THE COMPLETE TRUTH

Chapter 6

"You don't know him. You've never met him. He's name is Ja......" Jerome passed out before he could complete his sentence.The whole night,I couldn't sleep. I was busy thinking about Jerome's friend. Did Jerome's friend actually see the servant killing Layla or was it a lie.What if Jerome is lying. I didn't see anyone else except Jerome that day....I'm confused! Probably Jerome said it randomly.Probably he didn't mean it.

The next day I woke up early and made lemonade for Jerome. I'm sure he must be having a really bad hangover right now.When I reached Jerome's room,he was already awake. "Here you go."I said while giving him the lemonade. "Thank you."replied Jerome.I was about to leave when Jerome stopped me."Layla,are you mad at me for getting drunk.Usually,wives get mad at their husband when they get drunk.Are you mad at me?"asked Jerome in a sad tone. "Hmm,I should be mad at you but don't worry I'm not mad at you.I understand that you miss her a lot and you're trying to deal with your pain...." I said with a smile. I left Jerome's room and went to the kitchen. I was about to cook breakfast for him when Jerome texted me. " Dinner tonight madam(wink emoji)" texted Jerome. I texted him okay with a heart emoji. He replied with a heart emoji too. Ah, I can't stop blushing. It feels so beautiful and special. Everything seems so beautiful.... We went for dinner that night and it was amazing. Jerome and I talked for hours and we shared our childhood secrets with each other.

25 NOVEMBER 2020

Time passed and I didn't realize when Jerome and I got closer. We actually behave like a married couple now.He would go to work and when he returns,we will spend our time together. Everything feels so magical,so dreamy,so perfect...... except nothing is perfect. I was so busy in my perfect life that I forgot about Layla......Today morning,Jerome called me to his room."Layla I want to show you something.My mum's pendant."said Jerome while handing me the pendant.It was a blue sapphire evil eye pendant with diamond accents on it."Wow,this is beautiful."I said while admiring the pendant."Remember when I requested Alaya if I could talk to you in private in my bedroom? Actually,I wanted to show you this pendant.It's my mum's pendant.I don't believe in superstition but my parents do.Dad bought this for mum and after she died,I kept this pendant with me.Here,have it.This is for you.This will protect you from evil eye."said Jerome. I was touched.It was really sweet of him."Jerome,I....Thank you."I said with a smile."I love you Layla."said Jerome. I was about to reply but then I stopped.Jerome loves Layla not Alaya............Enough is enough.I can't live like this anymore.I'm tired of being Layla.I have decided to tell Jerome the complete truth.I'm sure he will understand.When I first came here,I was mad at Jerome for killing my sister but now I'm sure he's innocent.A man like Jerome can never kill anyone.Probably Jerome's servant was the one who killed Layla.Before Jerome left for work,I asked him if we could have dinner outside and he agreed.

When Jerome left for work,I immediately booked a table at our favourite restaurant. I even practiced confessing to him more than a hundred times in front of the mirror. How will I confess my love for him? How will I tell him everything? I was so nervous that day and time being cruel, passed slowly that day.I even wore my red dress for that evening and wore the pendant Jerome gave me. I was so excited. When Jerome arrived home, he was really tired and asked if we could postpone the plan. I was upset and told him that I had planned everything. After lots of requesting him,Jerome agreed.

I was so excited. While Jerome was busy driving,I was busy in my dream world when a truck rammed us. Everything happened so fast. The next thing I knew was that Jerome was injured badly and he was unconscious. Blood flowed rapidly from his head. Seeing all this blood reminded me of Layla. I felt a sick feeling......

That twist in the pit of my stomach returned.....I had the exact same feeling when Layla was scared. When she was killed......I.... I can't lose Jerome. I gathered all the strength I had and went out of the car. I tried calling passers-by and luckily a few of them came to help us. They brought Jerome out of the car and seeing him in a pool of blood made me anxious. Memories started flashing rapidly. Memories of Layla and her death.....She was bleeding too....... I don't know what happened next but when I woke up, I was in the hospital on the bed. The doctors informed me that Jerome suffered major issues and I had to wait a day to meet him. It was a horrible feeling.

That day,I couldn't sleep the whole night. I felt guilty. Jerome wasn't in the mood to go to the restaurant,but I forced him. If I had listen to him..... everything would have been fine. This is all my fault. This is.......unfair. I can't lose him. Mum left me first,then Layla and now Jerome......

The next day,I was allowed to meet Jerome. I was so excited and happy. I literally ran from my room to Jerome's room to meet him. When I reached his room,he was sleeping soundly. I waited patiently for him to wake up. Unfortunately when he woke up,he didn't recognize me. I was shocked at first but then the doctor in charge informed me that he has post-traumatic amnesia(memory loss). I was heartbroken but at the same time thankful. I'm glad he's at least alive and by my side. The doctor in charge, Doctor Ryan motivated me and told me that Jerome has a 5% chance of remembering his past. He asked me if I was willing to take that chance. I agreed. "I can do anything for Jerome." I said happily. He even asked me if I would like to hire a nurse for Jerome. I rejected his offer. I wanted to take care of Jerome on my own.

Jerome stayed at the hospital for a week,and I took good care of him. I made sure he finished his food. I even brought him books to read. He loves reading books. We even watched his favourite cooking show together. Jerome was confused at first but then he started accepting me. I had a hope that everything would be fine again but I was wrong......

When we returned home,Jerome was fine until one day he received a phone call. After the phone call,Jerome would behave in a really bad way. He would throw tantrums and was extremely rude to me. Jerome stayed in his room all day long. He would talk to someone on the phone all day long. Whenever I asked Jerome about the caller,he would get mad at me and wouldn't eat his medicines. I tried eavesdropping but to no use. Jerome would keep the door close. Jerome even shifted to the other room. He refused to share his room with me. Jerome's behaviour was getting worst each day.

One day,in anger I told him how I missed the old Jerome. After that, Jerome apologized and things were going normal until one day I heard Jerome talking to his mum's photo. He said he was tired of his life and was tired of pretending that everything is normal..... I walked towards him and consoled him. I don't know what happened to Jerome,but he was begging me to free him from this pain. He was begging me to stop this pain. When Jerome was begging me,it reminded me of Layla....the way she was scared......I consoled him and Jerome cried to sleep that day......That day,we both slept at the living room. Jerome slept on my lap and I slept after consoling him.

I thought Jerome was being emotional and everything will be fine the next day but I was wrong. The next day when I woke up, Jerome wasn't there. I searched for him everywhere but he wasn't there. When I was about to leave Jerome's bedroom, I saw him from the balcony. He was waiting for someone. A man in a black hoodie arrived and he hugged Jerome. I couldn't see his face as his back was facing me. They talked for a while and soon Jerome came inside. Before leaving,that man faced towards me and smiled.I was surprised to see him. He was none other than Jake......my boyfriend.....