Afnan, since she woke up, has been terrified and scared, something only those who see it can understand. Mommy, sitting beside her, kept reciting prayers, but Afnan couldn't calm down. She kept panicking and saying, "Oh my God, Yaya Areef, there she is! She is going to kill me, Yaya! There's Aunt Fadeela, she's going to kill me! It's over, Yaya, she will rip my heart out. Yaya, help me, she is going to kill me!" Hot, burning tears started to fill Mommy's eyes. She looked at her daughter with pity, knowing that Allah had tested Afnan with something that only a person of great faith could endure. 

"May Allah protect my child wherever she is. Oh Allah, don't burden her with something she can't bear. Oh Allah, protect her from the evil of people and jinn," she prayed. Her sobs grew stronger, even with snot running from her nose. She felt a hand on her shoulder from behind and turned around in fright to see who it was. It was Areef standing there. He placed his hand on her face, wiping her tears, shaking his head, and said, "Mommy, please don't cry. If you cry, we will start crying too. Please, don't cry. Insha'Allah, Afnan will recover and be like any other woman."

"I will stop, but not now. Can't you see her condition? How can I hold back my tears?" she asked. "What about the doctor? Did you reach him on the phone?"

Areef sighed and replied, "Mommy, I spoke to the doctor who said that finding that specialist is difficult. I've been calling, and the phone rings, but no one answers. I've also sent messages, but still no response. I won't stop trying and calling until he understands that Afnan urgently needs his help."

"Alright, Areef. May Allah bless you. Let me go and talk to your father. You stay here with her; she has been panicking since earlier."

"Okay, Mommy, see you later."

Areef sat on the chair next to Afnan. As he sat, he watched her with pity. He took her hand and held it. She slowly turned towards him, looking at him with tear-filled eyes, just as he was looking at her. He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling like he might start crying if he kept looking at her. He then opened his eyes, forced a smile, and said, "Get well soon, little sister."

Without responding, she asked him, "Yaya, don't you want to see me?"

"What do you mean, Afnan?"

"I saw you close your eyes. Are you also starting to avoid me?"

"No, Afnan, I could never. I am here with you till the end."

"Yaya, please forgive me."

"Forgive you for what, Afnan?"

"Yaya, I didn't call Aunt Fadeela. You told me not to follow her. It's not my fault, Yaya. Please don't be angry with me. You're the only one who understands me, and the only one who loves me the most. Please, Yaya, forgive me," she said, breaking into tears.

"Kshh, oh God, Afnan. I will never be angry with you. You haven't done anything wrong. So, please stop worrying, okay little sister?"

She nodded and then managed to force a smile. "Yaya, please hug me," she said.

Areef's eyes widened in surprise. "Afnan, you are in the hospital. Did you forget? This isn't home."

"Yes, Yaya. I just want to feel close to you. Please, Yaya."

Seeing her pleading face, knowing he couldn't bear to see her upset, he stood up, walked over to her, and helped her sit up. Then he sat on the bed, holding her close, gently patting her back until she began to fall asleep. After about 20 minutes, once he was sure she was deeply asleep, he gently laid her back down, making sure she was comfortable. He recited a prayer over her, kissed her forehead, and then quietly left the room.

He headed straight to the doctor's office. When he arrived, he knocked, and the doctor granted him permission to enter. After greeting each other, Areef said, "Doctor, the number you gave me goes through, but no one answers. I've also sent messages, but no reply. Can you give me the number of your friend in Faris, please, doctor, don't say no."

The doctor paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and said, "A.R., getting that doctor is very difficult. My advice to you is to be patient and give up. It would be easier for you to let it go rather than risk your life trying to save this girl."

"Hmm, you won't understand, doctor. This girl is like my life. I want to save her from this situation. You don't know, maybe through this, Allah will grant us all Jannah. My only wish is for you to give me the number."

"Alright then," the doctor said, taking out his phone and giving Areef the number of his friend, Alhaji Ilu, who lives in Faris. Areef thanked him, got up, and left the office. He went back to Afnan's room. She was still asleep, so he found a place to sit and called the number. It rang several times without being answered. On the fourth attempt, someone finally picked up. Areef sighed in relief and said, "Hello..."