Forgetting You - Episode 49

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**** THE NEXT DAY. 9:50AM

You know the most scariest thing on earth? It's knowing you're about to die, when and how and at what time.. Especially when you know there's nothing you can do about it except for waiting for it.

And that's what Hank felt right now.

Only when the numerous wires were attached to his arms and legs and then an electric helmet was placed over his head as he sat in the metal chair did he realise his mistakes.

Only then,did he, for the first time in his life wish he could turn back the hands of time and amend all his mistakes. But he was late.

Too late.

When two of the executors tied his hands to each side of the chair did a tear fall from his eyes.

The realisation hit him.

He was gonna die.

A miserable death.

Hank lifts his head to stare at the wall clock.

It read 9:53am.

Seven.

Just seven more minutes and he will be nothing but a body with out breath.

His heart will stop beating in seven minutes.

Had I known us always at last.

Time waits for no man.

He never understood these wise sayings but today, today he was a perfect example of those phrases.

Hank lifts his head to the ceiling.

Was there really a God up there? Was there? A merciful and forgiving God like people keep saying. If there was..

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/forgetting-you

. Then...

"If truly,there's a God up there,watching over everyone of us then please hear my prayer oh Lord.."

Hank begins praying to the creater of heaven and earth like never before. Confessing his sins wholeheartedly and asking for forgiveness from the Almighty.

The only one who forgives as long as you accept and confess your sins.

The only God who doesn't pay for evil.

The only God who'll forever wait for his children eho had strayed to seek his face. And so Hank prays, like never before.

And when he says the last word, Amen,a heavy burden was lifted off his shoulders and he felt at peace.

For the first time in a long time.

Ready to welcome death.

And so when he hears the clock strike 10:00,he doesn't budge nor waver.

He shuts his eyes as someone covers his face with a black cloth and waits.

One of the executors, turns on the switch and instantly, Hank begins to shake and convulse in the chair as the electric current shoot into his body from all angles.

Thirty seconds.

Sixty seconds... And Hank gave up as he breathed his last before falling back into the chair. Dead.

*****

TWO YEARS LATER.

JASONS POV.

"Olivia!!"

Squeak!.

"Olivia!"

Squeak!.

Ugh.

I groan kicking away the toy out of my way as I walk into the beautifully decorated children's room which I had painted myself while adjusting my tie.

I step into the room and I sigh.

This girl!.

The room is so messy.

Her duvet lay on the floor.

Her teddybear and dolls lay scattered all over.

"Olivia wake up!"

I move to the bed,tapping her.

She still doesn't wake up.

Oh for Christ's sake.

It's almost eleven am.

I have to be at the rehab center by twelve to fetch Hailey.

I grin at the thought.

Finally after two whole years,she's recovered enough to come home.

Her addiction was so serious she had to be out under a long term treatment.

I see Olivia's toes twitch and I chuckle.

She's awake.

And pretending to be asleep.

"Okay fine. If you won't wake up I'm going alone to bring mummy home"

I pretend to walk out when she springs off the bed in flash.

"Mummy is coming home?"

She asks excitedly clapping. I laugh.

"Yes baby. Mummy is coming home today"

I say and she squeals taking off her pyjamas faster than I've ever seen her done and runs into the bathroom.

I laugh and follow her into the bathroom to help her bath.

I immediately hear the splashing of water and I know she's not going to bath properly.

"Olivia wait let me bath you!"

I take off my shirt and rush into the bathroom.

***

HAILEY'S POV.

Freedom.

That's all I can feel as I breath in the fresh air.

Dragging my suitcase behind me, I step out of the rehab center and proceed towards the large compound where I'll get to meet my loved ones beyond that gate.

I smile satisfactorily.

I did it.

Finally I learned how to control my urges and I haven't had cravings for weeks now.. I feel fine,elated.

Getting locked up here while trying to recover was the most difficult tasks even though my boyfriend never failed to visit me.

Talking of boyfriends.

Where's mine? He promised me he'll be here before twelve and he's no where in sight.

I frown.

Did he get tired of me already? Is he coming to pick me up? Did he forget? I bite my lip. But he promised he'll come.

Ugh I hate this feeling.

"Oh my God!"

Someone shouts behind me.

I turn to see one of the addicts from the center pointing to the main gate.. I turn and that's when I see two men dressed in suit playing a violin each.

I roll my eyes.

Whoever they're here to serenade,they should just get on with it.. I just want to see Jason and he's not here.

I stomp my foot in frustration.

And that's when I hear it.

A male voice.

A voice I know so well.

Singing to the tune the violinists were playing.

The singing goes on for a while and that's when I see them.

All of them.

Mr and Mrs Michaels, Theresa, Alex and my baby who's grown so much.

But there was no sign of Jason.

I could still hear the singing.

And that's when Alex and Theresa part leaving a space between and that's when I see him.

Dressed in a white and black tuxedo, his hair falling delicately over his shoulder. Holding a microphone singing.

Oh God! I gasp covering my mouth with my hands.

I know the song he's singing so well. It's

"Say you won't let go"

by James Arthur...

**I met you in the dark

You lit me up

You made me feel as though I was enough

 We danced the night away

We drank too much I held your hair back when

You were throwing up

 Then you smiled over your shoulder

For a minute, I was stone cold sober I pulled you closer to my chest

And you asked me to stay over

I said, I already told ya I think that you should get some rest

 I knew I loved you then

But you'd never know

'Cause I played it cool

When I was scared of letting go I knew I needed you

But I never showed

But I wanna stay with you

Until we're grey and old Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go

 I'll wake you up with some breakfast in bed I'll bring you coffee

 And I'll take the kids to school

Wave them goodbye

And I'll thank my lucky stars for that night

 When you looked over your shoulder

For a minute, I forget that I'm older

I wanna dance with you right now, oh

 And you look as beautiful as ever

And I swear that everyday you'll get better

You make me feel this way somehow

 I'm so in love with you

And I hope you know Darling your love is more Than worth its weight in gold

We've come so far my dear Look how we've grown

And I wanna stay with you

Until we're grey and old

Just say you won't let go

Just say you won't let go

 ****

I choke on a sob.

I'm crying. I know it.

Damn these hormones! Jason suddenly stops singing, then before I can say a word, he's kneeling on one knee in front of me holding up a velvet box.

I could see the ring glittering and shimmering under the rays of the sun.

There was an infinity and heart sign engraved beautifully at the top of the band making it look kinda a beautiful twisted and intertwined design.

Oh Lord.

Somebody shoot me now!

"Mummy."

The tiny voice says and I look down to see Olivia holding a bouquet of white roses.

"Take it"

she says and I collect the beautiful roses.

I kiss Olivia.

"Hailey."

Jason begins.

"This is kinda weird..."

He scratches his head.

"Oh don't be stupid! What happened to your confidence and bragging this morning!"

I hear Alex shout and I chuckle through tears.

Jason glares at him and then turn to me

"It's kinda weird that I've been practising what to say to you for the past one week and now I can't get any words out. Because that's how you make me feel. Speechless. And so I sang this song for you. The lyrics in that song is a summary of everything I want to tell you. I want to grow old and grey with you love. To build a family with you. To laugh and cry with you. With you by my side I can conquer anything. And that's why I've come fulfill the promise I made to you right here exactly two years ago. I'm here to out this ring on your fourth finger where it rightfully belongs. Please don't let go Hails. Please help me fulfill that promise by agreeing to be my wife. Will you please marry me love? I'm not promising you a perfect life, sure,we'll argue and disagree but I can promise you that I'm never gonna let go Hailey. Never. Please marry me?"

He finishes and more tears flow. By now both doctors, nurses and patients have surrounded us and I all I can do is stare at Jason. The love of my life. The man after my heart. The one whom I'd belong to,in this life and the next.

"Mummy please say yes"

Olivia pleads with sad eyes.

I turn to Jason.

He's waiting.

For me.

What more could I ask for? I try to speak but I can't.

I seem to have suddenly lost my voice.

And so I just nod my approval.

Jason's face contorts into a wide grin as he takes off the ring he gave me two years ago and slides the new one into my fourth finger.

Cheers around us erupt.

I laugh and cry at the same time as I admire the ring.

'Mrs Hailey Attah Michaels'

was engraved to the side of the ring.

"It's beautiful"

I whisper.

"Not as beautiful as you"

Jason whispers and I lift my head see him standing close to me.

He bends and then kisses my wet cheeks.

"I love you"

"I love you more"

I reply.

And when he kisses, me I just knew, that this is the beginning of a life full of bliss.

A life I never imagine I would have.

"And oh. I have a surprise for you"

he tells me handing me an envelope.

Taking it, I open it..

Read " Two Faced Lover " by the same author ( eliza )

. Oh my God! F*cking hell!

"Jason.. This.. This is a university form."

I say slowly trying to grasp everything.

"Yes.I bought the form but later the chancellor of the university told me that you'd have to write exams first. So I registered you for the NOV/DEC remedials so you can sit for the WASSCE Exams. But it's been years since you left school so I'm not sure..."

He trails off biting his lips.

I stare at this God sent man whom I've fallen so madly in love with.

"You want me to do this right? To further my education?"

I ask cupping his cheeks

"Yes Hails. I want you to be independent"

"Then I'll do it. I'll learn so hard that I pass the exams and I'll graduate too. This is my promise to you locs. I'll make you proud"

His eyes lit up with joy.

"it's been long since you called me locs"

he grins.

"I'm in love you Jason Attah Michaels"

"And I'm in love with you Hailey bloom. Ready to go home?"

He asks intertwining our fingers.

I stare at my ring and then at the university form.

I turn to stare at the rehab center and then back at my fiance who's smile Is promising me a blissful life ahead. A life only Jason Michaels can give me.

"Ready when you are"

And this,this right here is a happiness fulfilled.

***

One more to go! I hope you liked this chapter.