A lavender haired female was trying to imitate a yoga postures from long but was failing miserably. Suddenly, the maid opened the door to her bedroom.
"Miss Asher, someone has come to meet you." She said.
"Who is it?" Krystal asked, slightly irritated that she'd been disturbed from her routine.
"Helia." The maid replied. That one word made her smile like an idiot. At last he had noticed that she hadn't come to office for a week. Her best friend was back.
The raven haired male was waiting in Krystal's lounge for what seemed like forever. At last, the lavender haired female entered the lounge, all dolled up. Helia stood up from the couch and greeted his childhood friend with a smile.
"It's truly said, if you remember someone truly from your heart, you do get that person. Come, sit." She said, ushering him towards the sofa next to the one she was sitting on.
"So, how are you?" Helia asked.
"I was fine, but I am better now, after seeing you. It's been so long since I saw you... Did you go to the office today?" Krystal asked, out of the blue.
"Yeah, I was on my way to home but then I thought I should visit you."
"This is my good fortune that you remembered me after your wife and daughter returned. I almost thought that this friendship between us had also ended." Krystal said, making Helia shoot her the look but then his look softened, seeing the loneliness in her eyes. "You didn't even ask why I didn't come to office this week."
"Krystal... I've been really frustrated this week. My daughter, Petal... She's gonna have a open heart surgery. Today she's going to be admitted in the hospital. And about you, I know you were really disturbed by seeing Flora." Helia said, avoiding Krystal's questioning eyes.
"Even after doing all of this, she's with you, in your house, as your wife and is the mother of your child. And I... After all this time, patiently waiting for you... I am empty handed, Helia." Krystal said, making Helia more uncomfortable.
"Krystal, please." Helia pleaded, requesting her to stop. He sighed and got up to sit next to the lavender haired female.
"Krystal, I'll always be ashamed that I couldn't love you the way you loved me. But you need to understand, it's all about heart and feelings. You've been the best friend ever, but love-"
"But you've only loved Flora, right?!" Krystal snapped, bitterness lacing her voice. An awkward silence followed between the two.
"I don't love anyone except for my daughter. Petal is my life. Nothing matters for me except for her." Helia lied, though deep down in his heart, he still loved Flora.
"You could've at least lied, Helia. At least lied that you have started loving me."
"Krystal, don't embarrass me further. I am already really chagrined. The way Aunt Sara thinks that I am responsible for this all... I can't carry that guilt anymore." Helia said, tired of being held responsible for something he hadn't done, making Krystal turn her head towards him in shock. This is what he came for. "Krystal, move on. Settle down. Find someone who deserves you and who loves you more than I could ever love you. Stop wasting your time waiting for me."
"I thought you'd at came here to see why I didn't come to office for so many days. I almost thought that my friend had returned. But you've come here to rip yourself out of my life." Krystal said, making Helia feel more ashamed then ever.
"No, don't you think that. You're my best friend! I want the best thing in life for you and that isn't me." Helia said, taking Krystal's hand in his." Tomorrow my daughter is going to be operated. I want to apologize to everyone I have hurt. And you're my friend, right? Please forgive me for ruining all these years of your life. "
A tear fell down from Helia's eyes. Krystal yanked her hand out of his hand.
"Don't you ever show your face to me. I freaking hate you. I hate you, Helia Knightly!" She cried, running up the stairs to her bedroom. Helia was left even more shattered, even more guiltier than he had been.
Liliana was sitting on the couch across the one in which Sara was sitting.
"Liliana, what's the matter? Say something." Sara asked.
"I will, let Krystal come." Liliana said, fidgeting with her dress. Sara nodded. Just then, Krystal entered the lounge.
"Good morning, Aunt." Krystal greeted.
"Good morning to you to, sweetie. Come, sit besides me." Liliana said, beckoning her to come. Krystal smiled and sat besides the elderly female.
"Krystal, today I've come as the groom's mother, not your Aunt. I have brought a marraige proposal for you." Liliana said, surprising Krystal.
"Helia agreed? Even when his daughter and wife are here? How did you say everything right so quickly?" Krystal asked, happily, thinking that she had succeed in making Helia agree for marrying her.
"You need to marry for setting everything right. Once you and Josh get married, I'll create such a scene that these to hindrances to your happiness get kicked out in a jiffy." Liliana said and Krystal's smile dropped.
"See? This is your value in your aunt's eyes!" Sara said, angered that Liliana was using her daughter even further for her own selfish reasons. Krystal got up from the couch in anger.
"Mom was correct, you've used me so beautifully to satisfy your ambitions." Krystal said, fury pouring out of her eyes.
"Krystal, why are thinking that way? I want the best for you. We will get a divorce from Josh once this all is sorted out and Helia and you can get married." Liliana said, declaring her evil plans.
"It's my fault, how could I believe a woman who couldn't love her own son?!" Krystal yelled, storming out of the room.
"So, how's Petal now?" The doctor asked the toddler, who was sitting on the hospital bed. She had been admitted to the hospital.
"Fine, doctor uncle." Petal said, smiling.
"Good." The doctor said,ruffling Petal's hair. Turning towards Helia, he said, "Mr. Knightly, don't give her any solid food material after 11 in the night. You can give her juice or water but I suggest that you don't give her anything except water."
"But doctor, are you sure this surgery is safe for my daughter?" Helia asked, worriedly.
"Don't worry. Mr. Frederik, the best cardiac surgeon in Linphea, is leading this operation." The doctor said, leaving the room.
Liliana was sitting on her bed, thinking about today. Krystal and Sara, both of them had turned against her. She had no one , no one by her side. If she didn't get Krystal married to Josh, soon even he would tell everything to Helia.
She couldn't let that happen. She realized that she herself had messed up her own life. What has she done?! In all of these years, it was the first time Liliana regretted her evil intentions and actions.
Helia entered the corridor to see Flora leaning on a pillar, her back was turned to her and her shoulders were rising and falling in an uneven pattern. She was crying. Looks like the surgery has started.
"Flora, come on. Sit there." Helia said, taking her by her arm. Flora wasn't willing to move from that spot.
"She'll be alright?" Flora asked him, looking at him with teary but hopeful eyes.
"Of course, Flora. Our daughter will be perfectly fine." Helia said, consoling her.
"If something happens to her, how will I survive? Petal is so young, she hasn't even saw the world." Flora managed to choke out, bursting into another profuse of tears.
"Don't think so negatively. Petal is a really strong child. You need to have faith in her."
"Her teachers used to praise her for her intelligence. I used to reply that she's daughter of a really intelligent father." Flora said, recalling an incident. This made the tears in Helia's eyes slide down his cheeks.
"Flora, Petal will be fine." Helia said in a crackling voice. "That's my promise to you."
Krystal's room was a mess... Oh, cut that, it was a disaster. Her bed sheets were lying on the floor and the pillows were torn apart. Krystal herself was a huge disaster. She and her classy and elegant self had gone down to drain. Her neatly combed hair was a bird's nest. She was playing with her lighter, clicking it off and on. She looked at the fire with such hunger... As if she wanted to burn down in it. Suddenly a flame caught her attention and she started to play with it, passing her fingers through.
All of a sudden, her phone rang, annoying her. She yanked the phone out of charging to see the name of the most irritating person in her life flash across the screen, Josh. She rolled her eyes and picked it up.
"Why the hell are you calling me?!" She shouted into the phone, shocking Josh.
"Um... Krystal, today aunt had come to give you the proposal. Are you happy with it?" Josh asked, a bit nervous.
"Yes, I am really happy! So happy that my feet are no longer on the ground!" Krystal yelled into the phone, sarcastically.
"Krystal, what's wrong? Are you fine?" Josh asked, worriedly.
"No, I am not fine!"
"What's your problem, Krystal? I am getting sick of your outbursts!" Josh said, tired of getting his self esteem torn into pieces.
"YOU are the problem, Josh. I am fed up of you, your presence, you voice and your God damn existence!" Krystal yelled. Josh was taken aback.
"Krystal, do you even love me anymore?" He asked in a crackling voice.
"No. I never did, I don't and never will love a fool like you. It was all an act, Josh Swift. You fell for it. I did this because of that blackmailing traitor you call your aunt!"
"Krystal?!"
"Now dare you call me ever again." Krystal spat bitterly, before hanging up the call. Then she threw her phone across her room and yelled in frustration.
It had been 4 hours since the operation had started. Helia and Flora were waiting in the lobby. Helia had his head in his hands, trying to hide his tears, while Flora was mumbling prayers to God. Just then, Dr. Frederik came out of the operation theater. The couple turned their attentions to his directions, getting up from their seats.
"Don't worry, the operation was successful. Petal is perfectly fine now." Dr. Frederik said. A wave of relief and bliss washed over them. A tear of happiness slithered down Flora's eye.
"Thank you so much, doctor." Helia said, hugging the doctor.
"It was my duty, Mr. Knightly. And it's your daughter's good fortune that her surgery was successful." Dr. Frederik said, pulling out the hug.
"When can we see her, doctor?" Flora asked in her cracking voice.
"Mrs. Knightly, actually she is being shifted from ICU to a normal ward. After an hour or two, you guys can meet her. Now, I'll take my leave. Have a nice day." Dr. Frederik said, briskly walking off to his cabin.
"Thank to God, Petal is okay now." Flora said, making Helia turn towards her.
"Yeah."
"Thank you so much, Helia. If you wouldn't have supported us, I don't know and now do I want to imagine what Petal would've been suffering through." Flora said, gladly. Helia frowned.
"Flora, she is also my daughter. You needn't thank me. I am her father, for God's sake." Helia said. Flora nodded and turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" Helia asked, stopping her. Flora turned with a smile on her leave
"I have cursed God a lot. Now it's time to thank Him." Flora said. Helia smiled and nodded. Flora turned and left.
Helia took out his phone from his pocket inform his mother about Petal's surgery. He dialed her number and placed the phone on his ear.
"Hello, mom."
"Hello Helia. How are you doing? How's Petal?"
"I am fine and the operation was successful. Petal is finally okay."
"Oh, thank God. I prayed so much for my granddaughter. I knew she would be okay. Have you saw her?"
"No, mom. Actually she's being shifted to another room for recovery and after an hour or two we'll be able to meet her."
"Okay. I'll be coming to the hospital after 9, okay?"
"Yeah, bye mom."
"Bye sweetie."
After hanging up the call, Liliana thought, ' At least this hindrance could've gone away. Both, the mother and daughter are adamant as hell. Helia is getting even more involved into this situation. I need to do something.'
Flora and Helia entered the hospital room where Petal was recovering. At last, the doctor had allowed them to meet her. But, as mentioned earlier, Petal was under recovery and unconscious.
"Petal, my dear..." Flora whispered in a trembling voice with her now glassy eyes.
"I am so sorry. The operation hurt a lot, right?" She continued, placing her hand on the unconscious toddler's forehead.
"Flora, what are you doing? Please." Helia said, requesting her to not disturb Petal's recovery.
"Mamma is a really bad person. I couldn't protect you from this pain. I am sorry." Flora whimpered, breaking down into tears.
"Flora, let's go. We'll check her later, okay?" Helia said, taking her by her arm. Flora gently yanked her arm from his grip.
"No, Helia. I am not going anywhere. I am not going to leave Petal alone." Flora said, wiping her tears.
"Flora, I am also doing this for Petal's welfare. Right now, we'll let her rest and afterwards we can come and check on her, right? Now, let's go." Helia said, seeing that Flora could break down ant moment.
"No, I am not leaving my daughter alone." Flora said, adamantly. Helia scowled slightly and turned her towards him.
"You've faced so many difficulties in life with courage, then where's that strong hearted woman now? Flora, I have promised you and I promise you again, our daughter will be fine. The operation was successful and soon Petal will recover and be healthy again, like any other child. But for that, you'll have to let her rest, hmm? Come on." Helia said, taking Flora by her shoulders and leading her out of the room.
The brunette female was pacing around the cabin. She was stressed. Every second felt like an hour. She just hoped her daughter would recover quickly.
"Flora, I've brought us some tea. Have it." Helia said, handing her a cup of tea.
"I've also brought some breakfast. It's sandwiches and patties, what will you have?" Helia asked, turning towards her. She was just standing there, staring at the wall. He sighed and stood up. He went up to her, took her hand and made her sit.
"So, what will you have?" He asked again, placing a disposable plate in front of her.
"Nothing, I am not hungry." She said, placing the cup and dish away from her. Helia frowned.
"Flora, you need to eat something. You didn't eat anything yesterday." He said worriedly. She shook her head.
"If you don't take care of yourself, how will you take care of Petal properly? If not for yourself, have something for Petal at least. Now, eat something." He saris, handing the cup back to her. They just sat in silence for a minute or two as Flora sipped her tea. Helia noticed that she was looking a little below the weather.
"Are you okay? You look ill." He asked.
"No, it's just a headache."
"No, it's not just a headache, it looks like you're gonna have fever. I'll bring some paracetamol from the pharmacy. Have some food before taking the medicine. Petal's ICU bed is free now, take some rest there, okay?" Helia said, leaving for the pharmacy.
"Get some sleep." Helia said, as Flora took her medicine. She nodded, lying down on the hospital bed. Helia put the covers on her and sat on a chair nearby. Light snores were heard after some time.
"Flora... Even my presence couldn't calm you down. You looked so weak, as if you'd break down any minute. I just wonder how you would've faced all of this alone. Why did you have to face all those adversities on your own? Why? I understand that I had also ignored your calls and I am guilty for that, but you could've tried a bit more. I would've responded sometime." The raven haired male said, going up to Flora's bed.
"I just... I just feel like taking you away from here, from all the pain of this world to a place where I can protect you, somewhere I can give you respect and love. I don't know the reason you cheated on me... But there's one thing I know. Even after all of this, I've failed in hating you. I'll love you no matter what you do." Helia said to the brunette female's asleep figure. He kissed her forehead and wiped the tears he didn't realize were falling down his cheeks.
Author's note:
I am so sorry, guys. I am the worst author present on this entire world. I hope you guys will forgive me for being such a pathetic updater. Anyway, did you guys like this chapter? I hope you did. Review, follow for fav!
Next chapter: Helia, now sure about his feelings, confesses to Flora. But things don't go the way we want it to go...