Serendipity

chapter 22

I waited in their living room until Lily came, she looked a little ashamed and sad. I smiled at her and she smiled back and sat beside me.

"I am so so sorry, Alara. I never wanted to say those things. I never intended to hurt you, I am sorry" she said and looked genuine. I held her hand.

"It's okay Lily, if I knew you meant those words I wouldn't come here. I know my brother is at fault here" I sighed as I looked away from her.

"He is not entirely wrong, it's just he feels like you are his responsibility which you are but he has forgotten to live his life in all that." She told me.

"I know that's why I came here to meet you, Lily you are the best thing that has ever happened to my brother and everyone can see how much you both love each other. And I don't want my brother to let go of you" I got straight to the point. She looked at me and then smiled as if thinking something.

"I have never seen siblings like you three, I thought it was only them who are crazy for you but now I realize you are the same as them," she said.

"You know why we aren't getting married?" She asked me and I shake my head. That's something we all are waiting for years now.

"Because Caleb thinks once he will start his family he won't be able to take care of you. He is afraid that he will prioritise his kids before you. He is afraid that he won't be able to fulfil his promise to his dad. And the same goes with Noah" she told me and I sat there shocked.

"They are crazy!" I said as I put my head on my palms.

"They don't understand that one day you will have your own life, your own family," she told me, she is right. They can't waste their life for me!

"Lily please help me, don't leave Caleb just put up with him. I know he will come to terms once he realizes he is wrong" I asked her and she hugged me.

"I love him, Alara. I promise I will never leave him" she said and I felt so thankful.

"You are like a little sister to me," she told me and I smiled at her.

Then she said she will help me plan a birthday party for Noah. Noah never celebrates his birthday. So only 4 of us will be there. I called Mary but she said she is out of town to visit her daughter.

By 8 we reached home, Caleb and Lily didn't talk but he helped us decorate the living room with balloons. Noah wasn't home so we waited for him. Caleb sent him for some work and he won't be here until 12. We all had dinner and I gave them a little time alone as I walked upstairs to my room.

I pulled out the gifts that I brought for them from New York. After an hour or so near 12, I walked down and found the love birds talking and smiling at each other. I phewed in relief at the sight.

"Get married already!" I said and I saw Lily shying but Caleb tensed up. I have to talk to them later about it, this is going out of hand now.

Then we heard Noah coming and we turn off the lights. As he came we surprised him, he groaned when he took in the decoration.

"You know I am not 5 years old!" He said and I rolled my eyes as I pushed him towards the cake, Caleb lit the candle.

"Make a wish first then blow them," I said and he looked visibly annoyed but not that I cared. He feeds both me and Caleb but not Lily. He is still angry at her because of what she said about me. I glared at him and then he feed it to her.

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have said what I said yesterday" she apologized.

"It's okay Lily, it was my brother's fault," I said and looked at Caleb who raised his brow at me.

"Okay I have to go now," Lily said.

Caleb went with her to her car, until then I showed them all the things I brought for Noah. When Caleb came we had a movie night. Tomorrow I was going back, I told Mary to stay a few more days if she want, she was a little sceptical but then I forced her because I know she wanted to stay. Caleb and Noah both weren't happy.

We spend the whole day out eating lunch at our favourite restaurant. It was Sunday so both of them were free. I didn't say anything because I know my words aren't doing anything I have to teach them some other way.

By evening we were outside the airport, I bid them goodbye and left to catch my flight.

When I reached New York I hailed a cab to the apartment. I waved at Rachel while passing and then I head to the elevator. It was filled today, I looked ahead and my eyes fell on Hunter. He was entering the building and his face was bruised. I couldn't help but run towards him. The lift doors close after me.

"Hey! What happened?" I asked him as I studied his face. His jaw was swollen and he had a black eye. His hand was tightly clutching his stomach.

"You are back!" He said softly while he gazed at my face.

"What happened?" I repeated.

"Nothing," he said gruffly.

"It's not 'nothing'!" I glared at him, I don't know why but I felt angry and concerned, angry because he is hurt badly and trying to act like he is fine and concerned because he is badly bruised.

"Come with me," I said as I held his arm and pulled him towards the lift. My suitcase was outside the elevator door. I pulled it in along with him. He was looking at me, I pressed the button to my floor. When we reached there I held my bag with one hand and with the other hand I grabbed his arm but he snatched the bag from my hand and held it as we walked towards my apartment.

"What are you..." I wanted to scold him but then my eyes fell on his hand that was on stomach and now is holding my bag covered in blood. His shirt was black so I couldn't see blood on it. My brother hitched.

"Your blood..." I said as I looked at his hand, he looked at me then at his hand.

"I will clean it" he said and it took me a second to realize he thought I am talking about my suitcase handle which is blooded from where he is touching it.

"Oh God! You are not serious right?" I scolded him lightly and opened my door.

"Sir here" I said as I pulled the suitcase out of his hand and make him sit on the couch. I went towards the drawer where we keep our first aid kit. I walked back and sat infront of him on the coffee table as I opened the box I ordered.

"Take off your shirt!" I said.