To My Dearest
Chapter 12
:: Denial ::
Natsu's P.O.V.
5 years ago…
A month after Nashi's birth…
"Natsu-san, I'm afraid you don't have much time to live…" When Wendy said those words, I couldn't believe them. What was she saying? I was fine until a few days ago. I was perfectly alright. I was the happiest man alive with the most beautiful and loving wife. I recently was blessed with an adorable daughter.
How did it come to this? All I did was get a check up for a weird sensation in chest.
It was definitely not jealousy. Nor did anything cause me a heart break. Besides why would I be heart-broken? I have the most loving family which is now complete with the birth of my daughter.
Wendy was cracking a joke. That had to be it. Or she was just lacking experience to deal with my condition? Despite that she was an excellent student in her school, it's been only two years since she started practice. There was no way I could just…
"Natsu-san…" I heard her calling for my attention.
I laughed at her gag. That was definitely a joke.
"It is true Natsu-san. You might not believe it. You can go to other doctors who maybe better than me. The truth won't change. Your diagnosis will remain the same" Wendy said. Her eyes seemed sad but determined.
So is Wendy saying the truth? Why should I believe her? Why should I believe that I'm dying? There is no proof. There is no proof that I will pass away.
My laughter died. My feet began acting of their own accord and before she could react, I left the room, just like that.
What was Wendy joking to me about? This isn't any time to kid. This isn't an issue to say things out of the blue. This is an issue of two lives. How can she say things like that?
How can she? How can-
"Natsu…" What is Lucy doing at the hospital?
Of course, I'm surprised to see her. What happened? Was she hurt? Was she sick? Was she- Or did something happen to Nashi?
"Are you skipping on work again?" Lucy asked with one of her eyebrow raised in suspicion.
I looked around and found the surrounding were nowhere similar to the hospital.
I was home. I am home.
"Natsu…" There she goes calling me by my name. "What the- You're bleeding?! How did you get yourself hurt?"
She carefully dragged my hand and made me sit on the couch. Nashi was sleeping in her little bed. I felt relieved. Nothing happened to her or her.
Lucy came back hurriedly, now with a box in her hand. Her eyebrows were etched together, tears at the corners of her eyes. Was I bleeding that much?
She washed my wound first. She drenched some cotton with antiseptic liquid and cleaned my wound before applying some ointment. It was a big scratch, around 3 cm across my arm.
I hadn't realised before but there was a pool of blood on the floor. Where did I get hurt? How did I even come home? The last I remember I was at the hospital when Wendy told me…
I felt my eyelids tighten upwards. There was no way it could be true.
"Natsu… what happened?" she asked. She tried to reach my cheek. The moment she caressed it I felt it shiver. Why was Lucy trembling that much? Was I looking that pathetic?
"Did something happen? Something bad? You being like this is scaring me… Please tell me what happened. If there is anything- anything at all- I can help with, I will do" she said.
I looked at her quivering form and felt myself shudder. Lucy, what happened to her? She looks so fragile… How will she live if what Wendy said were to be true?
There's no need to worry. There is no way what she said was true. There is no way…
Then why is Lucy still trembling?
I have to calm Lucy down. Lucy should calm down.
Nothing happened to me… I'm not going anywhere… I won't leave Lucy and Nashi behind…
That was all false…
That was just fluke…
That was all a joke…
There is no way… There is no way I'm dying…
There is no way I can leave Lucy alone to fend for Nashi and herself.
Yeah, that was not true…
Then why is Lucy crying out loud? Why is she being like this? Why is she acting weird when nothing has changed?
Lucy is weird… Lucy is really weird…
Whom am I complaining about? I always knew she was weird.
"Natsu… what happened?" she shook me, gazing into my eyes with her worried ones. "Why haven't you uttered a word since you've come back?"
My arms wrapped themselves around her. Pulling her into an embrace, I whispered into her ears- words of comfort.
If nothing happened, Lucy is not ought to cry. Lucy should stop crying… after all, my heart aches more than the pain a physical wound causes when I see her this way.
"Nothing in particular. I was worried about nii-chan. Mavis was hospitalised again" I said. Although her tears didn't stop, her trembles did. Her body felt more relieved than it was before.
"Oh. That's all?!" I nodded at her, seeing her wipe her tears futilely, "She's been taking a lot of stress again I guess"
"Nii-chan has been telling her to relax but you know Mavis. The doctor said it was nothing too serious but you know how nii-chan is when it comes to her" I flashed a smile. There was nothing to be worried about.
"Don't scare me like that! I thought something happened to you. I had this bad feeling since this morning and I was worried. Even when you came in, you had this big wound…" Lucy pushed me away, pouting. Tears sprouted again filling her hazel orbs.
I pulled her closer, holding her again close to me again.
"I'm here, aren't I? I'll always be here with you" I said, pressing my lips to her forehead. Lucy gave a smile, before wrapping her hands around my neck and pulling me into an embrace.
All my pain and thoughts vanished. Just seeing her smile makes me feel so better and rejuvenated.
Probably what I thought Wendy had said, it was all just a nightmare. When I woke up, I was here with Lucy. I must have hurt myself during my sleep.
Things really don't add up in my hypothesis. But it makes me happy. It keeps Lucy happy.
At the moment, I don't need anything else.
I am being sadistic to use Mavis's illness as a cover. It was not meant to do any harm to anyone.
It was just so Lucy could smile…
For now, I can live his life watching her smile at me….
:: Denial ::
Finished: 00:18, 21st June 2015
A/n: Just the interchanged the prompts of tomorrow and today because it was more fitting. I'm getting busier as the days pass…
Natsu has some sympathy, I see. I'm glad you still love this story… I'll finish Natsu's P.O.V. in the next chapter and something interesting will start again. I hope you will continue to love this small story of mine.
P.S. Cheers to all those who has reviewed for this story! We've crossed 110 reviews in the last chapter! Hurray! Have a virtual cookie!