Lost in Paradise

Chapter 12

Rebecca, who is now driving to Nadia's residence, was so worried because she’s been calling her friend several times but she’s not answering. She had no plan of visiting Nadia because she was worn out at work but she felt strange when her friend suddenly came to her mind. So as she finished work, she immediately went to Nadia. She has been worrying about Nadia since Joshua left her on the very day of their wedding. From that day on, her friend changed, the vivacious and cheerful Nadia she used to know had disappeared. She remembered the first month of Joshua's disappearance, her friend seemed like a living dead. She isolates herself inside the house all day long, always drunk and no proper meal. She visits her almost every day only to be pushed off and tells her that she’s okay and wants to be alone. A time came that she and Nadia almost had a serious fight because she couldn’t stand pity on her friend, she wanted to wake her up and return to her usual self.

Nadia is more than a friend to Rebecca so she did the extra mile to help her recover. She even asked Nadia to visit her psychologist. She had been referring her since her depression started but she’s consistently refusing until she was able to convince her. It somehow helped her friend recover although she was aware that Nadia was faking it when she said she‘s completely okay. She knew because she knows Nadia very well that’s why it worried her she said she’s going back to work. She initially opposed it but Nadia was insistent and said it would help her if she makes herself busy with other things.

Nadia did report to work today. She knew her friend wouldn't have a hard time catching up to work but why she’s feeling uncomfortable. “Something’s wrong”, she said herself. There seems to be something that dictates to her to go to her friend immediately, she thinks it’s her woman's instinct and she needs to listen to it.

"The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area—"

Rebecca called several times but Nadia is still not answering, she knew something was wrong. She doesn’t want to think that her intuition that something bad happened to Nadia was right, but she couldn't help but overthink. She immediately hit the accelerator and made the car run fast.

She soon arrived at Nadia's house. She did not bother to knock and immediately entered the passcode, fortunately, Nadia had not changed it. The door opened and Rebecca entered. The lights were off so Rebecca could hardly see.

"Nadia??... Besh! where are you?" she called as she’s trying to grope the light switch

When the lights came on, the shattered glasses on the floor startled her right away. She circled her sight and saw Nadia unconsciously lying in her own blood.

Rebecca promptly lost her strength at what she saw but tried to act quickly and rapidly approached Nadia. Her tears flowed immediately when she saw her friend's left wrist slashed while her right hand was holding a blood-filled glass.

"Na–n–adia... " there was no voice coming out from Rebecca as she’s trying to wake up her friend.

She immediately took her cellphone out of the pocket and called 911 shaking. They responded immediately, with a shaken voice, Rebecca provided the information the agent asked for. They advised Rebecca not to move Nadia because it might make her situation worse. Fortunately, there was a nearby rescue team at Nadia's location so they arrived after almost 10 mins and Nadia was then provided first aid before she was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Nadia lost a lot of blood and had to have a blood transfer. Luckily, Nadia's blood type wasn’t rare and they immediately got her a supply. They immediately started the surgery. Rebecca, who has been relentless in tears and worried, regained her composure when the doctor declared that her friend's condition was now stable. Fortunately, the s***h didn't exactly hit Nadia’s pulse probably because of her severe intoxication.

Two days had passed and Nadia still hasn’t regained her consciousness. Rebecca also already spent two days looking after her friend. She chose not to inform Nadia’s family because she knew that Nadia would not like it either, she’s stable now though.

While looking at her friend, Rebecca fell asleep resting her head on the bed, holding Nadia’s right hand. Soon Nadia regained her consciousness and slowly opened her eyes. She felt heavy and could feel the pain in his left hand. She initially couldn’t comprehend the situation as to why she was lying in a place he doesn’t know. But little by little Nadia was able to puzzle out the situation and grasped that she was now confined in a hospital. When Nadia turned her sight, she saw Rebecca sleeping soundly on her side and noticed that she was holding her hand. Nadia instantly burst into tears, she felt guilty towards her friend. Nadia knew that she makes Rebecca suffers, she knew that she was hurting Rebecca so much for what she was doing to herself. Nadia knew she was being selfish thinking that she was the only one hurting, without knowing that she was also hurting Rebecca with every t*****e she was doing to herself.

Nadia forced her fingers to move and tightened her grip on Rebecca's hand. Rebecca felt it and woke up because of what Nadia did. Rebecca immediately opened her eyes and saw her friend wide awake. Before she could speak, she broke down in tears and immediately embraced Nadia.

"S—sorry ..." Nadia muttered as she sobbed over Rebecca.

"S–sorry besh” Rebecca cried.

The two just hugged each other as they continued to weep. When their tears run out, they just laughed at each other like children.

~ ~ ~

Nadia touched her left hand as she remembered the incident. She rubbed her wrist which is now scarless, the sin Nadia committed to herself was now unnoticeable. She could not think herself that she would reach the point where she tried to end her life. She had been through a lot of stressful experiences but suicide never came to her mind. She felt deep pity for herself after that incident. Her too much love for Joshua ruined her that much. So now, she has decided not to just give her trust to anyone. She completely closed her heart and will focus on the new life she wants to lead. A new life different from what she used to have which only gave her pain and suffering.

After finishing her coffee, she prepared herself right away as she promised Maliya to accompany her on her errands today.