Ammi lifted her eyes to the ring; immediately, when she looked, the red replaced the white. Tears began to well up and spill from her eyes. She pulled them away from her body before they could fall and, with a forceful effort, rushed into the room, closed the door, and started crying loudly.

Every time the ring was mentioned, or anything related to it came up, she would get anxious and distressed, and it would take a long time before she could calm down and return to her usual self.

Today, as she had gotten upset and rushed into the room crying, she said,

“Oh my God, my sister, I swear I will never forget you. Please forgive me, my life is meaningless if I cannot be with you. May God reunite me with my parents, even if only in a dream.”

Ammi spoke with intense, heart-wrenching sobs.

Leeya, trying to soothe her, helped her up, and together they went outside to inform their father of what was happening. Aleena held her hand, crying, and said,

“Please, don’t be angry with me. I swear I didn’t mean to forget, and I really thought she would stop crying if the ring was mentioned. Please, take me with you to apologize.”

Aleena burst into tears again, and Leeya also started crying. She tried to restrain herself but could not. Just then, Abbi entered the house, asking about the cause of their crying. Leeya was able to speak first, quickly explaining what had happened.

Abbi’s body trembled as he reached the bedroom door. Seeing the state of Ammi at the door, he gathered all his strength and slammed the door open. It fell to the floor, and everyone rushed in. They were stunned, frozen in place, at the sight of Ammi, as if some unseen pain had struck her.

“Innalillahi wa'inna ilaihirraji'un! Faheema!! Faheema!!! Faheema!!!”

He called her name loudly, before telling Leeya to go outside and get transportation to take her to the hospital.

Leeya, almost paralyzed with fear, could barely move. She only cried silently, unable to speak. Abbi, with unusual severity, scolded them — something he had never done before. Not just Leeya, but Aleena, who wasn’t directly involved, was also frightened by his voice.

As Leeya ran to help Ammi, she met a taxi driver who had just dropped off a passenger. Wrapping her face with her usual scarf, she ran to him, holding her hand up to indicate their house. The driver immediately sensed something was wrong and guided them quickly to the taxi. They reached the hospital, ECOCO, without delay.

At the hospital, Ammi was taken into a room. Hospitals, as some know, often show little sympathy, and patients may not be admitted immediately. She was placed on the floor, given a drip, and they waited for a senior doctor.

Dr. Tauqir called Abbi into his office:

“Hamraz Awais, is that you?”

“Yes, doctor.”

“Your wife is deeply troubled by something she cannot remove from her mind. From the beginning, I warned you to be careful about what might upset her. This condition requires attention, and I know she has been exposed to something that is troubling her.”

Abbi, after a short pause, lifted his eyes — all red and tear-stained — and said,

“Yes, doctor. She has been troubled by something. It surely has to do with my sister’s ring, which is why she became so ill in the past at this hospital. I wasn’t home when I heard the children crying, and when I arrived, I found her in that state.”

Dr. Tauqir thought carefully before replying:

“I have a recommendation which, if followed, could either completely resolve the problem or at least significantly reduce it. Without intervention, this condition may threaten her life. Her mind is unable to process or release her anxiety, which is why her illness persists.”

He explained that separating her from the ring — without her awareness — could provide relief. Abbi was hesitant, fearing it might distress her further, but the doctor assured him that this was the safest approach.

Leeya and Aleena were still crying near Ammi, who herself lay silently, her eyes closed, shedding tears. Abbi prepared to follow the doctor’s instructions, praying for her recovery.

The nurse removed the ring and handed it to Abbi without explanation. Abbi, however, was less concerned with the ring itself than with ensuring his wife’s wellbeing. Leeya carefully took the ring and secured it in her hair, tying it so it could not fall or be noticed.

When Abbi returned, Ammi had opened her eyes slightly. He helped her sit up, asking,

“How do you feel, Faheema?”

"I feel better," she replied weakly, barely forming words.

With Abbi’s support, she slowly regained composure. Aleena and Leeya stayed close, still emotional, while the doctor oversaw the procedures.

Later, Ammi spoke with difficulty, asking Hamraz for a favor: to help reconcile with her parents, to take care of Leeya, and to ensure Aleena remained safe and hidden until the right time. Her voice, though weak, carried deep urgency and emotion.

Even after this, Abbi’s mind was heavy with worry. He prayed silently, contemplating life without his wife. Dr. Tauqir carefully removed the ring, ensuring Ammi would not be aware, to help her fully recover.

As Ammi gradually stabilized, the narrative shifts to Leeya’s perspective: she notices the care provided, the support from neighbors, and the ongoing concern of the adults around her. She becomes aware that the house she is in is not their own but that of Mama Hujra. The tension remains, particularly with Mama Hujra’s husband, Adam, who challenges their presence. Leeya explains the fragility of the children, the losses they have endured, and pleads for understanding and patience.