BIGGEST SHOCK

The morning comes and my alarm hits, tearing my eardrums. I hit the snooze button and run to the bathroom to have a cold shower. I wash my hair with the crème shampoo and leave the conditioner on. I scrub my face and wipe, apply my daily moisturizer and followed the daily routine. I descend the staircase and run to the kitchen to grab a healthy breakfast.

“Good morning Maa!” I greet our kitchen maid and I called her Maa as I consider her as my mother. She is always with us since I was an infant.

“Good Morning, Master Blaine!” she greets me.

“How many times I have told you not to call me Master! You are a mother figure to me!” I snort.

“yes but you are my owner and I have a right to call you Master.” She smiles gently at me while serving a plate full of French toast garnished with seasonings, and my favorite mixed fruit juice.

“You need to get all the nutrients so here is your breakfast. Finish it before it gets cold.”

Sometimes I hate that she is not my mother but a mere maid in our house. She cooks food for us every day and complete daily chore without a single wrinkle on her forehead. Even though my grandma keep scolding her for something she did not find perfect, but in my eyes, Maa is perfect.

“Good morning, Blaine!” Grandpa enters the dining hall and takes the seat of the head of the family, like always.

“Good morning, Paa!” I greet him.

“Ready for the day? I hear from your teacher that your end term exams are coming up the end of the month. I want you to perform better in them, as you will go to hold my position one day!”

Grandpa states.

I roll my eyes internally as I know why he is forcing me to put so much effort in school, “do I really have to beat Sinclair’s heir in every competition? I think it's a waste of time!” I state and suddenly, Grandpa slams his fist on the dining table, which scared my dead parents too.

“This is not about a competition. This is a legacy which I have followed my whole life and so does your father. Now it’s your time! After your exams, I have decided that you will join Harvard University for your higher studies.”

“But Paaa…!” I retaliate, but he has made his decision.

“Enough! I don't want to hear another word from your side. You are going and it's final!” Grandpa eyed me dangerously and I want to the earth to eat me right now.

I did not utter a single word after Grandpa’s threat warning. I sunk inside my brain as I think about further possibilities of changing his mind. He is stubborn, so am I but I want to be something else then following the legacy like an idiot.

The conflict between Ashford and Sinclair family started back in late 1800s as my great grandfather’s father got Sinclair’s daughter pregnant. They run away in sake for their love but in the end, Sinclair’s daughter ended her life.

Sinclair family blamed our family for their loss and the grudge between them is still fresh as a fresh bleeding wound, they never healed. This far way to understand completely, but it is unnecessary to keep holding on to the things that give so much pain. Sometimes, it is good to let the strings lose.

The driver drops me to the school’s gate and I enter my class. The first lecture is replaced by chemistry, I sigh but the day already started with doom. I take my seat and note down the topic the lecturer mentioned. Taking Grandpa’s warning seriously, I went to the library to take books to complete my notes.

As I enter, I notice Rebecca Sinclair holding a pile of book in her hands, with a smugly smile on her face when her gaze falls on me. What is her problem? Every chic in this school wants to be with me but her, she is a pain in ass, just like her grades. She tops in academics’ every year and she knows that she is winning this already!

“hey! Ashford! What’s up?” Oliver, my best friend taps on my shoulder, “she is not your type, dude!” she points when he notices I was glaring at Rebecca.

“I know, I was thinking something else.” I reply.

“What are you doing in the library? I was looking for you in the music hall!” Oliver asks.

“Pa told me to focus on study.” I say while going through the shelves for the books I am looking for.

“Did you get busted last night?” he asks worriedly, “oh! Did they ground you for

breaking the rules?”

“No! I am serious, Pa is furious over my studies. He wants me to top the exams and

defame Sinclair’s family.” I sigh.

“That's a cool Idea! I like your Pa!” Oliver state and I roll my eyes.

“You are unbelievable.” I chuckle while giving him a brotherly hug.

The classes were over for today and I leave the class in haste. Since I have to study, I have to prepare a schedule so I can focus on other things too.

When I approach the main exit of the school, I saw all of our drivers waiting for me. a panic rose in my heart and run to them.

“Why all of you are gathered here?” I ask with worry.

“Master Blaine! We hospitalize your grandfather! Madame Cecelia asked us to bring you

to the hospital as soon as possible, but the guards won't let us enter the school premises.” one of the driver replies to me.

“What??”

I scream, “What happen to him?”

The fear rushes into my veins, I can’t bear if anything happens to Pa. he is the only one in this world who can understand me.

“Take me to the hospital.” I order them and rush into the car.

Soon we reached the hospital and I run into the reception, “where is Albert Ashford

admitted?” I ask the receptionist.

“he is in ICU right now!” she informs me and I walk to the ICU units. I saw Grandma sitting on one of the bench, wiping her tears with her signature rosy pink handkerchief.

“Grandma! What happened to Pa?” I ask her, but she hugs me.

“Your Grandfather had a Heart attack when he was in a meeting. The employees informed the hospital and they admitted him in the next second.” She cries.

“Don’t worry! He is a strong man, he will survive!” I console her, but I am afraid from the inside. I make her comfortable and went to talk to the doctor, but everyone is inside the ICU. I saw a nurse coming out from the ICU and I stop her midway.

“Excuse me! Please inform any of your doctors that Blaine Ashford wants to meet them.”

I state and the nurse nods her head in agreement.

I keep fidgeting my fingers in nervousness as the anxiety is eating me. On the other hand, My Grandma keeps pouring tears from her eyes. She recently had an eye operation and it will affect her sight but I can’t help her calming down.

I pull my hair in frustration, but nothing calms my anxiety. I fear of something, but I hope for better. Suddenly, the light on the door gets off and few doctors come out from the unit.

I approach them, “Doctor! How is my grandfather?” I ask worriedly.

The doctor removes his mask, “his condition is critical, he lost blood internally.

We are looking for the donors.”

“you are looking for the donors now? are you serious? My Pa is on his deathbed and

now you are looking for the donors?” I yell at them.

“Mr. Ashford, please! We are doing are best.” The doctor defends.

“I don’t want to hear that you are doing your best, I want results! My Pa have invested a lot of money in your hospital and you can’t even save them?” I jab.

Suddenly, a nurse rush from the unit door and told to the doctor, “doctor! The patient is unstable!”

The doctor runs inside, immediately and I watch them doing CPR on my Pa. the light turns on again but I feel the light of my life is diminishing with every breath he takes.