CHAPTER 15

FALLING IN LOVE WITH EVIL

I walk towards him and hold his hand .

“Why Tim” I say as I start crying. He weeps too and I cup his face.

“You should have called me I would have come to you. I would have!” I say and he just continues weeping so I place my head on his chest.

“I am so sorry Azande. I know I had promised you. I just couldn’t handle it. Everything just became too much for me. I am bad for you Azande just leave me. Get away from me cause I will ruin your life. I will destroy you with my venom.” He says as he struggles to talk and catch his breathe so I just give him water after helping him drink it I look at him and hold his hand.

“ I won’t leave you Tim. I love you and I want to help you. I have the courage to enter your world. Just let me!” I tell him and he looks at me.

“Your dad and Juliette are outside. Before you get angry I must tell you that she donated blood for you. She saved your life. At least thank her and be kind to her because she really cares for you. I saw it in her eyes. The love and concern she has for you.” I say and he remains quiet for some time.

“Please do it. For my sake at least. It’s time you at least connected with your family. I am not rushing you but you have to do it. “ I say and he nods.

“I'll talk to her but only for your sake. Don’t get Thomas here though!.” He says and I look at him with pleading eyes.

“Okay fine call them both.” He says and I smile and kiss him on the cheek.

I leave the room and go to them. I find them sitting there together.

I smile at Juliette.

“He wants to see you. The both of you.” I say and she jumps up and I see tears in her eyes. She genuinely cares about him it’s clear.

“Really?” she asks and I nod.

They both get up and follow me . We walk to his ward and when we get there they become a little hesitant but enter.

I stand on the other side next to him and he looks at me and I nod.

“Thank you Juliette. Thank you for donating your blood. Azande told me what you did for me.” He says and she smiles.

“ No need to thank me Timothy. We are family.” She says smiling and I can tell she doesn’t know what to say cause honestly Timothy is unpredictable you have to tiptoe around his emotions if you want to remain in his good books.

“Are you okay?” she asks and he nods.

“Yeah I’m fine.” He says and Thomas comes closer to him.

“I think you should come stay with us for a few days just until you get better.” He says and Timothy frowns.

“I am okay. Please don’t push it. I only called you in because Azande insisted.” He says and I hold his hand.

“Please don’t talk to your father like that.” I say and he throws daggers at me.

“As if you care. Are you trying to prove that you are great by doing this cause I don’t fucken buy it!” His father lashes out on me and I shut my eyes. I don’t really know what this man has against me.

“Thomas stop it! She’s a really nice girl and she cares about Timothy . Stop being rude and actually thank her for her presence of mind. She noticed something was wrong and actually checked on him. Apologize now!” Juliette says and I look at her.

“No it’s fine Juliette. There is no need for that. Tim I will see you later. I just want to go home and change and I’ll come back and check on you okay?” I say and he nods.

“Do come back soon.” He says and I smile at him then leave the room.

I wipe my tears as I leave the room. I don’t know why Mr Wickham hates me so much.

I walk to the parking lot and find my mom waiting.

I enter and we drive off.

“How is he?” My mom asks and I tell her that he is okay and that I said I would return to see him I just wanted give him space with his family.

“Are you sure this guy is safe for you? As in he would never hurt you because as much as I find him charming and nice he does look a bit intimidating and mysterious.” She asks and I look at her.

“He would never hurt me. He is just going through a lot.” I say and she shakes her head.

“Don’t get me wrong Azande I don’t dislike him I am just concerned. I don’t want you to make a mistake. Please be careful. I don’t want to lose you.” She says and I nod and look out the window. We finally arrive at home and I change into tracksuits. “Mom can I take the other car for when I go to see Timothy later? I won’t be long.” I tell her and she agrees. She tells me that she is going back to work and that she'll be home late cause she has a lot of work to do.

I eat lunch and all I can actually think about is Tim. After eating lunch I get some school work done.

At about 5pm I make my way to the hospital. I have home cooked food for Tim .

I drive to the hospital then walk to his ward since visiting hours have just begun.

“Hey. Are you awake?” I say and he opens his eyes.

“Yes. I am so bored. I'm glad you came.” He says and I sit next to him.

“I got you some home made food.” I say as I place the cooler bag next to him and he smiles.

“I'll definitely marry you.” He says and I gasp.

“Really now? I think I should cook for you more often then.” I say laughing.

“So when are they discharging you?” I ask him

“ Tomorrow morning. I might just attend a few classes tomorrow.” He says and I nod.

“So how do you feel now?” I ask him.

“I am okay. I can’t feel anything .” he answers me and I nod.

“Please don’t do that again! You were being selfish!” I tell him and he sits up.

“I am sorry baby. Julia’s death anniversary brought up so much and at that moment I couldn’t control myself neither could I think of anything.” He tells me holding my hand.

“Well suicide isn’t a solution. You have to learn to communicate.” I say and he nods.

We spend as much time as we can until the visiting hours are over and I have to leave.

I drive home and when I get there I find my mom eating.

“I’m back boo.” I say and she laughs.

“Your food is in the oven.” She tells me and I get it and join her.

She keeps looking at me weirdly until I look at her.

“You've never been nervous to say anything so why today?” I ask her and she laughs.

“Okay, I think it’s time I got you on birth control. I know how teenagers are and that boy drives you crazy.” She says and I laugh avoiding eye contact with her.

“Well we haven’t done anything .” I say and she laughs.

“But it will happen and soon. I can see it all coming.” She says and I burst out in laughter.

“What makes you think it’s soon.” I ask her and she laughs.

“I am your mom I know! I know how boys are and that boyfriend of yours just melts you by saying ‘Baby I love you'(she says mimicking Timothy’s accent) . I saw the effect he has on you.” She says and I laugh.

“Well you are right. Okay we can do it perhaps tomorrow. We have a date me and you “ I say and she widens her gaze as she gasps.

“Look at how eager she is! Haibo!” she says and I laugh.

“Mama.” I say

“Yes Aza .” she says and I get nervous.

“Have you considered dating again?” I say and she chokes on her food.

“What?” She screams out and I keep quiet for a moment.

“Yes I mean have you considered being with someone? I don’t want you to be alone for the rest of your life. I want you to be happy. You have raised me and I’ll be moving out soon. I know that one of the reasons why you have stopped yourself from falling in love again was because you were scared that I wouldn’t like it and feared introducing me to a complete stranger and perhaps endangering me but Mama I really want to see you with someone.” I say and she looks at me for a while.

“I have never thought about that before. I have always been so wrapped up in work and you that I never thought of that. I don’t think I can do it Aza. “ She says and I look at her.

“For once think about yourself and not me or anything. Think of yourself Mama.” I say and she just remains silent.

We eat and another murder is reported. A girl was murdered yesterday and has just been discovered. Same story. Mom and I look at each other.

“I feel like we all missing something here.” I say and she nods.

“You are right dear we definitely are missing something.” She says .