Hapless By Leo 26

 

 Chapter Twenty Sixth:

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Her heart was racing faster as she was unable to make any contact with him. He had promised to return as soon as possible but much to her dismay it had been two hours. Everyone had arrived and it had been really late. She called him multiple times but the phone was not being answered.

She came outside of her room and saw her mother talking to the people.

''This is my daughter Christina.'' Rachel introduced her to some unknown faces.

''You my girl are a great young lady. You must know how much Parker's are famous for their works. It was a delight to meet you.'' the unknown woman adorned with heavy jewellery said and Tina nodded.

The musicians were playing soft tunes. Tina was having a heart attack. Almost. The flood of people was making her way more uneasy.

''Hey Tina way to go girl, how are you do you even remember us or Parker has made you forget everything.'' A slim man with wavy hair stopped her. It was Archie. Archie was in her and Ben's gang and they used to sing in college for free during parties for both the college and their own.

''Hello Archie what a surprise, where have you been all this time.'' she wanted to escape but every now and then a person would block her way and would began to talk to her.

''I'm not alone here all the gang is with me.'' he pointed towards the one on his right side, he was Sam the guitar artist, on his left was Gloria  who used to set the stage, and far from them stood their drum player, Jason. ''Guys its so good to see you again.'' Tina hugged them all together.

''Its so good to see you. Although it is always regretted that you married too soon my dear.''Jason said holding both her hands.

''One must when a Parker is the one proposing.'' Gloria joked.

''Exactly I hear about our daughter where is she?'' Sam looked all around.

''She's in her room inside. She's only two what do you expect she will join you at the bar.'' Tina said and after a while she made a lame excuse to get out of the party.

''I must go and check I think Taylor's stuck somewhere. Meanwhile you can have as much fun as much you all want, we also have a room for those who fell down after drinking don't worry about anything at all my friends have as much fun as you want. You deserve it.'' her uneasiness was visible on her face. The glow had drained and clear signs of restlessness had taken cover over the bright rouge on her cheeks. 

''We will thank you Tina.'' they all yelled together.

Just as she was about to leave the hall Rachel came. The party was divided into two groups. One corner was taken by the elderly and their gossip. The other was occupied by the younger group who were drinking and drinking and had drained almost half of the bar.

''Mom I have to go I'm really worried and upset Taylor is not answering my call'.

''No he'll come wait Jenny and Ben are out also why don't you call them and they all can come back together.'' Rachel took her to a corner where the guests wouldn't see their trouble.

''I don't know but I told him that he shouldn't go tonight its a storm outside but he won't listen.'' she focused on the phone and began dialing Ben's number.

The phone was not answered not by Ben and not by Jenny.

Something surely is wrong. It is all my fault. I shouldn't have had a function in the wake of such a bad day. From the noon it was raining and I was dumb enough to let them all carry their routine activities. Today is a bad day. Bad day may it end well I'll never have a anniversary celebration ever again.

Her mind was asking and answering questions on her own.

 

                                                       

 

The thunder was roaring madly and the rain was still raining over the ground with full speed.

The dark black clouds had covered every bit of the sky the eye's retina could withhold. Jenny was still struggling getting past the throng when she saw what she saw. She yelled and ran towards them.

Ben was now giving Taylor enough support for him to stand when Jenny held him from the other side.

''Oh  my God don't Taylor don't. SOMEBODYYYYY CALL THE BLOODYYY AMBULANCE!''

she yelled with all the voice she had. ''Just stay with me Taylor.'' Ben carried him to the side and then made him sit on the side cupping his face in his hands and shouting.

In a matter of minutes the ambulance arrived.

Jenny and Ben were stoned. Ben had lots of blood on his face. It was sure that he too was wounded but how? Jenny thought. What did happen in just an hour with both of them. The doctor was still inside. Their phones were ringing but they did not have enough strength to answer the questions of Tina.

Jenny's makeup had flushed her face and Ben's white shirt was filled with blood. He had stains of blood over his cheeks. Blood every where. Blood of Taylor. Blood of his own, blood of the man Tina lived for. Blood of the father of Liz. Poor Liz and Tina. God what hell was brought down upon them.

''What happened Ben?'' Jenny said in trembling voice.

''I don't know I had a call saying my father had a heart attack. I came outside and wanted to sit in my car just then somebody pulled me to the road I fell down. Then I was on my feet. I was suspicious about with what just had happened. I saw the hood who had pushed me on the road. I followed him. Suddenly he began to run. I also followed him. At a certain point the guy disappeared and a truck came my way. I was so shocked that I couldn't move but I did right before it was about to crush me. But....'' he stopped for a moment. ''It couldn't...'' he sobbed.

''It's okay.'' Jenny hugged him. ''It's alright.''

''It was too late for the truck to control its speed and Taylor who was just about to start his car got hit by it so bad. God I couldn't save him. It's my fault the truck was destined for me. I know someone wanted to kill me with it I know but God knows what Taylor was doing there just right behind the spot that was marked to kill me.'' he cried.

Jenny didn't say a word but she knew who had done it.

                                                               

 

''Tina Ben is here.'' Rachel went to him. Tina who was on the end of the hall turned towards the gallery. She came running towards him. Then she slowed down. Slowed down as the color of his shirt was red. When he came in the evening he was wearing a white shirt. Why was the color of his shirt red now? His face looked red too. She came closer sighted his red face and red shirt and then that was it for her.

''Tinnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.'' Rachel yelled. Ben carried her. The world had suddenly collided the sky had fallen down the earth had been slit opened in two. She was on one side and Taylor on the other. Tina was unconscious the party was over. All the guests came running towards them.

 

The sun's light was at it's brightest. It was a great good day. Taylor was sitting with Liz and Tina was peeling apples for the both of them. 

''I was not as lucky as you are my princess. Both of your parents love you more than anything else in this entire world do you know?'' he kissed her and raised her up.

The sparrows were singing the horses were neighing. The rabbits were playing and Liz was running after them to catch one but in vain. Every time she would try to take a hold of one they would run beneath a hole in the tree. Then a squirrel would be visible and she would target the squirrel instead of a bunny now.

They were in Louisville in their farm. There home the home of Taylor's parents.

Tina sat close to him and faced the ravine. The water was sparkling like crystal on the sun's each ray. He held her close and kissed her, ''You will always take care of Liz no matter I'm with her or not you will won't you.'' Tina faced him with disbelief in her eyes. ''What are you saying are you out of your mind? Remember what you promised me when we came here for our honeymoon have you forgotten everything. Don't you dare talk like that ever before!'' she was angry and faced the ravine again and her back to Taylor.

He kissed her again on the head and said, ''I did but do you remember what you said. You said that we will relive the story of Richard and Elizabeth you have it now. Just what you asked for. As far as I am concerned I am with you forever.'' he kissed him with all love he had. With all his self.

 

Tina opened her eyes surrounded by Ben, a petrified Rachel and a stoned Jenny.

''Where am I? Where's Taylor? Take me to him immediately I want to see him. '' she began to take out the needles that were pinned in her hand when a nurse resisted her. ''You cannot move stay still.'' ''Damn you I want to see my husband ! TAYLORRRRRRR!'' she was constantly screaming when Rachel told the nurse to let her go with the motion of her hand.

Tina ran towards Ben and took him with collars of his shirt, ''Take me to Taylor Ben, wherever he is in whatever state he is in take me to him I beg of you , you know where he is you know. Is he in this hospital. Just take me to him.'' she was choking with tears that had flooded her face.

Ben took her to the other room. That room was empty. With light on. ''This room is empty where is Taylor? I ask you the last time where is he?'' she again took him by his collar. 'He walked towards the bed and uncovered the body that was covered with a white sheet.

Tina paused for a moment. 

There he was still no movement. Taylor had become a motionless body. He was lying without any movement.

Tina yelled and fell on the floor crying. Ben brought her up and drew her close to Taylor's body.

''No you cannot do this to me, why did you do this to me answer me.'' she fell on his motionless  body.

There was a certain brilliance on his face. He seemed like he was sleeping.

Tina kissed him on the head. ''Leave me alone with him Ben.''

He left the room and the others were waiting for him outside the door.

A policeman was standing outside and approached Ben to ask him some certain questions. 

''I'm officer Patrick and I want to update you with all the news we have regarding the accident. The truck that collapsed with the car was due to heavy rainfall and a electricity pole which was struck by the lightning was actually the main cause of the sorrowful loss. I'm sorry for your loss Mr Parker was a good man. Unfortunately I cannot keep the driver in custody as we have taken full inquiry regarding the accident you see.'' he then talked with another officer and took a document from him.

''You don't understand officer I am Benjamin Brown. I have several rivals and I'm sure someone was after me. The truck wanted to crush me and it would have crushed me if I hadn't moved at the right time. My friend who was in his car and was just about to drive away was severely hit by the truck and there is no fallen lighting pole I can assure you. A hooded man tried to kill me just three minutes before and then this truck. I want you to find this man who ever he is and I will make sure he rots in jail for the rest of his life so does this driver, No one will escape justice.'' he was panting due to anger and stress.

''I see I'll see what I can do,one thing I'll make sure to find the other culprit for you Mr Brown my condolences.''

''You should have someone in custody very soon officer.'' Ben was as pale as a sunflower. His shirt was still covered in Taylor's blood and so was Jenny's.

The officer took a brief look at him and then nodded in agreement and left.

 

The next day at noon the funeral was held. Tina was quiet. Serious. Pale weak and her eyes were swollen. Nana took care of Liz at home and the rest were in the cemetery. The officer was there and Ben signed him to wait till he meets him outside the cemetery. ''Come on Tina let's go.'' Ben was waiting for her while the others had left. ''You go I want to stay here for a while.'' she sat near his grave. Cried and placed his favorite flowers over it.

''I couldn't have imagined our parting as painful as such. You married me only to leave me and your daughter alone forever. What will I say to her when her innocent eyes will search you? You didn't think about us for even a minute if you had you would have listened to me.''

She slept their unaware of the time.

Ben came outside and talked to the officer,

''Mr Brown, I have only one clue and nothing else if that helps you we can build a case if not then I cannot do anything further. Yesterday I interrogated the driver and he told me that he was paid by a man he had worked with a few times. Mostly other works, he is a criminal this guy and we don't know what he looks like and what his name is but if you help us describe his face then we can help you. That's all I have to tell you nothing else.'' officer Patrick received a call and then Ben let him go. He got a call from Jenny,

''What happened did he tell you something?''

''No nothing he wants me to describe how the murderer looked like but I have no idea. It was dark and he had a hood. All I can remember is his chin and it was broad he was tall nothing else.'' Ben sat on a bench and looked at Tina who was lying over the grave.

''don't worry we'll figure out something bring yourself and Tina home Rachel is waiting.'' she told him and then disconnected the call. 

Ben who was still there didn't let Tina know that he was there. Because in her condition he just couldn't leave her alone on her own could he? He who could never imagine in his wildest dreams that she would suffer such pain. He regretted the day he was there. Why was he there when he couldn't save Taylor. The truth he didn't tell Tina was horrible truth that death was supposed to be his and Taylor died because of him. He was breathing when he pulled him out of the car wreck. Why didn't he hold on for just some more minutes. If he had she wouldn't be in such state in which she is now.

''Come on Tina let's go its night already if you stay here for some more while you might get ill.''

Ben sat near her. ''Nothing will happen to me. He is lying in this grave all alone and I'm still alive isn't that the biggest proof that nothing will happen to me. I wish I had died before seeing such a day.'' she got up and began walking away from him.

 

The doctor examined her she was having a high fever. ''Don't worry I have given her a painkiller she'll sleep the night. She suffered from a major nervous breakdown this is all its after affects. She'll get better just don't remind her of the terrible events and keep her happy at the most.''

She stayed in the hospital for some days. She didn't talk with anyone not even with Rachel. She didn't look at Liz. She just stared at everyone's face. Jenny often visited her and Ben had left everything he was just glued with the door of the room she was in.

''Here see what we have brought for mommy.'' Jenny was holding Liz and a box of cookies in her hand that she placed near Tina who paid no attention to them.

''Where's daddy.'' Liz said and Tina heard it. ''Well first let's meet your mommy. Look mommy we baked cookies for you.'' Jenny said and Tina looked at her. ''Take her away if you will please.'' she said and turned her face to the other side. Jenny went outside.

''How is she did she talked to you and Liz.'' he took Liz  from Jenny.

''Well she's not any better than the last time I came here I shouldn't have brought Liz with me she mentioned Taylor and she got upset.'' Jenny sighed and then sat down on one of the chairs in the gallery.

''No it's not your fault. She has to deal with it. He's gone and Liz is here. Of course she's just a child and she will ask such questions and Christina must face it. She cannot be a coward she must face it.'' He looked at her from the window and she was numb and still as if all her blood had turned ice.

 

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