Chapter 2

Thomas let out a bark of sarcastic laughter, taking a few more threatening steps toward the couple. “Your father wants you home dear Rose, he is very angry that you eloped with a servant.” He spat the word servant like it was a bitter taste in his mouth."

“She’s not going with you!” Hakeem boomed, red hot rage flashing through him.

“Shut up! how could you dare to think of eloping with your master’s daughter?” Thomas sneered.

Rose shook with rage. “He is no longer a servant Thomas! He is my lover, my husband.” She slipped her hand into Hakeem’s palm desperately needing strength.

Thomas scowled “I don’t care. Your father has searched far and wide for you after you caused him irreparable embarrassment by eloping with a servant the night before our wedding.” He inhaled deeply as if the memory alone scarred him. “He is very angry dear Rose, he’ll never approve of your love for such a lowly person. You know the daughter of whom you are better than I do.”

“I don’t need his approval Thomas, I’m happy here and I’m not getting married to you, I don’t love you!” The moment she uttered the last words, she knew she’d made a mistake because Thomas’s face darkened with rage.

“I don’t care rose. You are going to marry me whether you like it or not. You’re also going to get rid of that thing growing inside you_” on instinct, Rosalie put a protective hand to her stomach “_or I’ll do it for you.” Thomas sneered.

“I’m not coming with you, Thomas. Never. Tell my father I’m never coming back.” She took Hakeem’s hand and turned around to leave… when she heard the words.

“Shoot the kaffir.”

It was too late.

She didn’t think, she just did.

She used her body as a shield.

One. two. Three. She gasped, counting the shots as they impaled her. She stopped counting after the third one. 

Rose fell to the floor, her eyes ironically leveled with the flowers Hakeem had been planting a few minutes ago. She’d never felt pain so intense, so enveloping. She heard scrambling and distant shouts. 

A cool breeze passed as if mocking the situation she was in. Rose shuddered when she imagined a scenario where Hakeem was shot, she knew she wouldn’t survive it if something bad happened to him. It scared her to think it would have been Hakeem feeling this pain.

She heard her name and a voice begging her to stay awake. She recognized Hakeem, his face tearful and scared as he assessed her bloody form. He clutched her hand with shaky hands trying to form words.

“Hakeem,” She whispered, her voice weak and small. She tried to reach for his face. She couldn’t think, couldn’t feel, the pain made her unable to function.

“Don’t talk Rose!” Hakeem begged. 

“Please… Save your strength, I need to get you to a hospital!”

She looked around, noting that Thomas must’ve run when they realized they shot her Instead.

Hakeem lifted her in his arms, trying his best not to touch the wounds. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him down the path that led to their cottage. The very path she walked on a few minutes ago. 

The hospital was too far away, they lived at the very top of the mountain. Rosalie realized this too as she felt more of her strength drain from her. “Hakeem?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Don’t talk Rose! You need strength!” 

Hakeem didn’t want to think about what was happening, he couldn’t lose her. He just couldn’t.

“Hakeem put me down,” Rosalie gasped, her breaths labored and heavy, “Please,” She added weakly.

She jerked at the force of his abrupt stop.

 “Rose, you need to get to the hospital..” His voice broke, “Please.”

“J …Just put me down, Hakeem.” Rosalie was pleading at this point, she knew what was coming, and she felt it. It would take at least 3 hours to get to a hospital, and she knew she didn’t have that much time.

Hakeem carefully, but reluctantly put her down with her back resting on a huge olive tree. Rosalie wanted to weep when she looked at his face. All their dreams flashed and crashed right before her eyes. She caressed his face wiping the tears, as a tear rolled down her cheek.

“Ro_” Hakeem’s voice broke, “Please don’t leave me.”

Hakeem desperately wished this was a dream, some kind of wicked joke or a nightmare he would wake up from. And when he did his beautiful Rose would be smiling at him, with a warm cup of coffee and a good morning kiss.

“I’m sorry Hakeem,” Her heart broke all over again as she realized she would be leaving this beautiful man behind, “I'm so sorry.”

“What are you talking about_” He choked on his tears. “You can say all that later, let’s get you to a hospital.” He insisted. He refused to believe the woman he loved was dying in front of him, because of him and there was nothing he could do. Surely the universe wasn’t that cruel.

“I love you so much, Hakeem.” She weakly stretched her hands out for a hug.

Rose wept. She wept for them, they'd never been dealt a fair hand. She wept for their unborn child, who won’t get a chance to see the world.

Hakeem cried with her, he cried for his wife, her pain, and their very short time spent together. He still couldn’t believe this was the last time he’d hear her voice and feel her touch. He held onto her tighter than ever, desperately hoping and praying he’d wake up from this bad dream.

“Hakeem look at me.” Rose could feel herself slipping away.

Hakeem shook his head, refusing to let her go. Maybe.. just maybe, if he held her like this she wouldn’t leave him.