CHAPTER 48

~It's okay not to be okay~

~Mina

SERAPHINA'S POV

"Stop crying Phina, she'll be okay." Maya comforted.

"She..she..told me she was going to keep it. I didn't know she was fooling us." I sobbed, unable to keep my emotions at bay.

I'd called Asher the instant I saw Tiffany's unconscious form in a pool of blood, and what astounded me is the fact that Asher had been at home but never for once knew what was transpiring at the other side of the door.

We called Severina on our way to the hospital and she reached in no time, along with some of our friends.

"Here, drink this." Kabia handed me bottled water. I gulped down a generous amount to soothe my sore throat.

"Haven't you warned her on the dangers of Abortion?" Asher exasperated.

"No." My response was short and curt.

"Why! she's fift...

"Because she told us she was gonna keep it, Asher! Stop trying to blame shit on me!"

"I'll blame it on you, Seraphina! If you were vigilant enough and not so focused on your failed-ass modelling life, then shit wouldn't have gotten this far!" He backlashed.

Tears stung my eyes from his harsh words, but I refused to succumb to the emotions bubbling inside me.

"That's not fair. You've absolutely no right to drag my personal life into this.

If anything, you're one to be blamed because as the eldest sibling, rather than going around screwing girls like some cursed casanova, your family's safety should be your priority!"

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me Seraphina!"

We'd grabbed unwanted attention at this point, but embarrassment was the least of my worries. Asher had this attitude of always wanting to dictate people's lives

and I'd bore it for so long, but that stops today.

"I'll raise it as much as I want! If you have a problem with that then go suck some c**t. Not like you haven't anyway!"

"What the fuck did you just say?" He menaced in a dangerously low tone, advancing towards me.

"Whoa, whoa, cool man. Look, I don't want to meddle in your family matter but think about what you're intending to do." Enrique hit his chest, standing in between us.

"Don't you ever hit a lady, man? I mean, it's downright wrong to even consider it, let alone do it," Nathan added.

"If you think I'll back down, then you've got something else coming."

"I'm done talking Seraphina, okay, and I suggest you do the same unless you want your mouth remodified. "

"It's my Fucking mouth Asher Del Varia! my fucking life. Take your fucking threats and shove them up you fucking A**hole!" I screamed at the top of my lungs and out of frustration, launched my shoe at him.

"I'll kill you." He pushed Enrique to the side and swung his fist. I raised my arms in defence but was astonished when I felt no impact on them. Gasps vented from the room, and I reopened my eyes, only for a sharp breath to escape my lungs.

Maya laid on the white tiles with blood uncontrollably gushing out of her nose and the split on her lips. I rushed to her side and lifted her head on my lap.

"Maya! Maya! stay with me please." I pleaded, frantically wiping her bloodied face with my hands.

"Someone get the nurse!" Enrique yelled.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!" Severina barked at Asher.

"Stop being dramatic, it's nothing serious." Maya chuckled, showing her bloodied teeth. If it weren't for the situation, I would've laughed my ass off.

Enrique arrived with the nurse in no time, but Maya insisted that she was fine and so we didn't stress it. Caleb helped her up and sat her on the bench while I wiped her face with an antiseptic tissue.

"You disgust me." Severina hissed at Asher, who stood at the far end of the wall with his head lowered.

"Who knows? maybe he even told Tiffany some hurtful shit which lured her into aborting and then feigned clueless. It's impossible to be in the same house with someone and not know when they're in trouble, right?" I was still very mad at Asher and couldn't give two shits about the crap spewing from my mouth.

"Tone it down guys, please. " Enrique cautioned.

We sat in silence until the door opened and the doctor walked out. Asher was the first to approach him.

"How's she doc?" Severina asked.

"She'd lost a lot of blood but thankfully you brought her on time. I have neutralized the poison, just a day or two of rest is all that's needed. " He assured with a smile.

"Thank God." I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Can we see her?"

"Yes, sure." He nodded to Ace's question and left.

We silently walked in, cautious not to make too much noise as Tiffany was asleep.

"Thank goodness, she isn't hooked to them damned machines," Kabia whispered as we took our seats on the comfy couches.

Tiffany doesn't appear sick in any way. She looked more like a healthy person having an afternoon nap than a teenage girl who'd gone through a fatal abortion. If only I was home on time, all this could've been prevented.

"Stop blaming yourself, it's not your fault." Maya soothed.

"Was I speaking that loud?" How else could she've known my thoughts?

"Nope." She shook her head.

"The...

"I'm your best friend, remember?"

"Okay smart ass." I rolled my eyes.

"I can't believe mid-term break is just hours away."

"I thought it was next week Friday."

How clueless was I?

"You drank amnesia pills or something?" She snorted.

"No, I just thought it's going to be on a Friday considering most of our breaks begin on the same day. "

"Well, you thought wrong." She shrugged.

Tiffany stirred in her sleep but resumed her still posture minutes after.

We sat there for almost an hour hoping she'll wake up but it was rather unfortunate. Malu, Leila, Lalia, Bia and Aisha joined us an hour later. It was a houseful now. Honestly, with such tender-hearted people in my life, it'll be selfish of me to ask God for more. I can't pay them, but the least I could do is hold onto their trusts for dear life.

Just when I was about to doze off, the door opened and a young nurse walked in.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know she'd visitors." She profusely apologised.

"I could always go back un...

"No, it's fine. You may check up on her." Severina brushed it off.

She placed her equipment on the table and dart about the room but something about her actions seemed off.

"Are you okay?" Leila asked.

"Ugh, the check-up I'm assigned to do is pretty confidential. So, I don't know if you'll mind waiting outside."

"Of course, this is your job and your rules." I assured.

"I'll call you in when I'm done."

"Sure." Asher nodded and with that, we left the room to the waiting area.

We chatted to kill time until the TV was switched on, and just my luck, the latest episode of grown-ish came up. The bubbling excitement this spread in the room couldn't be hidden. Grown-ish is so addictive.

"What is Yara doing!?" Malu exclaimed.

I was about to ask Malu to lower her voice until I felt a gentle tap on my thighs.

"Seraphina, don't you think the nurse is taking a little longer than necessary. " Not Maya and her paranoia.

"It's their job, Maya. This is what they do, and if anyone knows it best, who else but them?" I sighed.

"I know, but it's just, forget it."

"What is it?"

"Her face looks familiar but I couldn't exactly place my finger from where I saw it." She shrugged.

"You're being delusional. "

"Oh am I?" She looked hurt, and this made me feel bad. I do not stand by hurting my friends.

"Look, Tiffany will be okay. I appreciate your concern but be rest assured that she's in good hands. C'mon, this is the most secured hospital around." I smiled, which she returned with a tight one of her own. Her face still unconvincing.

My phone rang just when the most interesting scene popped up.

"Hello," I grumbled into the receiver, annoyed.

"Which hospital and how is Tiffany's condition?" A desperate voice rushed out.

"Mom, where are you and how did you know?" I wondered. Severina perked up and lowered the Television's volume.

"Put it on speaker." Asher mouthed.

"I don't have time for this but to answer your question, Stella called your father and informed him."

What?!

"Stella? but she wasn't there at the time of the in...

"Seraphina which hospital are you at?" Dad's voice boomed.

"Bellevue." The line went dead the instant I replied.

"How did Stella know about this?" Asher asked, as shocked as everyone else.

"I don't know, may...oh my freaking God. Oh my God."

"What's it, babe?" Enrique voiced out in concern.

"The nurse," I whispered with wide eyes, as Maya's words registered on my mind.

"Her face looks familiar"

"I knew her face was familiar," Maya exclaimed, already on her feet.

We made a beeline to Tiffany's room, with the guys leading.

People gave us weird stares on the way and security started hot on our trails, thinking we were criminals or something but never for once did we look back.

"She's gone!" Asher yelled falling on the tiles of the now empty room.

Out of desperation, we frantically searched the entire room, with the help of the securities, but all in vain. Not even a single dent or secret passageway could be spotted.

"What happened? where's Tiffany?" The voice I've been dreading chided.

"I'm talking to you Asher, where's Tiffany?" Mom hyperventilated.

Asher shook his head and sobbed.

"She's gone, mom." Severina choked out.

"No, no, no." She staggered back, falling into dad's arms.

Her chest palpitated and her head swayed. This doesn't look good.

"Mom, mom, mom." No response.

"Camille? can you hear me? Shit." Dad cursed and hoisted her up in his arms.

"What's it dad?" I asked.

"Heart attack."