I don’t believe this. The place is so beautiful. I thought I had entered some parallel universe, this place was so surreal. It is around ten minutes away from our house but I haven’t seen it before. The place is enthralling. It’s a small, lovely garden covered with fairy lights. There is a small marquee in the centre in which, a table for two was set. There was a bottle of champagne kept on the table. The most wonderful thing is that there is no one except us. The setting is so romantic and dreamy.
“Did you like it?” he asked.
“Are you kidding, I loved it.” I replied kissing him passionately.
“I am glad you liked it.”
“How on earth did you find this place? And how come we have this place to ourselves?” I am so surprised.
“Well it is my place.”
“What?”
“Yes, it was a shabby patch of greenery but I then I turned it into a fabulous place. This place was bought by my father a long time ago, like an investment but now it is mine, sorry, ours.” He kissed me. It was all so romantic. In the background, a selection of my favorite music was being played. It was all like a dream come true.
“Jake, I am speechless. It is amazing and the most special place I have been to.” I hugged him and buried my head in his chest. The fragrance of his perfume was like a sedative for me. We started slow dancing on the tunes of ‘The Way You Look Tonight’.
“What is this vibration?” Jake asked.
“Oops sorry, it is my phone.” I took out the phone from my purse and I was surprised to see that Emma was calling me.
“It’s Emma.” I said to Jake.
“Take it!” he said and I nodded.
“Hello Em” I said.
“Ashley I know it’s not the best time to disturb you but Emmet’s health deteriorated so I have taken him to the hospital. Please can you come over here please? I am really worried.” She cried on the phone.
“Emma relax, just text me the hospital details we’ll be right there. Don’t worry Emmet would be just fine. Doctors said that he could be operated and I am sure he will be alright.” I tried to calm her.
“Please come as soon as possible, I will just text you the address.” Emma panicked.
“Okay. We will be there soon.” I said and hung up the phone.
“I am sorry Jake we have to leave now. Emmet is in the hospital and Emma is all by herself.” I was panicking too.
“Relax; we will reach there in time. Let’s hurry up.” He held my hand and we both ran towards the main road.
“Taxi!” he shouted. One taxi stopped and we hurriedly sat in it and told the driver the address of the hospital.
“Ashley, it is okay. Emmet would be fine.” Jake wrapped his arms around me.
“I don’t know Jake, a few moments ago everything was fine and now Emmet’s in the hospital.” Tears streamed down my face. I phoned my parents and asked them to reach the hospital quickly.
“Can you be a bit fast please!” Jake said.
“Don’t worry; we will reach the hospital in just ten more minutes. Every minute in the taxi was so long. I was so scared. I held Jake tightly and he strengthened his grasp too. I know he is worried himself. Emmet is his best friend, he cares for him a lot.
“Here we are!” the driver said. Jake paid him and we got out of the taxi.
“God, please don’t let anything happen to Emmet!” I prayed.
“Everything would be alright.” Jake said and we ran inside the hospital. We enquired about Emmet and we came to know he was in the I.C.U. on the fifth floor. We took a lift and went to the I.C.U. We saw Emma sitting on the floor by a pillar, weeping. Her head buried in her hands.
“Emma!” I shouted and ran towards her. Jake was coming behind me.
“Ash, Jake.” she said, standing and steadying her with the help of the pillar. I hugged her tightly and consoled her. She was constantly crying.
“It is okay Em. Emmet would be fine. Please stop crying!” I said brushing her hair.
“I am so sorry, I spoiled your evening.” She said, escaping from the hug and wiping her eyes.
“Don’t be silly Emma. Emmet is way too important to us that our evening.” Jake said, hugging Emma.
“Jake is absolutely right, Emma. You don’t have to say sorry at all just relax and tell us what happened?” I asked.
“Emmet was sitting in his wheelchair and suddenly he started coughing. He couldn’t breathe properly and his head started pounding. He was feeling fatigue and restless. It happened so fast that a freaked out. I called 911 and that is how we landed here.” She cried.
“It is okay. Everything would be fine I am sure.” Jake said. I was really worried too. I don’t want to be negative but I was freaking out too. No one, I am too close with, has been admitted in the hospital before. I don’t know what to do.
“Ashley!” mom’s voice came.
“Mom dad!” I was so happy they are here.
“Is everything okay?” mom asked. I glanced towards Emma and mom understood. Mom hugged Emma tightly.
“Everything would be fine, dear.” Dad said.
“Thank you!” she said to both of them.
“You are more than welcome sweetheart!” mom kissed her on her forehead. The doctor came out and we looked at him expectantly.
“How is Emmet?” Emma asked.
“He is stable now. The fatigueless, coughing and headache were symptoms that his tumor was advancing. We have to operate him as soon as possible.” The doctor said.
“Then what are you waiting for?” Emma asked, agitated.
“It’s not that simple. There are some formalities and you have to pay half of the payment in advance.” The doctor said and went away.
“What am I gonna do?” Emma cried, losing all hopes. “I didn’t carry enough money in hurry.”
“Honey, you don’t have to worry about the money, I will pay the bills.” Dad volunteered.
“And I will take care of the formalities!” Jake chimed in.
“No…. Ashley is already giving all her money to us...” Emma said feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Emma we are not asking you, we are telling you. Emmet is like a brother to me too. You don’t have to feel shy at all. You are my sister okay and I have full rights to help you!” I said.
“Thank you so much. I don’t think I could ever return your favors.” Emma cried.
“You don’t have too!” Jake hugged her.
“I think we should rush to the reception.” Dad said, looking at Jake. He nodded and both of them started walking towards the lift.
“Wait! I‘ll join you.” I said, catching up with them.
“I guess Emma needs you!” Jake said and dad nodded in agreement.
“Mom is there with her. They would be fine.” I said. Jake and dad nodded and we started to walk towards the lift.