The night was shattered by the wail of sirens. Red and blue lights flashed against the cold pavement as Ahmad lay unconscious on the stretcher, his face pale and streaked with blood. Hyunwoo's hands trembled as he clutched Ahmad's wrist, refusing to let go even as the paramedics tried to pull him back.
"Please—don't leave him!" Hyunwoo cried in broken Urdu and English, his voice cracking under the weight of fear.
One of the medics gave him a firm look. "We need space. Stay close, but let us do our job."
Hyunwoo stumbled inside the ambulance anyway, pressing himself against the metal wall as they worked feverishly over Ahmad. His mind screamed, Not him. Not now. Not when we've only just begun.
The ambulance sped through the sleeping streets, and Hyunwoo's chest heaved as he whispered prayer after prayer, words Ahmad had taught him. "Ya Allah… please save him… please…" His hands shook as he tried to wipe Ahmad's blood from his own palms, but it smeared deeper, a cruel reminder of reality.
---
Hospital Chaos
The emergency doors burst open, and Ahmad was rushed in. Hyunwoo tried to follow but was stopped by a nurse.
"You can't go inside yet. Please wait here."
"I can't leave him! He needs me!" Hyunwoo's voice was frantic, his golden hair disheveled, eyes red with tears.
"You'll see him soon," the nurse assured gently, before the doors closed on him.
The hallway suddenly felt suffocating. Hyunwoo sank into a chair, burying his face in his hands. Every sound of beeping machines from inside made his heart pound faster. He wanted to scream, but instead, memories poured into him like waves.
---
Flashback: Terrace Nights
He saw Ahmad's smile under the moonlight, the way he had leaned back against the railing, pointing out constellations.
"See that one?" Ahmad had said, his finger tracing the stars. "It's like a bridge in the sky. Maybe one day we'll cross it together."
Hyunwoo had laughed, teasing him. "You're so dramatic, Ahmad." But secretly, he loved every word.
That night, Ahmad had brushed dust off Hyunwoo's shoulder, an absent-minded gesture, yet it had felt more intimate than a thousand kisses.
The memory stung now. That warmth, that smile—it couldn't end like this.
---
Back in the Present
The doors finally opened, and a doctor stepped out, removing his gloves. Hyunwoo jumped up.
"How is he? Tell me—please!"
The doctor sighed. "He lost a lot of blood, but he's alive. We've stabilized him for now, but his condition is critical. The next 24 hours are very important."
Hyunwoo's knees buckled in relief and fear all at once. Alive. Still here. But fragile.
"Can I see him?"
The doctor nodded. "Only for a short while."
Hyunwoo walked inside, his heart hammering. The sight broke him—Ahmad lay hooked up to machines, his face pale, lips cracked, bandages wrapped around his chest and arm. Yet even in that fragile state, he was Ahmad. His Ahmad.
Hyunwoo sank into the chair by his bedside, grabbing his cold hand. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, you hear me?"
A weak sound escaped Ahmad's throat. His eyelids fluttered, and for a brief moment, his brown eyes met Hyunwoo's.
"Hyun… woo…" Ahmad whispered, barely audible.
Hyunwoo pressed his forehead to Ahmad's hand, tears streaming freely. "Don't talk. Just rest. I'll stay. I'll pray. I'll do everything. Just—don't leave me."
---
Imam's Visit
Hours passed. At dawn, Hyunwoo hadn't moved an inch. His eyes were swollen, but he refused to sleep. Then, a calm voice spoke behind him.
"Son."
Hyunwoo turned to see the Imam entering quietly. The elderly man's face carried deep lines of wisdom and kindness.
"I heard about the accident," the Imam said, placing a hand on Hyunwoo's shoulder. "How is he?"
Hyunwoo swallowed hard. "They said… the next 24 hours. I don't know what to do. I just—" His voice broke. "I just can't lose him."
The Imam's gaze softened. "Allah tests those He loves most. Do not despair. Pray. Be patient. And remember—life and death are in His hands, not ours."
Hyunwoo nodded, gripping Ahmad's hand tighter. For the first time, he whispered aloud in Arabic, the words shaky but sincere: "Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal wakeel… Allah is enough for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs."
The Imam's eyes glistened. "Your heart is learning what Ahmad always wished for you—to find strength in faith."
---
Ahmad's Whisper
Night fell again. Machines beeped steadily, and Hyunwoo refused to leave. He hummed softly, an old Korean lullaby, hoping Ahmad could hear him.
Then, Ahmad's fingers twitched. Hyunwoo gasped, leaning forward. "Ahmad?"
The boy's lips moved slowly. "Don't… cry…"
Hyunwoo shook his head furiously, tears falling. "How can I not cry? You scared me half to death."
A faint smile curved Ahmad's lips, though pain etched his face. "Because… Allah listens… even to your tears."
Hyunwoo's heart shattered. He leaned close, pressing his forehead to Ahmad's. "Then let Him listen—let Him know I'll never leave you. Not in this life, not in the next."
---
Ending Scene
By morning, Ahmad's condition was still fragile, but stable. Hyunwoo hadn't left his side once. Nurses whispered about the Korean boy who sat all night praying and holding the patient's hand.
When sunlight finally streamed into the room, Ahmad opened his eyes fully, whispering with effort, "Hyunwoo… you stayed."
Hyunwoo let out a broken laugh, brushing tears away. "Of course I did, babo. Where else would I go?"
He kissed the back of Ahmad's hand gently, a vow etched in that fragile moment.
And though the road ahead was uncertain, both knew one truth: love and faith had bound them too tightly to be undone—even by death's shadow...