AUTHOR POV:
It's been six months since the incident took place. Still, there was no change in Gray's health condition, but the attending doctor was positive as everything was still normal. The same was conveyed to Joshua every day.
Initially, Joshua agreed to the engagement, but he took time to get engaged, and that day was today.
Ed was patiently waiting for Joshua to make up his mind. Constantly, his dad's pressure and the persistence of his sister led to Joshua giving in. Finally, he agreed to get engaged.
Meanwhile, Ed was taking every step to clear Gray's things from the mansion, starting from Joshua's room. Joshua took notice of Gray's missing things from his room but didn't question anything. Somewhere, he was responsible for Ed taking this step as Josh was securing everything that belonged to Gray, like precious jewelry. Most of his time is spent in the closet, pissing Ed off.
Thomas was neutral. He tried to change Ed's mindset but didn't get any positive results, so he gave up. Thomas knew Joshua better than his dad and Ed, so somewhere he knew the outcome of everything, but he was at a stage where he couldn't stop anything. But he took a promise from Ed not to repeat his stupid act and to be prepared for every outcome.
Joshua got up from his bed and made his way to the bathroom. He was in the shower when he started feeling uneasy. He ignored it, and after taking one, he made his way to the dining hall. Preparation was going on for the engagement, and there was no input from Josh; everything was taken care of by either Ed or Josh's sister. As the minute passed, the uneasiness was more to escape from everything, he made his way to the company. The party was in the evening, so he didn't have anything else to do, and this uneasiness was killing him.
On the way to the company, there was this urge to inform the driver to take him to the hospital, and today, particularly, it was more. Like every day, he suppressed the thought. He called the doctor and inquired about Gray's condition, and he received the usual reply with a promissory note. By grumbling, he disconnected the call, and by losing his tie, he was facing the window.
After reaching the company once again, he dialed the doctor's number, and on receiving the same response, he disconnected the call. He made his way to the cabin and tried to divert his attention by checking the files. It was an hour, and he couldn't do it anymore. He threw the file on the table and tried to get some rest. But no matter what he was trying, he was not successful in removing the uneasy feeling that was increasing as time passed.
He was resting on the couch and again dialed the doctor's number, and by groaning, the doctor received the call and gave him the same reply.
Joshua had experienced this feeling before, and that day his parents met with an accident. This was the second time, and as time passed, it got worse. He couldn't find a possible reason other than Gray, or was it because of the upcoming event?
Joshua made an 'N' number of calls until the doctor blocked his number. Finally, by giving up, he was resting on the couch, and his mind once again drifted to Gray.
Despite being in a coma, Gray's brain was active and grasping things that were happening around him. He was getting everything that was going on, and still, the words that were left from Joshua's mouth were painted in his brain like a fresh coat. He was getting what doctors and nurses were saying around him. He knew in what condition he was lying on the bed. He knew no other soul had entered his ward other than doctors and nurses until today. He knew what was happening in Ed's ward, which was not hard to guess.
Whenever he remembered the things that had happened, the tears would always fall and dry themselves in no time. He wants to stay this way; he doesn't know when. Maybe forever, he won't mind, but he doesn't want to come back.
Gray was roaming around the beach near the seashore. Whenever a wave hits his leg, a smile will always appear on his face. He likes the beach so much and has always wanted to end up in a beach house. He loves watching the sunrise and sunset daily; it's never tiresome for him. Watching the waves was kind of soothing, and he could vanish just for this.
When he was strolling, he heard a giggle. He turned to find the source; there was a small girl who was standing in front of Gray with a bright smile on her face. He was perplexed for a few seconds. He was not able to take his eyes off the girl, and the girl was not getting tired from showing her tooth. Gray approached the girl, and he was on his knees to match her height, still confused.
"Hey." "Hey." "I am Grayson, and you are?" "Adriana." With a huge smile on her face. "Nice name." "I know, right? My mom selected that name for me." "Good to know." "You shouldn't be here." "What? Why not?" "Because you don't belong here yet. There is a life waiting for you. You should go back." "I am good this way, and I don't want to go back." "As I said, it's not your time yet." "It's ok. I am willing to spend my remaining time this way. Far away from everything. I am done with everything and everyone." He wanted to use more vulgar slang, but he suppressed the words as he was talking with a kid. "You sound just like me. I had the same feeling when I was undergoing chemo. That was a worse nightmare and thank God I was finally done with everything." "What happened, and what's your age?" "I had cancer, and when I bid my final goodbye, I was 12. Here I am spending my remaining life wondering." Adrianna replied with a broad smile on her face and Gray was taken back. He felt sympathetic toward Adrianna considering her age and what she had gone through. "I guess you are not alone anymore. I am going to accompany you." Once again giggling. "I love that. It's boring wandering around alone. I can manage this, as I have been managing for a few years, so it's ok. I don't want your company; you should go back." "As I said, no, I am not going back, and I am done. You are too young; when you can stay, why can't I? I am going to stay." "I didn't have any options, and my life span was short, so I ended up here. Your case is different, and you can't run away like this." "It's better this way than going back. I don't want to face anymore, and I had enough."
By taking a long breath, Adriana approached Gray and made him sit properly on the sand, and she sat on his lap. Both were watching the sunset. "You can't stay this way, and I won't let you. You have to go through whatever is written in your faith, and that's the only choice anyone has at human birth. You can't escape and learn to overcome your own way. Fulfill your life tenure and come back; maybe still I will be waiting for you over here, and I promise I am going to take care of you as my precious pearl." "Don't you think it should be the other way around?" "No, I am going to take care of you. Go back for now." "Don't push me, and I am not going back." "You should go back, and I won't let you here wonder just like me. As I said, your time has not yet come. Go through everything and come back when your time runs out. I will be here, and if not, I will find my way to take care of you." "But." Adriana stood up, giggling. "No, but I am going to keep my promise. It's time you should head back." She pushed him, and Gray gained consciousness.
Gray gasped for air and started coughing. His eyes were wet. After a few seconds, he started checking his surroundings, and he knew where he was.
It took him a few minutes to digest everything. He started wiping the sweat that was falling from his forehead. There was water nearby that he wanted to approach, but everything was numb, especially his hands and legs. He wanted to call someone. He contemplated for a few seconds and decided not to.
Slowly, he placed his legs on the floor. He was about to fall, but he gripped his hand tightly on the bed. He was in that position for a few seconds. After that, he poured his guts and started taking baby steps, meanwhile working on his hands. It took nearly 30 minutes, and he felt better. He took water and gulped it down in one take.
Gray once again started scanning the room, and it was dark outside. He looked at the clock, which was showing 11.30 p.m. Once he felt normal, he checked outside his ward to see if anyone was watching over the ward, and luck was in his favor; no guards were there. He wanted to escape without getting noticed, and that would be an impossible task. As it was dark, maybe he could give it a try, and he prayed for it to work out.
He started checking the ward to find some clothes; he couldn't leave the hospital in a hospital gown. He found one, which was in the cabinet. After taking a long breath, he left the hospital ward. It was a VIP ward, and he was the only patient on the entire floor, yet he took every step consciously. He took the elevator and landed on the ground floor. Once the elevator door was opened, he checked the surroundings. Few people were spread here, and there. They were sleeping, yawning, and walking.
He wanted to pass the front reception, which was a hard task, so he took the nearby chair and waited for the perfect time. After a few minutes, two to three ambulances came back-to-back, carrying patients. People were shuffling to bring structure; in getting patients to shift to the particular ward, it was an accident case, and that was it. Everyone was busy including the reception area. Gray took his chance and was out of the hospital.
Once he knew he was free, he breathed a sigh of relief and made his way to his flat. After reaching the flat, he took a long shower. Once he was done, he started packing his clothes. Thank God he left his debit card; by collecting his documents, he left his apartment. On the way, he withdrew whatever money he had in his bank account.
He had made up his mind. He wanted to leave this place forever and didn't know where to go, but he wanted to go very far from him, and that's what was running through his head. He thought of going to the airport or railway station but thinking about Joshua's power, he gave it a second thought. He sat somewhere and started thinking about his escape. After a few minutes, he thought of going through the sea route wherever it took him.
He knew illegal immigrants used the sea route, and he knew exactly where it was. It was risky as drugs and every other shitty thing would be smuggled and used the same route, but it was worth risking that rather than staying over here.
He reached the location and started scanning the area. People looked pretty scary, and it was the middle of the night. He was gulping down, thinking of going back.
He wanted to escape, and it should be now or never. The more he delayed his staying over here more chances of getting caught and he couldn't risk the only chance he was getting. Whatever the output was, he wanted to take a chance. He approached a big yacht. The guys were busy keeping the goods on the yacht and didn't give him a dam.
Gray waited for a few minutes, and an old person approached him. "Yes." "I want to go far away from here. Like miles together. Can you help me?" "Have you committed any crime? Are you a criminal?" "No, no, I am not. I want to escape from here. Can you help me? I can pay you." The old man nodded his head and gestured for Gray to follow him. Gray followed him without asking further, nor did the old man utter any more words. Once the goods were loaded, the yacht left.
The party had kicked off late in the evening once Joshua entered the mansion. It was a hell of a party. His friends were baffled; they were not sure what was going on and didn't dare to question any. The uneasiness was greater, so Joshua started sipping the drink. As time passed, any number of drinks was not working to get rid of the feeling that was surfing.
The feeling took a turn into an ache; he was not getting what the hell was happening, and he was not liking any of this. This engagement, the party, the uneasiness, and this sudden ache were making him miserable, and he was acting weird. Everyone was thinking due to the alcohol effect, and he himself knew that was not the case.
He was on the dance floor. He was dancing his heart out to get rid of these odd feelings, and it was helping him. Alcohol was helping him to ease his mind, at least for a few hours. When the party ended, it was early in the morning, and everyone was drop-dead wherever they were. Joshua was shifted to his room with the help of his servant.