CHAPTER 14

FALLING IN LOVE WITH EVIL

At night as I lay in bed I think about Timothy. I wonder what his story is. What happened to his mom? Why does he hate her cause he doesn’t even address him as mom. I know that he is not okay wherever he is and he is not even taking my call, perhaps he is asleep. I am just so worried and confused.

I just hope he is okay.

I call him after trying for 2 hours and he answers my call.

“Timothy” I say and I can make out from his voice that he has been crying when he replies. There’s something in his voice that I don’t recognize. He is distant.

“Are you okay?” I ask him and he sighs .

“Yes I am okay I suppose. I'm just not in a good head space to talk at the moment I just need to be alone. I always enjoy the silence more than ever on this day. I'll be okay. I will see you tomorrow babe.” He says and I bid him goodbye .

Timothy is a mystery that I wish to unravel however he is more complicated than I ever thought he was. I just want to be there for him and be his support. It’s clear that he is all alone and needs help. He needs redemption because he is totally sinking in misery and it might harm him someday. I put my phone down and close my eyes. All I can actually see is him . I keep them shut till I eventually fall asleep.

Tuesday passes normally and I don’t see Timothy at school. After classes I take an Uber to his house when I get there I ring the door bell but no one answers so I enter his code and enter the house.

“Timothy!” I shout but no response.

I look around the house then go to his room and find him lying on the floor I shake him but I actually realize that he is unconscious.

“Oh Thixo! Timothy! Timothy!” still no response I check his pulse he still has it although it’s weak so I call the ambulance.

I try to resuscitate him in the meanwhile and when the ambulance reaches they take him and I go along with them.

I text my mom to let her know what has happened and that I might be late.

We get to the hospital and he is immediately taken to the emergency room.

I wait there and I realize that I haven’t informed his family so I look up for his dad's number on his phone and I find a “Thomas Wickham” so I call him and my heart is racing because I know he might blame me for this and insult me.

Surprisingly a woman answers his phone.

“Juliette on the phone , may I help you? Thomas is out and he left his phone.” She says and I sit down and clear my throat.

“Mrs Wickham, it’s Azande , Timothy’s girlfriend. I just called to inform that he is in hospital. He was upset yesterday and today he didn’t come to school so i went to his house to check on him and I found him unconscious. He is currently in the emergency room.” I say and her reaction is shock. She is totally shocked.

“Sweetheart, which hospital are you in? I am coming right away.” She asks me and I tell her where we are and I sit there waiting.

I realize that I have blood on my hands and t-shirt. What!? When did I get this blood and where?

Just then the doctor comes to me. I stand and rush to him.

“How is he doctor?” I ask impatiently and he looks at me with so much sympathy.

“He lost a lot of blood. It seems he must have done harm to himself.” He says and my astonished gaze widens.

“Does this mean he cut himself or something?” I ask and he nods.

“Due to that he needs a blood transfusion immediately and we called to enquire from the blood bank but his blood type is not available at the moment nor do we have it. He is AB-(negative)” He says and I hold my head in confusion I don’t know what to do!

“I am A+ , I will ask his family and mine. Maybe someone can help us.” I say

“Please make it quick because I am afraid we don’t have much time. He is sinking.” He says and I feel tears pour down like rain on my cheeks.

I nod and turn just to bump into a beautiful blonde woman. She is a well curved lady with her golden locks and her blue bright eyes.

“Are you the one who called me? I am Juliette.” She says in an English accent and I nod.

“He needs blood. I guess I didn’t realize he was bleeding when I got there. They said he lost a lot of it and needs it immediately.” I say and she looks at me with concern.

“What is his blood type?” she asks me.

“AB- “ I say and she smiles as she puts her hand on mine.

“Don’t worry I will donate blood. We have the same blood type.” She says and I smile with tears streaming down my face.

“Really? Thank you so much Juliette!” I say and I rush to the doctor to inform him. They get her ready and do the procedure. After that she comes and sits with me with muffins and she eats.

In minutes my mom walks in and comes to us.

“Oh My God! What happened?” she asks and I look at Juliette.

“Mrs Wickham this is my mom. Mrs Radebe. Mama this is Tim's step mother.” I say and they greet each other. I turn to my mom.

“It seems as though he had tried committing suicide. The doctor said he had cut himself. He had lost a lot of blood and required more so Miss Juliette donated. We just waiting to hear from the doctor now.” I say as I shed tears.

“Why would he commit suicide? You know I noticed last night during dinner that he was upset that’s why I tried by all means to cheer him up.” My mother says and I cry.

“He had told me that it was his mom’s death anniversary and when I called him last night to check on him after he’d left he simply said he wanted to be alone and that he enjoyed silence more than ever on that day. When he didn’t show up for school I just knew something was wrong. “ I say and Juliette looks at us.

“Well Timothy really has struggled to be sane on his mother’s death anniversary. From the day I met him when his father and I were just dating he always appeared to be disturbed. I don’t know what the story really is but on Julia's death anniversary both Timothy & Thomas really become distant and extremely sad and angry as well.” She says and I look at her. If she doesn’t know the story behind everything as well then it must be something big.

“I think Timothy is depressed and needs help. He must have suffered a lot emotionally. How old was he?” My mom asks Juliette and she sighs.

“I think she left when he was 9 or 10 and died when he was about 13.” She says and I am confused. Left?

“What do you mean she left?” I ask her and she sighs.

“Something happened and she left them .” Juliette says and I am extremely shocked.

The doctor comes our way so we all stand and rush to him.

“How is he? Is he out of danger?” I ask and he smiles.

“Yes Ma'am he is finally out of danger now. We need to wait for him to regain consciousness then you can see him. You did the right thing by rushing him here otherwise we would have lost him.” He says and I smile and exhale with tears on my face.

“Thank you so much doctor.” I say and he smiles and disappears into the hallway.

“Miss Juliette thank you for saving his life. “ I say and she holds my hand .

“No need to thank me sweetheart. I have always considered him my son although he really doesn’t want to become a part of our family but I love him.” She says and just then his father enters and comes to us.

I step back because I don’t really want to face his fury at the moment.

I sit with my mom on the chair and they discuss for a short while and I realize that he also looks extremely disturbed. I wonder what happened in the past. Why is my Tim so broken?

He doesn’t bother talking to us instead he sits there quietly. We wait for an hour or so and the doctor returns.

“He is awake. He has asked to see Azande.” The doctor says and I stand up.

“Go honey. I will wait for you in the car.” My mom says and I nod.

The look Mr Wickham gives me is that of disgust and anger. He doesn’t like me and it’s clear. I love Timothy and I really don’t care whether he likes me or not but I do want to reunite Timothy with his family.

I walk to his ward and when I get to the door I peep through the glass on the door and he is just staring at the ceiling. You can clearly see how despondent he is. I wipe my tears and open the door and he turns to face me.