chapter 02: Agony

Parker's POV

"Where are you going now?" I ask Zayn as he wears his overcoat and puts on his boots.

It's already past eight in the night and it's raining cats and dogs outside.

"Just nearby. I ordered a gift for you, surprise gift. The manager of the store messaged now saying it's done. So, I'll go and bring that." He says as he finish tying his shoe laces.

"You can go tomorrow morning, it's raining hard outside. I won't allow you to go now." I stop him while blocking his way and I hug him tightly, "also, now that you already told to me about it, it's not surprise anymore."

He chuckles at my words and actions, "it's still a surprise because you don't know what it is. Now, let me go before it becomes more late."

"No! I won't let you go." I mumble with a pout.

"Ley, you know you can't stop me when I decide on something." He notes, parting our bodies to face each other, "I'll be back before you know."

"Promise?" I ask while showing my pinky finger.

"I promise I'll be back." He promises as he intertwines his pinky to mine.

Pinky promise is my thing. It's just a habit of mine from childhood. I can't seem to stop now even if I want to and he doesn't have a problem with it nor he complaints.

"Okay, come back early. I'll be waiting for you." I agree slowly stepping aside and giving him the way to walk.

He nods with that ever smile of his and presses a soft kiss on my lips before he moves away and leaves the house. I sigh while looking at his back and walk to the couch, taking a seat as I wait for his return. While waiting for him, my mind goes back to past and my whole life resurfaces in front of me.

Me being an orphan as I lost my parents in an accident when I was just two years old, I thought I literally lost everything in life. But it was totally wrong on my part. Being in an orphanage wasn't bad at all to say the least. Sure, it was not like living in a home with loving parents and family. However, there was still love between us, our small little house and we were one another's family.

My orphanage was funded by a huge business organisation who made sure to fulfill every need of us and provided education to every child. They even recruited some of us into their organisation where we were to work for them. Me being good at studies and other skills, I got a spot for myself in the company as a personal secretary for the newly appointed CEO who happened to be the son of the company's director, Zayn. Which was five years ago.

I don't know why but from the first glance at him, I liked him. He was so decent, no attitude, not rude to others and treated everyone as same, he still does that though. He haven't changed a bit.

Even though we were employee and employer, he treated me as a friend. Our friendship slowly turned into something more and now we're here, going to marry eachother in two days after dating for five years.

I moved out of the orphan house one year after I got my job and rented an small apartment for myself because then I could earn money and live on my own. But there were still many children who were in need of a place and I was more than happy to give my spot for those who were in need.

However, Zayn didn't like that. He didn't want me to live alone and asked me to move into his independent house. And I obviously rejected the offer. That made him sad and angry and as a result he didn't talk to me for one whole week. All my attempts to talk to him went waste. And when I finally spoke to him, I asked him for six months. Six months to live on my own and then I would move in with him. It wasn't easy but I managed to convince him at the end. After the six months, I did as I promised and moved in with him in this same house.

His parents are also good people. They were never against us. They accepted us with a smile and gave their blessings. They love me the way they do with Zayn and became my parents.

My life which I thought would be all thrones and stones turned out to be flower path. It's all happy and I'm very content with it.

My thoughts of my past and wishing of my future comes to a stop when my phone, which is seated on the table in front of the couch, starts ringing. I grab it and narrow my eyes in confusion thinking who could it be when I see an unknown number. Regardless, I decide to answer and swipe the screen to green option.

"Is this Parker?" The person asks as soon as I answer even before I could say hello.

"Yes, it's Parker speaking." I reply and get up from my sitting position.

"We're calling from LifeLine hospitals. This person called Zayn has met with an accident and when we searched the contacts, your name is shown as emergency number. Can you come to the hospital immediately?" The guy says and I drop my phone instantly.

Running towards the door, I seize the car keys from the bowl by the door and race out. I climb into the car and drive to the said hospital. The roads are slippery as the rain is still pouring heavy. While the windshield wipers are continuously cleaning the front window, I drive away with only one destination in mind. As soon as I reach the hospital, without even bothering to park it correctly or taking the keys, I hurriedly rush inside leaving the car door open.

"Zayn, patient's name is Zayn." I utter standing at the reception.

"He's in emergency room. Please follow me, I'll lead you there. I'm actually waiting for you, you're Parker right?" A guy, who's voice sounds like the one I spoke on phone, says.

I nod at him unable to comprehend anymore words, it was hard enough to talk to the receptionist. He leads me through a hall way and I follow him while praying Zayn is still safe and that nothing is serious. We arrive infront of emergency room. I see some police men.

"Sir, his relative is here." The guy tells the police who then turns to me.

"You know Zayn?" He asks and I nod, "are you his family?"

"I-I'm his b- boyfriend." I shutter while trying to answer.

"I contacted his parents as well, sir. They might be on the way." The guy meddles, talking to the police.

"You see Mr...." The police trails off not knowing my name.

"His name is Parker." The guy answers.

"Mr. Parker because this is an accident we have some procedure to follow. But as you're still not his legal family, we'll wait for his family and won't disturb you." Just as he says this, mom, dad, Kaino and his parents run towards me.

"Parker, what happened?" Dad asks while mom is sticking to him as she's crying.

"Mr. Woods, your son met with an accident. His car got hit to a street pole. The doctor said the impact is too strong and his condition is serious. As this is not a hit and run case, we'll see what's going to happen and case the close accordingly. I need a statement from you regarding that." The police explains dad.

At his words, mom gasps as her tears pours out rapidly while I keep myself sane by saying myself that he's going to be fine. He has to be. On the day he proposed me, he promised he's going be with me until our last breath. He even promised today while leaving that he's going to come back to me. I know he will. He has to.

Some minutes pass by and finally the doors to the emergency room gets open and there walks out of a doctor.

"How is he now, doctor?" Kaino queries the doctor as we all stand waiting for his response.

"His condition is quite critical. I'm scared we can't guarantee anything." That stops my heart, he's indirectly saying Zayn is going to di.. no! That can't happen!

"Doctor, please try everything. Don't think about anything but saving him." Kaino's father pleads.

"We did everything we could, now it's not in our hands." The doctor sighs and cries of our family echoes in the area, "he wants to see you guys now, please."

The doctor states and directs us into the room. Mom and dad rush behind the doctor followed by Kaino's parents. While I stay rooted at where I'm standing. My mind is blank and my face is void of any emotions.

"Come on, Parker. He wants to meet you." I look up to Kaino at his words and with heavy heart I take my legs forward, walking into the room.

The situation infront of me pains my heart more than I have ever encountered in my life. Zayn lies there on the bed, many wires are hooked to his body as the monitor reads his life. With his parents and others in the room, his eyes searches mine and when our eyes meet, on an instinct my legs runs to him.

"Zayn." I cry out and hold his cold hand in mine, my tears that I didn't allow to fall until now finally wins, making me a crying mess.

"I'm sorry, Parker, I can't fulfill my promise to you." He says with his voice barely audible and I shake my head no at his words.

"Don't say that, I won't let you go." I tell in between my cries.

"There's not much time left for me, Parker and I know that." That hits my heart like an arrow, "can you promise me one thing?"

"I'll promise anything as long as you'll be with me." I reply as others witness our scene with cries.

"Don't be stubborn, Parker." He scolds me and glances his eyes up, "Kaino."

He calls out for Kaino and Kaino walks forward, standing beside me.

"I have a favor for you, Kaino. Will you do it for me?" He coughs while talking.

"Anything for you, brother." Kaino responds immediately.

"I want you to marry Parker." His words shocks everyone in the room.

"Zayn!!" I croak out but he doesn't listen to me and continues to talk.

"You should marry him and look after him, Kaino. He has been all alone throughout his life, I don't want him to go back to that. I know what I'm asking isn't easy but please understand. Promise me that you'll marry him, please Kaino, do it for me." He urges Kaino.

"No! I won't marry anyone else. You should be the one that should marry me, Zayn. Why are you doing this?" I sob loudly.

"Parker, you told you'll do anything I ask for." He reminds me.

"Anything, but with you." I reply.

"Kaino, Parker, you both should marry eachother. Promise me you guys will do it." He insists and I shake my head no, not agreeing to him, "this is my last wish."

He mumbles as his breathing slows down and the monitor starts to beep. He stares at us expectantly as second by second his life comes to end.

"I'll marry him, Zayn. I'll do as you say." Kaino and I say at the same time and I see a soft smile on his face before the beep comes to a stop.

"Zayn!!" I scream as I open my eyes with tears and sweat forming my face.

"Parker, are you okay?" Kaino asks while walking to me with a cup in his hands.

All I do is cry instead of answering him. He hurriedly moves and places the cup on the bedside table before sitting next to me and pulling me into a hug. His smoothing words and gentle rub on my back does nothing to stop my cries because of the agony I'm going through.