Christina
Within just ten days of marriage with Adrian my life has gone Topsy-turvy. Though he was instructed by Adrian to take me home I order my driver to stop the car in an alley a few feet away from the massacre. Everything happened just in front of my eyes in a spur of a second.
I was motionless looking at my husband's dropping form. My eyes discern everything but my brain wasn't able to register the decimation. My legs stay hooked to the spot and hands go stock- still. I wanted to scream but my voice wouldn't co-operate. I lay there standing watching my husband succumb to the ground and go immobile.
Blood was oozing out of his head in rivulets. A bullet pierced on his right arm and an injury on his stomach. I walk closer and he looks at me with yearning eyes wanting to say something but nothing comes out of his lips and his eyes go withdrawn. I rush to him controlling my tears. "Adrian do not give up. You have to live, you need to stay tough, for me, for our unborn child." I wanted to scream and tell him but hapless I had no speech. The blessing was snatched away from me a long time ago. The tears controlled hitherto were getting back to their place but this time it was for my handicap.
Chris, this is not the time to go limp subjecting to debilitation. Stay strong you can do it! I screamed the mantra to my ears and placed the head of Adrian in my lap. My voice chokes and an involuntary quaver escapes my throat but I don't let a single tear pass out of my eyes.
Making use of the last ounce of my strength to stay strong I wipe the blood passing out of Adrian's head and tie the scarf wrapped around my neck to his head to arrest the blood loss. I bring out the mobile from my handbag and look around for any person who could speak to the hospital. Two minutes of my eyes working in agility I trace our driver hiding behind one of the cars involved in the carnage to escape the any possible further gun shots. I pray God to give me the power to win my struggles. I close my eyes and yell trying my best to pull a sound, out of my throat. And yes I could do it.
It was my first victory against my handicap. The driver runs to me. I hand him my mobile and ask him to speak with the emergency service. Within ten minutes the ambulance pulls up. We reach the hospital and my husband was rushed on a stretcher to the operation theatre.
I made my driver call my in-laws and my family. Within fifteen minutes Augustus, Angelica and Allessandro reached the hospital in record speed. Allessandro spoke to the administrative head of the hospital showing him his licence and he was instantly asked to enter the surgery room.
Angelica walks to me and hugs me tight as I empty my tears on her shoulder. I write everything on my mobile about the carnage including Amaira's involvement and her plan to kill Adrian. Angelica looked like she was about to bite someone's head off and showed the phone to Augustus.
He read everything but Augustus was not the person to go ballistic. He would keep his shirt on, even in the most terrible circumstances. Coming closer he runs his hand downwards softly from my head, his usual yet unique way to provide me comfort. I raised my head and looked into his eyes that were red with unshed tears. "Dad" I exclaim with no sound off my lips and launched into his arms bursting to tears.
Keeping his silence he runs his hand softly on my back for I do not know how long but by the time I cleared my heartache his shirt was drenched with my tears. The door of the operation theatre opens and out walks Allesandro along with a team of doctors. I wasn't able to understand everything. But after reading the faces and lips of doctors, dad and mom I was sure the news wasn't positive.
****
Adrian lost his memory with the bullet shot that pierced into his skull. Everything appears like a dreadful dream, a dream that I never want to experience again. Doctors did not guarantee us of his recovery. He can have his evocation in a few days, months, years or never again but I'm not the person who is going to accept defeat. I will not low down on my spirits. The Almighty tests a person's psychological strength exposing him to the most terrible circumstances but I'm determined to excel on my problems.
Amaira is no more. She was shot before Adrian capitulated to unconsciouness and she is not going to trouble us anymore which is the only positive news involved in the complete cataclysmic situation. Abigail picks mom and dad along with Jasmine on her way to the hospital. Dad and mom tried to comfort me, coaxing me to eat something but hunger had long escaped my system. "You need to eat if not for you at least for the baby." Mom admonished and forced a meat loaf into my mouth.
Till Adrian returned home I stayed at my parents-in-law's home on their insistence. Dad offered me every data and any sort of help required to run the business. Before joining office every day he took his classes for me. He trained me on business ethics and all the other things including providing me the entire information about our firms in our country and abroad. I also learnt lessons from him on how to command people, conduct meetings and stay powerful.
Two months later...
I had to take care of Adrian and look after his needs. Now he comes back home. Though he still doesn't remember me, he acknowledges me as someone close to him which is the only encouraging pull in the last couple of horrific months.
The advancing pregnancy was causing me a lot of trouble. I cautiously sit on the sofa with a pillow supporting my back and place my legs on centre table that are always swollen. Adrian walks to the sofa and gently places my legs in his lap massaging them. Whether he is with or without his memory Adrian is always a loving and caring husband, a perfect family man.
Flashback
It was sometime during the beginning of our relationship. We were not too intimate with each other except sharing of a kiss once in a while. I forgot the date of my periods and found out the news when I was in his house.
I did not know what to do. I was too embarrassed to tell him about my situation. I rushed into the washroom and locked myself. He waited, waited and waited, finally to start banging the door.
Unable to do anything but to face the humiliation I embraced myself for the possible abashment. Tilting the knob I hide behind door unable to face him.
"Why are you hiding behind the door, Chris and why won't you come out of the washroom even after an hour? He asked me appalled. Then something twitches in his eyes. "Are you facing any health issue? Would you want me to take you to a doctor?" He looks into my eyes concentrated rubbing my cheeks with the pads of his thumb.
I knew my cheeks would have turned crimson red with the blush. The way he was touching me was so tender yet so intense. I could smell his much masculine musk and hue scent. My eyes travel down from his steel gray eyes through his chiselled jaw to his well defined chest. The front button was open on his striped red t.shirt exposing a whit of his virile hairy chest.
I bite my lip to restrict a whimper that was about to escape my throat. "Love?" His gravelly yet gentle tone brings me out of my ludicrous thoughts. His hands were still on my face fondling my cheeks. I gently punch my cheek twice, using my fist and hug him directing my head to my toes in shyness.
He chuckles raising my chin up to meet his orbs. "You are on a period?" He pulls my cheek. "What is so inglorious to feel about it? It's a natural process." He speaks as a matter of fact. I curl my lips downwards and show him my phone. "I forgot my date and came here unprepared." He holds my cheek tenderly in one hand and kisses the other. "Sweetheart, you don't have to worry about anything. Now that we are together I will stock our closet with sanitary pads and tampons too along with your dresses and footwear." He winks. "I will come back to you in just ten minutes with everything you require."
I lean to the door of the washroom and wait for Adrian to arrive. Just like he said within ten minutes, I feel the knock on the bathroom door. As soon as I open it I see a carry bag placed at the entrance with everything required inside it.