RACHEL’S POV
She was raging inside as she watched Shawn make those promises to Tiffany. Jealousy and anger tugged at her chest as she watched him look at her affectionately.
She hated to admit it, but even with the bandages, Tiffany still looked beautiful and innocent. How can one still look that beautiful in such a state?
Before it becomes too late, she would make sure Shawn develops a soft spot for her before the little one wakes up, and that’s if she was ever going to wake up.
After a while, it was time to go home. She watched in anger as Shawn leaned forward and pecked Tiffany’s forehead.
“I will Come back to see you tomorrow and every other day until you wake up,” He said.
And they walked out. In the car, as they headed home, she blurted, “Do you think she is ever going to wake up?”
Shawn turned to look at her, surprise on his face. “Why would you ask such a question? Of course she would wake up.”
“Oh, okay. I had an aunt that had a similar issue and she never made it. So, I was just wondering.”
He gave her a strange look. “I have known you since we were kids, and I never heard of this aunt?”
“Wel…well, ummm…she was a distant aunt.”
“I see. Well, Tiffany is not your aunt and she would make it.”
“But…”
“Enough with the pessimism, Rachel. This is the least of things I need. You are my best friend, so I expect you to be as optimistic as I am. She will be fine.”
“Fine,” she replied curtly and looked out the window.
“Why are you sounding like you don’t want her to wake up?” He suddenly asked and she turned to him in Surprise.
Was she that obvious?
“Why will you say something like that? I want her to wake up, but as much as we should be optimistic, it’s also good we be pessimistic just in case things don’t go as planned.”
He stared at her briefly then nodded his head and faced the road.
They soon arrived at her house and she alighted from the car. “Won’t you come in for a cup of coffee?”
“No, thanks. I have to be home.”
“Home? Home where you will be bored? C’mon, come in for a cup and then you can leave.”
“I’m sorry, Rachel, but I really have to go.”
“Okay, then. Goodnight.”
He nodded and drove away.
She walked inside her house and up to her room. Walking over to the bar, she grabbed a bottle of alcoholic wine and a glass before heading to the couch.
She decanted a quantity and gulped it down at once in a bid to calm her nerves. She was losing it. All her efforts were not amounting to anything and it irked her.
It seemed like Shawn was getting drawn and close to Tiffany because of the state she was in, and she could tell it was not out of pity. It was something else, something she could not fathom.
Deciding to try her luck again with Max, she dialed his number and he picked after he third ring.
“Yo,” he said simply.
“Get the hell away from wherever you are! The music and moaning are ear deafening.”
“Yo, I don’t work for you anymore so I can do and be wherever I want to.”
She sighed. He seemed serious about quitting, but then, she was going to try her luck. Everyone has a price, it all depends on bargaining on the right figure.
“Fine. How about I increase your pay to double its amount?”
He gave a short dry laughter. “And you think I’m gonna accept that?”
“Yes, everyone has a price, and you are not an exception. So, are you taking the offer or not?”
He gave another laugh that she found both annoying and irritating.
“One thing about you is that you think you can buy anything and anyone with your money, yet you try so hard to win a man’s love. You are so pathetic, Rachel Sparks. Keep your money and do your dirty jobs yourself. And oh, I’m out of the city in a place where I’m valued. Do not call this number again, Bitch.” He said and ended the call.
Even after the call ended, she kept hearing his words in her head.
TIFFANY’S POV
She was aware of his presence whenever he visited and she heard all the words he spoke to her.
She wanted to wake up and make him and everyone else stop worrying about her, but it seemed impossible because some invisible forces kept holding her back, and whenever she struggled, she ended up tired.
It felt like she was trapped in an unknown hole, with him means of getting out. With each passing day, she got scared that she might not be able to go back to her family and friends.
She felt the door go open and she knew immediately it was him. He walked towards her and pecked her forehead before sitting down beside her.
“Hey,” He called out.
Silence.
“I know you are in there, and maybe you can hear me too.” He paused then continued. “These past few days have been hectic for me. I have never been this scared all my life. If you can hear me, please come back to me, to us.”
She felt his voice crack, and wanted to reach out to him, but the forces held her back.
“Fight whatever is trapping or holding you back. Your father misses you everyday. Remember, you are the only one he has. Kindly fight for yourself and your loved ones too. I know you can do it. You have always been fierce and resilient.”
Silence.
He carefully held her hand as he stroked it gently. “I miss our fights and arguments. Your tantrums, I will choose them over this silence. Please, wake up.”
She tried fighting, but the forces kept holding her back. As she struggled, her hand twitched.
“You did it. C’mon, Baby, you did it!” He said in excitement.
She tried harder, but she was losing strength.
“C’mon, your principal said your test is in two weeks time. I doubt you will want to miss it. How about getting into the college of choice? She told me you want to go to school at Harvard and you have been working hard to have an impeccable portfolio so you can get into the school. Fight harder!”
She pulled again, again, again, and again.
She was losing strength with each attempt, but Shawn’s words were like fuel to her soul and she saw every reason to keep trying.
“Go on. Your hands are moving. Keep going, princess.”
She pulled again, this time she could feel herself making progress.
“Remember our shopping? We were supposed to go shopping the day of the incident that led you here. Wake up, so we can still go shopping and get all the things you like.”
No movement.
“Are you there?”
Still, no movement.
She could feel him panicking. If only she could tell him that she was catching her breath.
“Please, don’t go silent on me. Move a finger to let me know you are still there.” He pleaded, tugging at her hand lightly.
Still no movement.
“God. You are giving me a scare. Don’t go quiet, please.”
She wasn’t. She was mustering more strength because she was determined to get out of the hole.
“C’mon….” He was still talking when she gave one last pull and her eyes snapped open.