“Stop.” Kizy finally spoke in a firm tone, uttering the very first word since Markus had arrived.

And Markus unwillingly complied, not wanting to go against his wife, when she was not supposed to get all riled up and should instead calm down.

“If you have any other plans of leaving me behind again, or lying to me, or simply keeping me in the dark about some topic, then you are not supposed to take even a step ahead. If you want, truly want, to remain by my side, always be there with me no matter how good or bad life is, and to hold my hand forever, only then walk ahead. Decide now. If you ever turn back on your own choice, then I will make sure that you will never get to see me again.” Kizy said, her each and every word loud and clear.

The moment she had woken up and was unable to see Markus, she had thought that either it was all a dream or her imagination and Markus was not back yet or else he did come but left her again.

This had made her leave the bed and forget about everything else but only to get out of this hospital to search for Markus once again. She could not remember being as panicked as she had been, thinking that maybe Markus had left her again.

Thus when she saw Markus, calling her name that gently, something stirred within her. And she knew that if he was to leave her again, then she won’t be able to survive it. She knew the kind of pain life presented when Markus wasn’t by her side, and she definitely didn’t want to experience that ever again.

Therefore, no matter how crazy she sounded right now, or no matter how her life would turn out to be, she wanted a definite promise from Markus, a promise about forever and she was definitely not settling with anything less..

And Markus, instead of using any other sweet words, felt it was better to let her know this through his actions.

With that, he took large strides, not wanting to just look at Kizy from afar.

And Kizy couldn’t be any more happy. She was teary eyed within seconds, without even knowing why she was suddenly on the verge of crying.

Before she knew it, Markus was already standing in front of her, an affectionate smile on his face. He took another step ahead, closing the distance between them before lifting both his arms and Kizy couldn’t wait for his warmth, his tight embrace.

She lowered her head while closing her eyes, a tear rolling down her face, but the protective arms and that familiar firm wall of muscles, that she was waiting to receive her lost home from, never came.

She raised her head in confusion only to be met with a struggling pair of eyes, who seemed to be debating over a life and death situation.

‘Is he going to leave me again? No no, this ain’t happening. He must be thinking something else. But why has he stopped? Is he truly thinking of abandoning me? But why!! Wasn’t all this enough???

Markus, are you seriously doing this to me? Am I truly a burden to you? I know that I create a lot of problems, leave you in endless troubles but please don’t give up on me like this.’ Kizy thought while more tears started flowing down, turning into silent sobs.

‘If this is how he is going to choose, then god I seriously wish for death, right at this moment. I can and will never be able to survive without this man. So if this is how it is turning out to be, I no longer want to live, to breathe-‘ She was thinking about all such depressing thoughts when suddenly she heard Grandpa scold Markus from behind.

“What are you waiting for? Hugging her won’t harm the baby so just go and hug her tightly idiot!! And can you not be so dumb? Just look at her state, she looks so hurt and broken. Go console her you foolish brat!!” Grandpa shouted from behind, knowing full well what was stopping Markus from touching Kizy.

And the next second, the most awaited moment of the century finally happened.

Markus wrapped Kizy in a tight hug, his head between her neck, inhaling the soothing scent of her body that calms his nerves down.

And Kizy too, though confused from Markus’s earlier actions, hugged him back, wanting to remain in his embrace forever and never let him go. She had missed his warmth for too long and enveloped between his arms, she could feel herself melting.

She was still hugging Markus when grandpa’s statement rang inside her mind – ‘hugging her won’t harm the baby’.

She instantly pushed him away, her eyes wide in sheer shock.

“What did grandpa meant moments ago?” She asked, even thought having a hint of what was happening around her.

“Huhh?” This time it was Markus’s chance to stay confused.

Seconds ago he was emotionally hugging his wife while the next second, she had pushed him away. He was still processing her actions.

“I asked what was grandpa talking about before we hugged?” Kizy asked.

“To hug you.” Markus answered in his still confused tone.

“Not that. Before this one.” Kizy asked.

“He called me dumb, idiot, stupid and similar names.” Markus answered purposefully, this time full well understanding what Kizy was coming at.

“Yeah you deserve to be called those names. Has your IQ dropped into negatives now? Okay, let me reframe my question. Why were you hesitating to hug me before?” Kizy asked again.

Meanwhile all other members were witnessing this chaotic duo with controlled laughters, the duo that reunited in such a weird way, and was now having an entirely weirder conversation which was definitely abnormal from how usual couples.

“Because-” Markus was about to tease Kizy some more when she interrupted him.

“No wait. I want to ask something more important first. This will come later.” Kizy said, proceeding to ask a different question.

———————–

I am uploading another chapter today as I may not be able to upload one day after tomorrow. Enjoy!!

– Kizy