Soul asylum (part 12)

“Aargh!!!” shouted Sharifah bolting up. Something wet and cold was on her face. Panicked she pulled it away. She stared at the thing, disoriented. It was a small wet towel. Sharifah looked around her. She was in a room, with a stack of mattress laying in one corner and a long study table in front of her. She could feel her clothes wet and sticking to her.  Even the mattress beneath her was wet. Where was she? Where was Rafiq?

She was startled by a presence at the door.

 

            “Your awake!” screamed a hysterical Sofia and flung her arms around Shairfah. Sharifah gave a weak smile.

 

            “Who long have I been asleep?” she asked in pure Malay.

            “ Three hours the longest three  hours ever. You were delirious ma... Talking and sleep walking. Wanted to call 999 tadi,” said Sofia kneeling beside her. Sharifah tried to get up and fell back down. Her legs were still weak.

 

            “ Ha, be careful , tengah demam nak pergi mana,” said Sofia feeling her forehead. It was even warm. Sofia moved her hand to Sharifah’s cheeks and then under her chin. She felt beneath her chin.

 

            “Peliknye… your fevers gone,” said Sofia with a frown. Three hours ago her friend was blazing hot and now she was normal. Not even a single temperature. Sharifah tried to get up again. She had to go see Rafiq. She had to go see wether he was ok. Slowly she got up and started towards her the bathroom.

 

            “Jom gi hospital, I need to see Rafiq,” said Sharifah to the still confused Sofia.

 

            “Rafiq? Michael and Aida ada sama dia. He had another a seizure. Their monitoring him,” said Sofia. Sharifah stopped midway to the bathroom.

 

            “Micheal?” asked Sharifah, when was he called so informally?

 

            “You tak ingat? What happened at the clinic and that he sent us back here,” said Sofia.

 

Sharifah looked confused and shook her head.

 

            “Fill me in on the way to the hospital,” she said and turned back towards the bathroom.

 

            Half an hour later the two girls were in the bus towards Kuala Lumpur. Sofia told her what had happened when they went to the clinic, her talk with Michael and while she was sick. In returned Sharifah told her what had happened in her dreams.

Sofia took it really well, she didn’t make fun of her instead she was excited. This would confirmed her theory. Sharifah didn’t say anything and looked at the orange color surrounding the sky as the sun was setting and night emerging.

 

It was dark when they reached the hospital. There wasn’t anybody outside the ICU. Sharifah’s heart was pounding. Normally Aida’s family would be waiting outside the room, waiting anxiously. There was no one. Sharifah felt  scared, for herself and also for Rafiq. Had she failed?

            Sofia saw her anxiety and put a hand on her arm.

 

            “Relaks, it’s just 7.00. Visitors are not aloud inside the ICU so I think they have all gone home.” Sharifah shrugged. The two of them sat on the bench facing the ICU door hoping that either the nurse or even Michael would come out.

 

 

 

They sat there for almost an hour. It was the longest hour that she felt. Both Sofia and Sharifah had fallen a sleep. Sharifah woke up when she felt a hand shaking her. Sharifah opened one eye and saw that it was Aida.

 

            “Hey,” said Sharifah shortly. Aida smiled at her. Was she forgiven?

            “Hi, what are young doing here?” she asked.

            “I heard Rafiq had a seizure so thought of checking up on him”

            “He’s not in the ICU, they moved him.” Sharifah looked at her surprised. Wasn’t he in a critical condition. Why move him? Sofia stirred beside her and woke up. Lazily she smiled at Aida.

 

            “Come on, I’ll take you to him,” said Aida helping Shairfah up. Sharifah looked at her friend trying to search her eyes, wanting to say the words ‘I’m sorry’ and to be forgiven. Aida smiled back at her friend and squeezed her arm gently as if to say that everything between them was okay.

 

            “Are you ok?” asked Aida worriedly. Sharifah just nodded. Aida took them into  a ward full of patients. Aida walk.ed on passing each row of beds until she stopped at the end.

There was a lot of people surrounding the bed, talking excitedly. Shairfah saw Aida’s mother and father. There was some that Sharifah didn’t recognized. All of them looking towards the bed. Aida pulled Sharifah nearer to the bed. The people there parted and gave way for them to walk through. There sitting up straight with a pillow prompt at his back was……..Rafiq, alive, awake…a bit pale but he looked healthy.

 

            Sofia had held back when Aida pulled Shairfah near the bed but she saw Rafiq clearly. Her mouth dropped.

 

            “Exciting isn’t it,” said a voice behind her. Sofia turned and saw Michael standing right behind her, smiling happily.

 

 

            “When did he wake up?” asked Sofia

 

            “Almost two hours ago. Suddenly he bolted up like he’s been electrocuted or something,” said Micahel . “It’s a miracle no signs of brain damage and yet he had three seizures.”

 

            “Yeah  miracle,” said Sofia thoughtfully. She watched as Sharifah approached Rafiq and her gazed dropped at Aida. She looked so happy, there was no sign of jealousy seeing Sharifah near Rafiq.

 

Sharifah walked cautiously towards Rafiq. He was eyeing her even when he was talking to Anita at the other side of his bed. She reached his side and smiled. He smiled back, a bit confused. He looked like he was trying to remember her.

            “Sharifah, my friend,” whispered Aida behind her.  Rafiq nodded and smiled but Sharifah noticed something……something else in his eyes. Was it recognition? Did he remember what had happened? But it was gone and he looked and smiled warmly at Aida behind her. Sharifah’s heart dropped…. He didn’t remember…Sharifah walked away from the crowed and went to Sofia and Michael. Sofia saw her downcast face and put an arm around her shoulder.

            “You know, I could use  an ABC now. Who wants to follow? My treat,  I’m still off today,” said Michael looking at the two girls.

 

            “I’m in,” said Sofia cheerfully. “Teh tarik for Sharifah. She just recovered from a fever” she added cheekily.

 

            “ Tak achi,” said Sharifah punching playfully at her friend.

 

The three of them went to the ICU entrance, the automatic door opened and as they walked out, the door closed behind them……………