THE OTHER WAY ROUND
Chapter 11
(DISCLAIMER- I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS. THE AMAZINGLY TALENTED RICHELLE MEAD DOES)
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Previously on The Other Way Round…
"I don't think you would appreciate a secret relationship…"
"anything with you in it is good enough… I don't need us to be public."
.
I have to save Dimitri. I looked at him held high up.. with that monster's hand on his neck. He tried to say something which looked a lot like 'Roza'…
I took out my stake to plunge the strigoi from the back and surprise him but it was too late…
RPOV-
I guess he sensed me coming, because as I was about to stake him in the back he dropped Dimitri and quickly turned around. Facing me.
Before I could absorb all that he kicked me on the ribs. I yelped in pain. That bastard!
I flew backwards. I saw him going at Dimitri again but that's not gonna happen. Ignoring the stinging pain I sprang up and ran at full speed towards him. he turned around, surprised by my quick recovery he unfortunately (for him) left his heart uncovered. He caught hold of my throat and began applying pressure but I already had my stake in place… In his heart. He screamed in pain and then died.
I saw around me… the battle was in it end… only a few strigois were left.
I then saw Dimitri.
Oh he looked so pale…
As I was about to walk towards Dimitri, I fell on the ground. I guess my legs wanted rest…
After catching my breath I crawled towards him. i slid besides him.
"hey comrade… you okay?" I asked softly.
He nodded.
"just keep your head on my shoulder and rest… don't worry.." I said
He nodded again and his head fell instantly but it missed my shoulder and landed straight on my lap. I was too tired to say anything so I let Dimitri curl up on my lap.
The last thing I saw before closing my eyes was a bunch of hospital rescue team carrying stretchers…
DPOV-
When I opened my eyes I saw myself in a comfortable bed, their was fan on the ceiling and a lot of commotion.
Looks like im still alive…
"oh looks like you're awake" a voice said. it was Dr. Olendzki.
"how are you feeling?" she asked
"groggy…" I managed to say.
"well that happens when you are choked by a strigoi…" she said writing something on her pad. "it's a good thing that you and your mentor are okay… you were found in a rather bad position."
Rose….
"what do you mean? Where is she?" I asked trying to fight the dizziness.
"calm down." She said nudging my shoulder. "the guardians found you lying under a tree on her lap… you both were pale. She was worse…" she said.
Oh no… it was all my fault!
"where is she? Is she okay? God this is all my fault…" I rambled.
"she's okay. And well she's right beside you." She said quietly.
She went over to the curtain that was used to separate sections in the room. She slide the curtain at one side. I saw rose…
But she looked so pale. She was on a ventilator. Her hands and legs were all bandaged.
She looked so weak…
And it was all my fault. Just because of me that strigoi kicked rose…
"what happened to her? Is she going to be okay?" I asked Dr. Olendzki, battling the tears in my eyes.
"she has 3 broken ribs and fracture in her left hand. Some wounds all over the body. We will put her off the ventilator in a few minutes. But she will be okay eventually." She said. with that she exited the room.
3 broken ribs….
Fractured hand…
Wounds all over the body…
How am I ever going to meet her eyes… this is all my fault. She was fighting ferociously before I came. I know it very well that she got the 3 broken ribs because of me.
Tears were flowing down my cheeks. She saved me. how am I ever going to repay her?
"dimka!" I heard my sister's voice and quickly wiped my face.
"oh my god! You're alive! You're okay!" vika shouted. I was glad that she was okay.
I saw ivan behind her "let him breathe vika.." he said smiling.
"how are you brother?" he asked sitting besides me
"good. Not dead yet." I said, we both chuckled.
Then suddenly ivan saw rose. His eyes widened. "is that- is that guardian Hathaway mazur?" he asked to me in a low voice.
I nodded.
"what happened to her? Is she okay?" vika asked.
"okay. 3 broken ribs, left hand fractured and wounds all over the body…" I said softly. My eyes were on rose. I didn't wanted to look anywhere else.
"she saved me…" I said looking at ivan and vika. "that strigoi was choking me and then she put herself on stake for me… he kicked her so hard that it broke her ribs" my voice was low as a whisper.
"oh dimka…" vika said and hugged me gently. She smelled like ivan…
"why do you smell like a man's cologne?" I asked her.
Her eyes widened. And so did ivan's
"I just-" as she went to say something which would be a lie obviously I cut her.
"I know about you two. So we will be having a proper conversation when I get better." I said.
There was a look of complete surprise and shock on their faces.
Ivan cleared his throat "um- well remind me to thank guardian mazur for saving you." He said.
I gave him a small nod.
Vika was still shocked.
I heard lissa's voice talking to a nurse.
And then a group of 4 people barged in the room.
It was lissa, Christian, mason, and some other guardian. They all had a worried look on their face.
Lissa looked like she was about to cry.
She rushed to rose's side and held her hand. "oh my god rose! Oh vlad… im so sorry! I- look at you… you look so pale… im so sorry for everything! Please wake up. Rose! Please wake up. We all are hear to see you… rose please wake up" she kept crying and saying.
Her boyfriend held her for a while, she was still crying. "she's gonna be okay babe" Christians said softly stroking her hair. Mason and that other guardian looked also very distraught. "she is a survivor remember?" Christian said, his voice was shaking. It looked like he was about to cry.
Mason came beside lissa and rubbed her shoulder "remember when we were 17? When rose fall and fractured her leg. She didn't even cry, she laughed at us. Nothing will happen to her… she is the most badass guardian remember?" he said.
Lissa was quite now. But she was still very upset.
Moroi's don't usually show much concern towards their guardians but rose and lissa definitely had a strong bond.
"eddie take her to our apartment." Christian said to the other guardian.
He looked reluctant to leave rose but nodded.
"no" lissa shuddered " ill not leave her alone! Ill stay with her tonight." She agrued.
"babe please… you need rest so you can heal rose… now go. Ill stay with her." Christian said.
She nodded and got up from the chair and she and eddie walked away.
"how are you?" mason asked coming towards me.
"im okay" I said.
"when are they discharging him?" ivan spoke up
"maybe by tomorrow. He still looks pale. Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow." Mason replied.
Excusing himself he went over to rose and gave her a kiss on her forehead. I felt a pang of jealousy from the sight.
Im pretty sure vika saw it cuz she was smirking when I looked at her. Im in trouble.
It was only Christian, ivan and vika now.
"well brother… I don't think they'll let us stay longer… we should get going. Take care." He said
Vika was reluctant to go but still went.
After they were gone I sat back and looked at rose. Not even caring that Christian was in the room.
She was so beautiful… so strong… so fierce…
But now she looked so weak and broken…
I really shouldn't have made the foolish mistake to come back. Rose would've atleast been awake if I had followed the rules like a normal person and stayed at the dining hall.
"im sorry…" I mumbled, looking at rose.
"for what?" Christians asked.
Oh shit… he heard!
"its my fault that rose has 3 broken ribs and those other wounds." I said on a low voice.
He looked angry. "what do you mean it was your fault?" he asked in a harsh tone.
"rose and I were taking a walk in the forest behind the academy, where we saw the strigoi army coming towards us. Rose told me to run and tell the guardians about it. So I did but then I heard her scream. I didn't stop but after I told the guardians about the attack… I also went there…" I said
"why did you go there? You are suppose to stay inside the academy like the students." He questioned
"I heard her scream… I just wanted to know if she was okay…"
"why? She is a guardian. It shouldn't matter to you." He said
"shouldn't matter to me? she matters to me lord Ozera. She's been helping me so much since I got back… I just wanted to know that she was okay" I said in a stern voice.
"and well then lemme guess. You attracted a strigoi towards yourself and rose the almighty hathaway jumped to save you." He said In a mocking tone. "look… you should've been at the dining hall with your other novice mates."
" I know…" I said, trying not to cry again. I don't cry always, the last time I cried was when I saw my mother all beaten up by my father…
And now looking at rose like this is making me cry so bad.
"do you like her?" Christian said suddenly.
It took a moment for me to realise what he said "what?" I asked blanky.
"do you like rose?" he said, pronouncing his words carefully.
"um i- yeah… she's an amazing guardian and she is also a friend to me…" I replied.
"no.. I mean more than a friend or mentor." He said.
I was at loss of words… he raised an eyebrow, god he was so intimidating!
Do I like rose?
I like the way she is so fierce and strong…. I like the way she would do anything to protect her loved ones…. I like it when she smiles… or laughs… even though I absolutely hate my nickname, but still it feels good when she calls me comrade… I like how she cares for me… I like how she treats me as her friend more than a troubled student. And when we get close… I actually like it, even though its wrong… I still like it.
"yes." I blurted. Fuck what did I just say!
"I knew it!" Christian said. did I just saw him smile? Is he happy?
"why are you smiling?" I chastised
"well no wonder you put your life at risk just to come and see If rose was okay…" he said and started chuckling.
"wow you're taking me liking my mentor really well." I muttered.
"well… Dimitri, I don't really think you liking rose will change anything… lets face it she will never see you anything more than a friend."he said in a simple tone.
I wasn't even mad or angry at him… what he said was true… rose will never like me back.
"I know" I managed to say.
"but if it matters at all… I think rose would've liked you if you weren't her student… maybe if you were her age… cuz you really do care bout her Dimitri, and rose loves people who care about her." He said patting my shoulder. His eyes suddenly turned serious and deadly " rose is like a sister to me… she is the most amazing friend ive ever had. So I suggest you take my advice… you stay away from her Dimitri… cuz if you try to woo her or anything it'll be your loss. We both know that there is no chance that rose will ever see you as anything more than her friend. You are her student. Being in love with her will only get you in trouble. You are a good guy. Find someone of your age, who could actually be capable of returning that love to you…"
Even though I hated his tone… his words were somewhat true…
Rose will never return my love and affection. I mean… how could she? Im her student, she will obviously not put her 'top notch guardian position' just to be with a 17 year old boy…
Move on… that's right. I should move on…
It'll be good for me and rose…
"rose needs love in her life… lissa wants to set her up with someone for so many months. But all she thinks about is her duty, lissa, friends, gym and doughnuts." Christian said grinning.
"you think rose needs love?" I asked him
"rose deserves love… she has never been in love. Men were always like a little distraction to her… flings… she just never found someone." He shrugged.
Rose never fell in love?
She's 24 and she hasn't fall in love?
"she never found anyone for herself?" I asked Christian curiously.
He shook his head "she was the most beautiful girl in our year, Dimitri." He said "even I can say that… every guy fancied her. Every moroi and dhampir girl was jealous of her… she got the most gifts on valentines day, from her secret admires." He said trying not to laugh.
I can imagine guys drooling over her… she really was beautiful.
"but she never cared… she was always eager to protect lissa and help her with her spirit magic. She got so many proposals but it was always for her looks… not for her heart. Rose wanted an equal… she wanted to fall in love with a guy who was her equal. Who would be as fierce and strong and selfless as her… but she never found one."
With that Christian got up and kissed her hair, and went to talk to Dr. Olendzki.
I was feeling tried and sleepy again, so I lie down on my bed and pulled up the covers. I looked at rose one more time and closed my eyes and started my dreamless sleep.
RPOV-
It felt like their were weights on my eyes… was I even alive?
I slowly opened my eyes… it was all blur. I blinked them a couple of times… thank fully the picture was getting clearer.
I was in the hospital… great!
The scenario was perfectly clear now… that plain white ceiling with the fan hanging from it and a medicinal smell in the air.. yep! Im in the hospital!
I groaned as I tried to get up. I tublings with needles and taped to my hand, probably giving glucose of other crap.
I turned my head to my right side and saw someone sleeping next to me… the covers were pulled up to the face but I recognised the hair. And saw his chest going up and down. I breathed a sigh of relief. He was okay…
Dimitri was okay…
I saw him stirring, he turned to his side facing me… I could see his gorgeous face… his eyes were opening slowly.
"hey comrade…" I mumbled softly. I didn't thought he would hear me, my voice was low than a whisper.. I really couldn't speak loudly. But his eyes snapped open looking at mine…
"roza…" he breathed.
He sprang up from his bed and was by my side in a blink of an eye. He was smiling brightly
"hey…. You should rest.." I whispered.
He shook his head "no… you should. How- how are you feeling roza?" he asked with concern on his face.
"feels like im punched in the gut…" I mumbled "but atleast im alive…" I tried to shrug.
"im sorry roza… its my fault. I shouldn't have acted like this..." he said in a low voice.
"hey" I mumbled touching his hand "its not your fault…" I said.
"do you want something? Should I call Dr. Olendzki?" he asked.
"no don't call her. She must be attending other guardians right now… I want water." I said.
He nodded and quickly went to the table and came back with a glass of water.
I eyed him.
"oh right…" he muttered, realising that I cant drink on my own.
I let out a small laugh "I think you should call a nurse." I suggested.
"no… they are all busy. But don't worry ill feed you" he said smiling, and grabbed a spoon. I looked at him as he slowly dribbled water in my mouth. God why was I so attracted to him?
"how are you Dimitri?"I asked in a audible voice, thanks to the water.
"im good roza, thanks to you" he said. stroked my hair.
I let out a small huff and rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the fire in my body when he touched me.
"thank god you're not on ventilator anymore, I was so worried when I saw-"
"wait! I was on a ventilator!" I exclaimed.
"you broke 3 ribs rose… and your left hand is fractured." He said slowly…
i-
what!
But there is no pain…
"but I don't feel anything- I mean sure it hurts but I havent broken anything. See!" I said moving my left hand.
He looked confused
"but Dr. Olendzki said that you did… how?" he asked curiously.
"oh I think I know how…." I muttered.
Lissa…
"lissa healed me!" I exclaimed and sat up "how could she do this! She shouldn't waste her energy like this!" I was shouting now.
"roza… calm down. You shouldn't shout in this state." Dimitri said softly rubbing my shoulder. His touch really soothed me. I relaxed a bit.
Then just lissa, Christian, mason, ivan and eddie barged in the room. Christian and eddie had balloons in their hands… what are they? 10 year old!
"what the heck…." I managed to say.
Their eyes widened at me…
"GOD YOU'RE AWAKE!" lissa shouted. They all had a big smile on their faces.
They all started asking how I was. It was so much noise! My head was hurting so bad!
"TOO MUCH NOISE! SHUT UP ORELSE ILL KILL YOU ALL!" I yelled clutching my head.
They all went quiet.
"there's our rosie" Christian said
"shut up pyro" I grunted "and what is all this?!" I asked gesturing towards the balloons. Some were plain and some that get well soon and I love you written on it.
"well we just thought it'll make you happy!" lissa said. she rushed over to my side
"how are you feeling rose?" she asked stroking my arm.
"well for starters, im angry- oh scratch that! Im mad at you for healing me lissa!" I exclaimed. "I mean you shouldn't have done that! You know how much energy it sucks out of you… It make you weak Vasilisa Rhea Sabrina Dragomir!" everyone in the room flinched when I said lissa's full name.
"it'll bring darkness lissa! You should not do that!" I said.
"rose… what else was I suppose to do then? Your broken ribs would've taken 6 weeks to get better…" she said softly.
Okay… she was right.
"okay but don't do it next time… not unless I ask you" I said
She nodded.
Christian and mason came and tied balloons on mine and dimitri's bed. I stifled a laugh when I saw dimitri's surprised face.
"and we got you something that'll get you better in no time!" Eddie said.
I raised my eyebrows.
"do we dare?" ivan asked eddie.
"we dare" he replied.
I was so confused.
ivan called someone inside.
a girl came in, it was viktoria… dimitri's sister. she had brown hair with cute purple highlights. She was holding a big box of doughnuts from my favourite bakery.
"DOUGHNUTS!" I screamed with happiness.
Yes… they are my one true love!
Everyone started laughing at my excitement but I didn't really care.
Viktoria kept the box infront of me and I pounced on it like a hungry tiger.
There were doughnuts of every flavour of chocolate.
I picked the glazed one and took a bite out of it. "yummm" I moaned.
Everyone chuckled. I saw Dimitri giving me a look of complete adoration.
Should I give him one? I never share my doughnuts but I really wanted to give him one…
I picked up a chocochip doughnut with icing and held it out to Dimitri.
He looked a bit hesitant but I smiled at him, he took it and took a bite.
I was done with my 1st doughnut when I looked up "I will offer you but only if you say no…" I warned.
Christian, eddie and ivan burst out laughing. Vika and lissa were trying their best not to laugh.
"okay no doughnuts for you 3 then" I said pointing towards the boys. They stopped immediately .
I offered one to viktoria, she instantly took one and broke it into 2 and gave one to ivan.
I looked at Dimitri. Oh boy… was he angry? Yes he was!
He looked at me, I tried stifling a laugh by stuffing a doughnut in my mouth.
We all talked for a while. Unfortunately 3 guardian lives were lost. But we had killed about 60 strigoi, which was good. "any moroi?" I asked eddie.
"nup all alive" he replied.
"attaboy!" I said, we high-fived.
"how many did you kill guardian Hathaway?" viktoria asked curiously.
"uh 8 I guess." I said.
"whoaa…." Vika said in a low voice.
I grinned.
"the moljina mark ceremony will be held again after 2 days rose." Eddie informed.
"oh joy" I muttered and rolled my eyes. "im still sore from my tattoos… and now we'll get a zveda. Just great" I said throwing up my hands, but those stupid tubes pulled me down "huh! Take these stupid plastic tubes off me!" I demanded. Before anyone could answer a voice came from behind
"oh rose… you're awake finally" it was Dr. Olendzki
"hey doc!" I greeted her "take them off please." I gestured to the long tubes.
"sorry rose… but you have to keep them on until tonight. Your body is too weak to work without glucose." She replied.
Her eyes widened when she saw the doughnut box on my lap "you are not suppose to feed her junk food!" she exclaimed looking at my friends.
"sorry Dr. Olendzki" they all sang in a union, like we used to when we were younger. It made Dr. Olendzki very mad. Viktoria was chuckling. I laughed too.
"oh vlad! Its like you all are 17 all over again!" she exclaimed
We all burst out laughing "oh cmon doc I know you love us!" eddie said winking at her. We all laughed even more. dimitri laughed too.
"Its good that I do love you kids, orelse you all wouldn't be alive right now." She said.
"Dr. Olendzki, you were there 10 years back?" viktoria asked.
"ah yes… I was. I always wanted to be a doctor but this group always made me doubt my career choices!" Dr. Olendzki said gesturing towards us "always getting shot or eaten or punched"
"we love you too Dr. Olendzki!" me, lissa, Christian, eddie and mason sang together.
She burst out laughing.
We all laughed too.
I met dimitri's eyes. He looked so good while laughing… like a cute little Russian boy. I was so happy that he was okay..
"okay now clear up the room. I need to give rose a quick dose of propofole." Dr. Olendzki said which broke our contact.
"what? Why propofole?" I asked
"you need to sleep sweetheart." She said and started working on her injection
Okay funfact bout me
Im scared- no terrified of injections.
I looked at my friends… they knew how much im terrified of injections.
"no… no I don't want an injection! You know how much I hate them! I- I don't want them. Don't!" I started rambling.
Christian and lissa came by my side to calm me down but I really didn't want to hear.
"no injection! No means no! give me a tablet!" I pleaded.
"oh great !" Dr. Olendzki mumbled under her breathe "rose… don't be scared-"
"im not scared doc!" I lied.
"okay you're not. Then just take it. Its like ant bite… its okay!" she said in a calm tone.
I rapidly shook my head.
Dimitri lightly touched my shoulder "rose please take it, you need it for resting… it really feels like an ant bite." He said in a very calm and convincing tone. "please? Rose… you are a strong guardian… I mean you just beat strigoi's ass. Its just one needle…"
I nodded reluctantly.
"oh thank god for Dimitri" Dr. Olendzki muttered.
She clicked the injection body with her fingers. I closed my eyes. I was just too scared.
"now boys! Hold her" she ordered.
Dimitri held my right hand and Christian and mason grasped my left hand, where ill be getting my injection.
I looked at Dimitri. His face was close to mine. He gave me an encouraging nod. Its just one needle rose... calm down!
When Dr. Olendzki said that she was ready, without thinking I buried my face in dimitri's shoulder. He tightened his grip on me. thankfully no one said anything.
I felt dimitri's hot breathe on my neck…
Dr. Olendzki's needle was inching near my arm. I squeezed my eyes shut. Dimitri smelled so good ….
I almost passed out when the needle entered my skin.
I yelp but it was muffled becuz of my face on Dimitri. I guessed he heard it because he was muttering some words to me in Russian… I didn't understood them but it soothed me.
"okay all done!" Dr. Olendzki announced.
Oh great! Im alive!
I slowly pulled away from Dimitri. I felt his eyes on me but I didn't looked at him…
"everyone out now… and Dimitri back to your bed." Dr. Olendzki ordered.
Everyone said bye to me and Dimitri. He was sitting on his bed.
I layed down, the propofole would work any minute now..
It was like I was drunk and I could say anything and do anything… but I was also tired as hell…
But I wanted to say something..
"comrade?"
DPOV-
I sat on my bed… getting ready to read my western novel that ivan and vika picked up from my room. My mind still set at what happened this evening. Rose's friends cared so much about her. They all had so much love and friendship. I had a good time with them.
When rose buried her head In my shoulders I felt a shot of happiness and excitement in me. but then christian's words came in my mind… she just did that because she was scared. It not like she liked me. she was lying on her bed, thankfully the lights were closed..
"comrade?" I heard rose say.
I went over to her bed.
"roza? What is it? do you want anything? Should I get you something?" I asked her
"no… sit." She said in a small voice.
I sat down the stool next to her.
She stretched out her hand and touched my cheek lightly… her touch felt like heaven.
"Dimitri…" she mumbled.
"roza…"
"im so glad you're okay.." she said softly.
"thanks to you." I said smiling. She looked really tired… the dose would have the effect on her any minute.
"i-I don't even know what I would do if I didn't reach you in time." She whispered.
I saw tears forming in her eyes. Did that really affect her this much?
"but you did… you are such a strong woman roza" I said taking her hand and rubbing it.
"why did you came back comrade?" she asked.
"I wanted to see if you were okay…" I said in a low voice. There would be very little possibility that she would remember all this. So I might as well say the truth…
"do you like me?" she asked.
I looked around a little to see if no one was listening to her.
I turned back to her "yes roza… you are so beautiful, strong, fierce. You always care about others… how can I not-" before I could continue, she got up a little and kissed my cheek lightly.
It was like fireworks everywhere… butterflies flying around and birds chirping….
She layed back on her bed. I sat their in complete shock. It felt good…
Her eyes were starting to close "I like you too comrade…" she mumbled and went to sleep…
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author's note-
well well well… it was such a sweet chapter wasn't it?
Rose and Dimitri having fun with their friends… laughing and talking.
Rose getting scared. And using Dimitri as her pain relief toy
And Dimitri finally confessing to rose that he likes her… and rose saying "I like you too comrade"
I think they're getting closer…
But will rose remember their little late night conversation?
And what will happen when someone from rose's past comes to her life again?
If you wanna know, you gotta keep reading…
Until next time…
~K