ONE YEAR LATER
DIANA
I briskly walked into the ward, my eyes carefully examined the patient lying half dead as his eyes were closed.
Other nurses were in the ward too, they had already began operation on the patient. He was loosing blood, too much blood.
With the in-depth knowledge of the field, we all put our heads together and kept constant faith as we operated on the man.
To be a doctor, I needed to undergo trainings at teaching hospitals so here I am in the teaching hospital, putting heads together with others to save this man’s life.
I wish I had the ability to save my parents life like this. It’s been a full year since i knew Branden was the killer, it still haunts me everyday.
I cry myself to sleep every night, It taunts my inner being everytime. I still love Branden and that bothers me up till date, he became a very big part of my life. When I left, I didn’t just leave my feelings behind, I also left a big part of my soul and heart.
No matter how many times I tried to cover that hole, that space Branden occupied, it never worked out.
I tried to convince myself everyday that Branden is my past and he should be left behind but no, he constantly appeared in my dreams and my thoughts.
I could still remember how horrific it was leaving Branden, I cried my eyes out in the car. I cried day after day. The thoughts of him killing my parents doubled the tears.
It was just too much for me, I became depressed and suicidal.
It felt like my life had no meaning, Branden followed me, called me, drove to always meet me and explain it all but I ignored and resisted him.
After three months he retired, he stopped texting, calling and even visiting. He had no choice.
The urge to speak to him was still there but I just couldn’t. I wanted him far from me but at the same time I wanted him to be closer than my shadows.
But the right thing to do was to keep a distance, that way the feeling of knowing my parent’s murder wouldn’t taunt me more that it should.
I kept this secret from Jane and everyone else, I’m pretty sure they would escalate the issue and put us all in jeopardy if they knew the truth. Yes he deserved to go to jail but I couldn’t do that to him.
I’d be crushing my heart even more for reporting him to the police, besides I didn’t have much evidences. I never heard from Steven after that day and ofcourse Sylvester would never testify against his brother to the authorities.
The authorities was on their side, so waging war wasn’t the best thing to do although keeping this secret away from Jane would hurt her deeply if she found out in the later future.
The night I left Branden behind was the last time I ever saw his face in person. I kept staring at his pictures and videos online but it only made me miss him more.
********
“Come in Diana” the doctor’s pale voice met my ears from behind his door.
I pushed the door mildly to see the doctor seated behind his desk, he was scribbling somethings on a patient report.
For some unknown reason everything reminded me of Branden, I could visualize myself walking into Branden’s office again like the very first time we met.
“Diana? Are you listening?” the doctor’s voice prod into my thoughts.
“Yes sir” I replied.
“You’re on leave for now, I’ve been noticing you for a while. You are always absent minded so until you get yourself back you’ll be on leave. That’s a week leave” he prompted strictly.
It was hard to admit but I knew that he was right, the thoughts of Branden was eating me up slowly and I couldn’t do anything but allow it eat me up completely.
“But sir…”
“That’s final” he cut me off immediately.
I had no choice atleast I’d spend some more alone time and rest. What the hell is Branden doing to me? I can’t even think straight at work.
“You can go now” he obliged and I obeyed.
I stood to my feet and ambled my way towards the double doors in front of me. Is this how I’m going to spend the rest of my days? Always thinking about Branden and the death of my parents?
That was all that occupied my brain.
I just can’t remember when last I smiled or laughed freely, it’s either a fake smile or forced laughter. I tried to look happy everyday and look past everything but it kept feeding on my conscience.
As I walked out of the hospital, the cool night breeze swept my skin dry as the moon illuminated it’s bright light over the surface.
I sauntered towards my car, stepped right in and twisted the keys to ignite the engine but my efforts yielded nothing but loud noises from the engine.
I repeated the process over and over again but the engine refused to flame up.
Fuck! I’ll have to walk or take a cab home. I hated walking alone at night but I have to if I want to get home.
The more I sit here and wait for help, the more time flies.
I took my bag and started off my journey, the streets were deserted and most shops were locked.
I was lonely until I sighted a group of men sited together, laughing and smoking somewhere by the road side.
I kept my head up and my eyes on the road, my feet became jelly and my steps changed the minute I passed the young men.
They kept mute immediately I passed but I didn’t stop, I increased my steps and trudged further to keep my distance as far as possible.
Footsteps from behind me were loud enough to hear, I turned back to see three men following me.
This men were huge and scary, I stopped walking and started running.
“Why are you running, we just want to talk” a voice from behind said to me.
Fear took possession of my body, my heart raced and my breathing became erratic.
This men were actually running after me, I was done for. Why didn’t I stay in my car? Why did I have to walk alone at night?
I ran and ran until a hand held and grabbed me to the side. I looked up to see Branden in a black jacket and jean. My mouth fell to the floor.
Branden? Here? Now? How? What’s he doing here? How did he know I was here? Why did he leave the comfort of his mansion at this time of the night?
Compared to the Branden I saw a year ago, this Branden had more beards and he was alot taller.
“Stay behind me” he obliged.
I was too shocked to even understand what was going on. What was more overwhelming? Was it the fact that Branden appeared from nowhere or the fact that three men were after my life?
“Who the fuck are you? We were just trying to talk to the young lady” the middle man said.
“Talk to me instead I’m listening” Branden said to them.
“You’re not the lady so fuck off or else I’d make you regret been a hero” the left hand man added.
“I’ll make you regret been useless” Branden retorted back, his threatening voice reverberated through the walls of my ears.
“Branden I don’t think…..”
“Go into the car, I’ll handle them” He obliged me politely.
How could I leave him here? It’s dangerous.
“Go” he commanded.
I obeyed and ran into his car, what the hell is going on? I veered my eyes at the scene through his car window and watched Branden physically engaging in a fist fight with the men.
He was brutally giving them the blows of their lives until a gunshot echoed. Branden paused and fell to the floor.