35 I MISS YOU (RACHAEL'S POV)

It took my brain some seconds before I'd processed everything that just happened. Jay was next to me bleeding from the gunshot and everyone had fled.

• • •

The plane was finally about to land and I quickly woke Sebastian from his slumber. After all these months, we were finally back in Nigeria again.

We grabbed our luggage and alighted the plane. I was a little excited to be back but I just didn't know what to expect.

• • •

His eyes kept closing shutting but he fought to keep them open. I was so scared and the only thing I could mutter was "Don't die, please. Don't die." hot tears rolled down my cheeks his blood stained my hands. I realised I was about to loose one of the best things that ever happened to me.

• • •

Sebastian and I found the chauffeur grandpa had told us about. He immediately ran to He and took our luggage while we trailed behind him to the SUV parked outside.

• • •

"Somebody, help!" I yelled because I didn't want to leave him. I kept yelling but my voice only echoed in the empty hall.

• • •

I watched the trees and houses as we drove past them. Abuja was beautiful. We had to relocate here after that horrible incident. Funny thing is, we lived in a mansion now.

• • •

The paramedics had finally rushed in with the police behind them but by then I was shaking uncontrollably because Jay had finally closed his eyes.

• • •

"I can't wait to get home. I'm so tired." Sebastian whined.

• • •

After hours in the theatre, a female doctor had finally come out to tell us, "We were able to remove the bullet but he didn't make it."

• • •

"Yeah, I can't wait to get home too." I said. "I'm glad that you're able to see that place as home."

"It's a Villa, Rachael, who wouldn't feel at home? " Sebastian smiled.

• • •

My world had ended. It didn't feel like it had ended, I knew it had ended. Mrs. Jacobs had fainted on the spot and she was immediately admitted. Jay was dead.

• • •

"You know, I'm glad Segun and Yvonne got to pay for what they did." Sebastian said after awhile. I never wanted to hear those names ever again.

"That bullet was supposed to hit me not Jay. Segun was aiming at me." I said.

"Yes. But it's not your fault that the bullet chose Jay."

• • •

Grandpa had come to the hospital and he discussed something with Sebastian but I was too busy crying to comprehend anything at that moment. Mrs. Jacobs needed surgery immediately and I was just confused and shattered.

• • •

"If only I kept my stupid mouth shut. I should have never threatened Yvonne about her relationship with her brother." I shook my head.

"Look, I'm sure Jay doesn't blame you so I don't see why you're eating yourself up about it." Sebastian reached out for my hand.

• • •

Grandpa had arranged for Mrs. Jacobs to be taken to India but that didn't change the fact that her son was dead. Jay's body was taken to the mortuary and I couldn't stop crying.

• • •

We finally arrived at the Marshall Villa and I took in a deep breath as we walked across the huge lawn that was at the center of four mansions surrounding it. It was a beautiful sight indeed. Sebastian was ahead of me, wheeling as fast as he could. I could tell he was excited.

"Oh," Sebastian turned to me like he'd remembered something. We were about to walk into the main mansion. "Happy Birthday, Rachael."

He immediately entered the building and I followed him only realise everything was dark. I couldn't see anything. Suddenly, all lights came on and people screamed, "Happy Birthday!" I nearly jumped out of my skin.

• • •

The following day, I was at home when Sebastian was forcing me to eat something but I couldn't. I was still crying. I couldn't believe Jay was dead. He was gone forever.

Then I received a call that changed everything.

• • •

Looking around the big house, I could see all my cousins, my aunts and my uncles and then my grandfather. But then, the two additional people I saw made me smile.

Mrs. Jacobs was the first person. She immediately hugged. I couldn't believe she came all the way from Enugu for my surprise party.

Then the second person. My sunshine.

• • •

"The man was attending to your friend's corpse when he realised was sweating. He also noticed that there was a pulse." I pushed the blabbing nurse out of the way and ran into the hospital room to see Jay sitting comfortably at the edge of the bed.

• • •

We both ran at the same time and embraced each other tight. He lifted me up and spun us around. I was so happy.

• • •

As soon as I'd hugged Jay and confirmed that he was real, I knew that there was God. Something had to be responsible for performing such a miracle. I couldn't believe my eyes.

• • •

"I missed you." I whispered to him and he smiled more.

"Not as much as I missed you." he replied and we both chuckled. He brought me down and I went ahead to greet the rest of the family.

There was a while two-step cake with candles indicating '17'. It amazed me how far I'd come from being the naive fifteen year old that thought I needed to be like others.

Now, I was two years older and smarter. I was two years a better and stronger version of me.

◈ ━━━━━━━ ⸙ - ⸙ ━━━━━━━ ◈

22nd November, it was my mother's deathday.

Sebastian had suggested that we visit her grave. It was something It was something that was barely done in Nigeria and I'd never thought of doing it either but something about the idea felt nice.

Jay had driven us to the cemetery that cold morning. I wore my black coat and pulled my curly hair into a loose bun.

I could remember vividly where my mom was buried so, I led the way. I could feel my heart beating heavily against my chest when I stood in front of her headstone.

I dropped the flower I came with in front of her headstone before putting my cold hand into my pocket.

"Hey, mom." saying that felt weird because I knew she wasn't there but I believed she was in heaven looking down at me. "I can't believe it's been two years already. It feels just like yesterday." I sighed. "I'm finally going to the university and Sebastian is walking again." I chuckled softly, "But you know all this"

"Right now, my life is going well. I'll be going back to London soon and I'll be coming back as a professional psychologist. I miss you so much, mom." I turned around and walked to where Sebastian, Jay and his mother stood behind.

They simply dropped flowers at her grave and we left.

A/N: So I was a tad disappointed because you guys lacked faith 😂 I mean, Sebastian and Rachael never actually said that Jay was dead in chapter 48 and you should have guessed that Tunde was misinformed. 😂 Don't mind me, Jay was never meant to die.
Anyway, I can't believe we have one chapter to go.

If you have any questions please ask in the comments.