TANGLED HEARTS

THE LAST BREATH

~FLASHBACK ~

It was a cold afternoon, just after my junior exams. I walked out of the exam hall grinning ear to ear, phone already in my hand, ready to check for any updates. that's when I saw it, a voicemail from my mom, I hit play.

her voice was raspy, desperate,gasping for air. "Nargis.....come home....I can't....I can't...breathe...hurry". My heart stopped, I didn't wait to think, I threw everything into my backpack and ran straight to the parking bay, hopped on my bicycle, and pedaled like my life depends on it.

My knees hit the pavement hard when I tripped at a turn. Blood smeared my legs, but I didn't care, I got back up, the adrenaline louder than the pain. Fifteen minutes. Thats all it took to change everything. When I Nreached home, our estate, I found her. My mother Zeenat khan, sprawled across the cold tiles, barely breathing. Standing over her, calm and cruel,was salma. She held my mom's inhaler in her hand like a throphy.

"Salma, please.." I sobbed, chocking on panic." Give her the inhaler!". But salma only sneered," die b***h,", she said, loud and vile." No one's gonna save you.", I rushed to order another inhaler online, praying it'd arrive in time, but salma was faster, she snatched it right out of my hand, I rushed towards her dragging her to take back the inhaler, she pushed me and I hit my head on a nearby pillar, I didn't give up, since time wasn't by my side I ran outside and called for help, screamed my lungs, but no one came. It dawned on me, we were the only ones in the estate,The KHANS,rich, Isolated and alone.

I dailed emergency services over and over, but the ambulance was delayed, so I did the only thing I could, I dragged my mom onto my back and started hauling her out of the estate.Step by step, my legs were shaking,knees bleeding, but I didn't stop. I felt her body go limp," no" I screamed," don't do this, don't leave me!".

The ambulance arrived minutes later,too late. At st.Nicholas hospital, they pronounced her dead on arrival, and that's how I lost the one woman who ever fought for me, but I knew I had to stay strong, for fay(fayrouz khan).

~END FLASHBACK ~

Tears streaked down my face, hot and silent." hey," a voice cut through." come on, don't tell me you're crying again.". Lillian Michaelson dropped beside me like a tornado in lip gloss. " Babygirl, you gotta clean those tears and man up," she said with a crooked grin. I sniffed and glared," But I'm not a man.", we both burst into laughter," see?" she smirked. Told ya, you're prettier when you smile.". " I know right", I flipped my hair. " But tell that to salma. b***h wants to marry me off to some fat bum from pakistan, so she claims".

" Well, now that we're done with WAEC, NECO and JAMB," Lillian shrugged," you've got time to fight back." " She scheduled the wedding for next week," I said." five freaking days, meanwhile,my entrance exam to LUISS in Italy is on the exact sameday. I just hope they make it online."

Lillian sighed, " what's your plan"," I don't have one yet," I admitted." I'd risk anything,but I'm scared for Fay, if they hurt her... i don't think I'll survive it.