Amidst the hectic activity in Apollo Hospital corridors, huddled quietly in a room with her relatives near the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital’s international block where Ayazuddin is undergoing treatment, sits his mother Naureen and estranged wife of Mohammed Azharuddin. Clad in a white printed salwar kameez, head covered with a dupatta, 41-year-old Naureen looks visibly shaken by the sudden turn of events.

If earlier she would eagerly await updates on her younger son doing well in the field of cricket, her small world came crashing down as she heard the news of the grave accident on Sunday morning. Ever since, she has been spending most of her time at the hospital. "My association with Ayaz is just like (what) any other mother (would have). Despite the fact that he is living with his father, he used to frequently meet me," said Naureen. Sources close to the family said that Naureen was a fond mother who visited her son's college on several occasions. Ayaz's elder brother, Asad, was also seen at the hospital, waiting in the corridors with his cousins and friends of his injured brother. The boys were seen huddled in groups and consulting doctors monitoring Ayaz's condition.

Meanwhile, Azharuddin remained in another room provided by the hospital and came out only occasionally to enquire about Ayaz's health condition. After Ayaz's surgery in the late afternoon, Azharuddin went to Alamgir mosque at Shanti Nagar for the 'ziarat' (third day ceremony) and visited the nearby graveyard where Ajmal, his nephew, was laid to rest.

Family and friends have been praying for Ayaz's recovery ever since his accident. The St Mary's College student is known to be soft-spoken both among friends and his family, many of whom were seen in the hospital's lobby anxiously waiting for updates on his health. That he is popular in his friends circle is clear from his profile on Facebook where he has many friends, and has him posing at the camera in a sombre mood.

Meanwhile, there were some unruly scenes in the hospital when a family of four tried to strike a pose for a picture with a grief-stricken Azharuddin. It took the hospital staff, doctors and the security personnel and several stern warnings to dissuade them from disturbing the former cricketer. Among those who called upon the family on Tuesday were ministers J Geeta Reddy and Ponnala Lakshmaiah.
Source: TOI.