Next morning
Ariana slowly opened her eyes- looked around. A dim light swaying gently.
And then-
A silhouette, sleep in the chair besire her bed.
Her heart skipped.
Arnold.
Head tilted slightly back, neck tense even in rest. Hands on her's-grabbing tightly- gentle but as if she is the only thing he don't want to lose.
He looked tired. No-beyond tired. Like he'd been standing at the edge of something-waiting to fall.
Ariana turned her face away.
Tears stung her eyes-but not because of him
Because of her.
She turned back towards him.
" Why?…why are doing this Arnold? Why you always confused me through your actions? Why you show that…that you lov-forget it. It's nothing. He just care about me, right" she said-voice low-only she could hear.
Arnold stirred.
Ariana's breath caught.
His eyes blinked open-and locked onto hers instantly.
"Ariana…"
"You wake up?" he whistled
"Yeah" she said, hiding her tears. Did i wake you up?"
"No"
" You may release my hand now", she spoke, her gaze resting upon her own hand.
"Sorry" he said releasing her hand.
"Mom!" A voice came " you wakrd up! Are you ok?"
Ana.
"Mom!" another voice came,Mary" we have something for you" she grinned.
"What?" Ariana whistled.
"Your favourite soup" Aria said bringing a bowl of soup on the room.
" Thanks to all of you"Ariana said, tear in a side of her eye.
"Don't thank us. It's anny's idea." Mary exclaimed.
"Who is…Anny?" Ariana asked, confused.
"Me" Aria said lifting her hand. " I didn't want them to call me aunt. So i told them to call me Anny. After all they are only two years younger than me"
"Sorry for not taking good care of you. No- sorry for not taking care of you" Ariana claimed, voice low.
" Don't worry, we know what is happening. So don't feel guilty and Anny took care of us just like a mother on those years" Mary declared.
"Aria, come here and sit with me" Ariana said looking at Aria. " I am not the only one who is hurt by father's and mother's death but so you, Aiden and Rowan" She ruffled Aria's hair." Sorry, i was so selfish. On that time, i was only thinking about myself-that they leave me alone but the three of you always took care of others before yourself."
"No. It's not like that. All of us know that you always gave your best and we do proud of you." Aria claimed.
"Don't you think you need to drink the soup. If not, then i will drink it all" Arnold teased.
" Has no one ever gathered the courage to tell you… that you are insufferably dull?" Ariana teased him back.
" Don't say him that because he deserve more than that" Mary scoffed.
" Hey! Are you supporting me or making fun of me?" Arnold said.
" It's you decision-what you though it" Ana said.
" Any way, you are still with me-even if i am insufferably dull, isn't it" Arnold said, pointing his eye on Ariana.
And on that moment, her hear beat stopped for a flicker of moment. Not by his word but the way he said it.
They all were talking and mocking each other.
Arnold was amused, looking at the women he never want to loss and the kids who is now his whole world.