Minutes Before The Miracle

CHAPTER - 43

STEVEN

Unexpected and overwhelming. Two emotions that has surrounded several phases of my life. After the passage of a decade and years of work put into forgetting and ignoring, the last thing a man wants is dilapidation of every effort.

Right infront of me is the person who had blatantly betrayed me but even more shocking is the man with the revolver. The destroyer of my hopes. The reason for years of heart-wrenching pain. The murderer of my father.

And if the fingers on the trigger is of any proof, then perhaps the future killer of...

NO!

Not again.

Never again.

Even though there's a lingering sense of fear, I don't seem to have shivering hands or cold feet. I have been through this once and I can go through this again, the only difference being that this time, the game will be played according to my rules.

"Why do you seem familiar?" The lady standing infront of me asks in a voice that I loved to hear at some point in the past.

"Maybe because you and I happen to share history," I reply coldly.

She stares at me in confusion and I give her ample time to recollect. After all, she is as responsible as the one who pulled the trigger.

I look behind her at Emma whose eyes flash with recognition and I nod back to her nod. The bodyguard is also giving me a questioning look. Such low standards of professionalism, even when dealing with ammunitions. Should have known better than losing focus infront of enemy.

"I just have a single question. Why have you kidnapped Emma?"

She laughs and keeps on laughing like a mad woman for a whole minute before replying. "Really? Why do you think I have kidnapped her? She seems very close to you as per my sources.

If the threat messages didn't give any indication, then let me tell you that the land you're trying to build your hotel on is mine and nobody, certainly not some spoilt kid of a rich dad can take it from me under the name of a 'contract'." She dramatically air quotes the word contract. I clench my teeth in raw anger.

"Spoilt kid, you say? I was wondering whether you were referring to yourself." I say.

"Don't you dare. You know that a single bullet can kill your lady love right here. So, why don't you reveal your identity and put a stop to that nonsense project of yours right this moment."

I tighten my fingers into a fist. "You are pathetic excuse for a woman. And I will certainly not let you crumble me like you did years ago..." With that said, I take my pocket knife out in a flash when she takes out her gun. She loses her gun instantly when I hit her wrist. We get into a hands on fight where she tries to claw me and then suddenly, I feel a strong hit on the back of my head and white spots appear infront of my eyes. I try to keep fighting but my head starts pounding like crazy.

Losing my balance, I fall down on the cold floor and watch her settle on her haunches through the slit of my eyes.

"Who are you?"

"I hope you remember the guy at whom you winked from the other side of the road ten years down the line... Yaya." The hatred is as palpable in my voice as is the shock in her eyes.

"How do you know that name?"

"I tend to know a lot of things."

She grabs the revolver from her bouncer's hand and directs it at me. The heavy sounds of harsh breathing are so in contrast with the otherwise still atmosphere.

"Don't test my patience. Answer my question or else I will shoot you right this second."

"I want you to suffer just like I did..."

I see her pulling the trigger but I am no longer scared.

I hear two ear piercing bullet sounds and close my eyes.

About ten seconds later I feel Yaya's body falling upon me and I quickly roll and lay her on her back. She is clutching her bloody upper thigh and looking at me through hate filled eyes. Oh... The feeling is mutual.

Emma falls down on her knees by my side and looks at Yaya with tear filled eyes,"I have barely cursed anyone in my life but I hope that you suffer as much agony and affliction that you inflicted on a fifteen year old boy by killing his father right infront of his eyes in broad daylight, in the middle of a street. I wish that atleast God will be able to forgive you for your sins because Steven sure as hell can't."

I look at her with all the love and admiration I hold for her in my heart and thank that power above for blessing me with a girl as fierce; as sweet; as independent; as strong; as understanding; as caring and as loving as Emma Gray.

Yaya looks at me, shock and recognition flashing in her dark eyes and I simply give her a nod.

The blaring noise of police vans ricochet in the backdrop and the next thing I know is cops carrying out Yaya and her bodyguard among screams and yells, after I assure them about the questioning session once we wrap our minds around this entire traumatic situation.

"I shot two people," Emma mumbles in a flabbergasted tone.

I go down on both knees and hold her in my arms,"Oh honey, you shot on their thighs. They will live. It was self-defense.

Are you alright?" I ask her, trying to pull her out from the horror that her eyes are reflecting.

"Yeah," she answers in a daze.

"Let's get out of here," I tell her and help her to stand.

We take a few uncoordinated steps but suddenly she falls upon me and closes her eyes.

-x-