from the thought that Hadia was coming back. She saw Hadia approaching, she saw her falling on the ground and everybody ran to the rescue, but she couldn't move. Her legs got paralyzed, her blood froze.
~~
Three identical days passed. Hadia and her parents would be in the waiting room all day. From time to time, one of them would get covered from head to toe in a plasticky green gown and go inside the ICU to see Saud. Hadia tried talking to him few times or holding his hand, hoping for a small reaction from him, but there was no response.
Immediate family, relatives and family friends would take shifts around the day to be there for them. Aunt Noora, Hadia's eldest aunt, would send a thermos of milk tea and some snacks to the hospital every morning. Her daily visit was around 4:00 in the afternoon. She was the closest sister to Um Saud and a big source of strength for her. Her excellent social skills would save her sister by taking care of the endless repetitive questions that visitors would ask. She was a typical Bahraini woman, short, chubby and white. She'd wear a jalabiya under her Bahraini abaya and hijab. Her presence was always a relief for everyone.
Dana got the chance to mingle with the family since Hadia arrived. But of course not as Saud's girlfriend, but as a friend of Hadia. It wasn't about the culture not accepting unofficial relationships as much as it was to avoid the pain it would cause to meet Saud's girl. Especially to his mother who was always looking around for a perfect girl for him. Hadia used to help Dana in sneaking into Saud's room by distracting the family while she's inside and covering for her sudden absence. She believed that Saud needed her near him and that her presence could bring what they all wished for.
Mr. Foad, besides trying to hold togther the broken pieces of his family's hearts, was the man behind the scenes. He'd take care of the hospital's requirements, try reaching for hospitals and doctors abroad, managing their nearly deserted house, run his business, make sure that his wife and daughter were well taken care of, and be in a standby position for whatever fate was bringing next.
The three of them would go home every night after long stressful days looking for some peaceful sleep. Mr. Foad would lay down in bed with his thoughts that would keep waking him up every other hour. Um Saud would spend most of the night with her tears on the sajjada, praying for her son to get back to what he once was. Hadia would be speaking up about her fears and worries with Farida, who slept over the past few nights. "Can I sleep now? I have work tomorrow!" Farida would say after closing each topic they discuss. Hadia would be quiet for few minutes, and then "but what if…" she'd ask again.
~~
Hadia was having breakfast in the kitchen all by herself when a familiar kid came in running. "Mubaaaaaarek!" Hadia screamed after recognizing him. She took him in her arms and hugged him tightly.
Maram walked in: "I know how much you adore him, I thought he could be useful"
Hadia stood up and hugged her: "So good to see you".
Maram: "How are you? How is the family coping?"
Hadia: "Walla not so well, mama is losing her senses." She turned her head to Mubarek and smiled, trying to get away from that topic.
Maram: "Inshalla it will all get better in no time".
Hadia: "7abeeby the little munchkin grew up! Come here" she pulled him.
Mubarek was mumbling some words to Hadia.
Hadia: "What?"
Maram: "He saw the bunnies in your garden and he went mad"
Hadia: "You want to see the bunnies? Come on let's go out"
Maram: "Finish your breakfast first. I'm very sorry to have come this early. I just wanted to bring Mubarek to see you before you left to the hospital"
Hadia stood up carrying Mubarek: "No worries. I had my coffee and it's the only thing that matters"
They both walked out of the kitchen using the other door that led directly to the garden.
Hadia: "How are the other three?"
Maram: "They are driving me crazy! I'm sure that Gossip Girl told you that I'm expecting"
Hadia: "Of course she did" they both laughed "Mabrook by the way"
Maram: "Thanks. 3oqbalech. When are you planning?"
Hadia: "Honestly speaking, we still didn't get the chance to decide. Everything happened so fast."
Mubarek saw the bunnies, jumped off Hadia's arms and ran to the cage.
Hadia: "He looks nothing like you. He's a mini Khalid"
Maram: "As much as I hate to admit it, he does. He's a photocopy of his father"
Hadia laughed: "How's he? Happy about getting a fifth child?"
Maram: "He's over the moon. He doesn't get pregnant for 9 months and he doesn't take 24/7 care of four children, of course he's happy!"
Hadia's phone rang: Dana calling.
Hadia: "Hey Dana."
Dana: "HADIA. YOU HAVE TO COME TO THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW"
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