Rainbows after Hurricane

10. |p r e s e n t|

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The thunderstorm does not seem to stop so does the rain and the storms. The wind is howling strongly, distracting Asher making it harder to focus since he can barely see through the torrential rain pouring down from the sky. A flash of lightning light up the sky making him clutch Dianna firmly in his arms. The low rumble of thunder accompanied seconds later only heightens his unease.

He glances towards his friends and sure enough, they were too having the same problem, which he can identify through their facial expressions. Jason and Zach were showing the way using the torch light Jason brought along with him in case of emergency, for which Asher feels more than grateful.

The wind is getting stronger and stronger which is making it difficult for Asher to take even a single step, with Dianna in his arms. It feels like with him taking one step ahead, the wind is pushing him two steps back. But, Asher is not giving up any time soon.

 He blinks rapidly to clear his vision, which has been blurred by the rain falling over his eyes. His hands are trembling, and his body is shaking due to the frost biting cold. He doesn't even know how long can he keep going on in this condition.

             "Here, let me hold her." Zach shouts over the heavy sound of rain, pelting down over them.

             "It's fine." Asher answers back, shifting Dianna slightly to hold her properly.

              "The hospital is still fifteen minutes away. Looking at the weather, it may take more than that. Let me carry her." Zach persuades, leaving no room for further argument.

 Asher looks at him for a moment longer before giving a small nod and hands Dianna over his open arms. Zach carefully holds her, and with a final look, they continue on their mission to save Dianna.

Zach and Asher had always been able to read each other's mind. They might not have been able to understand certain things, but, majority of the time they could comprehend what was going on the other's mind. That's why there was always a sense of comfort and ease on their friendship.

Like in every friendship, they too had to face the rock bottom, crashing everything they held dear to them into million pieces but sometimes, it's not impossible to glue those broken pieces together. All you need is a little push at right direction and a little effort with sheer determination.

Dianna has been trying to give Asher and Zach that push so that they could patch things up. Unfortunately, all her attempts went in vain. Instead of making everything alright between them, Dianna landed herself in trouble and Asher couldn't help but wallow at his life.

Asher always knew that Dianna was trying all she could to make things right, to make everything as same as before, but, sometimes it doesn't seem possible. And, Asher always believed that it was too late for things to be mended between him and Zach. He had already given up on their friendship a long time back, but, if it's anyone who didn't give up—it was Dianna.

She was the one who brought the sense of hope in his life when he thought everything was finished. She was the one who believed in him when even he didn't believe in himself.

              "I don't care what you say, I just know that I believe in you and I will always believe in you." Dianna used to say time and again, over and over and over so that he could get this thing pasted inside his thick skull (in Dianna's word). She used to trust him long before everything came crashing down, when everything was alright in his life, between him and Zach.

Asher had always dreamt about being an Architect, but, he wasn't confident enough that he would be able to pull through it and get the scholarship he wanted so desperately. His parents died when he was just eight and whatever savings they had; it was all used in his and Ashley's high school studies, and other stuffs.

 The little remaining money was enough for just the one of two; either Ashley or Asher. Being the good brother, he decided the money should belong to Ashley because she needed it more. Ashley aspired to become a dancer and had always desired to open a dance school of her own. So, he decided to keep that money for her whenever she would decide to open her dream school.

  No one knew about it, not even Zach. He was surprised when Dianna confronted him about it one day and he couldn't lie to her.

Dianna had always been a smart kid for her age and was really perceptive. She could figure out what was wrong with him with just even a glance and even though she was just thirteen, she could give advice like she was already eighteen.

                 "So that's why you are so desperate for this scholarship." Dianna had said, looking at him across the couch where she was sitting.

                 Asher nodded his head.

                "What's the problem, then?"

 Asher sighed, exhaling a long tired breath as he looked up at her through his lashes. "The problem is I don't think I would get the scholarship."

                 "Why would you think that?" Dianna asked, standing up to join him on the couch he was sitting, the fabric of their jeans slightly brushed against each other.

                "I don't know." Asher threw his hands up in the air, frustrated. "There are hundreds of people more capable than me. What if I—" he trailed off, pinching the bridge of his nose.

                "Asher, I may not know a lot of things but I do know that you're one of the most intelligent persons I have ever come across with. I am not saying you're the best but you need to have some faith in yourself." Dianna said, with an easy-going smile she always gave him. "You may not believe in yourself but I do. And, I know you'll get this scholarship. Don't let yourself get distracted by these unnecessary depressing thoughts. All you need to do is focus on your goal and I bet, one day you'll be coming to me with the scholarship letter in your hand."

Not long after that, Asher did go to Dianna with the scholarship letter in his hand with the hugest smile in his face.

She was the only one who always thought he deserved to be forgiven even when he didn't forgive himself.

Just when Asher started to forgive himself, life gave another punch to his stomach, knocking out his all senses. Just when Asher thought, he could be happy again, the life played its cruel card, shattering the safe confinement he was living in. First, Ashley and now, Dianna.

            He can't let that happen.

No, he won't let anyone take Dianna away from him. He won't repeat the same mistake he did with Ashley. This time, he will save Dianna, if it means he has to sacrifice his life, then he would but he will save Dianna.

           He won't repeat his mistake.

           "Look, the hospital." Meredith shouts out in excitement. Asher's head jerks forward and his eyes instantly lights up with a sudden hope and expectation. With a sudden rush of new energy, they sprint toward hospital. Given the weather outside, the hospital is not in good condition with patients shout filling the almost empty corridors.

 Asher stops a nurse running along the corridor with what seem like first aid tray. "We need a doctor." He says, pointing at Dianna in Zach's arm. The nurse's eyes widen, and immediately she brings a stretcher telling them to place Dianna over.

Once Dianna is safely placed, a doctor comes through and Asher explains the situation.

 The doctor takes one look at Dianna before saying, "Prepare her for OT."

 As the doctor rushes Dianna to operation theatre, a new sense of hope begins to rise within Asher. Life might not be so cruel after all. Maybe, this time, he is given a second chance to repair what he had destroyed because of one silly mistake.

            Maybe this time, he will be able to forgive himself.