Ivan's P.O.V.

Two weeks passed since New Year and it's Sunday. Stretching my body, I got up from my bed and wearing my shirt and shorts, I left my room. Emma's voice was coming from outside. I opened my bedroom's door and walked out.

I saw Emma and Hazel busy placing things in a small bag. A suitcase was already placed next to to the couch. I glanced at the calendar next to the wall. Today is the day when Hazel will be moving out.

"Here. Keep these too", Emma said handling fruits to Hazel.

"I can buy them", Hazel said whilst closing her bag.

"But you can't get home-made jams. At least keep these", Emma said and kept three jars of jams in Hazel's bag.

"What are you guys doing?", I asked looking at the stuff to be packed in the boxes.

"Packing. Vena is moving out, much to my disliking", Emma said pouting and Vena gave her a sad smile.

Hazel and Joe's exams are over and Joe is planning to have a small trip with me. I am happy to go out with her anywhere. I like her that much.

I saw Hazel's books all placed in so many rows. Emma helped her keeping them in a box. Her books took one whole box to fill up. She owes more novels than clothes.

How nerd is she?, I wonder.

"Who is going to drop you?", I asked looking at both the girls bickering over what to pack and what not to. Hazel looked at me with those beautiful eyes of hers.

"I've got company", she said passing me a smile. Since past a week, she's smiling at me. She's being nice to me. She doesn't like me for sure but she's being civil to me in a nicer way and it just feels good to me too.

"Can't we drop you?", Emma whined whilst picking up Aiden and feeding him apples.

"It's fine. I'll settle there first and then I'll invite you all for dinner", Hazel said and then she picked up Aiden in her arms.

"Goodbye, buddy. Aunt will come to see you soon", Hazel said and kissed him on his cheeks. He kissed her back and she smiled.

"You're his godmother. Do come to visit often or else we'll bother you by showing up at your place", Emma said and hugged Hazel. Aiden hugged them too. Such a small cute moment they've together. I smiled. My sister is really a kind-hearted person and I'm glad she met someone as kind as hazel. They pulled away as soon as the doorbell rang.

"I've to go now", Hazel said having a hold on her suitcase.

"Ivan, could you see who is at door?", Emma asked and I nodded. She handed Hazel's handbag to her.

I walked to the door and as soon as I opened it, I was surprised. A very dear friend of mine was standing in front of me, smiling from molar to molar. He greeted me. He was none other than Parker.

"Hey, buddy", Parker said.

"What are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me about your arrival?", I asked. A frown made its way on my forehead.

"I didn't come to meet you", he said walking inside the house.

"Then?", I asked.

"I'm here for Vena", he said looking at me and Hazel walked to us holding her two suitcases on both hands rolling on the floor.

"I called him. He's going to drop me", Hazel said looking at me.

"Thanks for helping me", She said looking at Parker.

"We're friends. Drop the formalities", Parker said and took one suitcase from her. I don't know why but I never liked her being friendly with Parker ever.

"You could have asked me. I would not have denied. You didn't have to disturb him", I said.

Why did she not ask me?

"I volunteered to help her. She denied at first but you know, I'm a charmer", Parker replied for her. I glared at him.

Why are you replying?

"Shutup already", Vena slapped his arm. She was laughing at his lame jokes. She never laughed with me.

"It hurts", Parker holds her arm and complained like a child.

"Does it hurt?", Vena punched him again. She looked so carefree with him. She looked like a young girl of her age who have no worry about anything.

"Emma, she's hitting me. Help me", Parker said and Emma shook her head. She was enjoying this stupid conversation of theirs.

Why are they behaving like teens? Grow up!!

"Where are you staying?", I asked looking at Hazel.

"I'm staying next to Parker's apartment. A house in his neighbourhood was for rent", Hazel said.

"Shall we leave, Girl next door?", Parker asked with a smirk and Hazel rolled her eyes at him.

She has a name!!

"Let me help you guys. I'll come with you", I insisted.

"I thought you have a date with Joe today", Hazel said raising her eyebrows and it hits me. I almost forgot about my date.

How can it slip my mind?

"Yeah. I know right", I said and shut my mouth.

"Call me when you reach", Emma said walking Hazel and Parker to the door. Hazel hugged Emma once again and after kissing Aiden on his cheeks, she left without even looking at me.

"Bye", I muttered to myself.

I walked back to my bedroom with a heavy heart. Why? I don't know. Since past two weeks, I've been getting used to of Hazel's presence around me a bit more than usual. Watching her walking in the hall, making coffee in the kitchen in late nights with her hair folded in a bun and a book in her hand, dozing off on the couch while reading her novel, singing songs for Aiden, her each and every detail is just coming back to me again and again.

Screw that!!

I hop under the shower and had a hot shower. I should not be thinking about her this much. She's a strong girl and I know Parker is there for her. I'm also there for her, all she has to do is ask. I'm one call away but I couldn't say it to her. I lack those rights. I have destroyed her family and all I can do now is to wait for her to ask me for help. If I'll try to be clingy, she'll distance herself from me. My guilt is making me considerate for her. She knows it too somewhere. But there's no way she's letting me be a part of her life, like Parker.

I wore a black shirt and denim and added a black hoodie on top. After hand combing my hair and wearing my favourite cologne, I exited my room. Emma was in her room with Aiden. Informing her, I left the house with my bike's keys.

I drove to Joe's house. Parking my bike outside, I made my way to her house. A few bikes were parked near her house and it was weird for me because she lives at a distance from other neighbours. I rang the doorbell and Joe came in sight.

"Hey", she said and kissed me on my cheeks.

"Hey", I said as I walked in. Few shoes were laid at the entrance.

"Do you have guests?", I asked taking off my shoes.

"I'm interviewing a few people", she said holding my hand.

"For what?", I asked as we made our way to her living room. I noticed three well-built men sitting on the couch. They're no less than bouncers. I'm sure they can handle three boys like me all at once. They manage to intimidate too.

"As my bodyguards. I'm gonna chose one of them", she said as we make our way to the empty couch.

"They'll be my caretaker for now on", she said.

"I thought Hazel-", I bite my tongue and continued, "I mean Vena is your caretaker".

Her name is Vena. Remember it!!

"Oh, she resigned two days ago. I'll miss her but life must go on", Joe said and started asking a few more questions to those men.

Hazel is actually making big changes in her life. She gave Aiden to us and now she left her job too. I wonder what is she planning to do?

As soon as the interview was the over, the men left the house. Joe told them to give a call if anything is finalised. I glanced at the wall clock. It was six in the evening. She walked back in the room after closing the main door. She massages her shoulders and walked to sit with me.

"I'm tired. Do we have to go out?", She said laying on the couch tiredly.

"How about we order pizza?", I suggested. I turned her around so that her back was lying on my chest. I started to massage her shoulders. She moaned in relief.

She's death to me!!

"Sounds good to me", she said with her eyes closed. I leaned down and placed a few kisses on the neck. She responded but later she pulled away.

"Ivan, I need some time", she said sitting straight as she looked at me with her forest green eyes.

"Ok", I replied with a smile and pulled her towards me. I kissed her. I'm ready to wait.

"Let me order pizza", she said as she got up and walked to grab her mobile from the table. She ordered the pizza and then came back and sat with me. We cuddled.

"Joe, can I ask you something?", I asked stroking her hair softly.

"Yes. Sure", she replied.

"Where is Vena's family?", I asked and she looked up at me.

"Why?", She asked.

"I was wondering that she gave Aiden to Emma and now she left the job too. I've never seen her talking to her family ever. So, I'm asking you", I said and Joe sat facing me.

"Ok. I'm telling you this but don't talk about it to anyone", she said and I nodded.

"Ok", I said.

"Vena is an orphan", she said and I straighten up in my seat.

"Pardon?", I asked.

"Vena was an orphan. Her sister forced her parents to adopt her because she wanted a small sister. Vena's parents adopted her but things happened and", she paused. I felt her hesitating a bit.

"And?", I asked further.

"And two years back, they both died within a span of six months because of heart attack", she said and I felt numb.

"Vena has no one", Joe said sadly and I looked away from her. Does her parents die because of her sister's death? Hazel is all alone in this big world. How is she managing?

"Oh", was all I could say.

"But you don't worry. She's a strong girl. She needs no one. I've tried so many times to help her but she always refused. I guess she loves living alone", Joe said.

"Or maybe she's too afraid to keep her guards down for anyone because she's all alone and has no one to protect her", I found myself talking.

"Are you concerned about her? I thought you hate her", Joe asked looking at me incredulously.

I don't hate her. I hate myself!!

"She helped my sister. I guess I can be civil for her", I said and Joe nodded.

"You don't need to think about her. She can manage herself", Joe said as she hugged me by my waist and placed her head over my chest. I stroked her hair again.

What are you doing now, Hazel?

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