Hands Of Time | Ezria

Chapter Nine

ARIAS POV

I was awoken by the noise of the boiling kettle in the kitchen. My eyes fluttered open as I saw Ezra standing at the kitchen desk, carrying two steaming cups of coffee, heading towards him. He greeted me with a short, simple kiss on the lips.
"Morning," he smirked, and set down my cup of coffee on the bedside table.

"Morning," I whispered back, pushing a strand of loose hair behind my ear.

Ezra took my hand and kissed the back of it. I smiled and ruffled my hands through his hair, admiring his brown locks.
"Ezra, we did use, erm..." I started.
He nodded simply, and offered me the cup of now-lukewarm coffee. I hold it and take gentle sips.

After I drank the whole mug, I got up and walked to the bathroom to fix my hair and brush my teeth. I had awful morning breath.
I untied my loose bun and set the hair tie on the sink.

Suddenly, I felt two hands grip me from behind. Ezra pulled me into him and whispered into my ear,

"You don't have to fix your hair. You look stunning already," he kissed my neck softly.
"ooh, look at that," he stopped.
I shot up and looked in the mirror, and displayed on the right side of my neck was a red hickey from last night.

"Ezra!" I said, hitting him playfully.
"Sorry," He replied sarcastically.

EZRAS POV

"Sorry," I replied, jokingly.
Almost instantly after I replied, my heart felt like it was being ripped out of my chest.

Shit! I thought. I hadn't taken my medicines.
"Aria," I managed a small mumble, as she applied makeup to her flawless face.
She turned and stroked my face.
"What is it, babe?" She answered.
I couldn't struggle out a word and I pointed to my heart and then my mouth.
She suddenly got the idea and held me up so I wouldn't fall.

She raced towards the medicine cabinet in the kitchen, which was hidden away, and grabbed multiple canisters of pills. She gave me three of each, and I swallowed them, holding onto her and the sink.

Although I didn't become stable instantly, I felt as if I was stronger. I wobbled myself to the couch and fell down into it. Aria sat down carefully beside me.

"Do you need me to take you to the hospital?" She whispered. God, she was so beautiful. Her voice lingered on me, as I shook my head. I stroked her beautiful hair and kissed her temple.

One hour later
I promised I wouldn't keep any secrets from Aria since she had found out about my Heart Cancer.
I wasn't going to exactly keep this from her. I'd tell her tomorrow.

"Hey babe, I'm going to the mall with Hanna for about an hour," Aria called out from the kitchen. I was in the bathroom, wrapping a towel around my waist as I just had a shower.

I opened the bathroom door to find Aria standing at the kitchen counter, looking stunning. As always.
Her mouth dropped at the sight of me in just a towel, and I chuckled.

"Sure. I'll see you later,then?" I answered, walking closer to her.
"B-b-but I'm not too sure if I want to, now," she giggled, admiring my body.
I laughed and kissed her temple.
"Go on. Go have fun,"  I answered. She left, taking one last glance at me, and closed the door behind her.

I ran towards the cabinet next to my bed and pulled out a slip of paper. It read ;

'Hospital Appointment
Chemotherapy
March 5th, 3:30pm'

I checked my watch. 3:00pm. Perfect.

I got changed into a white and black polo and black jeans and left almost immediately. I glanced at my clock once more and smiled. 3:20pm. I'd make it.

I drove to the hospital, despite the fact I shouldn't be driving at all. The doctors suggested that I should always find a way of transport since I could faint at any time.
I rolled my eyes at the thought and continued t drive to the hospital.

-

"Ezra! You're here!" Dr Thatcher cried, then he realised I was alone.
"Where's Aria, if I may ask?"
"I didn't tell her about...this,"
"Well, it's you're choice. Very well. Come on then, this will only take a while.

Dr.Thatcher hooked me up onto a little tube that connected to a pouch which contained a reddish liquid. It stung a little, but I knew it would help me. After ten minutes, my cell rang.
It was Aria.

'Hey Ezra, where are you?! I'm at home and you're not here?! Please call me asap! Love you! - Aria x'

I re-read the text over and over again. The packet of Chemo was almost empty. Infact, it was empty. Thank god.

"Dr.Thatcher!" I cried out loud, and he rushed in. He smiled at the sight of the empty chemo packet.
"Well done Ezra! That's your first Chemotherapy session completed!" He said, proudly, as he hooked the machine off me, and prevented the small bleedings by covering them with a cotton ball.
"You're free to go, once again" Dr.Thatcher smiled.

Sorry babe, went out for a bit to clear my head. Heading back now :)
- Ezra x

I quickly replied to Arias text. I hated lying to her. I just couldn't bring myself to tell her. No. I'll tell her tonight.

I opened the door to 3B, and sure enough, there was Aria, sat on the sofa, reading a girl magazine.

"Wow. I wish I could come home to this every night," I laugh.
She smiles and walks up to me, unties my tie and kissed me lightly.

"What's this?" She wandered, looking at my arm. Shit. The cotton ball was visible.

"Aria, sit with me," I said, smiling, as I took her hand and sat on the couch with her.
I stroked her jawline and spoke.

"I had my first Chemo today," I whispered. A look of betrayal spread on Aria's face.
"Ezra? Why didn't you tell me?! I could've come with you!" She cried out loud.

I stroked her hair, and explained;
"I wanted to do the first one alone - you can come with me on my others. I promise," I softly said back.

She stroked my hair and kissed my lips. She did her usual thing and ruffled her hands through my locks. She suddenly pulled away.

She held a small clump of hair in her hands.