Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Tracy's POV

I could not understand what was going on. The thought of it made made me angry. Maybe my ears went dumb all of a sufden. I can't believe that Mark actually did this to Tracy. What explanation can he give for this announcement, no wonder he kept avoiding all her calls and text messages. Or could he have given in to the threats? Even if someone was threatening them, the two of them should have come to a reasonable compromise. The more I thought of it, the more painful was the aches in my head.

Maya, I remembered as if I was woken from a nightmare. I left her with Jude but I don't think that even he could comfort her and just as I thought, he didn't even realize she had left his side. My instincts told me that she needed me. I was so puzzled at the thought of where she might be at the moment.

Tom had already called the police and a secret agency. I searched, the washrooms and balconies which are the places any woman will go to cry her heart out but there was no sign of her.

Tom suggested we search the garden. The breeze was freezing cold when we stepped out of the back door to the garden. Tom had to cover me with his blazer. But I couldn't help admiring the plants in the garden. The hedges were trimmed to perfection with blend of colors of white, yellow, red and purple roses.

The view of the garden was divine. I would have loved to spend a lot of time admiring the lilies, acacia and my favorite one (Orchid). The carpet grass and water fountain made it look like heaven. But this wasn't the time for admiring nature's beauty. My best friend is in danger and I had to find her, no matter what it takes.

Even though the garden lights were bright, they were masked by the trees and hedges. It was quite difficult seeing through those hedges. I searched around the trees, and Mark checked the hedges. The garden was was very big. Almost five acres of land if not for the portion used for a swimming pool.

I took off my heels since my feet ached from all the walk. I was gradually beginning to lose hope when I got to the water fountain. My feet was also getting numb from the cold so I sat at the foot of the fountain and burried my head between my knees. I was sad and restless. I didn't know what else to do as tears began to well up in the corners of my eyes. I decided to pray for a miracle as my mother thought me.

I remembered when I had those heartbreaks, mum told me to pray for God to take the pains away. She told me that, God is always there for us but we usually don't make time for him and end up following other things. When I realized I didn't have the strength to move on, I did as my mum said and prayed. God didn't just take the pain away but also gave me the strength to put it behind me and move on. Only then was I able to fully recover.

So I prayed like I never had, not caring if anyone heard me or not.

"God please protect Maya. If she is here, help us to find her. Please heal her broken heart and restore strength to her. But above all, keep her... "

Just as I was about to say the word safe, I felt something cold around my legs. I was scared but slowly opened my eyes.

I couldn't believe it when I saw the lifeless body on the cold floor. Mark, I screamed highly beyond the length my voice will usually travel. I removed the blazer and covered her, trying to get her up from the ground. She was dead cold and stiff. It seemed she's been here for over an hour. Tom immediately called an ambulance when he run to us and scooped her in his arms, as if she was as light as a feather and headed to the entrance. The ambulance arrived in no time.

After handing her over safely to the paramedics, Tom called his driver to bring his car but before then, Jude was there asking as to get into his car.

We sat in Jude's car and followed the ambulance to the hospital.

"What is going on", Jude kept asking but none of us could tell him anything. We were lost in our own thoughts. I kept praying that nothing happens to Maya. We waited anxiously at the hospital when Maya was taken to the ER.

"Tell me Tracy, Maya wanted to tell me something tonight. I have a feeling that you know about what she wanted to tell me". Jude kept talking endlessly. He was beginning to annoy me. I am here thinking and praying for my best friend and he was just asking me stupid questions. I was angry at him but tried my best not to show it. He is like a father to her after all.

Jude, this isn't right time to talk about it. The only important thing is for Maya to get well, I said annoying but that didn't stop him from talking.

"Does she have any terminal illness? "He asked with concern but it made him look so stupid and it irritated me the more. Anyway, I can't judge him. He doesn't know anything going on at the moment. So he can make his own assumptions but I couldn't help it and yelled.

"No. For as long as I have known Maya, she doesn't have any terminal illness. She is just heartbroken."

Heartbroken? By who?...Jude kept asking. Oh my God, can't he shut up for a minute?

All this while, Tom has been quiet. I was wondering what was going on in his mind but from the look on his face, I know he could kill Mark right now if he gets a hold on him and I will help him bury every evidence. I hated the bugger so much for what he just did.

Talk of the devil. Mark appeared from nowhere with Tilda.

"So, you still have the guts to show your face here again, Mark?" Tom punched him on the face. His nose began to bleed instantly as he staggered and almost fell from the punch. I guess he was taken by surprise. He didn't know Tom will go to that extent. Maybe he forgot that Tom still loves Maya. Sometimes I feel sad for him. Maya doesn't love him like I do but he still can't get his mind off her. I know he doesn't love me the way I love him but such is life. People find love in the strangest places. Had Tilda not been by Mark's side, He would have fallen face down. Right now, with the bruise and blood coming from his nose, he looked like a clown. I hated him with every inch of my breath.

"Get out of here," Tom shouted angrily at him. Secretly, I wanted Tom to punch him again. At least, that will change his look from a clown to a zombie

"No, I have to see her". Mark yelled back without any attempt to fight Tom. The nerve.

"And I say you can't." Tom shouted again and was about to give him another punch as I wanted but was held back by Jude. I hated Jude for interfering. Mark deserved at least three punches but he only got one which made me sad.

"Enough" Jude yelled. Stop behaving like a bunch of hooligans. Jude shouted at them. This is a hospital and my foster daughter is there in ER fighting for her life and all you two can do is fight and make a scene?" He ended with a tearful voice. His last sentence really made me sad.

He had a point. We should have respect for Maya. But this fight isn't over, I thought to myself.

"She is in ER because of me" Mark said regretfully with Tilda looking away.

"Because of you? I don't understand. When my business was dying, you helped me pick it up and because of that, I have respected you and called you a friend. But when did you start a relationship with her?" He asked with both surprise and sadness.

"Just a few weeks". Mark answered but before he could say something, Jude interupted.

"So, that's why she was asking me yesterday if I knew you. I wonder what she wanted to tell me". He said thoughtfully.

"He promised to marry her but suddenly started avoiding her, only for her to come here today, and hear this heartbreaking news of his marriage to Tilda." I said mockenly.

"So my little girl fell in love with my friend who is in love with someone else?" Jude asked with a sad face.

"You don't understand", Mark tried to say but was stopped by Tom.

"Just get out of here. You didn't even have the guts to tell her the truth and left her to find out on her own. How wicked can you be ha? you were the one who even invited her in the first place. Get out before I break you neck this time." Tom yelled as Tilda pulled Mark by the arm, heading to the exit.

Jude has been quiet since that abrupt discovery when his phone rang. He stood up and walked a few meters to answer the call. I heared him arguing with someone over the phone and with the look of it, it was his wife and I thought he will leave but he ended the call and sat back at the same place he sat earlier.

After hours of waiting, the doctor approached us with news about Maya.

"Family?" He asked looking at Tom, then to Jude and Me finally.

Yes, we are her family, I said looking at Tom and Jude.

"Great. She is out of danger now even though she hasn't regained full conciousness but her pulse and her heartbeat are stable"...He announced making us relieved. We will move her to the ward now.

"Take her to the VIP" Tom ordered.

Okay. We will do just that. The Doctor replied turning around to leave.

Can we see her? I asked before he took another step.

"Okay", he responded.