47 Painful Silence & Friendship
It didn't take long before Azriel was called back in. They had a few talks but nothing too serious, he just informed Azriel that Nesryn was physically exhausted and advised him to let her rest. The long-haired man fell asleep on her bedside, hands intertwined together. He was woken up at around 3pm by a nurse, telling him that they could move Nesryn to a private room.
When she was safely in the privacy of her room, Azriel was able to let out a sigh of relief, walking closer to her side and caressing her cheek with one hand "I'll always protect you baby" he whispered under his breath, leaning over and placing a kiss on her forehead. He was able to stay till the last minute the hospital allows visitors to.
He was really reluctant to leave her alone but the doctor assured him that he'll closely monitor Nesryn's health and call him if anything happens. With a last peck on the unconscious woman, Azriel left the hospital, one of the resort staff, picking him up and safely driving him back to their temporary home while in Bali.
Three of Nesryn's doctors arrived at Bali the very next day when the sun just started rising from the horizon. Azriel quickly fixed their accommodation, and invited them for breakfast to their 'house'. He filled them up about what the doctor said back in the ER, luckily Carter knew the doctor - Makky- from when he was in Bali to volunteer. After breakfast, they chatted for a little while to catch up while waiting for the time they could visit Nesryn.
Visiting hours were around 11 am - 6 pm, with three of her doctors with him, they boarded the car and went to the hospital. Carter met up with his friend and the four doctors excused themselves and moved away from the ears of Azriel and Nesryn. Azriel sat down beside her bed and held her hand.
His handsome face turned upside down when he felt the ice-cold hands of his lover. He looked up trying to see where his friends were but they were not on sight. He grasped her hand on his and started blowing hot air on it, while rubbing it as well. Nesryn was pale as a corpse and Azriel didn't like the sight one bit, the only thing keeping him from crying was the stable beat from her heart monitor.
Four pairs of eyes watched the couple from a secluded part of the room, a frown appearing on Maxon's face as he turned his attention back to his colleagues. "She's getting worse everyday bit-by-bit Carter," Aspen whispered to the man, turning his doe eyes to the couple "I don't even know if chemo's gonna fix it" he continued. "Nesryn's a fighter, she won't give up just like that"
"I know but she's fighting against time here" Aspen reasoned, tears almost falling from the corner of his eyes. Carter frowned and took him in his arms, rubbing his hand on his back as the youngest out of all the doctors tried to hold back his tears. "Azriel believes in her, so we need to believe in her as well," Carter said, whispering softly, as he pulled back and wiped his tears away with his own thumb.
"Azriel started building a research lab for her and a medical center in his mansion for her" Maxon said, a smirk on his face "Never seen that man in love without someone to the point of this one" his smirk turning into a smile. '
"Her body's basically almost on the verge of breaking, I don't know how long-" Carter's words were cut off when the sound of the heart monitor started ringing loudly. They came out of their spot, just in time to see Azriel standing on the side, with nurses surrounding Nesryn's bed. Makky immediately rushed over and checked over her stethoscope on hand and ears.
"Aspen keep Azriel out" Maxon ordered as he stood at the end of the bed, out of everyone's way, leaving the task to both Makky and Carter, while he checked her records. "We need to put her through once there's signs of consciousness," Makky siad, loud enough for everyone to hear and understand
They waited for one and half hours before Nesryn opened her eyes, Makky and Carter asked her questions before telling her that she needed to undergo chemo. With that, she was changed into a hospital gown by the nurses and wheeled out of the ER, with Makky on her side. Carter and Maxon walked out of the room, meeting up with both Aspen and Azriel.
"How is she?!" Azriel asked as soon as he spotted his two friends coming outside, rushing over, holding both Maxon's arms, gripping it tightly. Carter stepped up and tried prying his hands away "Let him go Azriel, Nesryn's fine. Makky took her to chemo." A loud sigh of relief rang loudly on the empty hallway, as he slowly staggered back to the chair.
He raised his arm and covered his eyes. The three friends watched with pitiful eyes as they saw tears fall down. Aspen looked at Carter with his big doe eyes, questioning and the man just shook his head.
Aspen closed his eyes and trembled but didn't show it to Azriel. He made his way to the two "She can't work anymore, the more stress on the body the faster it will weaken" Maxon whispered to Aspen, who clutched Carter's clothes tightly in his hand.
"Azriel, I am sorry to say this to you but Nesryn can't work anymore. The stress and pressure will take a toll on her body, we have to hasten the building of the clinic if you don't want her in a hospital" Carter said, walking over and placing a hand on Azriel's shoulder. "Just tell me the truth" Azriel growled out, voice so deep that it sent chills to Aspen's spine, instinctively hiding behind Maxon's large body.
Carter looked at Maxon, who nodded. Carter took in a deep breath before squeezing Azriel's shoulder "To put it simply, Nesryn's dying. The cancer already spread and is damaging most of her organs, we don't even know if chemo would do anything at this point but don't lose hope, out of everyone here, you knew her best.
She's a fighter and would just stand idly and watch herself die. We'll all be here for her every step of the way, especially you, without a doubt, with all of us here supporting her maybe, just maybe, one day you'll stay at each other's eyes filled with love, hairs grey of old age," Carter said, a warm smile on his face.
Azriel didn't remove his arm though his friends could see a faint trace of smile on his lips. "I can't promise anything but I hope she'll recover and have a happy life with you" Carter finished his words and handed Azriel a handkerchief, with a slight tap on his arm. The long-haired man removed his arm and gratefully accepted the piece of cloth, before wiping his tears.
The group of friends waited by the door in silence, time passed by but no one uttered a single word. Makky came back, but Nesryn wasn't there with him. Azriel stood up, accompanied by his friends.
"She's fine, I placed her into a room, VIP ward 1, to let her rest, you can go see her, but my advice is to let her rest for now, her body went into a shock" loud voices started echoing in the ER as the siren of the ambulance started getting louder.
"Dr. Makky, 3 car accidents, 8 casualties, 2 needs immediate surgery!" a nurse ran over to him. Makky's eyes went wide before saying goodbye then rushing back inside as the first patient from the ambulance was rolled in "Let's get out of their way" Aspen said, backing away from the emergency door. Maxon nodded and they led Azriel to the elevator. Carter pressed the 7th button and the door closed.
Maxon silently observed his friend from behind, Azriel was in his own space, he didn't even notice the sharp gazes of his friend. His hands and shoulders were trembling, palms sweaty. Aspen slowly walked forward and slipped his hand on Azriel's, shaking the long-haired man out of his own thoughts.
Aspen gave him a smile and a slight nod. Warmth spread over Azriel's chest and he smiled back, ruffling Aspen's hair, leaving the 5'4" man with a pout on his baby face and a disheveled hair.
The door slid open and they got out of the elevator. "You guys go ahead, I'll just call grandma and Nesryn's parents to inform them about what happened"
The three men walked ahead of him and he took out his phone and first dialed his grandmother's number "Hey grandma….yeah, we're fine, Nesryn in the hospital though" he had to put away his phone with a wince on his face when Astraea suddenly yelled from the other line.
"She's fine now grandma, she just got her chemo and I am going in to check in on her, I decided to call you and her parents to let them know" they talked for a couple of minutes before he hung up, then dialed another number, Kathleen's.
"Hello, Good evening, sorry for calling late...Yeah, we're in Bali, grandma gave us tickets for Valentines....Yeah we were having fun but Nesryn's body was stressed and she fainted, we had to rush her to the hospital, she just underwent an unscheduled chemo," Azriel started, immediately calming Kathleen down with the assurance that Nesryn's fine.
"Let me speak with my daughter," the woman cut him off and Azriel walked into the room, finding his friends on a couch, squished together.
His eyes instantly wandered towards the sleeping form of Nesryn. "Kathleen, Nesryn's still asleep" Azriel whispered to the phone and walked closer, letting her hear the subtle breathing and heart monitor of her daughter "I'll call you again when she wakes up"
"Alright, thanks Azriel. Take care of my daughter"
"I will Kathleen, please don't worry, I have her doctors with me"
"Mom is fine, you're taking of my daughter for me now"
Azriel's eyes watered at her words, a smile appearing on his handsome face. His three friends watched him intensely, surprised when they saw a smile on his face "I will mom" he said, loud enough for the other's to hear and look at each other in confusion. Azriel hung up the phone and placed it on the bedside table, before leaning in and kissing Nesryn on her forehead.
Before walking over and taking a seat on the armchair placed in front of the long couch that seated his friends. "Is something the matter Azriel?" Aspen asked, his doe eyes wide with curiosity and concern.
Azriel flashed him a smile and shook his head, leaning back and letting out a sigh. "I just gained a mother" he muttered, loud enough for his friends to hear.
They looked at each other and their eyes turned softer, Maxon was the first one who stood up and wrapped his arm around the long-haired man, patting his shoulders over and over again, whispering congratulatory words.
Next thing Azriel knew, he was crushed on the armchair with his friends, hugging him, not noticing that a particular someone opened her sapphire colored eyes.
Nesryn blinked her eyes rapidly, adjusting to the light of the room, she looked around and her eyes landed on the big bundle of bodies, in front of her bed. She refrained herself from laughing, actually enjoying the sight of her lover being crushed by three bodies and actually being babied by his friends.
She took a deep breath and tried stretching her finger first, she could feel her numb body starting to loosen up, she then moved her limbs, little by little. Aspen noticed her movements from the corner of his eyes and he immediately got off of Azriel, dragging Maxon and Carter with him, and looking at Nesryn's direction.
Carter smiled at her and gave her a small nod, before turning his attention to Azriel, who looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. "Turn around" was his simple words, before taking Maxon and Aspen out of the room to give the two some privacy. Azriel watched his friends leave, confused. Before standing up and turning around.
Hazel colored eyes met the familiar sapphire-colored eyes once again. His world stopped the moment he looked into her eyes. Memories of their whole time together flashed by in his mind as he slowly walked closer to her bed. Nesryn smiled at him, once he was close enough, she reached out her hand, softly touching Azriel.
The billionaire man didn't know what came over him but the moment the first tear fell, he couldn't stop his emotions any longer. He slid to his knees, both hands gripping Nesryn tightly, as he placed a kiss at the back of her hand. Nesryn reached out her other hand and placed it on his hair, ruffling it with all her might, which sadly only feels like a soft pat, since her body is not yet strong enough.
"I am sorry for worrying you again Azriel" she whispered, voice hoarse and low. Azriel lifted his tear-stained face and Nesryn wiped his tears away "I thought….I thought.. I am gonna lose you. You were unconscious when I saw you in our room, pale and cold. I couldn't take it. It hurts so much to see you in pain, I can't bear the thought of losing you" Azriel babbled, tears falling again from his eyes.
Nesryn couldn't help herself as tears flowed from her eyes, the thought of this god-like man, kneeling and crying beside her while holding her hand like a lifeline, was too much for her. She kept silent and just rub Azriel's hand with her thumb, a silent gesture sending him comfort.
Azriel took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself down, wiping his tears away, before standing up and placing a kiss on Nesryn's lips. "I love you so much" he whispered between kisses. He reluctantly pulled back to let her breath, she smiled at him and placed a hand on his cheek.
He nuzzled her hand, kissing it at every chance he gets. "I love you too" Nesryn whispered, wiping the last tear from Azriel's eyes. "You have to stay at home now my love, your doctors said, your body can't handle stress anymore, so no more working for you." Azriel mumbled and Nesryn nodded, already knowing that this talk was coming.
They were able to talk by themselves for a full hour before they were interrupted by knocks. Azriel got up from the bed and placed himself on the chair beside her bed "Come in." The door slid open, revealing his friends and a hospital staff with a food cart. "Her food is here, and we bought some for us" Carter said, walking in with a paper bag filled with take outs on one hand.
They walked to the couch, taking out their food while the hospital staff helped Nesryn get settled for eating. Slowly raising her bed and putting on the detachable table in front of her, then placing two trays of food in front of her. She smiled and said her thanks and the staff left.
Azriel assisted her, giving her water or helping her hold the spoon whenever it fell from her hand, taking care of her first. When she said she was full, Azriel took the tray and placed it by the table, helping Nesryn get comfy, placing her blanket over her and adding more pillows on her back.
"Go and eat" she mumbled, smiling at him and his friends. Azriel looked at her as if asking if she's sure, and she just smiled and nodded. With a kiss on her forehead, he took the tray and went over to his friends, he finished her leftovers, taking food from the boxes of take out his friends bought.
They were able to spend the day in peace, talking about small things. Revealing Azriel's past that brought Nesryn to tears from laughing and the long-haired man, flushed and pouting. Resulting in another wave of laughter from all of them.
