Ali awoke to the sun streaming through the window. The familiar sounds and smells were comforting to her. She could hear Basel in the kitchen area and could smell a wonderful aroma wafting through the house.
Ali turned so that she could watch Ardeth sleep. He seemed to be sleeping easier. She tentatively reached out and pushed back a strand of hair from his face, then softly caressed his cheek with the back of her hand.
She was rewarded with Ardeth's eyelids fluttering. "Ali?" he whispered so softly that for a moment she thought that she had imagined it.
Ali sat up on her cot and scooted closer to Ardeth. "Yes, Ardeth I'm here" she said as took his hand in hers.
For just a moment Ardeth opened his eyes and Ali could see the pain in them. She assumed it was the physical pain of his injury, but it was not.
"So sorry" he whispered as he closed his eyes.
"Shhh, Ardeth. Rest now. We can talk later" she said as she wiped his face with a damp cloth.
"No" he said as he mustered all the energy in his body and raised his hand to touch her bruised face. "I'm so sorry, Ali. This is all my fault."
Ali could see what a toll Ardeth's excursion had taken on him. "There's no reason to be sorry. It's no one's fault, except Hudson's. Now please rest. You have to get your strength back."
"You'll stay?" he said as he drifted back into unconsciousness.
"Always" Ali whispered.
Basel walked into the room and touched Ali's shoulder.
"Basel" Ali said excitedly. "He was awake, but just for a moment."
"Thank Allah!" Basel said as she sat down on the cot with Ali and placed a bowl on the floor beside her. Looking back at Ali she said "I know he is strong but I think knowing you are here will help."
Ali blushed "What were you cooking? It smells wonderful." she said trying to change the subject.
Basel smiled and leaned over to pick up the bowl. "I have made you some stew. I thought it might do you some good to get some food in your stomach."
Ali leaned over and smelled the wonderful aroma. "Thank you. I'm starved".
"Well then eat, my child. Then you should rest. You need to regain your strength too."
Ali just nodded as she ate the fragrant stew. As she finished she set her bowl down and yawned. "I guess I'm sleepier than I thought."
"Rest child, I will watch over my grandson" Basel said as she helped Ali climb under the covers "and you too."
Basel watched as Ali drifted off. What she had not told her was that she had added special herbs to Ali's stew. Herbs that would help her sleep. For Basel was worried about Ali. She had been through so much, emotionally and physically and yet she was only worried about taking care of Ardeth.
The noise of bustling and worried voices awoke Ali. She opened her eyes to see Hasnew and Basel beside her. Hasnew was leaning over Ardeth. Basel was holding a basin on water. Ali could see the fear in her eyes.
"I can not stop the bleeding. I do not know what else to try" Hasnew said as he worked to compress Ardeth's wound. "If I do not get it stopped soon....it will be too late"
Ali sat up in bed "NO!" she screamed as she fell to Ardeth's side. "Please Ardeth, don't die! Please" she sobbed.
Basel took her by the shoulders and pulled her back a little "Child, let Hasnew work. He is doing all he can" she said as she cradled Ali to her.
"Basel he can't die. I have to tell him I love him."
"He knows that child...."
Basel was interrupted by Hasnew "I'm sorry Basel, Ali I did all I could do"
"NO!!!!!!!!!" Ali screamed.
"Ali, Ali wake up dear. You're just having a nightmare. Please child wake up"
Ali's eyes flew open. Basel was sitting beside her. She frantically looked around the room.
"Oh Basel. It...it ....." Ali couldn't finish because her tears started to flow.
"It is alright child. Tell me" Basel said as she stroked Ali's hair.
Through her tears Ali whispered "It was awful. Ardeth was bleeding again and.....and Hasnew couldn't stop it. He tried to but he couldn't....."
"Shhhh, it is alright. Ardeth is strong. He knows you are here. He will pull through." Basel helped Ali sit up then pulled her into a hug.
Ali nodded but she could not stop her tears. Her dream had upset her greatly. Ardeth had to get better.
"Kalila?"
Ali pulled away from Basel and turned toward Ardeth "Oh Ardeth, I'm here. I'm here"
In a very shaky voice Ardeth whispered "What is wrong, habibi?"
Ali took Ardeth's hands in hers "I'm sorry I did not mean to disturb you......" Ali's emotions took over as she again could not speak. Still holding Ardeth's hand Ali looked away.
Basel scooted next to her. Brushing the long strands of hair from her Grandson's face she softly spoke "Thank Allah grandson. I was terribly worried. Ali is upset because she had a nightmare. That is all"
Again taking his time to speak Ardeth asked "about what?"
"It is of no concern, grandson. She is fine now rest."
"No, WHAT upset you so, habibi?"
Finally Ali spoke "I dreamed that......Hasnew couldn't......that you......that Hasnew couldn't save you". As she finished she again broke out into sobs. Basel hugged her tightly.
Ardeth took all his strength and lightly squeezed Ali's hand. "Habibi look at me"
Ali looked down into Ardeth's caramel eyes. Slowly he spoke "I am here. I will survive this."
Ali just shook her head "But this is all my fault"
Ardeth could not believe his ears "Why do you say that?"
"Because of me Hudson tried to kill you."
Looking away from Ali Ardeth spoke "If I had not sent you away he would have never found you again."
"But you almost lost your life saving me Ardeth. You saved me, again."
Ardeth looked back at Ali's battered and bruised face "He hurt you." It was more a statement that a question
"Yes" Ali almost whispered as she nodded her head.
Basel standing up interrupted them "I will leave you two. You have much to talk about. I am glad you are awake Grandson. Allah has answered our prays."
With that she leaned over and kissed Ardeth then made her way out of the room.
Ardeth looked at Ali and could see the pain in her eyes "Tell me kalila. Tell me what that monster did to you."