Khatija, a robust 19-year-old, had just finished her studies and found a good job. Thanks to her health and her parents’ devoted effort in raising her, she could work long hours at work and at home, earning the envy of her peers. Her life flowed peacefully, but unexpected events can arise.
One day, Khatija suddenly fell ill. After a long period of tests, she discovered she needed a kidney transplant. Her parents searched for a compatible donor, knowing family often had the best chance. Many volunteered, understanding that life was possible with one kidney.
The doctors assured her that her youth would aid in her recovery, stating that she had a one-in-ten chance of survival. Yet none of the family’s kidneys matched. While many people led healthy lives after receiving donations, finding a donor was not always simple. Despite the odds, Khatija held on to hope, knowing that somewhere a donor might exist. The search continued.
Unexpectedly, hope arrived from far away. A young man named Abid decided to visit his home country and noticed an appeal in the newspaper for a kidney donor. Driven by instinct or sympathy, perhaps even telepathy, he felt compelled to respond. This chance encounter with Khatija’s urgent need created a powerful pull, intertwining their fates. The trip allowed him not just to return home but to help a stranger whose life depended on his decision.
“I have not been home in ages; I have even forgotten what it looks like,” he told a friend. “Better late than never.” He had also heard that a black market for selling kidneys existed in his home country, and he wanted to do something about it.
While waiting at the hospital, the young man’s thoughts wandered to his father’s final days spent there. The memories of his father’s care during his illness filled him with both sadness and comfort.
“Do not let me down, young one. I can’t take any bad news, especially where you are concerned.”
“Cheer up, Dad. I’ve almost recovered. I’ve had a hearty meal and a stroll down the road.”
Many incidents reflected his father’s love for him, leaving Abid deeply grateful. No one could have loved their son more, he thought. Abid, adopted as a child, owed everything—his position, respect, and an endless list of favours—to his father.
The Doctor nudged him to gain his attention. He had been so lost in his thoughts. He took him to a room and interviewed him before conducting tests. Then Khatija’s particulars were given to him. His mouth opened wide in amazement. Khatija was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Moiz Khan. His long-held dream of reconnecting with his family was now within reach. Mrs Moiz Khan was his biological sister, who had left their family after marrying a man their father disapproved of. Their father, devastated by her departure, had adopted Abid as his son to fill the void. Abid realised that the girl who needed a kidney was his niece, Khatija.
His sister’s daughter, Khatija, needed a kidney transplant, and Abid was the only compatible donor. There was no going back, he assured himself. Even his father would have softened had he seen his granddaughter’s difficulty. Difficult times had made friends out of former family members, and this was his niece. The long years of separation seemed to have faded, as if a chance for their reunion had presented itself. But how could he hide his identity? He asked the Doctor to inform Khatija’s parents that the kidney donor was a deceased man, without disclosing that he was their sister’s adopted brother and Khatija’s uncle.
The operation was a success, and Khatija’s parents rejoiced at their daughter’s recovery. Abid, following his plan, kept his involvement a secret to avoid causing distress while Khatija regained her strength.
Abid recovered quickly at home, grateful for the chance to repay his adopted father’s kindness.
At the airport, Abid noticed Khatija in line ahead. Moved by a sense of fate, he greeted her. Their connection felt predestined, and he resolved to rebuild their family bond.
