Young Writers Society

"We leave tomorrow morning!"

Informed my dad, after we were done packing the few things we would need to move to a totally new country. We were all going to Dubai, Karachi was just not a place to live at any more. All the bombings the political unrest, every day was like a countdown till there was no man living. Who would want to live here? I was glad we made this decision.

My mother came in the living room with milk and said;

"Why don't you go get some rest, I will wake you guys up at seven."

My brother and I went to our rooms and got ready for bed. That night something happened, something so horrific it really left an impact.

My mother was having a neck pain. so we took her to the hospital. It was supposed to be a normal check-up. When my mom got there the doctor did some tests and told her to take some pain killers;

"As of now take some pain killers, if the pain doesn't go away come see me, i might have to do some other tests."

That night she took the pain killers with a glass of milk, and went off to bed hoping everything would be fine in the morning. The next morning, the pain seemed to get worse. She had to go to the doctor and then the doctor asked a few questions;

"Do you suffer with sinus congestion?"

"Yes doctor, but i think that’s just the nasal distortion. Why is it something serious?"

"Well, ammm."

He paused for a while and the news we got after that was devastating;

"I am so sorry to tell you this, but there might be slight chances of throat cancer. We would like you to take some tests, that’s the only way we could be positive of your condition and start with the cure."

We were left speechless, no one was able to believe it. It was my dad who broke the ice;

"But doctor it cant be. I am sure its just a neck strain and nothing else."

"Mr.Shabbir try to understand, the tests are important. You might as well be right. but we need to be certain."

"But Doc-"

My mother cut him off;

"What tests will I have to take?"

"We will do a needle biopsy, after that we will decide whether to do surgery or use radiation"

That ride home was the longest ever. Every one was quiet no one knew how to react. After a long time i was on the prayer mat;

"She is a good lady Allah Mian (God), you cant take her, not so soon!"

I couldn't understand what was going on. Everyone was in a trance no one was talking to each other. That dinner was the most memorable one yet. I remember seeing myself on my mom’s lap later that night. I couldn’t accept what ever was to come.

“Everything will be fine Beta (Son).” She said with expecting eyes.

The next morning was supposed to be her diagnostic day but when I got up every one was back in their daily routine. No one was doing anything. I called my dad and didn’t pick up. Left me a text message saying he was busy in work. Wasn’t my mother’s health important. How can my brother go out with friends and my dad go to work like nothing was wrong. I went to my room and crashed on the bed.

“No!” I gave a scream.

The next thing I knew was I woke up from this nightmare, with the following words on my lips;

“I cannot leave her to die!”