Her Scent

Chapter 15

There was a knock on my bathroom door. I was currently having a bath. I put off the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist.

I opened the door wiping my hair with another towel. I didn't see who it was. Obviously Cas or Chris. Who would come to our house, especially at eight in the morning.

When no one spoke, I looked up. I was surprised.....no shocked to see a pair of unknowingly familiar pair of eyes staring right at me.

"Arial?" I said. What was she doing here? I saw her eyes roaming over my body. So I did affect her.

"You..."

"What?" I asked.

She seemed to come out of her phase and looked up straight into my eyes. She was angry but why?

"You," she said poking her finger in my chest. "How dare you interfere in my business? I told you I didn't want your money yet you went and paid all bills. Why?" She was almost screaming.

"I just wan...."

"Don't...I'm not weak. I can look after him. You don't need to look out for him. Just stay out of this." Then she stormed out of my room before I could reply.

She was angry with me for paying money. I didn't want to make her feel weak or anything. I just did it because I was genuinely concerned. I had to make things right but now was not the right time. I need to give her more time. I'll go to the hospital in the evening.

The day wasn't getting over. It was just 12. I couldn't wait to settle things with her. But she needed time.

"Did you hear about John?" I heard someone say. Usually I ignore them but not now.

"Yeah...he is in a bad condition." That was all I needed to hear. I rushed to the hospital. I was going towards his room when I saw a hunched figure sitting on the ground.

"Arial," I said and went towards her. I got down on my knees near her. I put my hand on her back and rubbed it. She looked up with tears streaming down her face. I felt bad for her. I so badly wanted to wipe them away but I'm a freaking vampire. I hate such times. Arial placed her head on my shoulder and cried. I wrapped my arms around her.

"It'll be fine," I said, trying to calm her.

"No....he won't. The doctors...th...they said there was...no...no hope." She started crying bitterly. I wasn't expecting this. For me death was like something unknown. But for humans it wasn't.

We sat there for five to ten minutes before she finally stopped crying.

"Lets see him. You have to stay strong for John. You can't show him this state of yours." She nodded and headed to the washroom.

Arial was alone. Sally had not yet come back. She had no one in her toughest time. I'm glad I came early. Otherwise she would keep crying and fall sick. I saw her coming back. Her eyes were red and swollen. She had made an attempt to tidy her hair.

We walked to John's door. I put my hand on the knob. Arial caught my other hand. I was surprised. But I knew she needed it so I didn't pull back, even if it meant my stony hand touching her fragile one.

She took a deep breath. I opened the door and saw even a weaker John lying on the bed.

"Grandpa..." Arial said. Her voice was shaky but there was a smile on her face.

"My queen," he said. Arial went towards his open arms. John looked happy. His eyes had no regrets just love for his granddaughter.

"My son," he said looking at me,"look after my girl. I don't know you well but I know you are a good guy. I cannot think of anyone else other than you so please....for my sake."

"Yes John. Anything for you," I said with a small smile. Arial kept quite. She looked down to hide her tears. She was on the verge of crying bitterly.

"Arial, the nurse was looking for you," I said trying to help her go out.

"Nur...nurse," she said looking up. Then she realised what I was doing and played along. "Yeah. I'll see what she wants." While going out she smiled at me as a thank you.

"Sit my son," John said. I felt bad looking at him like this. He was no where near the jovial man I had met. He looked aged and very weak. When he looked at me, I saw worry in his eyes.

"Nicholas, Arial is a weak girl. She has been through lot. She will not be able to handle my death. Please help her get through it."

"John you won't die."

"I know my son. Its my time to part with my beloved ones. Please do this one thing for me."

"I will," I said. Even if he didn't tell me, I would do it. I don't know what it was about her that made me want to protect her. Be with her at her difficult times. Maybe it was because that night she was attacked by a drunkard and I saved her.

However I wasn't going to let him die. No way. I had to do something. But now wasn't the time. I had to wait till everyone was asleep for it.

I left John after a while. I saw Arial sitting on a chair and crying.

"Arial...,"I said. She didn't look up. She wiped her tears. She kept looking down. I went and say beside her.

"It'll be fine," I said trying to console her.

"It won't," she said. "He will leave me just like they did." She started crying again. I rubbed circles on her back to comfort her. I was thinking of what she had said. Who left her? Her parents?

She placed her head on my chest. Tears were streaming down her face. She made no attempt to wipe them. I was kind of burning inside. She was warmer than any usual human. She has everything extra than the others. Her warmth. Her Scent.

"He'll be fine. I promise," I said in her ear. She looked at me. I saw the confusion there but she didn't ask anything. I was thankful of it. I didn't know how to explain it.