The Arranged Bride novel Chapter 30

Nick's POV

I drove back to my house at full speed.

To say I was pissed at her was an understatement, but why? I deserved it.

I had hurt her, insulted her so many times and she forgave me. Now that she gives it back to me, I can't handle it . Why ? I deserved to be given a taste of the medicine that I had given her.

I shouldn't have come back like that. I should have pleaded until she gave in. But she must have been extremely hurt to say those words. Was she that mad at me? Now I really didn't know if I should approach her or not.

Everything was so perfect between us. I had beautiful mornings with us having breakfast together and peaceful nights with her sleeping in my arms. Why did I have to ruin every fucking thing?

Ughh ! I pulled my hair in frustration.

....

Next morning...

Getting ready, I rushed to the hospital. On entering, my eyes fell first on Ethan who was leaning on the inclined bed. He was smiling at my Mom. As soon as he saw me, his smile widened and the relief I felt was overwhelming.

"Honey, how are you feeling?"I asked Ethan.

"My head hurts a bit." He said pointing towards his head.

" Should I call the doctor then ?" I asked , tensed.

" No it's fine, the doctor already checked. He said it's normal. " Mom said to which I nodded.

"Dad, where is Mom?" Ethan was looking at me. Considering yesterday's incident, I didn't even know if Sophia wanted to talk to me but she had said that she will be coming back for Ethan.

" She will be here anytime." I replied

" She didn't come with you?" Ethan looked confused .

" Uhh .... Actually-" As if on cue , Sophia entered.

" Mom !" Ethan squealed excitedly and this only increased my guilt of saying those words to her yesterday.

" How's my baby doing?" Sophia asked in a baby voice which had Ethan pouting.

" I am not a baby, Mom!" He whined to which Sophia chuckled and then her face changed into a sad smile.

" I was so scared for you." Saying this Sophia hugged Ethan, carefully to not hurt his injuries. " Why were you running like that? I had told you to stay in the park. But you started chasing the ball a-" Sophia's voice cracked and she cut herself off. She was hurting as much as I was over Ethan's accident and still I chose to say those rude things.

" Mom I am sorry, and see I am fine now !" Ethan tried lifting up her mood. He really wasn't a baby anymore.

" You're . You're fine." Sophia said nodding to herself as if she was reassuring herself.

" Mom, why don't you go home ? We are here with Ethan now . Take Dad with you." I said to Mom. She nodded and got up to leave.

" By Sophia , bye Ethan." She waved.

"By Grandma." Ethan waved back while Sophia nodded in acknowledgement.

" So Mom, you were scared?" Ethan was teasing Sophia. She looked surprised . I was surprised as well. This child was really growing up fast.

" Yes I was verrry scared, but for my small baby!" Sophia teased back to which Ethan huffed and looked away while we laughed at that.

We spent the entire day there . It was afternoon and Ethan was sleeping while a nurse was there in the room. Since then, there was an uncomfortable silence between us.

"Nick, can we talk ?" I was surprised that Sopia wanted to talk to me.

"Sure ,how about we talk over some coffee?" I suggested. She skeptically looked at Ethan and then me.

" Don't worry the nurse will be here." I assured and she nodded at me.

........

I drove her to the nearest Starbucks which was at a distance of five minutes from the hospital.

I ordered an espresso frappuccino for me and a double chocolate chip frappuccino for her along with some chocolate banana cake.

I sat opposite her , fiddling on how to start when she decided to speak.

" Nick I am sorry ." Huh ? Sorry ? For what? When I didn't speak, she started again.

" I was so frustrated with everything and I just said that. I know it doesn't justify my words and I was the one who asked you to think before speaking while I did the exact opposite. I am extremely sorry for that. You had shared your story with me and it was so pathetic of me to bring that up to hurt you. I am so ,so sorry. I never wanted to-" I cut her off with my hand on her mouth.

" Sophia, breathe." She closed her eyes once before looking at me and nodding. I removed my hands and spoke.

" You didn't do anything wrong. I have hurt you a lot of times and I should have experienced how it feels. So it's completely fine." I offered her a small smile.

" No it's not fine. It was wrong of me to hurt you like that." She argued.

" It's ok I forgive you. Will you please forgive me as well?" I looked hopefully at her.

" Yes I do. I know why you had reacted like that." She knows ? How?

" Mama had called and she told me about Ethan's previous accident ." she clarified her previous statement like the question was written on my face

" It makes me feel more guilty that when you were emotionally disturbed, without being patient with you , I chose to hurt you." She looked down and I was really uncomfortable to see her so sad. She was cursing herself over and over again for a single thing.

" I told you it's fine. I am happy that you forgave me. " I took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. She smiled at me , a warm genuine smile which automatically had one copied on my face.

........

Settling down in the car , I decided to ask the question which was in my mind.

" Will you come back ?" I cautiously asked.

" Yes." Yes !?

" I mean , now . Will you stay in our house before Ethan is back ?" I tried to rephrase my question.

" Yes , I will move in back with you, now, before Ethan is discharged." She replied. I looked at her face to figure out if she was serious or being plain sarcastic. As if sensing my confusion , she smiled to assure me.

" So you're not joking?" I was asking for reassurance but never did I think I would receive it like that.

She leaned forward and attached her lips to mine. It came as a shock to me because she had never initiated any kiss. Her lips were touching mine in a light and cautious manner like she was scared that I would push her away. Recovering from my shock , I kissed her back. Snaking my hand around her waist and cupping her face with another , I pulled her closer . We broke it after a few minutes and rested our foreheads against each other. It wasn't a long passionate kiss , but a short sweet ,assuring kiss, promising that everything was fine between us.

" Wow ! If this is how you remove my confusion, then I would prefer being confused forever." I said earning a slap on my arm.

" But next time you're going to receive a slap on the back of your head." She was trying hard to hide her blush but I didn't miss the pink tinge on her face.

"You look cute when you blush." I smirk at her. Her blush deepened at this.

" Shut up and drive."

" Yes Ma'am." I mock saluted her and started driving.