forever

FOUR

     ° Does it scare you that you'd
           Never get to me again°

"I shouldn't have. Dang today wasn't your day Thando." Adam said out loud leaving the party for the hospital.

"Which hospital uncle?"

"Emmarentia Academic."

"Is she... I'll be there."

"Before you hang up... I'm sorry I had no intention of hurting her you know I would never do anything to hurt her. Even though everything was arranged, I know you'd care if anything like that or like this in our case happened."

"Yeah."

Adam breathed through his final word to Marcus feeling defeat wash over him.

"I wish it didn't have to end this way... It still would have hurt but this part just wasn't my doing. Heck I realise now that my doing was going to kill anyway, even if it only would have killed your spirit."

Adam got to the reception. Prayers going through his mind. He didn't know where to even start. He hurt he first and now this.

Josia's cry to his wife called for Adam's attention and he rushed over to them. Seeing Maria on the floor he understood what happened. The doctors came over to help her.

"You happy now Fischer? I lost them both. Over what? Over business, money - those lousy shares."

Adam's tears rushed down.

"She didn't make it?"

Josia only nodded.

"Ma'am, we're here to help you find the patient what's her name?"

Doctor Oliver looked over to a defeated Josia.

"Maria Ford, we lost our daughter."

"Your daughter, Thando-Thando Ford?"

"She's alive but we need to get your wife some help."

Seeing Josia's confusion he added :

"she's in safe hands."

Adam ran to the ICU.

"She's alive."

He started crying and his legs felt weak. Thankful he said he's silent prayers.

"Thando Ford, nurse where can I find her? She's my fiancé."

"Come in here, I was just with her. She's strong, but she had a flatlined. Don't worry it's not as bad there is hope for her. There is always hope."

Adam mouthed a "thank you" and went in.

Thando laid there, tubes going in and out of her. She looked helpless.

"If you make out - when you make it out of here, we'll fix this mess. I'll fix this mess. I hope your mother wins the fight too. "

At the touch of his hand her heart skipped a few beats but not in a flattering way. Even unconscious she wanted him far. Far from her, far from her family. Far from her life.

" I'm sorry Thando. You know how things work. We both knew that this was a deal between our families."

"You're right, but I gave you my heart and you gave me sweet nothings. You're a cruel person Adam."

Adam jumped when he realised that Thando was talking.

"You're awake."

"Nurse, she's awake. She was talking... Thando, Thando. What happened?"

"This tends to happen, give her time Sir. She'll be well soon. We have to check on her mom now. She's hospitalised due to shock."

Adam squeezed his fiancé's hand,smiling at her, hoping to talk to her again as soon as she was fully conscious. He'd tell her that he did not mean what happened and that he cared about her but the truth was that there was a limit to how much he cared.

She cared whole-heartedly but he did not care as much. If and only if he cared even a bit he would let her go and not even think of scamming her.

Returning those damn shares would not even change a thing - it would ease up his conscience yes but the end for his relationship with Thando - with the Fords really, had begun.

"I'll make it up to you baby, I promise, some how. You'll hate me for now but after that, the rest of our lives will be a breeze."

He leaned in to kiss her forehead.

"Sometimes true love comes with a bit of sadness or heartbreak but we'll be alright, my love I promise."

"Have you no shame? Then what? You'll marry her is that what you think will happen?"

"I didn't see you there... I thought I was here alone. She spoke to me but she seems to be losing consciousness again."

"That's good for her. Leave."

"Look, I know I'm not the best person in your eyes right now... I will fix it. I still am her fiancé after all. I still care about her."

"I told you to leave but uh... Savour this moment, it's the last one you'll have with her."

"Don't you think that's her choice to make?"

"Trust me, she won't object to any of this. Should my wife leave me, Fisher should she die I'll kill you. I'll have nothing to lose and I do mean nothing to lose at that point. I suggest you make sure you're not where I can find you. This isn't over yet."

(Does anyone have a favourite character yet? Or is it too soon?)