Color Me Blind (A Divine Love Story Book 1)

by Melinda Michelle

  The tension in the waiting room had escalated to biblical proportions. Carmen hugged Blake fiercely. She struggled because she understood where the man was coming from but because she knew Ahmed she knew it was the wrong way to be. Lucy held on to Damon trying desperately to convince him not to go after the man. Alyssa sat down and cried she couldn’t understand all the hate.

  Jasmine made the call but didn’t get an answer. She assumed they were already on a plane headed there so she left a detailed message. When she turned to walk back into the waiting area Blake was blocking her path.

  She froze and her entire body tensed.

  “Can you please move out of my way?”

  “Look Jasmine we need to talk.”

  “No, actually we don’t, I know I said all I have to say and trust me you’ve said enough.”

  She attempted to walk past him but he grabbed her arm to stop her. Her stare was vicious.

  “Get your hands off of me. I don’t ever want you to touch me again.”

  “Jaz, you know you don’t mean that.”

  “Like hell I don’t. Let. Me. Go!”

  He tightened his grip on her arm and stared her intensely in the eyes. There were so many things he wanted to say to her. He was so mad at her and so miserable that they were fighting at the same time. It disturbed him that all he wanted to do was kiss her. God help him, this was too much. He had every conflicting emotion a person could have all at once.

  In a rare moment of contrition she pleaded.

  “Blake please. I can’t handle you and this right now. I just can’t.”

  He didn’t release her but his stare became more intense because he saw the real plea in her eyes. He knew she was hurting. He couldn’t help his desire to want to fix it.

  “If you don’t get out of my face I will make you get out of my face.”

  Well her vulnerable moment was clearly gone and her claws were back out. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with it.

  He smirked.

  “Whatever Jasmine. You want me gone, then I’m gone.”

  It sounded so final it stung, but she wasn’t about to let it show. She couldn’t get mad that she got exactly what she asked for.

  When they returned to the waiting area there was a petite dark haired beauty standing with Lucy and Carmen. She had onyx eyes and her golden complexioned face was stained with tears.

  Jasmine walked up to her.

  “You must be Victoria.”

  She nodded.

  “Sorry to have to meet you under these circumstances.”

  She sniffled, “I don’t understand why this happened.”

  Damon said, “This happened because Ahmed was a victim of a hate crime.”

  Blake said, “You guys, we need to contact the police and find out if this was something random or if Ahmed was targeted because of his race. It can totally change the charges that will be brought against his attackers. We shouldn’t speculate and add to the madness.”

  Disbelieving Jasmine asked, “Are you blind or is your head just thick. Once again you’re not listening. I warned all of you this morning that this could happen but you were just determined to see the world through your rose tinted glasses. Wake up Blake, the world is full of racist pricks that are so full of hate and ignorance that innocent people are victimized everyday simply because they exist.”

  He fired back, “Jasmine, I’m not discounting that. I’m just saying let’s get the facts before we speculate.”

  “There isn’t anything to speculate. The writing is on the wall in Ahmed’s blood. What more do you need a note signed by his attackers saying that they attacked him because he looked like the psycho who killed all of those people this morning.”

  “Is it really necessary to be that morbid Jasmine,” Blake asked.

  “I’m being real Blake. Just because all of your friends are minorities doesn’t mean you will ever understand what it is to be a minority in this country. So don’t try and placate me with your reasonable doubt theories. Can you be a compassionate friend and not a cold lawyer?”

  Blake’s temper flashed white hot.

  “Jasmine, you can kiss my white behind. Don’t tell me I can’t understand this. He is my friend too or are you two closer than he and I because you are both minorities? It does not matter why this was done because the fact remains that our friend is fighting for his life. At the end of the day I don’t care why it happened just that it happened.”

  Carmen said, “Okay you guys that is enough! This isn’t going to help anything, our being at each other’s throats. Can you two not do this in front of Alyssa and Victoria?”

  Jasmine snatched her purse.

  “I’m out of here. I’m heading to the police station to find out what is being done to find out who did this. Regardless of why this happened I want these bastards behind bars. I don’t care if they’re skin is red, white or blue. Damon, will you take me? I don’t have my car.”

  Damon nodded. He realized this was the first time their personal racial frustrations had ever come into their friendship and caused discord. He wondered if they would ever be able to get past it. Maybe Jasmine was right. Their friendship may have clouded their perception of what each person actually felt about race.

  Blake said, “Jasmine, you’re Ahmed’s power of attorney. You need to stay here just in case there is anything that has to be decided. I’ll go with Damon to the police station and handle that.”

  It angered her that she couldn’t argue with it.

  “Fine, whatever. One of us needs to leave immediately.”

  Chapter 34: Breathtaking Moments

  They had waited for hours. The only report they got was that he was still in surgery. Everyone was restless and worried. Jasmine had tucked away all of her Blake crap and gone into the hospital chapel to pray for Ahmed and his safe recovery.

  She didn’t know what was wrong with her. She felt as if something outside of herself was fueling her anger. Everything Blake did grated on her nerves to no end. Spending time with God gave her new perspectives. Even though she was still upset with Blake she would try a lot harder to check her attitude.

  No one could get under her skin quite like her best friend. When she walked back into the waiting room she saw that Blake and Damon had returned and was handing out food to everyone. She took a seat next to Lucy. Damon handed her a sandwich and a drink.

  “Thanks.”

  Blake walked up to Jasmine and handed her a set of keys.

  “We picked up your car. I know how you don’t like to be without your own transportation.”

  It was so sweet and just like Blake, but she wasn’t willing to fold that easy.

  She said, “It wasn’t necessary, but I appreciate it.”

  It irritated Blake, “A simple thank you would suffice.”

  “Well I didn’t ask you to do it.”

  “That’s not the point Jasmine and you know it.”

  Carmen interrupted them exasperated with their antics.

  “Guys seriously? Ahmed is fighting for his life. Put all your crap away! Blake, what did the police say?”

  Blake took a seat as far away from Jasmine as possible.

  “They have the whole thing on video. They released their images and are waiting for someone to turn them in while they are canvassing the neighborhoods surrounding the grocery store. So now it’s just a waiting game.”

  Silence settled over everyone as they picked at their food.

  Damon asked, “Have you heard any more about Ahmed’s condition?”

  Victoria shook her head, “No, but his parents should be here soon.”

  The nurse that was Jasmine’s adversary came into the room accompanied by a surgeon.

  “Hey guys, I have some news.”

  She immediately received their undivided attention.

  The tall doctor with the well-worn face said, “Your friend has made it out of surgery successfully, but it was touch and go there a few times. We had to resuscitate him twice. He suffered som
e pretty intense injuries. There was internal bleeding along with a broken arm and a broken leg. If he makes it through the night his chances of survival increase by fifty percent. In my opinion it’s a miracle he survived at all. He is in recovery right now.”

  Lucy asked desperately, “When can we see him?”

  “You can see him in about an hour, but not all of you at once,” he warned sternly.

  There was a collective sigh of relief from all of Ahmed’s loved ones. It seemed like everything was falling into place.

  The doctor said, “I will have the nurse get you when you can see him. It won’t be that much longer.”

  Victoria, Lucy and Alyssa broke down in tears. Jasmine was still holding her breath. When she finally released it she fought hard not to cry. She wanted to stay strong because she could see that all her friends were taking this pretty hard.

  Blake watched Jasmine fight her emotions. He knew her so well it was chilling. He could practically see the thoughts running though her head. He knew she was trying to stay strong. As tough as she was she too had a breaking point.

  He knew it was only a matter of time before she broke because she and Ahmed were very close. They all were, but Jasmine loved so hard. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and take her away from all of this. He didn’t want to think about losing Ahmed. The thought was too painful so he kind of numbed himself to it like he did his feelings for Jasmine.

  The hour came and went. Like she promised the nurse was back to escort them to see Ahmed. His parents had just arrived shortly before and everyone agreed that they should go first.

  They left the waiting area of the emergency room and headed to a waiting area closer to where Ahmed was now being kept. They all took a seat and waited patiently, except for Victoria.

  She paced the small room back and forth as if that would make time go faster. When his parents came out a short while later his mother was wrapped securely in his father’s arms as she wept. His father’s face was just like Ahmed’s. He didn’t cry. He just led his wife to the other side of the waiting area.

  Disregarding the doctor’s orders the five of them went in next. Victoria understood her place. She didn’t resent it because she knew how much they all meant to each other. She would get to see him next. Alyssa quietly waited her turn. She knew she was last on the list. She was just grateful he had made it out of surgery.

  Blake and Damon were the first to enter the room. They both took in a sharp breath at the sight of Ahmed lying there so still and broken. Blake stood to the left of his bed and Damon went to the right. Jasmine came in next and unconsciously gravitated to Damon because of her simmering anger just below the surface.

  When she saw his face all bruised and battered she thought she would toss her cookies. She bore down to stop it. Carmen and Lucy stood at the foot of his bed. Lucy was silently weeping as Carmen rubbed her back fighting back her own emotions.

  Ahmed’s head was bandaged in gauze that was stained with blood. One side of his face was swollen and sporting black and blue coloring, the eye swollen shut. His right arm was in a cast lying across him. His left leg was in a cast propped up on some pillows.

  Ahmed groggily said, “Well, I guess I ruined everyone’s night. Sorry about that.”

  No one laughed at his poor attempt at humor. With his single eye he could see the fear and trepidation in each pair of eyes that looked back at him in horror. He thought he must’ve looked as bad as he felt. This was not the group that was about to lie to him about his chances of survival.

  Damon said, “Asking you how you feel seems pretty stupid. Man what happened?”

  He whispered, “Water.”

  Jasmine hurried over and put the straw from the cup of water sitting on the bedside table to his lips.

  Like a mother she cooed, “Drink it slow sweetie.”

  When he’d finished he said, “Jazzy you were right. All day long I had been getting dirty looks, talking behind my back and nasty notes left in my office. I took off early because it was really starting to get to me. He shifted his eye to Blake. I went to the park and met the cutest little girl when she fell down right in front of me. She had to be about three, her name was Blake too.”

  Blake found a small smile.

  “She made me remember the fight you two had this morning.”

  Jasmine said, “Ahmed we don’t need to talk about this right now. You should get your rest.”

  He concentrated his eye on her for a long moment and made her squirm. Then he looked at Blake.

  “You two are still fighting aren’t you?”

  Carmen said, “Like hell cats and rabid dogs. They are so ridiculous.”

  Jasmine and Blake both felt like children being tattled on. They avoided eye contact with each other.

  Ahmed continued, “Look guys I thought I was going to die tonight and what flashed in my head in those very painful moments was all the people that I loved. You guys, my parents and Victoria.”

  Stunned by the last name they all stared at him. He gave a little chuckle that turned into a cough. Jasmine was there to give him more water.

  “You two need to remember all the people that lost their lives today. They have no more chances. It’s so obvious to everyone in this room including the two of you that you two are very much in love with each other. What are you waiting for?”

  They stared at each other. Their silence spoke volumes. They managed no answer for Ahmed.

  He said, “Well, I tell you what, you guys are making the biggest mistake of your lives. Whatever reason you think is a valid one it’s not. Nothing is worth denying what is truly in your heart. Tonight I am faced with my own mortality. What I am regretting the most is that I didn’t try harder to share my life with someone special.”

  The weight of Ahmed’s words was breaking Jasmine down slowly and mercilessly. She knew he was right but there was just too much to be figured out in one moment. It scared her to think that she didn’t know, none of them did, how many moments they had left to waste or enjoy.

  Ahmed had made her his power of attorney because she was calm in a crisis but that tiny grip she had on her control was quickly unraveling. She didn’t want him to think she couldn’t handle it.

  She managed, “I need some air. I’ll be back.”

  Even though her back was to him as she headed to the door she felt it in her bones that Blake’s instinct was to come and comfort her. She shook her head because she knew he would be watching.

  Blake got her message loud and clear. The fact that she predicted his move only made the ache stronger. He looked up at Damon. Damon immediately got the message and nodded his understanding. He walked out behind Jasmine and shut the door. She was a few steps ahead of him.

  He called out gently, “Jazzy.”

  She turned tears running down her face.

  He went to her and held her as the gut wrenching sobs racked her body. She was sickened by the sight of her friend. She was so angry at the world they lived in. How could they do that him? Then on what could possibly be his death bed he asked her to do what was in her heart.

  She couldn’t bring herself to honor his wish. What kind of person did that make her? She didn’t understand any of this. She begged for God to have mercy on her, on all of them. Damon sat them down and let her get it all out. Victoria and Alyssa looked on in a panic.

  Damon said, “He’s okay. You two go ahead in. Jazzy and I will stay out for a while.”

  Inside Ahmed’s room he had been telling them what happened. Lucy was now in Blake’s comforting embrace because she couldn’t stop crying. Carmen, stoic as ever, just stood and fought her anger as Ahmed recounted his horrendous ordeal. The door opened and Victoria and Alyssa came in.

  Victoria was by his side in a flash gently kissing the few spots on his face that weren’t bruised.

  He said, “I’m sorry I stood you up.”

  She gave him a watery laugh.

  “Yeah, I can’t even argue with your excuse.”

  He man
aged a small smile and reached for her hand with his good one.

  “I love you Victoria.”

  Tears spilled out, “I know because I love you too. I know it hasn’t been that long but I think it was already there from before.”

  He nodded, “Yeah it was. Five years is a long time to dance around an attraction.”

  She stood and pointed to Alyssa.

  “There’s someone who wants to see you.”

  Even though it hurt his busted lip he smiled.

  “It was you wasn’t it, the one who held my hand?”

  She nodded.

  “I thought that if it were me I would want to know that someone was with me. I’m so sorry I didn’t get there sooner. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. It’s okay, thank you for being there.”

  Lucy found her voice, “She was the one that called Jasmine and got us here so fast.”

  With tears in his eye he said, “Thank you.”

  Jasmine had pulled herself together and told Damon to go back in to spend some time with Ahmed. She headed to the bathroom to wash her face. Damon went back inside and stood at the foot of the bed with Carmen. She reached down and squeezed his hand really tightly. Even for Carmen that was a lot of emotion. The nurse from earlier came into the room to check his vitals.

  “Now y’all know it is too many of y’all in here. Get out, every one of you. Only one at a time. If I catch y’all in here again I will put all y’all out of the hospital.”

  She laughed. They all found some small chuckles for her.

  She went on, “But seriously you guys one at a time.”

  Alyssa, Carmen and Lucy kissed his cheek and whispered their affection to him. Blake and Damon dropped their egos and told Ahmed that they loved him before heading out. The last to leave was Victoria.

  She gently kissed his lips and said, “Get better baby.”

  He said, “I’ll do my best beautiful.”

  The nurse asked him how he was feeling.