Richard gained consciousness somewhere middle of the night and in the morning he has been shifted into the room as he is doing well. However, due to heavy medications, he is sleeping and maybe he will remain in this state for a day or two. I didn't get a chance to see him, but what Alice has told me that other than being groggy, he looks better. 

I went home in the morning for one hour, then I return back to the hospital. 

"You should go home, rest for a little while and maybe a shower will also not hurt you," I tell Nathan who is looking at me deadpan, "However, it will save many lives, as I am sorry, dude you stink like skunk," I pinch my nose and make a face. Of course, he is not stinking neither he is looking bad, but still, he needs to get freshen up.

Actually, I envy him, even with disheveled hair and five o'clock shadow he manages to look handsome. While on the other hand, my hair would resemble a bird's nest if they are messy and if I don't wash my face for a day then I would look like a homeless person. 

"We both know I am not scared of you," I put my hands on hips, "So your angry glare will go wasted so, it is better, that you just quietly listen to me because you look like a walking dead, " I narrow my eyes back at him when he glares at me.

After five minutes of staring match between us, he huffs and throws his hands in the air.

"Fine," he sighs loudly, making me almost laugh.

"Good boy," I lightly pat his cheek holding my smile.

"I will be back in half an hour," Nathan says to Mark.

"Are you going to come back from half way? Because it will take almost fifteen minutes to reach your home from here," I tap my chin, as I do the calculation in my mind.

Mark laughs, then tries to cover it with a cough when Nathan glares at him. 

"Hey, I am just curious," I raise my hands in surrender when his glare turns towards me.

"Are you a superman?" I raise my eyebrows jokingly at him.

He looks down and shakes his head, but I didn't miss the small smile playing on his lips.

"Keep this one out of trouble, until I return," he points at me, as I frown, "She has the habit of landing into troubles often," he gives Mark a stern look.

"Yes, Mr.Knight I will keep an eye on her," Mark nods, completely ignoring my scowl.

"Right here, folks," I wave my hand in front of them, "I am right here."

They are talking about me as if I am not standing here.

"I am just warning you, she loves to boss around people, so keep that in mind too," Nathan says to Mark, "She may threaten you, but she is harmless," he says with a teasing voice then walks outside leaving me with my babysitter.

"Don't you dare follow me," I glare at Mark, "I don't need a babysitter," I turn around and start walking in the opposite direction.

"Yes," he coughs and nods as he simply starts to follow me, as I clench my fists on my sides and release an annoyed breath.

"I am not going to leave you, Nathan," I say through gritted teeth.

Following Nathan's order, Mark keeps on following me everywhere... I bet if I go to washroom also, he will stand outside the door waiting for me. From his face, I can assure he is also enjoying this a lot, as more than once I found him silently laughing at me. 

"Mark, don't you have any work to do?" I turn in my seat and ask him, as he is sitting right beside me as he 'keeps an eye on me'.

"Yes, I do," he replies with a serious tone.

"Then, why don't you go and do it?" I slightly plead.

"I am doing it, now," he says, amusement evident on his face.

"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" I smile sarcastically and nod.

"Very much," he smiles widely.

Exactly after an hour Nathan comes looking freshened whereas his hair still slightly damp from the shower. When I see him, even though being annoyed, I couldn't stop myself from smiling in relief as he looks much better. 

"See showering wasn't that bad, you almost look human," I arch my eyebrow and lean back in my chair.

My bum feels like it has turned into stone by sitting on these hospital chairs. I think my bum is not rounder anymore.

"How is Dad?" he sits next to me.

"He woke up for a little while, then again he slept due to the influence of heavy medications," I give him a small smile, "Doctor said the more he rests, it is better for his recovery."

"He will be fine?" his voice laced with worry.

"Of course," I hold his hand, "In fact, he is already on his way to recovery, I think in two to three days he will be discharged."

"You think so?" he looks at me with a hopeful gaze.

"Yes," I smile and nod whereas in return I am awarded, with his small but genuine smile.

*******************************************************************

After a lot of persuasions, Alice agreed to go home to take some rest. The poor woman really needs to have some proper sleep, as she hasn't left Richard's side at all. 

Nathan's gaze is fixed on the sleeping figure of his father, as he is silently watching him. Helplessness is visible in his eyes. Even though he is not saying anything, but he is hurting from inside. 

I so wanted to take away his pain, but some things are beyond our control.

I am just praying that Richard gets well soon, as seeing him so frail and weak is saddening. It is really difficult to comprehend the amount of pain Alice and Nathan must be going through.

Nathan takes a deep breath from his mouth as he tears his gaze away from his father and looks down. Placing his elbows on his knees he puts his face in his both hands.

"I just want him to be okay," he whispers as his voice sounds muffled.

"He is fine, just a little weak, that's all," I say quietly and rub his back, "There is nothing to worry about, he is out of danger."

He rubs his eyes with the heel of his palms. Then slightly sliding down on the sofa, closes his eyes as he puts his head on my shoulder and holds my hand interlacing our fingers. Instinctually, with my other hand, I lightly run my fingers through his hair and caress the side of his face. Turning his face slightly he kisses inside of my palm. My eyes widen as I quickly look at Richard, who is thankfully sleeping, then I give him a light slap on his cheek and pull my hand back. 

He quietly chuckles as he takes my hand and keeps it back on his hair. I shake my head, as I continue to run my fingers through his hair. After a while, he sits straight and holds both of my hands in his.

"Thank you," he whispers looking into my eyes.

"For what?" 

"Just, thank you," he shakes his head giving me a small smile.

"Okay, for whatever reason it is, you don't need to say thanks," I smile and shrug.

Keeping his gaze on me for a moment longer, he turns his face towards his father and slowly his smile vanishes from his face, as he sighs and intently looks at his father. 

*******************************************************************

After finishing my phone call in the waiting area I quietly open the door and halt in mid-step, clutching the metal door handle in my hand, when I see inside.

Ashley is sitting beside Nathan and talking quietly to him, while he is staring at the floor. His elbows placed on his knees as he is slightly leaning forward on them. I almost want to laugh at the irony, she is sitting in the same place where I was sitting earlier. 

 Maybe this is the glimpse of the future.

Extending my arm I pick up my bag, which is placed on the table on the side of the door, then I retreat to the waiting room. As I don't want to be in the same room as them. 

Though I know somewhere whatever is between me and Nathan is not for forever. Still, I want to cherish every moment with him...I will not spoil my small amount of time with him by ruining whatever we have. As in the end, I just want him to be happy, even if it means to see him with Ashley. 

He can have shit if that makes him happy.

I will lie if I say that thinking about him with Ashley, or even with some other girl, don't hurt me. But I don't want him to stop from being with his love. 

I like him... really like him... like strongly, like him... like always want to see him happy, like him... like never wanting to let him go, however, if his happiness lies with someone else then letting him go, like him. But that is not love, right? 

Tucking my one leg underneath me I sit on the chair and take out the book, which I randomly picked up from my shelf, from my bag.

Humorless chuckle leaves my lips when I read the title of the book, The Fault In Our Stars.

My whole star system is faulty.

"You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world, old man, but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices."

For the past fifteen minutes, I am reading this line again and again. I don't know, but I find this line oddly relatable. It totally defines my life choices... a choice to be precise. 

A shadow falls on me, without even glancing I know who the person is, as I am too aware of that person.

Closing the book, I look up at him with a small smile on my face. My heart clenches remembering him with Ashley, but I don't let it show on my face as he doesn't need to know. 

Right now, this is not about me or us, it is about him. He is already upset and he needs a friend with whom he can share his pain... someone on whom he can lean on.

I will be whatever he needs me to be, a listener... a friend... a partner.

"Hey," he holds my free hand as he sits next to me.

"Hi," I lightly laugh as I pull back my hand after giving his hand a gentle squeeze. I keep my hands in my lap tightly holding the book with my both hands, trying to keep my feelings away from my face. His gaze falls on my hands, then he looks back at me with slight disappointment in his eyes.

I am sorry, Nathan. I may have given you the power to hurt me, but I can't give you the power to ruin me.

I frown at him, then look at the direction from where he came. If I find that he left that Ashley alone in Richard's room, this hospital will have a new patient with Knight surname.

"Mom is with Dad," he answers my unasked question, as my frown relaxes hearing this.

I nod and keep the book back in the bag, then I untuck my leg.

"You must be hungry, right?" I quickly ask him, not liking his intense gaze as if he is trying to find out something, "You haven't eaten anything since afternoon, I will go and get something for you. Cafeteria food is not that good, so I will get something from outside," I stand up as I place the strap of the bag on my shoulder.

All this while he does not say a word as he just looks at me with a serious expression. I take a few steps but he stops me by holding my hand. I turn back to find him standing and looking down at me.

"Oh, I forgot to ask," I shake my head, then smile, "What do you want?"

"I want you to stay with me," he replies without missing a beat.

"I am here," I smile, then after a moment, I add, "As long as you need me to be," my words wrapped in sincerity.

Need changes from time to time... they can be replaced, just like maybe someday I will be too. However, till then I will remain by his side.

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