To My Dearest
Chapter 021
:: Promise ::
SLAP!
Jellal Fernandes was dumbfounded upon receiving the little greeting on his cheek from his beloved. He knew he went missing for the past three days. But he had his reasons. Besides, wouldn't a peck on the cheek be more like a norm rather than a slap?
He reminded himself that it was Erza we were talking about. If Erza is involved, things become a little extraordinary.
"Where were you?" She asked. He smiled at how hard she tried to suppress her tears- No one (Natsu was also present at the venue) had noticed they were even present. Did she think he went missing again? It was right to think so because of his past and the terrible things he had done in it.
However, he was far from that past. He was going to start a new life. She should know that too.
"I went to meet my saviour. I owe this life to him after all"
"Does he live in forests that you don't even have access to your phone?" She said, diverting her sorrow into anger. This statement did hurt him but the truth would hurt her too. The truth that…
"I'm afraid so. I'm unlucky to be breathing the air he can't breathe. He perished while trying to save me from my sins" He saw his beloved face fill with regret over the choice of her words. He knew she hadn't meant harm. He was at fault. He should've told her where he was going. But when he saw that man on the day of their party, he couldn't rest in peace until he went to meet him.
He drew her close and gave a small pat on her head. This was enough to render Erza red and Natsu to turn his face for a moment. Jellal only chuckled. He really was the happiest man in the world.
"By the way, did you guys have some work with me?"
Oh right, they forgot. And he asked the right question at the wrong time.
SMACK!
:: 0 ::
"So, you're saying that this man is your friend Gray" Jellal stared at the raven haired man on the laptop.
"He is not my friend but He is Gray" Natsu said, earning a glare from Erza, "I mean….u-uh, yeah, he's my bestest friend on earth"
"I wasn't aware of it. I'm sorry, Natsu. I'm afraid you're mistaking him for someone else" The blue haired male replied. "He's Ul's brother"
"Ul?" Erza cocked an eyebrow.
"She is a friend of mine who suffered a similar fate. Ultear- You know her, right Erza?" Jellal panicked. He tried his best to evade the red head's jealousy.
"I remember her. It's Ultear, huh? I don't recollect her having a brother"
"I wasn't aware either. She said he used to live with her mother and they cut all their ties with her when she was… you know… with me…" When Erza did not ask for more, he proceeded. He was glad none of his companions tried to pry further. He didn't want to be reminded of what transpired in his dark ages. They knew him well to know when not to press further.
"When she returned to her mother, she was gradually forgiven. However, her mother's health deteriorated. Her brother who was very attached to her went into a shock and lost all his memories. She has been his lifeline ever since. I feel so sorry for them"
"It is indeed a sad story. But are you convinced he is her brother?"
"What do you mean?" He got perplexed. "If she says he's her brother, she must be right. I mean, what reason does she have to lie to me? She can't lie about a person she has known all her life"
"Isn't it possible though?" Natsu said.
"I don't know why you guys are so bent up on making Silver Gray. Is there an important reason?"
"Lucy" Natsu said. "It is for Lucy's sake"
"Lucy? How does Lucy fit into all of this?"
"Jellal do you have to know the reason? Why can't you-" Natsu cut Erza off.
"Lucy… She holds herself responsible for Gray's death. When she saw him on the video, she was sure he was alive. If he is not Gray, Lucy will be hurt again. I'm not trying to force him to be Gray. I just want to bet on that 1 percent chance that he is Gray. Is it possible to meet them once? I just want to clear my doubts" Natsu said with such seriousness in his voice that Jellal could not argue. Erza was stunned by the way he said things. Something seemed suspicious. Natsu was talking as if he…
She had to delve further into the issue. Natsu is hiding something-only this time, even from her. What exactly is Natsu hiding?
:: 0 ::
"Natsu, I will come too!" Lucy said.
She tugged on his sleeve. Natsu turned around to find an apprehensive look on her face. He could let her come but if the hunt was unfruitful, he did not have it in him to look at her sad face again.
"You might want to take care of Nashi. If both of us leave, she might get worried over nothing" He replied.
"But…"
"Lucy, don't worry too much" He pressed his lips to hers. A slight blush formed on her face. "If he is Gray, I promise I'll bring him back even if that is the last thing I can do"
"No, that won't be right. You can't do that!" She cried, "Promise me… The last thing you will do is coming back to me. You will come back to me, right? If you promise me this, I'll let you go. Otherwise… o-therwise… stay with me"
"Lucy, were you not the one who asked me to do this?"
"I agree but when you talk like you're dying, I'm get terrified!" Natsu pulled back in surprise. All the reasons he told himself over the past few years came back. He wondered if he was doing the right thing. He contemplated about whether he should really tell her the truth after this ordeal. Then he recollected his brother's words and managed to suppress those detrimental urges of lying to her.
"You're being selfish" He laughed. He wiped the tears forming at the corner of her eyes.
"You always told me to be selfish just a little bit" She forced a smile.
"Alright then, I'll come back to you. That will the last thing I'll do then"
"Don't say it that way!" she cried, earning a chuckle.
"Alright, alright! I promise" He said in as soft as his tone could get, "I will come back to you"
:: Promise ::
Finished: 17th January 2016, 13:56
A/n: This chapter seemed more heart-breaking to me than any of the rest so far. Do you think so too? Let me know what you think about it. Leave a comment below so that I can read your thoughts and reply.
That's all for today!