Chapter 35: The Shot
1370words
It was still early afternoon when we wrapped up for the day. Today had been the best workday of my life. Gabriel wouldn't stop cracking jokes, making me laugh nonstop. It felt like we weren't even working until we finished.
'I'm exhausted," he groaned, slumping into the chair opposite me.
'You can't be tired when I feel so energetic," I said, standing up and tidying my desk. 'I want us to go shopping together," I added.
He immediately sat up like he had been zapped. 'Shopping?" He tilted his head, looking confused.
'Shopping. Don't you know the word?" I chuckled.
'Yes..."
'Yes, you don't?" I tilted my head playfully.
'No, it's just that I have never heard you talk about shopping, let alone going."
'Well, I don't usually go shopping in person, I mostly order online. So, I don't talk about it much. Besides, why go out shopping when I can easily get everything delivered?" I said, moving from behind my desk to his side.
'But most women love shopping in person. Sometimes things go wrong with online orders—you know, the whole ‘what I ordered vs. what I got' situation," he said, standing up and grabbing my handbag.
I laughed as we headed out. 'I have my favorite online stores, Gabriel. I don't trust just any shop, so once I find one I like, I stick with it. It took me trying almost a hundred stores before I settled on two—one for makeup, the other for clothes and accessories," I explained as we entered the elevator. 'But today, I felt like going out to shop in person with you. The idea came to me last night."
'I'm happy to join you," he smiled, staring into my eyes. For a moment, we were frozen, just gazing at each other. But before he could lean in for a kiss, I turned away.
'I have a joke for you, Gabriel," I said, breaking the moment.
'A joke? That's unusual."
'What's so weird about that? You think I can't tell a joke?"
'You never have, so I wouldn't know."
'What did the duck say to the doctor?" I asked.
'A duck? Ducks talk?" He looked puzzled.
'It's quack, quack!" The way I said it made us both burst into laughter.
***
An hour later, we left the shopping mall. Walking around and searching for items was tiring, but Gabriel made it seem effortless, like he had been shopping his whole life.
'This is crazy," I remarked.
'It's fun if you ask me," he smiled.
'I think I need a hot cup of black coffee."
'We are almost home; you can have one when we get there," he said, opening the car door for me.
'No, I want one at a café," I insisted.
'Please, I'm exhausted," he groaned.
'You still haven't told me what you did for two days that's making you so tired. We are grabbing coffee on the way—end of discussion."
'Here comes the bossy tone," he teased, earning a playful glare from me. I stood by the car as he loaded the shopping bags into the trunk.
'It won't take long, Gabriel. Don't sulk."
'I'm not sulking."
'Then why do you look like that?" I asked as he came closer to open the door for me.
'I want to drive," I declared, walking to the driver's seat.
'We will move at a snail's pace. Let me drive," he grumbled, and I laughed.
'Wait, I think I forgot something," I said, slumping my shoulders.
'What is it?" he asked, his hands resting on the roof of the car as he stood near the passenger door.
'I will go get it," I said, shutting the door and heading back inside.
'Ma'am!"
Suddenly, I heard Gabriel's shout. Before I could process what was happening, something hit me, and I was thrown to the ground. Gabriel crashed on top of me.
'Ouch!" I groaned, struggling to breathe. My vision blurred, and a high-pitched ringing filled my ears. I tried to cover my head, but Gabriel's weight was still pressing down on me. 'Gabriel?" I whispered, my head throbbing painfully. Looking down at him, my eyes widened as I saw blood pouring from his body. Fear and confusion gripped me as my heart raced.
'Gabriel!" I screamed, covering my mouth in shock. He had been shot. He had shielded me from the bullet. I turned him onto his back.
'Gabriel, wake up," I cried, shaking him frantically. 'Gabriel! Someone help me, please!" I screamed, cradling his head in my lap.
Some kind strangers helped me get him into the car, and I drove like a madwoman to the hospital. I had never driven so fast in my life. When we arrived, I stormed out of the car and ran inside, calling for help.
'Please, doctor, don't let anything happen to him," I begged as nurses wheeled Gabriel into the emergency room.
'Just stay calm, ma'am. We will do our best," the doctor assured me before rushing off. I paced the waiting room, my heart pounding in my chest. Every minute felt like an eternity. My head ached as thoughts of what might happen to Gabriel consumed me.
This was all my fault. Why didn't I listen to him? Why didn't I leave whatever I forgot behind? If I hadn't gone back inside, this wouldn't have happened. Why did he take the bullet for me? Tears streamed down my face as I collapsed into a chair, burying my face in my hands.
After what felt like forever, the doctor came out. I jumped to my feet.
'Doctor? How is he? Is he stable? Is he awake? How bad was the wound?" I asked, wringing my hands nervously.
'Calm down, ma'am. We successfully removed the bullet. It hit a vital bone near his spine. He's unconscious for now," he explained.
'Will he be okay? What's going to happen to him?" I asked, fresh tears running down my face.
'We can't say for sure yet, but we will keep you updated," he replied.
'Can I see him?" I asked quietly.
'Yes. Give us a few minutes to transfer him to the ICU, and then you can."
I sank back into the chair, trying to steady my breathing.
The next morning, I jerked awake as my phone rang, Kristine's name flashing on the screen. I yawned and answered. I was still in Gabriel's hospital room. He had fallen into a coma, according to the doctor.
'Good morning, Scarlett. We have been trying to reach you since yesterday," Kristine said, her voice full of concern. 'Razi has been asking about you."
'Tell her I'm okay. I'm at the hospital. Gabriel was shot," I replied.
She gasped. 'Shot? How did that happen?"
'I can't explain everything right now. He is in a coma. I don't know if he will be alright."
'Okay, please take care of yourself," she said, and I hung up.
'Where is that witch?!"
I sighed as Gabriel's mother stormed into the room with another woman. I stood up to give her space, but before I knew it, her hand connected with my cheek, sending a sharp sting through my face. I instinctively clutched my cheek as the other woman checked on Gabriel.
'How could you let this happen to my son?" she cried, her voice shaking with emotion. Her veins stood out on her neck, and tears streamed down her face. It broke my heart. If Razi were in this condition, I would be furious too. I deserved more than just a slap.
'I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible as tears welled up in my eyes.
'Sorry? What good is sorry? Will it bring him back? Look at my boy! He didn't deserve this," she sobbed, leaning over Gabriel and kissing his forehead.
'I'm deeply sorry, Aunt," I said, my voice trembling.
'Get out!" she snapped, turning to me. 'All he did was love you, and this is what he gets? Pain and rejection. And now this?" She glanced at Gabriel's still form, her tears falling freely. 'If anything happens to my son... I swear I will kill you with my own hands. Leave!"
I couldn't argue. I left the room without a word.
