Lost

Chapter 30: Suspicions

Post your reactions as you read. I really look forward to your comments ;)

Asim watched his mother miserably. Distraught, she was barely able to stand on her feet as she talked to her husband on the phone. Uncle Dawood had finally let him know about Salma's accident, though he kept it from him that she was in a coma. Asim's mother was totally beside herself when her daughter was brought back to her, frail, quiet and immobile. She just stayed by her side, crying and pleading with Salma to wake up. She refused to eat, rest or do anything otherwise. This was the first time she had left Salma's room for something other than prayers in the past twenty four hours.

Asim was glad Anne and William were around to help. He had no idea how he would have dealt with his mother after he brought Salma back knocked out and at the verge of death. The previous day was one of the most horrible days of his life.

Asim found out about Salma's coma when Zayn threw a tantrum on their way back. He was terrified for his sister but Alex reassured him that Salma was fine and that Zayn was horribly misinformed. Being extremely foolish, he believed her. However, once they climbed all the way to the road and settled in the helicopter, sense started returning to the younger boy. As he watched the paramedics tend to Salma, Asim had realized his error. Her condition was fragile and because of his stupidity, she had lost a lot of time that she could not afford to lose.

Asim jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder, pulling him out of his thoughts. Turning away from Anne, Asim quickly wiped his eyes.

"Son," she said softly, "You need to go home and get some sleep." 

"I'm fine, Anne." He attempted a smile. "Don't worry about me."

"You've had it rough since yesterday," she said. "You need to rest. Take a break for tonight."

"I can't go," Asim said, swallowing the lump in his throat, "Anne, I won't be able to rest. I -"

"Your mum is here, and so am I," she squeezed his shoulder reassuringly, "We'll let you know if something happens. I would have asked your mum to leave with you but I know she needs to be here with Salma for now. You've been the only one to get some sort of a response out of her. But you have to be strong if you want to pull her out of it. You need take care of yourself. Get some rest, please?"

Asim knew Anne was right, but he had left his sister behind far too many times and regretted it. His eyes strayed to Salma's room. William was leaning beside it, arms crossed over his chest and staring hard at the floor. Like everyone else, he looked pale and tired.

Could he risk leaving Salma behind again?

"Don't worry," Anne said softly, "You can trust us to take care of your sister."

Asim looked away from William, not quite able to meet Anne's gaze. He knew how horrible she must have felt to see him doubting her son. Heat started creeping up his neck and he felt ashamed of himself.

"I'm sorry, Anne. It's -"

"Perfectly alright," she cut him, surprising him with an understanding smile, "You're being a brother, Asim. I would do the same if I were in your shoes. To be honest, I don't trust Will not to try and sneak in, either. He does miss his partner in crime, you know."

Asim was not sure if he should smile or feel annoyed at the last comment about William.

***

Getting out of the bathroom,  Asim finally checked his phone. There were close to fifty miscalls and texts, mostly from Dean, James and . . . Niall?