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Nobody could've predicted that it would hit Alhaitham early. Especially Kaveh, who didn't take the news very well.
It all happened so suddenly when Alhaitham got very sick and had to go to the bimarstan, where he was diagnosed with early onset dementia.
At first, they all believed it to be a bad joke, but they were quickly proven wrong by Alhaithams worsening symptoms.
It started off with him forgetting basic things such as his keys or not being able to remember where he put his books.
Next, he forgot to go to work sometimes or even tried to go to work in the middle of the night.
But Alhaitham always reassured him that he'll never forget him.
After a while, he also forgot the names of friends or who they even were. But despite everything, Alhaitham still greeted his husband with a kiss when he got home, and sometimes even with an "I love you."
It was those small moments who made this bearable.
However, it couldn't stay like this forever.
One day, when Kaveh returned from buying groceries, Alhaitham greeted him at the front door, but this time, there was no kiss. Alhaitham was just standing there looking at him in confusion.
"I don't remember you, but I know that i usually do this because I love you." Kaveh couldn't stop the tears from coming as his own husband didn't even remember him anymore.
"I love you too, Haitham." That was all he could say.
Although Alhaithams brain had forgotten him, his body did not.
He still reacted the same way when Kaveh reached out by leaning into Kaveh's touch.
He would even interlock their hands whenever his hand was near Kaveh's. It was still those same habits.
There was still a small part left of his husband that occasionally would tell him that he loves him, that he's beautiful, and would place kisses on his cheek.
On an especially bad day, he decided to make Alhaithams' favourite food, which resulted in Alhaitham getting very excited, almost like a little kid would.
So Kaveh made his favourite food again the next day. Just this time, Alhaitham would excitedly tell him that this is his favourite and he can't remember when he last ate it. This became a routine.
While he would still sleep in the same bed as Alhaitham so they could sometimes cuddle, Alhaitham would occasionally look at him to cup his face and talk to him.
"You're so beautiful, but I can't remember who you are and how you even got into my bedroom."
Those were the sings for what was about to come.
It was a heavy down pour and strong wind on that day. He'll never forget that day.
He arrived back, and he stood at the door waiting for Alhaitham to come and greet him like usual, but he didn't come.
Kaveh went to check for him and found him sitting on the edge of the bed just staring at the wall with a blank expression.
"Haitham, are you alright? You didn't greet me at the door this time."
He carefully sat down next to Alhaitham and put his and on his, but there was nothing.
He turned Alhaithams head slowly to look at him, but he didn't look at him.
No, it felt like he was looking through him he was shaking, and tears started to form his eyes.
When was the last time he saw his husband cry?
Oh, right, it was the day of their wedding when they said their vows.
"Where am I? This isn't my grandma's house. Where is she?" Confused and scared, Alhaitham looked at him, trying to figure where he was.
"Shhh, it's okay, Haitham. we're at home and your grandma she is... She is shopping for groceries at the moment, don't worry about her. How about you rest a bit? I'm sure she'll be back by then." He let his fingers run through his hair to calm him down.
Alhaitham slowly nodded and laid down to rest Kaveh, joining him.
"I miss her."
A few weeks passed as Kaveh tried to accept that there was nothing left of the man he loved. The Alhaitham that he knew and married was long gone. He died the day Alhaitham couldn't remember him anymore.
They were lying in bed together face to face.
As usual, Alhaitham was just staring at him, but then he reached out with his hand, placing it on Kaveh's cheek.
There was something different today from the way Alhaitham looked at him and no longer through him.
"Kaveh." He said that name so naturally like he always used to back then when he still remembered him.
"Yes, Alhaitham, it's me, Kaveh, your husband .... do you remember me?"
He knew the chance was small, but that didn't stop him from hoping that maybe just maybe Alhaitham still remembered him.
"Mhm." He smiled as he lovingly caressed Kaveh's cheek. "You're so beautiful, Kaveh." This warm gaze felt so familiar.
That's all it took for Kaveh to finally break down and cry. "I love you, Haitham. I love you so much. Please come back to me. I miss you."
Weak arms pulled him into a tight hug, and hands moved in circles on his back to soothe him. It felt like he had his husband back, even if just for a moment.
"It's alright. I'm here, my love, don't worry."
He let it all out, choking on painful sobs as he tried to talk to the person he loved
"I can't do it anymore. I don't know what to do. I'm so alone, Haitham. I don't want to be alone again. I love you so so much." He gripped the front of Alhaitham shirt as he cried his heart out
"I know my Sun. I love you too." He said while placing a soft and loving kiss on Kaveh's head.
Eventually, there were no more tears left to cry, and the warmth lulled him into sleep, exhausted from crying.
When he woke up the next morning, that comforting warmth was gone, and instead, it was cold next to him.
"Haitham? Wake up."
He tried to wake him up, but there was no reaction. Fillied with dread, he brought his fingers to Alhaitham wrist and.. no pulse, he's dead he's gone now
"No no no no Alhaitham please wake up. I beg you, please don't leave me, my love please..."
With tremendous pain in his heart, He shed tears all night and day as he held his dead lover in his arms, not letting go of his cold body.