Chapter 8
1020 Words
"Mama....." Aurora stirred up from her sleep.
"Huh? Aurora?" Miah jerked up. She looked to where Ronald was and he wasn't there. Could he have gone to the office already?
"Mama..." She called again. Her eyes were open now.
"You want a drink?"
Aurora nodded. She stared on as Miah walked to a bag at the corner and filled up a bottle.
"Take, it's warm for you."
Aurora sipped the water up and smiled. "Mama, did you sleep well? Your face looks swollen."
Miah heaved a sigh. She was always very quick to observe her. "How could we? You scared everyone."
"I am sorry, Mama. I am fine now."
Miah sat by her side and embraced her. Why does she feel this way towards her? Was it because she was too little to have gone through all that had happened? Her heart tightened as she pulled her more closer.
"Aurora, listen to me," she raised her chin up. " I won't leave you and your dad. I will take care of you till you are well enough. I will stay here and I won't change my mind so don't ever believe anything anyone told you about me or your dad, alright?"
She nodded. "I trust you, Mama. I am sorry that I believed that person."
Miah gave a smile finally. "I trust you to. It's alright. Come to think of it, who came to you?"
"A mask. Yes. A mask. The person wore a mask."
"A mask? Aurora, don't move around alone ever again. Alright?"
"Yes, Mama. Where is dad?"
"He might have gone to the office but he would be back very soon."
Aurora laughed.
"What's making you laugh?"
"Dad would never concentrate at the office when I am here so I am sure he didn't go to the office. Let me tell you a secret, he is probably panicking somewhere or thinking about what to do."
Miah laughed out. Why does she look so vulnerable and hilarious at the same time?
A knock at the door, Ronald walked in with a bag and a pack of chocolates.
"Quinas Chocolates! Dad..." She grinned.
"Aurora..." He dropped what he was holding, walked up to her and embraced her. "Aurora..."
"Yes, dad. I am fine and don't dare frown your face
A sigh escaped his lips and he eventually smiled. "How are you doing? I went home to bring what you needed.
What would you like to eat? What do you...."
Miah watched him talk as his eyes spoke volumes of how much he loved his daughter. Was this the same man she met? Why was fate filling the gaps that had been left in her heart for so long?
A daughter she wasn't expecting and a man she was meant to fix?
"Dad, I am fine. I am really fine. Give me the chocolate already."
Ronald turned his gaze to Miah. She had been unusually quiet since he came. He had heard them laughing when he stood at the door.
"Did the doctor say she could take anything like this?"
"No..not yet. The doctor hasn't been here."
"Dad....do you need the doctor's approval again? Dad..." she whined. She was sure her dad won't refuse her this time.
"Aurora, you will have to wait for the doctor's words. You don't want us running around because of your health again. Do you want that?"
Aurora held onto Miah who intentionally avoided her gaze. There was no way she could say yes when the doctor hasn't said anything yet.
"Let me go ask the doctor for you. I would be back shortly."
Without a glance at Ronald, She walked out.
"Is Mama avoiding me? Did you tell her anything?"
"Oh no, Dad. Probably she is tired or pissed at you?"
"Alright. I will find that out. Uncle Timmy would be coming in the evening. He has been worried about you."
"Alright, dad."
7:10 PM
Miah laid Aurora on her bed. The doctor told them that they could take her back home but no edibles for now. She had whined a lot and eventually took her milk only. A nurse had been assigned to come check on her daily.
Ronald walked in.
"She is still sleeping?"
"Yes. I guess the nurse injected some antibiotics to her. She needs it anyway."
"Yes. Miah, we need to talk."
Her hand stopped at Aurora's face. Why did her heart skip a beat at that word?
"Sir Ronald, I don't think we have anything to talk about. I talked to Aurora already."
"Miah, have you been avoiding me? For what reason?"
She turned to him but clearly avoided his gaze.
"I am not avoiding you. I don't know you and that's vice versa. I just want my privacy. Besides, I am here for Aurora and nothing else."
"What about the marriage stuff? Will you avoid that too?"
She turned her gaze to him. "You and I know we don't want this. I am doing this only for Aurora. I will go about my affairs and you can do yours too. No strings attached."
"What are your terms on this?"
"To marry you? I don't have and I don't think I need it. Just stay out of my life. That's enough."
She gave a little smile and walked out.
Ronald watched her leave. Why does all these feel weird in his heart? He could feel she had so much to say, why was she acting tough then? Could it be because of any event that had happened to her?
He placed a kiss on Aurora's forehead and headed towards the door.
The doctor took two steps back. He should have known the bills could never be paid for no reason.
"Did you do as you were told?" A man, wearing a mask stood at the door.
"I..I..couldn't take her life. She is just a little girl. If you have to deal with Sir Ronald, you can go ahead with him. I can't take a life, never." His fists tightened as his legs wobbled terribly.
"Good. Consider your family dead then." The man said and slammed the door behind him.
- Writer
