2 The accident

Aviana paced the room nervously. In her Twenty-three years of living, she had never been this scared. Her heart rate increased. She was breathing so heavily it seemed she might hyperventilate. It had been three hours since Hayden was taken to the operating room. Whatever was happening inside the room, she didn't know. Nobody knew except for the doctor.

In her hands, she held a string of beads. It was a kind of rosary that catholics used when making prayers. This was the only item she had of her father and she cherished it so much. Her father gave it to her years ago when he was still alive. She believed that, if she made a prayer with it, her brother would be okay. Actually, she had never believed in it, at first. She never believed that praying with the rosary, could make prayers come true.

When her father gave it to her, he told her that it would protect her always, and that whatever she needed, she should pray with it and her desire would be granted. She never saw the need of the rosary, even after her father passed away. She only kept it to remember him.

And now, the need was here. Maybe, what her father said was true, after all. Maybe, Hayden would be fine if she believed. Tears clouded her eyes as she made the prayer.

"God in heaven, I beg you, please protect my brother. He's the only little brother I've got. Apart from him and my mother, I have no one else. I know, I made a mistake. I shouldn't have blamed him. I shouldn't have made him run away. I admit, it's all my fault. I should be the one lying there, and not my brother. I'm sorry, please forgive me. Hear my cry, oh God. Keep him safe, for me, " she cried bitterly as she fell on the floor. Her heart stung due to the pain. The pain was too much for her to handle.

"Dad, I'm sorry, I failed you. I failed to take good care of Hayden. If you can hear me, ask God to protect him, for me. Ask God to forgive me. I didn't mean to put him in any danger. I didn't mean to hurt Hayden. I'm sorry, please forgive me."

A tear after another, trickled down her face. Her hair was already in mess. But, she didn't care at all. If crying was the only way to keep Hayden safe, then she was willing to cry till the heavens answered her prayers. If believing on the rosary would protect him, then she was ready to believe. She would do anything to ensure his safety.

Ethan stood at the far end, as he watched the little woman cry on the floor. He didn't know what to do. He was familiar with the feeling of loosing someone so dear to you. It hurt deeply. He lost his mother when he was young. As young as he was, growing up without a mother, no one to console him, he knew the pain. And he didn't want anyone to go through what he went through, especially, people he cared about.

Finally, he let go of his pride,and walked towards her. He didn't know much about comforting someone. But, he had read in a book that if someone is crying, then the person should be left alone to cry. It was the only way to let go of the pain. He didn't plan on saying anything.

He gently tapped on her back in a comforting way to affirm her that everything would be fine. Aviana, unconsciously leaned on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. Ethan was struck dumb for a moment. He didn't expect the little woman to take the initiative, and wrap her arms around his waist. He didn't give much thought to it, as he knew she were in deep pain. He reached to hold her hands, lifted her up, and led her to sit down.

"I know, you're having such a hard time with what happened to your brother," he started. "This is the best hospital, and I guarantee you, he'll be fine. I'm sure, he would want you to be strong, for him. Be positive, and everything will go smoothly," he continued. "It's okay, to be sad. I'm here with you," he pushed out the last words in a low soft voice.

Aviana was moved by his comforting words. She raised her head, and with her bloodshot eyes, she looked him in the eye. After everything that happened, she had trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry. She never gave a glance to the man. Looking at him now, she couldn't help but admire his beauty. His red seductive lips, his stripped body, and his eyes...his icy blue eyes were stunning. His brown hair well rummaged. He was like an immortal. He had everything in a man that every woman craved for. She were no exception. Aviana sighed.

'Yes, he's handsome, he's beautiful. He, indeed, has everything in a man that every woman wants. He seems rich, he must have someone in his heart. He must be in love with someone somewhere. He can never be mine. I better stop my wishful thinking, " she shaked her head inorder to get rid of the thoughts running wild, inside her head.

"You're good looking," she finally spoke, after a long time.

"Thank you," was all he said. He was amused by the sudden changes. A moment ago, she was crying bitterly. And now, she was all calm. Calm like nothing happened. But, he was glad.

"Thank you. You're right about what you said, earlier. I should remain strong, for my brother. I should stay positive," she added. "I have nothing to give for your comforting words, for your kind gesture. I can only say, thank you. I'm so much grateful."

Holding the string of beads her father gave to her, she thought of giving it to him. But, she was hesitating. It was the only thing, she had of her father. Taking his hand into hers, she placed the rosary onto his palm.

"Have this," she said. "This rosary, is a gift from my late father. From now on, it's yours. It will protect you from all danger. This is the only thing I can offer. Thank you," she concluded.

Ethan had been listening to her. And truth be told, he was moved by her way of showing appreciation. She was giving out, her most precious item.

"You don't have to give your precious gift, to me," he told her. "Just, stay strong for the boy, be positive. That's the only way you can show your appreciation to me," he continued. "Besides, I caused the accident. It's my car that has put him in the critical condition he's in right now. It's my responsibility, so don't worry yourself too much, on what to offer for appreciation," he added.

"I knew, you would say that, but I still want you to have it. It's from my heart. Please, don't reject my gift," she pleaded with him, and glared at him with her ball-like eyes that no one born of a woman could refuse. Ethan was no exception.

"Okay, I will take it, but only on one condition. That you stay strong and take good care of yourself," he said

"Okay, I will," she simply said, and smiled at him.

There was an awkward moment of silence between them.

" " the awkward moment was interrupted by Aviana's phone ringing. It was Joana calling. Until now, she hadn't realized she never called her mother to tell her what happened. There were a lot of missed calls from her. She glanced at Ethan and excused herself before walking away.

"Hello, mother," she spoke. "I'm fine mother. Um...Hayden is fine," she lied. "We're at the hospital, something happened, and we had to rush here quickly," she explained. "Kindred hospital," she glanced at Ethan, who whispered to her which hospital they were in, before conveying it to her mother. "Okay, we'll wait for you," she said before she kept the call.

She couldn't disclose to her that Hayden had an accident. Atleast, not on the phone. The woman lost her beloved husband, and now, Hayden was on the verge of death. Of course, she wouldn't be able to endure the pain. It was better to tell her that, face-to-face, than on the phone. She sighed and walked back to Ethan.

The doctor who was carrying out the operation on Hayden walked to them.

"How's Hayden! Is he out of danger! He is going to be fine, right!" Aviana couldn't wait to ask the questions that had been running wild through her mind. Her heart rate increased as her breathing became rapid. Her legs were so weak that she could lose consciousness the next moment, if the doctor gave her any bad news. She were having a sense of impending danger. Ethan noticed her nervousness . He moved closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He gently caressed her, in a comforting way, to calm her.