Chapter 17

He lied beside her and watched her sleeping.. His hands caressed her cheek fluffed from all the crying.. It was soft and pink.. He leaned further and kissed her forehead..  He slowly fell asleep with his hands holding hers..

Lucas went to the office next day and talked with felix...

"how is athy..?  Lily told me Everything..I really want to see her but  she will scold me if I do..  I always wish my daughter would rely on others more when she is sad.. Haah.. But that girl.. Don't be mad at her for not telling you lucas.. She is always like this ..."

Felix said in a worried tone and sighed .. Lucas give him a small smile.. 'It was amusing how felix' s personality change completely when it comes to his wife and daughter.. He is always  calm and collected at work  but when it comes to his family he will get worried in every single thing.. ' he thought and

' lucas you should take good care of our daughter.. '

athy's words suddenly came to his mind and he looked down..'  will I also become like felix after she  born..?' he thought.

"lucas..?" felix called him and he  come to his senses

"huh..?"

"you heard me..?"

"yes I did and if  you are That worried about her  just come home and see her yourself .. It's not like you always listen to sia.. And   the reason I am here is.. I am Gonna take a long leave .. I want to stay beside.." he said..felix was surprised for a moment and then he let out a bright smile..

" really...? That's good.. Do what you want.. There is nothing my son- in- law  is not allowed to do in this  office.. "

felix said as he walked towards him.. Lucas looked at him stupified  'did he just call me..?' while he was in daze..

"let's go.. I want to see my daughter.." felix said as he placed  his hand on lucas's shoulder dragging him home along with him..

They both reached home to saw lily already there.. She was the one opened  the door.

"what are you two doing here at this time..?" she asked

"well.. I came to see my daughter.. This guy.. He took a break from his work to stay with his wife.."

felix said proudly pointing at lucas.. ' is he suddenly acting weird and  calling me son- in - law because I  told him I am Taking a break..?  When he act like this.. I am  suddenly getting  reminded that  he is my father- in- law.. Since he is being my boss   for a  long  time  I still look at him as my boss.. '

lucas thought as he entered the house behind felix.. He saw athy lily  and  felix bickering one moment  and then hugging and giggling the next moment..

' now I am  Confused who is pregnant  here..? How can their mood change this fast..? Or Is it normal in thier family..? ' he thought and looked at  them in amusement..

Lily and felix spent some time with them and went back home and it was already evening..  athy was drying clothes and lucas helped her.. He got a call from  cabel and he attended it to hear him screaming on  the other end which made him move his phone  away from his ear as soon as he answered.. Athy chuckled looking at him.. Lucas was silent and the on the  one in other side was talking without break

" are you done rapping..? You should really join a idol group you will make a good rapper.." lucas said in a bored tone..

" don't change the topic meet me at PC right now I am waiting.." cabel shouted at the other end and the call ended lucas sighed looking at the screen.

" sia.. I will go to  PC and come back soon.. That idiot is waiting for me there  "

" what.. Pc..?.. Pfft.. What are you two  high schoolers..? Yo two still go thier..? "she asked giggling.

" hmm.. Yeah it's our common meeting point since childhood.. "

" I see.. Then that must be fun.. Go ahead.. "

she said smiling.. He waved to her as he walked down in the stairs.. When he was about to enter he turned back and saw her looking at him from the rooftop  smiling he smiled at her and turn to see helly coming towards thier direction.. 'thank goodness she came at the right time..' lucas thought and smiled at helly and said hi before leaving..

Helly looked at him confused.. 'what's with him.. He began to talk more with me since thier  marraige  but something was different today..what's that..? Whatever' she thought and saw athy waving to her she smiled at her and ran towards the rooftop..

"athy.... I missed you.." she said hugging her from the side  and  athy giggled

"yeah I missed you too.. Are you free now..? "

"yep that's why I fly to see my only bestie.." she said and smiled.. She stared  at  her for a while

" what.. Did lily told you..?" athy asked  knowing that look well and sighed..

"I am okay helly" athy said and smiled at her.

"haah.. I hope nothing bad will happen and you two will be safe.. What did lucas said..?".

Helly asked  sitting down on the swing  the rooftop she tapped the space beside her signalling athy to sit..

'sia.. I love you..'

Athy  got reminded of what happened last night and her cheeks are red helly noticed it and smirked..

" ohh.. What is this..? Something must have happened tell me everything.. Come on.. spill the beans.." helly said turning towards her and stared at her with curious eyes.. Athy looked away from her to hide her expression but it didn't helped.. 'she won't  let  me until I tell her everything' she thought and sighed..

" well.. Last night.. " athy told her everything.. And helly had a mixed reaction athy was amused by how  her  expression changes so fast showing she can't hide what she think with that face  and giggled..

"wow..  So much happened in a single night huh..?"she said and hit  athy's shoulder.

" ouch.. what was that for? " athy asked confused

" you idiot.. Why the hell did you said something like that..? I know you can't help but  think like that.. but you should think before talking .. Thank God lucas knew you very well.. if it was someone else  the fight would have only got bigger with your words.." she said

"yeah.. I admit.. even I don't know why I was like that.. I will be careful from now on.." athy said

"but he is so cool in a  situation like that don't you think..? when he have to be mad at his idiotic  wife.. He confessed instead..it seems like   He loves  you to the level of not getting mad at you huh..?" helly said.. Athy looked down smiling and blushing.. Helly stared at her for a while and giggled..

'she is so cute when she is like this.. Who can't love you athy..?  I   think her  real dad is blind ' she thought and smiled at her..they continued  chatting, bickering and helly teasing athy.. like that thier evening passed on.. And for lucas..

" are you okay luu..?" cabel asked they went to the rooftop.. Drinking coke.. Lucas stared at him confused.

" helly told me everything.. What did you told her back..?"

"haah.. That.." he turned his face to the other side and mumbled something but cabel can't hear him.. He turned him towards him and his eyed widened in surprise.

' why he is blushing..? Helly  said something serious to me.. He is confusing me now.. '

" tell me what happened..?" he asked

"I confessed to her.." lucas said  scratching his  nape and cabel smiled at him.

"ohh.. finally you realised huh..? I was worried what if you stay dumb like this forever..? Thank God.."

"huh..?" lucas looked at him dumbfounded

"yeah.. Everyone other than you two  can tell that you love each other.. I am glad you confessed but why the hell at a time like this..? Isn't the matter I am talking about something serious..?"

"yeah it is.. But that's how I realised it.. When the thought  of not able to be with her  anymore strike me.. I realised how much I need her in my life. To me it  was like.. Haah so this is what  they call  love ...?  And I confessed   otherwise I am not sure.If I ever realise this .. may be I would have stayed like what  you told just now.. "lucas said and cable nodded in agreement.

" yeah that's  also true " cabel said .. Lucas stared  blankly at the sky. he looked  down and let out a big sigh

" haah... I just want her and the  baby to be safe and happy.. I hope everything will workout.. but still I feel  anxious.. Why the hell everything is  difficult for me in life ..?"

he said and facepalmed..cabel stared at him for a while.. He patted his back and lucas looked at him to see him smiling widely.

" lucas.. Don't worry everything is gonna be okay.. You know what.. You look more human now.. " he said

" what..? "

" you always look expressionless.. I really wished to see you  act like everyone.. I wished you would express how feel.. Are you hurt..? Are you happy..? Are you mad..? I can't tell anything by looking at your face but after  you meet athy you get more expressive.. May be God felt guilty that he messed up you life  and give you a gift called family.. So don't worry about anything... everything will be alright and  you will live happily with your wife and daughter. "

cabel said and smiled.. Lucas stared  at him surprised  since it's rare to see cabel  being serious and he smiled at  him..

" yeah.. I too  think so.. Let's go back.. "

He said standing up and cabel followed him..

" you are going home right..? I will get going then I have to see helly.." cabel said and was about to walk away but lucas dragged him with him.

"you don't know..? you girlfriend must be happily   chatting with her bestie now" lucas said

"ohh.. She is there..  I had a feeling.. She ignored my calls.. She will do that whenever she is with athy.."

cabel said pouting and lucas chuckled. They went back to see the girls cooking  dinner  together.

"oh you came.. Huh.. Cabel..? You are here too..?"  helly said walking towards the table

"yeah someone ignored me to be with her friend so I had no choice but  to go to my friend's house.." cabel said pouting.

"are you okay..? Do you need help ..?" lucas asked walking towards athy ..

"no.. I am fine.. We are  already finished .."

she said and smiled at him.. She saw helly and cabel and chuckled.

"they started bickering as soon as they meet.."

she said giggling and lucas stared at her with a smile.. 'I wish you will always smile like this.. And live carefree'

he thought and  His hand caressed her face without knowing himself  athy  smiled at him.. Thier sweet moment was interrupted by a phone call.. Lucas went to attend that.. Athy cabel and helly settle down to eat.. Cabel scrolled his phone while eating and helly got pissed.. Athy looked back to see lucas was still talking to someone..

"just put your phone down and eat or else I am gonna throw that in trash" helly shouted and cabel didn't listened to her still scrolling.. his eyes widened  and the next moment his phone was snatched by helly..

"hey baby wait.. I am reading  something important about  lucas."

he said trying to snatch her phone back and she give it to him the girls stared at him with curious eyes he read the article and then let out a proud smile..

"tell us.. what  is it ..?" helly nudged his sleeve he continued to read  ignoring her and she got  pissed..

"just tell us already.. This idiot" she shouted and smacked his head

"ouch.. Wait.. Helly.." he said and put his phone down and took a deep breath as  like how he is a dramatic person.

" Guys.. Our lucas is nominated for best singer of the year award" he said and smiled brightly..

"wow.. Really...?". Athy asked in surprise and helly and cabel did a hifi..

"yeah.. He  usually  got selected for this it  every year.. It would be weird if they let someone like him out but due  to the  scandals  he wasn't selected for this previous year , but now they did again.. Eventhough  his scandals are baseless rumors it does affected his career.. that selection committee always act cocky.. It's suspicious that they did this.. but I am happy.. " cabel said and the girls nodded thier head.. Lucas came back after ending the call..

" congrats lucas.. " athy said with a bright smile.. Helly and cabel also congratulated him he smiled at them.

" but it's suspicious "lucas mumbled..

" yeah I also thought  about that.. "cabel said

" anyway let's just celebrate for now " helly said and they  continued chatting and finish thier dinner .

" lucas what are you thinking about..? "

athy asked nudging his sleeve and he came back to his senses.

" huh..? "

" you seem to be in daze for a while now what's wrong.? " she asked worried.

" it's just that I am contemplating whether I should go for the ceremony or not.."

" of course you should go" she said.

"no.. I don't Want to leave now.." he said still thinking deeply..

"lucas don't worry I will take care of your wife staying by her side 24/7 and lily will also be here since felix will come with you.." helly assured  him and athy nodded.

"yeah don't worry" she said placing his hand above his and he tightened the grip and sighed.

" I know you two will take care of her.. It's just that.. I want to be with her cause her due date is getting close .." lucas mumbled..

"I said it's okay.. If you didn't attend.. I will really feel bad lucas..." athy said with a sad face and lucas sighed. 

"fine.. I will go" he said and athy smiled happily at him..

"felix told us to come to the office right now.." cabel said after reading the message..

" I am going there almost every day..then  what's the use of taking leave" lucas grumbled  and got up.

"helena can you.."

"I know and I already decided to stay with her and already unpacked my  luggage.. even if you told me to leave I won't.."

helly interrupted him and said he smiled at her and nodded his head.

"then.. that's good.. thank you.." he said

"then can I also come stay here..?" cabel asked lucas with puppy eyes..

"of course.. Idiot.. Stop making that face now let's go.." he said as he dragged him along with him..

" bye sia.." he waved to her  and she waved back..

"I think they have to leave tomorrow athy.. It's written that  the Ceremony is held at xxx  thank goodness it's in our country this time.. He can come back anytime he want.." helly said reading the invitation and athy nodded her head.

"here have your medicines.."

she said handing her medicines.. Athy took them and helly noticed she is sleepy

"you should go to bed athy.."   she said. athy said good night  to her and  went to bed.

Lucas and  cabel came back latenight..

" helly why are you awake till now ?" cabel asked  helly who is sitting on the sofa reading

"huh.. Oh it's already this late..? I  lost  the track of  time since this book is interesting .." she said as she got up..

"lucas.. Athy is already asleep..Good night guys.." she said as she walked towards her room.. Cabel followed her.

Luca went inside the room to saw her sleeping he Sat beside her and caressed her  face.. His eyes widened and he jerked  off from the bed.. He placed his hand on her forehead ' she is burning..' he thought and went out.. he knocked on  the door of helly's room and she opened

"what happen lucas..?" she asked half asleep

"sorry to bother you..  Athy is having fever"

"what..?  She is fine before  she went to sleep.. This is so sudden.. Let me take a look.." she said as she came outside and went inside athy's room. She placed her hand on her forehead and stared at  her for a while.

"yeah.. I think she have fever.. Where is that..?" she rummaged through the drawer near her bed and found some pills..

"lucas wake her let's fed her tablets and let her rest.. If  the fever didn't went down tomorrow I will call anna aunty"

she said and lucas nodded his head.. He wake athy but she looked at him with     half  opened eyes..

"athy here.. have  this tablets  you have  fever.."

Helly said and lucas fed her the tablets then  some water she slowly gulped them.. Shut her  eyes tight and slept

"let's wait until morning.. Lucas check on her from time to time.. If her  fever raised further.. let's call anna aunty.." helly said placing down the water glass.

"yeah let's do that.. thanks helly.. Sorry for bothering you.."

"hey.. What's a bother in this..?  I am here to take care of her.. Don't be formal  With me.. I thought of you as a good brother.. look at you talking to me like a stranger.." helly grumbled..

"  sorry.. I will try from next time.. Go and sleep"

he said smiling and she nodded her head slowly walking outside. He lied her down and tugged her inside the bed sheet.. He didn't get a wink of sleep And checked her condition all night.. Next day helly came and opened the door to saw him sleeping sitting  next to her.. She smiled looking at that and closed the door. Lucas came out after a while  Helly and cabel is sitting on the sofa chatting.

"morning lucas.." cabel said and lucas waved to him.

"how is athy..?" helly asked as soon as she saw him..

" thanks to you her fever went down gradually.. She is sleeping now " he said smiling.

"then it's a relief.." she said and smiled.. She went inside her room athy was sitting on the bed trying to open  her eyes but   it's too bright  for her

"morning girl .. Are you feeling better now?" she asked athy gave her a faint smile and nodded her head as a yes.

"I am OK just a bit tired"

She said in a low tone. Helly helped her fresh up and took her outside.. Cabel is watching TV and lucas Sat beside him  half asleep . He turned back and smiled at her.

"are you okay sister?" 

cabel asked athy and she nodded a yes lucas turned and saw her he got up and walked towards her.. He cupped her face and smiled.

"it's a relief your fever went down." he said and she give him a faint smile.

"athy come sit and eat this porridge" helly said placing a bowl in dining table..

"hm.. I don't wanna.. I just want to sleep.." athy mumbled.

"no first eat and then sleep As much as you want.. Okay..?".

Helly said and signalled lucas to bring her here lucas slowly took her near the table.. Athy lied her head in the table and closed her eyes..

"haah..  I can't with her.. Here.. I don't know what you will  do  but make your wife  eat this.. I will come check in a While.."

She said and handed him the spoon and went back to the kitchen. He finally succeeded in waking her  after his continuous efforts  and she leaned on his chest and closed her eyes.. He sighed and patted her head

" sia.. If you don't eat and get better soon .. Then I am not going to the Ceremony.. I can't leave you here sick and sit clapping on that boring ceremony.."

he said and she slowly Sat up and looked at him with her eyes half opened.

" I will eat.. I will eat.. are you blackmailing me now ...? "

she mumbled and   slowly eat everything obidiently..lucas Sat beside her watching her eating with a smile. Helly saw that and chuckled 

' wow.. He is good  at taking care of her..they are so cute..' she thought and giggled she turned and saw cabel curiously  watching tv and sighed.. 'and here is my boyfriend.. Can't he learn  how to  be sweet from lucas..? This dumb guy..' she shook her head  clicking  her tongue and went back  to kitchen..