Chapter 10

Ever since the execution of the traitors at The Hellsman Mansion, everything seemed to quiet down. It was exact a month and half when Jeff was moved to a VIP room as he didn't require ICU. Jake, who visited him everyday, now went only once or twice a week after he confessed to Jeff and was rejected (little did he know that even Jeff was fighting against his feelings for him, but was afraid to lose one more person and was the exact reason why he maintained distance from the start). He started becoming cold and ruthless again. He gave his full attention at the businesses which were under the Hellsman name.

Eric was made the security-in-charge as he proved himself worthy of the position. The Hellsman Mansion's security was once again restored and this time, nobody could breach it. Many of the suspects were removed from their position by giving them enough money and providing them houses and a promised future and security for their families.

Jake re-enforced all the staffs at all his businesses, hotels, casinos etc. Jeff was still left unknown about the execution as Jake thought it might affect Jeff's improvement process.

Finally came the day.... The day when The Crawford couple was smashed in the crash.. (Not to forget, it was poor Jeff's birthday too, and he never celebrated his birthday after that). Jeff requested Dr. Thompson and Alisha got him a day's leave from the hospital. Dr. Thompson put in a special request to the hospital authorities and as he was an important person, they granted him a leave.

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JEFF'S POV

Finally after a month and half, I was moved to a VIP room. Dr. Thompson was my uncle now. He and Alisha were the only persons left for me. Even though they weren't blood related, they were still my family. Alisha literally stayed in hospital with me. Jake's visits lessened day by day. There was something going on, but, i was kept out of everything. He seemed too exhausted when he came to visit me. Knowing he needed rest, I didn't make him stay long. At times, I pretended to sleep or even asked Dr. Thompson to not let him visit me. He was a doctor for a reason. There was nothing impossible for him.

Days passed, and there came "The Day" when my parents died in a crash. It was 20th of January 1990, my 8th birthday. Mom promised to go to my favorite park. Had I known that that was the time I would go out with them, I would never want to go the park. That was also the day when I first met Him...

I requested Agnelo to see if I could get a day out from the hospital so that I could visit my parents' grave. It was the 19th death anniversary of my parents. I turned 27 today. I never celebrated my birthday after that day. I took sick leaves or remained absent for classes when in school, college and university.

As usual, I woke up with a little pain in my abdomen where I had a very deep cut and it had to stitched. Even though the stitches were removed, it still caused me pain every now and then.. I woke up and rang the bell for the nurse boy. He came in and smiled.

"Mr. Crawford, good morning. I heard it's your birthday today. So.. Happy Birthday." He smiled widely.

I nodded my head with a little smile on my face, "Thank you.. I.. Umm. Can you please help me to the bathroom? I need to shower. I have to go out in a while." I asked him.

"Yeah sure.. why not?" He said and took my hand and placed his other hand around my waist and helped me get down from bed.

"Are you okay, Mr. Crawford? Stay still and take deep breaths. Be sure to tell at once if u experience any pain. Is that okay?" He asked me again. This boy had a smile on his face the moment he entered my room till now. So much patience and dedication.

"Yes. I will---" I was stopped in between as I heard the door knob turn and the door opened.

"Jonathan, my god," entered my dramatic aunt.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Where do you think you are going?" She started questioning. And let me tell you, she never stops once started.

"Ali, I am just trying to go and have a quick shower. Agnelo said I can shower today, since my stitches are removed and it almost a week now. And I have him with me.." I said pointing to the nurse boy.

"Yeah.. Don't worry, Mrs. Thompson. I will be extra careful. I promise. You can wait here. I will make sure to call you in case of anything." He said smiling with a little nod.

"Okay fine.." Alisha replied and went and sat on the couch which faced the window. "Call me if, you know..." she added.

I had a very quick shower. And the nurse boy whose name he told me was Robert, helped me put on clothes, as I could not lift my hand.

A moments later, I was out, fully dressed. I wore a black suit with white shirt. The buttons on the blazer were studded with diamonds.

Alisha gasped when she saw me. I had Robert hold me on one side so that I could stand properly.

"My baby, Jonathan.. Happy Birthday my boy" she came and hugged me. "You look so handsome, my boy.. I have something for you. One minute." She said and took out something from her bag. It was a black tie.

"Here.. let me put this on for you." She said and she tiptoed towards me. I realised I was too tall for her and I bent down a little. Knowing she gave me a little smile. She looked cute.

"No wonder, you are my boy. I was lucky to be Celia's friend. I was lucky to have a son who called me mommy without even knowing me. I was and am lucky to have you, Jeff." She whispered to me as she helped me put on the tie.

"You have grown so big now, and you were so small then. Celia and I always worried about how we could make you the bestest in the cruel world. We did everything and anything to keep you safe. I miss those days when Celia worked late and I had to pick you up. You were happy 'cause you knew only I gave you ice-creams and chocolates."

She ruffled my hairs and laughed.

"Aahh.... Ali, I made my hairs just now" I whined. And both Alisha and Robert laughed. It was the second time I saw her laugh after Celia's death. First was on her wedding day.

There was a knock at the door. It was Agnelo. He came and gave a side hug to Alisha and kissed her head. Then he came to me and hugged me patting my back lightly.

"Jonathan, Happy Birthday boy, you look more handsome today. Are you ready? Should we leave? Aah... flowers??" He said and when I opened my mouth to say yes he- "I already bought them. Blue Bouganveille, I know. And before you say anything, You are always welcome." He added with a smile. This man was an angel who came into our life.

A few minutes later, we set out in Agnelo's Aston Martin Vanquish S V12. I sat at the back. Agnelo was rich and fashionable. But what I loved about him was his down to earth nature and patience and the calm composed personality he had as a doctor. I was happy for Alisha, I was happy that I didn't have to worry about her.

After driving for about an hour, We reached the place. Alisha and me got out and walked to the place where my parents' and Celia's graves were. A while later, Agnelo joined us too.

I cleaned the part of the graves, removed the dried flowers and placed the new fresh ones. I remembered the day of crash and how they selflessly gave their lives.

"Hie, Mom Dad.. How are you up there? You should be fine since you all are together. How's Celia?" I started talking. I could feel something building up in me.. "I.. I am fine.. see. I am 27 now. I have a job. He.. He is fine too. I work for him now." I said.. Alisha reached out to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"It's ok baby.." she whispered.

"His name his Jake... Paa Maa.. And he.. I don't know. But I am happy now. I work, I earn. And this man and woman..." I pointed out to Alisha and Agnelo, "They are my family now. They treat me as their own son. They got married at last. We missed you all. It would have been fun with you all here." I let out muffled cries.

"I miss you Mom, Dad. I have and will never celebrate my birthday.. 'Cause it reminds me of you everytime. I just can't get myself out from it. That day still haunts me, Mom." This time, unable to hold in, I cried.

Suddenly, I felt a deadly pain in my head. I held my head. And collapsed on the ground. Luckily it was Agnelo who held my head to prevent it from hitting.

"Aaahh.. I.. I am.." I could not breathe. It felt like I was being choked by somebody. " I.. cannot... breathe.. Ali.. I.." I held Alisha's hand tight. She has always been my comfort person ever since I was a kid.

"Jeff, baby.. hold on.. okay." She said to me and held me close. Her tears fell on my cheeks.

"Don't.. don't cry.. Ali.." I tried to speak in between. I realised Agnelo had disappeared. "Agne...lo.." I asked her.

"He's gone to get the car. We are going back to the hospital. You need to be checked up again. But don't worry, you'll be fine. Trust me. okay baby?" she whispered in between her cries.

Oh!! It always pained my heart, whenever I saw these 3 ladies- Celia, Alisha and Elena cry or sad. They were the only females I ever had in my life after Mom.

Suddenly I felt two strong arms lift me up slowly and run. It was Agnelo. I was rushed back to the hospital. After a while, on the way to the hospital, I heard Agnelo speaking to someone on call.

"Get the operation theatre ready. Send someone out with a stretcher and oxygen and call Dr. Sam, Jude and Jean. Tell them it's an urgent craniotomy for Mr. Crawford. Thank you Belle." He hung up.

Alisha was with me in the back seat with my head on her lap, her hands caressing my face.

"Honey, hold on tight." He told her. "Just a few minutes, my boy. We are almost there. I will drive a little fast now." He said looking at me through the mirror.

Exact after a few minutes we were at the hospital gate. Angelo got out and opened the door. A few people rushed out with the stretcher and they picked me up and laid me on it.

Agnelo asked the guard standing there to park his car. He nodded and left. I was then rushed to the operation theatre.

While on the way, before closing my eyes I saw someone who looked like Jake. But then I thought why would he come there. He hardly comes these days.

While I was being rushed, I looked up at the ceiling, the lights, the bright white lights dimmed little by little. I was drowning into an ocean of darkness again. The slumber was taking over me. I heard a few voices speaking, a few questioning of why and what would trigger my brain again to lead to this after a month and half when it should have been a few hours after the 1st surgery. Yes.. this was the 2nd surgery I was undergoing.

NOTE:

Craniotomy (medical term)--

A craniotomy is a surgical operation in which a bone flap is temporarily removed from the skull to access the brain.