Chapter 48

I paced around the waiting area until my feet started aching but I couldn't stop either. I don't think I have ever walked this much in my entire life. It feels like we have been waiting for hours and hours for some news. How long does it take to stitch a wound? I can sew a shirt faster than that. Yet they say they are the best .

Fuck! What was taking them so long? Majority of the people I found here have left. Some left as they had to work the next day and some they have to rest before their next shift. I appreciated their help though. Especially the prison guards who helped her. I asked for all their bank accounts and I was planning to send them some money as a thank you gift.

They took care of the love of my life when I couldn't. It was the least I could do. I felt like in our entire relationship, Zawadi has been protected by other people more than I have ever protected her. It started with Zuri - her knight in shining armour, John,then doctor Almasi and Kevin.

All I did in the mean time was put her in a position where she needed to seek help from others. I was ashamed of my actions and I prayed to God to let me have a second chance. If He keeps her alive I will do everything including kissing the ground she walks on ,to attorn for my mistakes.

I am aware I don't deserve to be forgiven and neither was I asking for anyone's opinion. Zawadi's opinion was all I was worried about. Her. There was a possibility that she won't want to listen to me after everything I put her through but I didn't want her to carry any hate or ill will towards me. She didn't deserve to be burdened by hate.

After all we were parents of a handsome young boy. I wanted our family to be together. However all my wishes were irrelevant of she didn't want the same. If she wishes to cut ties with me , I would understand, even though it would hurt my feelings.

The ball was on her court now. She held all the power . The door to the operating area opened and the surgeons came out. Three to be precise. If they were three of them there, what the hell took them so long?

" Mr Anderson, are you here for Ms Zawadi?" One of the surgeon's came towards me while the rest left.

" Yes. How is she?" I asked worried that I might not like the news

" There were some complications in the surgery but she will be all right. She is a strong one" he said with a smile.

" She is stronger than most of us" I conquered

" Ms Zawadi will be transferred to her room and you can see her then. "

" Thank you so much doctor " I thanked him

" It is okay. If there's nothing else, I will be on my way" he excused himself.

I watched the operation room doors open for a second time and this time they wheeled her out of the room. She looked so weak and vulnerable but all that mattered was ,she was alive.

I sent the God a quick thank you and promised to cherish her from now on. This time I will make it work because I knew I won't get another chance.

Once she was stationed in her room, one of the nurses came to look for me. She took me straight to her room and closed the door behind me. I walked quietly towards the bed, careful not to make any noise that would wake her up.

Although the nurse already told me that she will sleep a few more hours. I took the chair and brought it to the bedside . I took her small hand in mine and when I felt her pulse I couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears fell for the second time in forty eight hours.  At this rate I could act in a soap opera.

Holding her hand felt so surreal. I can't even recall the last time I was allowed to touch her. She hated me too much to let me touch her. The only advantage I got in this situation was I got a way to touch her. To hold her tiny hands in mine and kiss them as much as I could.

To feel her close to me without a glare directed at me. I craved everything and I wanted to do everything with her. Just like the first time, if she lets me. I hope she lets me.

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Zawadi's POV

I woke up to the sound of small silent sniffs near me. I didn't know who was crying and why but I wanted them to stop. If they were crying because of me they shouldn't. I was not dead yet. My hand was held tightly on my side. I turned my head to see who was in the room with me.

What I saw was beyond any explanation I could have come up with. The site warmed my heart even though I didn't want it to. Marcus was balling his eyes out , sniffing ever so often while he held on to my hand. This was something I thought I would never see in my life.

Seeing him so vulnerable was a first for me. Even though I hated him I couldn't help but feel sad to see him cry. I watched him for a few moments while he cried. He didn't seem to notice I was awake.

" Why are you crying?" I asked in a cranky voice before I cleared my dry throat.

He raised his head to look at me but quickly turned away from my gaze. He tried to wipe the tears off his face before he looked at me the second time.

" Why are crying? " I asked again

" Because of you" he answered

" Me? What did I do?"

" You almost died and left me alone again" he whispered

" What?" I was confused

" How could you do that? You almost left me and Shaka alone" he answered angrily

" Why are you angry at me yet I am the one who was hurt"

" You could have forced me to see the truth"

" Whose fault is that?" I asked sarcastically

" Yours. I blame you"

" And I blame you" I said furiously

I tried to move but the pain from my side reminded me why I was here in the first place. He rose from his seat and pulled me for a hug. For the first time in a long time he was hugging me without insulting me.

" What the hell! Did I die and go to heaven?"

I heard a chuckle before he let me go.

" Your trying to be smart now. Stop please."

" Fine I'll stop. How are you?" I asked

" I should be asking you that. How are you?" He redirected the question

" I am good except for the throbbing pain on my back"

" I am also good."

We both went silent for a while. I was left wondering why he was here and why he was so nice to me.

" You are a free person" he announced

" What do you mean?" I asked without sounding to excited as it would be disappointing if it wasn't true

" You are no longer a prisoner as from yesterday. You are a free woman. All the charges were dropped "

" You mean all the charges you filled against me were dropped"

" Yes. I am sorry for not trusting you"

" Why are you saying this?" I whispered

He went on his knees before me. With his head bent , he explained.

" I am sorry you went through all this because of me. I am so sorry. I was so afraid to admit that I loved you that I instead ruined your life. I was foolish to believe papers when all I needed to do was believe you"

" Go on.."

" You are not going to make this easy for me aren't you? I found out Katelyn was the one stealing from me and she tried to kill you twice. And it's all my fault. I am sorry " he begged.

" I know it's so hard for you but I am asking you to forgive me and give me a chance to attorn for my sins. I want a chance to make things better for you and our child" He continued.

" I can't promise you anything Marcus but I will think about it. You have dragged me through a lot and it might take years for me to accept your apology but I am glad you have learned of your mistakes even though it took me almost dying twice for you to see it."

" Am sorry my love "

" Can you please leave, I would like to have some privacy " I asked

He got of his knees and walked out of the room without arguing with me. Once I was left alone, I let the tears flow.

Finally I was free...