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“Be careful!” Gwaine says as he steps in, holding the door back so Merlin and Arthur could step inside. Leon was parking their car in the parking lot and will be heading up shortly. Arthur was discharged from the hospital after scans on his head revealed he didn’t do as much damage as they had feared. Though the scans came out clean, the doctor still warned them should Arthur feel any kind of pain at all, they shouldn’t hesitate to get him back to the hospital. After an گھنٹہ long discussion with the doctor followed سے طرف کی some procedural check out documentation signing, Merlin brought Arthur back home. Gwaine was already at the apartment waiting for them while Leon picked the two of them at the hospital. Merlin was quiet all the way as was Arthur. Leon didn’t speak much either as he’s not the chatty type but the same can’t be کہا for Gwaine. The moment the elevator stops in the level, he was there waiting for them. He questioned Arthur and then Merlin and then back to Arthur again, his mouth never once shutting down. Despite being angry with Arthur, Merlin still finds Gwaine amusing.
“Careful there… slowly, sit here, Arthur,” Gwaine helps his friend and pounds the تکیا twice before placing it behind Arthur’s back before gently pushing him back to lean on it. Merlin dropped his bag on the coffee table, loosened his tie and rolled up his شرٹ, قمیض sleeve up to his elbow before circling the سوفی, لٹانا and sitting opposite Arthur. Gwaine quickly squeezes Merlin’s shoulder but the latter just pats his friend’s hand and concentrates back on Arthur.
“Care to explain what happened yesterday afternoon, Arthur?”
“Merlin…”
“No, I want to know what happened. Gwaine, I deserve to know because his father here thinks we are responsible for everything that happens to him and Mr. Blue Eyes here has the knack to run off whenever he wishes, so I believe we all deserve an explanation, don’t we, Arthur?
“Merlin, he just got back from the hospital… perhaps we should wait until he’s fine…”
“Oh, he’s fine, Gwaine! He is very fine indeed یا he wouldn’t have rushed out to the streets unaided… now that’s a pretty good achievement for someone like you, Arthur. Hats off, I must say!”
“Merlin,” Leon warns from behind them as he enters, closing the door behind him. Merlin hardly tossed any look behind him. He was very angry with Arthur and isn’t afraid to دکھائیں it.
“He is still injured and could do with some rest, Merlin,” Leon suggests.
“His father…” Merlin points to Arthur and turns around to meet the other guys, “Literally chewed my head off yesterday for what befell him,” Merlin says, his anger visible in his voice. “He thinks his son was on a suicide mission and none of us cared, and even went to the extent of warning me that should something like this happen again he wouldn’t hesitate to use what’s wise on us… get it Leon? His father just finished threatening days off of my life and I don’t want to spend another دن waiting for his answer… I want them now!”
“But, Merlin…”
“It’s all right, Leon, Merlin is right. I do owe all of آپ an apology and I better do it now,” Arthur says, picking himself up a little. Gwaine helps him to sit and steps back, folding his arms. Merlin waits patiently while Leon comes around to sit beside Arthur. “I wasn’t planning suicide like آپ think, Merlin, I just… can’t adapt to this life! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I tried and tried, and barely ten منٹ after all of آپ left I was bumping, tripping and stumbling all over the place. GOD!!!” Arthur shakes his head. Leon places an assuring arm over Arthur’s shoulder. “It feels miserable!! God damn miserable, Merlin! I couldn’t even try to pretend that I can manage because I can’t! I gave up and I was scared. I was terrified that I will lose to my father and suddenly I was overcome سے طرف کی fear. Fear of losing!! آپ know that feeling Merlin? It’s the feeling which creeps inside آپ to warn and chill the life out of you. It’s bloody damn persuasive, where آپ start to doubt yourself, thinking of nothing but failure. No matter how hard آپ try to lift yourself, آپ still end up being told that you’re nothing but a failure! And then it scared me… I was sitting down سے طرف کی the corner here, thinking how did I actually end up like this and when will it end. I didn’t want it continue, I wanted to live Merlin. I wanted to get out from this mess that I weaved myself. And for once, Merlin, I wished… I wished I could see!!” Arthur tells sadly.
Leon looks at Gwaine and then at Merlin. There was sadness in each of them and it was visible enough through their eyes, especially Gwaine’s. “I was in such a mess and couldn’t think at all… that’s why I ran. I didn’t realise what I was doing; I just did it. I ran and did the unthinkable; I took the elevator myself down and rushed out to the streets. Don’t ask me how I did it, but… I only realised I was on the streets when I got knocked down سے طرف کی something. I’m sorry, guys, I am really truly very sorry for putting each one of آپ in an uncomfortable position… and on behalf of my father, I apologise. Merlin, I do with all my heart. I just wasn’t aware of my actions, that is all!” Arthur finishes and buries his face with his hands.
Gwaine reach down and pats Merlin’s shoulder, asking the latter to say something to Arthur while Leon comforts Arthur. But Merlin decides to keep mum, prompting Gwaine to speak on behalf instead.
“There’s no need to apologise, Arthur. It’s not your fault, یا anyone’s fault, for that matter. آپ are experiencing a life-changing traumatic scenario and anyone in your shoes would behave exactly the same way. Right, Merlin?” Gwaine asks yet again; the latter keeps his silence. Gwaine throws his hands up in the air and looks at Leon for help. He is clearly frustrated with Merlin’s resentment towards Arthur. What has gone into Merlin’s head?
“Merlin?” Leon calls up his friend. When Merlin looks at Leon, the latter makes his sign, asking Merlin to start talking at Arthur.
“I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused آپ since this accident, Merlin, I …”
“This is the life آپ chose, Arthur. آپ stamped your ground, insisting this is what آپ clearly wanted. It’s your call and no one forced آپ to do this except yourself, so… no matter how tough it is for you, آپ have to accept it. Regardless of what the circumstances are, this is what you’ve chosen for yourself, so آپ need to adapt to it.” Merlin says straightforwardly.
“That is very comforting, Merlin,” Gwaine snaps bitterly.
“He’s right Gwaine, every word of it.” Arthur agrees with Merlin.
“I mean it, Arthur…” Merlin adds.
“I know. It’s just …”
“Tough?” Merlin guesses.
“Yeah. Very,” Arthur sighs sadly.
“I know… what isn’t? Life is always tough, Arthur. آپ can ask anyone and they’d all agree with me. But this is what the real world is made of. The world your father wants آپ to plunge into is one made of fake promises, and imaginary world filled with imaginary people, whereas this…” Merlin twirls his finger around, “This is where آپ learn the ways of life. The hard way. This is where آپ become a man, Arthur. Life can be full of surprises and expectations, yet it also can be your springboard to become the person everyone would look up to. It’s your teacher, Arthur. There are plenty of lessons to be learnt and giving up now isn’t going to help much”
“Merlin!! Where did آپ learn to talk like this?”
“I read… from a book”
“Really?”
“He’s right, Arthur” Leon chips in, clasping Arthur’s hand in his for support. “You have to have faith in yourself because without any, everything you’ve worked so hard for would be useless. Success and failure are like yin and yang, like black and white; one complements the other. We need failure to elevate us towards success, that’s how we become complete. So if you’re feeling miserable, then allow that misery to push آپ to greater heights, make آپ a man and someone your father will be proud of. آپ have to teach yourself before آپ teach others, and what better way than to start in our own life?”
“Gosh, Leon? Guys, seriously… I need to start learn to listen to آپ both… where did آپ learn all this, Leon?”
“From a book,” Leon tells Gwaine and smiles at Merlin who smiles back.
“You always want to be your own man, Arthur, and insist upon proving a point to your father, so this is your moment. This is your time, your stage and your play. آپ pull the strings in this play and we’ll help آپ as much we can. But in the end, it’s still your play. So be a man and brave up to your decision, mate. Stand your ground and tell everyone around آپ that آپ are living the life آپ chose to live. No one can dictate what آپ should یا should not do, because like I said, this is your life.” Merlin advices, tilting his head a little.
“We will support آپ all the way, Arthur. Good, bad, یا ugly… we’ll be there for آپ throughout,” Gwaine chips in. The other two nod in agreement.
“Perhaps this will change your father’s perspective on you. Maybe, just maybe he might finally see آپ for the person آپ are,” Merlin adds.
“I very much hope you’re right, Merlin,” Arthur wishes. Frankly it’s what he wanted from the دن he learned of his father’s hatred towards him.
“Let’s pray and hope he does Arthur,” Leon adds.
“Thank آپ guys, all of you. I promise I will not repeat my mistakes again,” Arthur promises, his face beaming with newfound encouragement.
“We hold on to your words Arthur, better not disappoint us.”
“I swear, Merlin,” Arthur swears, holding up his casted hand much to the amusement of the other guys.
“Now I feel better,” Merlin says and leans back on the couch. But he abruptly pulls back again, his eyes sharp on Arthur.
“And one مزید thing, Arthur… please take care of your head. آپ were lucky this time around, but the doctor couldn’t promise if you’ll be so fortunate the اگلے trip, so…” he warns his friend. Arthur nods with a smile.
“I will remember that advice, Merlin, thank you.”
“Well, now that we got all that sorted out… what’s for dinner?” Gwaine asks.
“So, he’s been on your mind all night huh? Is that why آپ look weary today?” Morgana asks as she sips her coffee. Gwen sighs, drops her head on her folded arms on سب, سب سے اوپر of the table, burying her face. Morgana reaches out and twirls Gwen’s curls playfully, tugging it a little to give Gwen a surprise jerk. As Gwen flinches in annoyance, Morgana silently laughs.
“Come on… آپ don’t want Lancelot to see آپ like this, do you?” Morgana says again, this time finishing her coffee.
Gwen lifts her head up quickly and whizzes around, looking for the person mentioned سے طرف کی Morgana. But except for some technician and a cleaner, there isn’t anyone else. Morgana laughs and picks up her doughnut.
“You are incredible, Gwen. One منٹ آپ are weary because Arthur’s been on your mind and the اگلے آپ are worried Lancelot might find آپ looking all tired and worn out. God, آپ are definitely occupied, young lady,” Morgana says.
Gwen playfully pinches Morgana and goes back to rest on her arms again. She can hardly lift her lids. The sleepless night endured last night is weaving its magic on her now. She feels sleepy yet she’s got a briefing in another hour’s time with her working mates and Lancelot. If he isn’t involved, she would have scrapped the whole briefing thing off and be heading home. But with Lancelot still in the picture and overseeing their progress, she didn’t see it as the wisest thing to do. Besides, this will allow Lancelot to have another go at her, probably tease her all the way till the briefing ends. No, she’s not going to give him a chance to do that. Not now and not today.
“Hello?” Morgana snaps her fingers.
“Yes Morgana?”
“Still Arthur?”
“No, it’s Lancelot now.”
“Damn it, girl, how many do آپ need? Hand me one, will you?”
“Morgana… I was thinking about Lancelot and the briefing. I am tired and if he wasn’t around, I’d be canceling the briefing and heading back home. I really could use some good hours of sleep!” Gwen yawns as if to make a statement.
“But he attends all the meetings and briefings, doesn’t he? There is no way he’ll miss this. But if you’re tired, maybe I can take over?”
“You can?”
“Yeah, but…”
“He’ll ask for me… yeah, I know that. No need to remind me of that. Bollocks!!” Gwen mutters bitterly and whacks her forehead lightly on the table.
“Is this how آپ exercise your neck after lunch?” Lancelot asks, sitting down opposite Gwen and Morgana. Gwen jolts up like a rocket, her curls dangling around her forehead. She pushes them away and straightens up, adjusting her بلاؤز, کمری and the matching chain she wore. Lancelot signals for a cup of نیبو, لیموں چائے and looks at both of them. He smiled at Morgana and looks disturbingly concerned at Gwen.
“You look tired.”
“She didn’t have much sleep last night,” Morgana chirps in, much to Lancelot’s amusement and Gwen’s irritation.
“Working late?”
“No…” Morgana began, but Gwen cut her off abruptly.
“Yeah, آپ can say that… hahaha!” Gwen laughs nervously while pinching Morgana’s thigh, warning her to keep quiet.
“Awww!!!”
“What happened?” Lancelot alerts himself, looking tensely worried. Morgana smiles, raising her hand up to indicate she was fine.
“Fine, fine…” she too laughs nervously at Lancelot.
Lancelot opens his mouth to ask something but his conversation was interrupted سے طرف کی the arrival of the waitress with his tea.
“Thank you,” Lancelot acknowledges the waitress and returns back to the girls. “So, where were we?”
“I thought آپ were with Gaius?”
“Should have been but he has an appointment with his dentist, so I thought I’d hang around here. It’s not a problem, is it… me hanging around?”
“No, no… of course not. Just curious to find your path leading آپ here, usually it’s either to Gaius’s office یا the server room.” Gwen laughs again. Lancelot smiles back.
“Thought I get to know آپ better, after all we didn’t get off on a good note on the first day.”
“You can say that again. آپ were brash and arrogant, what can I say? Your attitude was hard to stomach let alone endure; your overbearing personality gave away much of آپ as a person and in the end, we were left with little imagination of the type of a man آپ really are.”
“Gwen?” Morgana is horrified. Only then Gwen realised she went a tad too far with her sentences. And she regrets it. Lancelot came سے طرف کی probably to strike friendship with both of them and here she is, shoving the dirt back into his throat as if to say, get lost!!
“Hmm… interesting, Gwen! Very descriptive and brilliantly innovative, I must say. I didn’t know I made such a powerful impact on you,” he جوابات calmly, much to the girls’ surprise.
‘Ouch!’ the word stings and she deserves it. “I’m sorry… I really am…”
“No, it’s all right. Please, don’t let me stop you… anything else?”
‘Is this a mock Mr. Genius?’ Gwen thinks again. Beside her Morgana seems to be unnaturally quiet.
“No, I just… I’m sorry. It’s my weariness, actually. I tend to speak my mind without sensing my whereabouts. Sorry, Lancelot, really, from my heart.” Gwen hates apologising but if she had kept her big mouth shut, she probably didn’t have to. Serves her right!
“Like I said, it’s all right. Sometimes I need to know what others think of me. آپ were brave, I give آپ that. آپ definitely know how to grab a man’s attention,” he smiles and slurps his tea.
Gwen feels embarrassed so she bites her lip and holds her head down. She didn’t know if Lancelot is taking the mickey out of her یا is he genuinely being nice. She couldn’t think. Her head throbs with the weariness and she didn’t want to think about anything for the moment.
“What did I do now?”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t mean to hurt یا upset you. If my presence has caused آپ uneasiness, I’ll leave…”
“Oh no!!!” Gwen looks at Morgana for help and the latter shakes her head, agreeing with Gwen. “Of course not!!” Gwen adds quickly. “Like I said, I’m just tired, that’s all.” she squares her shoulders and purses her lips.
“Sure? Perhaps آپ like a moment alone?”
“Company is nice, especially yours, Lancelot. Do stay.”
“Thanks… so, how long have آپ both been working here?”
“Almost five years.” Gwen says. “Four,” Morgana adds.
“That’s a very long time…”
“There are others who go way back longer than us. Gaius was kind enough to allow an inexperienced fresh graduate like me handle an entire department all سے طرف کی myself.”
“He trusts those he works with heartfully. It’s the belief that keeps him moving all these years. Any plans?”
“On what?”
“Your life, of course. Is this where your future lies?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t know, really. I like to leave my life to fate. I trust it and whatever fate decides, I’m good with it.”
Morgana’s phone rings in the midst of the conversation, interrupting them a while. Morgana fishes out the phone, recognises the name of the caller, excuses herself and leaves to have her private conversation.
“You were saying?” Gwen asks Lancelot.
“I believe in fate too. I think God has plans for all of us and we just need to take one thing at a time.”
“True.”
“But what if the decision isn’t one آپ expected?”
“There’s nothing much I can do about it, can I? After all, there’s a reason behind every action, yeah. So, I’m a pretty much go-by-the-book type of a girl. I don’t defy fate, but neither will I ignore it,” Gwen explains to him. ‘Why is he being so nice to me?’ she thinks to herself, curiously.
“Interesting,” Lancelot smiles and looks away.
“What?”
“I thought آپ and I were miles apart, never seeing eye to an eye but here we are, having مزید in common that not.”
“It’s a small world Lancelot,”
“You don’t say…” Lancelot agrees and finishes his tea. He takes a quick look at his watch and back at Gwen. “Nice talking with آپ Gwen, it’s been a pleasure. I would like to sit longer and chat but I have some mainframes to check. So, see آپ at the briefing?” he says and gets up.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“On the other hand, if آپ are feeling tired, why not ask Gaius for a دن off?” Lancelot suggests. Gwen thinks she is dreaming.
“But the briefing?”
“I’m sure canceling the briefing one دن wouldn’t do much harm, would it? If آپ still want the briefing to go on as planned, ask Morgana to handle it. She’s a good speaker herself and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind taking over.”
“Okay, I’ll have to consider it…”
“Do it, آپ look like you’re going to drop off any minute. There’s nothing much آپ can say if your head’s laced with fatigue. Think about it,” he waves off and leaves. Gwen waves back and thinks back all the words he has just told her. Could it be true یا is he taking the mickey out of her? How come he seems nicer to her today? Is it because he doesn’t have any other دوستوں and needs to pass his time and chose her because she was an easy prey?
‘What nonsense are آپ blabbering about Gwen? You, an easy prey? He must’ve known all about آپ the first دن he arrived… perhaps he is genuinely being nice. Maybe he changed?’ she thinks to herself. ‘Change? Him? Huh?’ she thinks again and holds the sides of her temple, the throbbing increasing inside her head. ‘No, maybe Gaius must’ve advised him to be nice with everyone here. That’s why he’s starting with her, because he needs to work with her closely’ she finishes.
“Yup, that has to be the reason, sweetheart,” she tells herself.
“Reason for what?” Morgana asks as she takes her نشست back beside Gwen.
“Lancelot being nice to us.”
“Oh that… I’ve been watching from far and though I didn’t hear anything, he seems honest in his approach.”
“Never judge a book سے طرف کی its cover Morgana. I thought the same when I first met him, but in the end he was an arse.”
“But I think he changed his attitude these past few days, haven’t آپ noticed? He’s pretty jovial with everyone.”
“Maybe he’s opting for the sympathy vote should I confront him one day.”
“Come on Gwen, you… going head to head against him?” Morgana laughs. Gwen arches her brow.
“You may never know, Morgana… anyway, I don’t care much about him. Maybe he is genuine in his approach یا maybe not. We’ll deal with that later. I need a favour from آپ though, care to help?” Gwen leans back and folds her arms across her chest.
“Take over the briefing? Consider it done!” Morgana finishes, raising her hand to call for the waitress.
“Yup, thanks dear. I love you,” Gwen says and gets up, pressing her forehead again.
“Are آپ heading home?” Morgana asks as she hands the money to the waitress and gets up as well.
“Yeah… I need to sleep. Really do. Why?”
“Nothing.”
“Morgana?”
“Fine… don’t wander off to the hospital again all right, like yesterday when آپ کہا آپ wouldn’t and finally ending up declaring yourself to be a nurse to Arthur?”
“I’m really tired, Morgana, and even if I want to, there is no way I’m dragging my arse over to the hospital again. Besides, سے طرف کی now Arthur would have known I’m not a nurse and probably forgotten all about me.”
“You are not sure about that love!”
“Why would he want to even think about me when there are other things playing on his mind? He’s got his quarrels with his father to take care of, his friends, and maybe his health… I’m just a passing بادل in his life. After all, I lied to save my arse back there… you’re not expecting me to hold on to that lie?”
“Of course not… I’m just worried آپ might lie further should آپ choose to visit him again.”
“I am not visiting him, Morgana, I am heading back home, take a warm شاور and head for the bed. That is all I’m planning on doing, so sorry to disappoint you, girl!” Gwen says with a tinge of mock laced on her words. Morgana chuckles.
“Right, whatever آپ say, Gwen. Take care and call me if آپ need anything, all right?” Morgana advises as Gwen heads to the exit while Morgana leaves to شامل میں the visual merchandising staffs, seated on the میز, جدول beside hers.
“Sure thing, bye,” Gwen says, waves awkwardly at Morgana and drags herself out from there.
“Discharged? When was he discharged?” Gwen asks in shock, following the doctor from the lobby towards his room down the aisle.
“Today. His دوستوں took him back.” the doctor informs her, nudges the door open and allows her to enter while he steps in behind her.
“Oh, I didn’t know that.” Gwen looks disappointed. The doctor points to the chair and asks her sit down while he circles the table, drops his کوٹ on the میز, جدول and takes his own نشست opposite her.
“I thought he might still be around. Just wanted to drop سے طرف کی and say hello.”
“He would have loved that, but I didn’t find anything wrong with his head and the scans came back clean, so we didn’t have much reason to keep him any longer. Besides, his دوستوں insisted on getting him out of here as soon as possible.”
“Oh, looks like I’m a little too late then,” Gwen laughs nervously. The doctor smiles and arranges the documents on the table.
“He did ask for آپ though,” he tells calmly. Gwen almost jumped out from the chair she sat in. Looking at the doctor in bewilderment, she is puzzled why Arthur was looking for her.
“What?” she asks, her fingers coiled tightly around her bag strap.
“He was looking for a nurse named Guinevere and I know آپ are the one. Your friend told me both of your names and that’s how I recognised it when he asked me. He کہا آپ made him warmer than he felt before and requested my permission to ask آپ to look after him.”
“Oh dear… what did آپ say to him?” Gwen is in tense.
“Don’t worry, I told him nothing. I just کہا آپ resigned.”
“What?” Gwen laughs instantly. She tries to imagine what Arthur would have thought at her resignation. ‘Me a nurse? Wait till Morgana finds about this!’ Gwen shakes her head in disbelief.
“I thought it was funny too, but…”
Gwen stops laughing. “What happened?”
“He… was seriously asking for you, and first I thought he was requesting your service because آپ mentioned yourself to be a nurse but he wasn’t looking for the nurse in آپ Guinevere, he was looking for the friend in you. He thirsts your company, Guinevere.”
“I… what …” Gwen is speechless. ‘What is this new kind of confusion?’ she thinks to herself, scratching her head.
“You must have made quite an impression on him یا else he wouldn’t be asking for you. I know this because from what his friend tells me, Arthur became dispirited after the accident. He lost his faith and will to live. Almost turning even his دوستوں away, he isolates himself often from other living creatures around him. But you… آپ casted some sort of magic on him, young lady. آپ made him smile and talk. And he kept on asking for آپ all day.”
“I… just did… what anyone… in my position would have done.”
“I believe so, but آپ did well. That is exactly what he needs right now.”
“I’m sure his دوستوں could give better company than me, I…” Gwen is speechless. She didn’t know what to say یا think. Her mind is in a muddle.
“I think so myself, and I believe they are, but آپ can play a part as well.”
“What? Oh, no. No… you’re not suggesting…”
“No, I’m not suggesting anything. آپ and he are complete strangers, I know that, but sometimes the company of a stranger heals our wounds faster than those close to us. Arthur is shattered and broken but he has incredible دوستوں around him and آپ can شامل میں that rank too. From what I heard, he looks to آپ as his friend though he couldn’t see آپ and there’s no harm in becoming friend, is it not?”
“No, of course not…”
“He needs this right now, Guinevere. He needs warmth and love to heal, not our medication. He needs his friends… because his real wound is not up here,” the doctor points to his head, “but here.” He brings his finger down to his دل and pokes it lightly, looking at Gwen. “This is what will bring him back from his despair,” he finishes.
Gwen is in turmoil. Her mind is clouded with all sorts of emotion right now and she can barely think properly. She heard what the doctor کہا yet she is helpless to promise یا utter anything back. She didn’t know what to do; she really didn’t know what to do.
“I understand your silence and I’m not pushing you. I wouldn’t have told آپ this if آپ didn’t return today. Since آپ did, I have a feeling آپ care, and out of courtesy, I’m telling what I feel. But again, it’s up to you. Should آپ choose to heed my advice, آپ know what to do,” the doctor informs her and smiles.
Gwen smiles back, almost halfheartedly, and wonders what sort of mess she’s gotten herself into again.
“Elena called while you’ve been in the hospital, Arthur,” Gwaine informs Arthur as they spend the دن in Arthur’s bedroom. Arthur is perched at the edge of the bed, leaning against the دیوار with both his feet up on the بستر while Gwaine went through Arthur’s documentation.
“What did she want?”
“She wanted to know how are you? She seems worried”
“Didn’t her father tell her anything?”
“About?”
“Me being blind… doesn’t she know?”
“I think she does, but…”
“She doesn’t care, is that what آپ want to tell me?”
“Hmm” Gwaine keeps the files and documents properly back in its place and twirls the pen in his hand. “Something like that,” he finishes.
“Of course she doesn’t care, Gwaine, all she wants is me. She wanted me from the دن she set her eyes on me; of course she doesn’t mind how I’m presented to her.”
“It can’t be that bad, Arthur! She seems like a nice girl,” Gwaine tries defending Elena but Arthur waves his hand.
“She is a nice girl, Gwaine, a lovely girl if I may add, but… I don’t have any feelings for her. She claims she loves me but it’s infatuation, obsession, and God knows what else, but love… nah! I don’t think so.”
“How do آپ know that? آپ hardly spent any time with her, so how do آپ know آپ don’t like her?” Gwaine sets the pen back on the میز, جدول and turns around to face Arthur.
“Because I don’t feel it here!” Arthur points to his heart. Gwaine agrees. “Arthur do have a point there.”
“I want to fall in love, Gwaine. And I want the girl I love to make me fall in love with her… I don’t need to be told to fall in love like my father tells me with Elena! The feeling must be there genuinely, spring out to surprise you… maybe like, out of blue it just strikes آپ and then آپ start to feel it in your دل and mind. Your head and دل must be in consensus in this matter. There shouldn’t be any differing statements; must be mutual… get what I mean?”
“Phew, Arthur… sounds like you’ve watched some pretty old romance فلمیں to me,” Gwaine jokes. Arthur smiles.
“I’m not the romantic type, Gwaine, but if there’s one thing in my life I want to do right is find the girl I love and who loves me back for the person I am. I know my father loved my mother dearly and she must’ve loved him back equally too. Their love might not be the greatest یا rarest like in the فلمیں but it must have been genuinely honest. I know it must be because my father became a torn soul after my mother died. His love for her prevented him from sharing it with me and I appreciate how much he loved her. I know I can never سب, سب سے اوپر their love but I want it to be just like that. I want to enjoy falling in love Gwaine, feel the excitement, cherish the sensation with the women I am in love with and I want to tell how much I love her every day. I want to go through that moment, naturally. Not like this… I’m sorry if آپ disagree but I can never bring myself to love Elena.”
“I get it Arthur, but… she’s been promised to آپ since آپ both were teenagers. She never loved another and do آپ think it’s fair to her?”
“She’s still young, Gwaine, and if I can talk to her perhaps she might understand.”
“I doubt it, Arthur,” Gwaine plays with Arthur’s chess collection, set upon the marble میز, جدول beside the study table.
“Why?”
“She might be young, but from what Merlin tells me, it looks like she’s quite obsessed with you. She wants no one but you, Arthur. Hear that, just آپ alone!” Gwaine جوابات without looking at Arthur, still playing with the chess set.
“It can be dealt with, Gwaine. Just need the right type of word, that’s all,” Arthur is still determined to change Elena’s mind.
“What about her father and… yours?” Gwaine looks up, holding the knight in his hand, stroking it with his thumb.
“I don’t care about them, any of them. This is my life and I deserve to chose the person I’m going to fall in love with یا marry. Elena will be hurt for a دن یا two یا perhaps weeks but she will eventually get over it. There are plenty of guys out there for someone as pretty as her,” Arthur says with certainty. Gwaine nods and places the knight down and moves the bishop from left towards its right.
“Maybe آپ should tell her fast, Arthur. Not everyone deals with the truth maturely. And in her case, the hurt can be a devastating blow, especially if kept for too long, get it?” Gwaine advises.
“Yeah, you’re right. Did her father tell آپ when she is visiting him next?”
“No, he didn’t, but she did though, when she called in here asking for you. I think she’ll be here اگلے week. Maybe آپ need to talk with her then. Don’t wait too long.”
“Yeah, need to.”
“Good luck with that, you’re going to need it.”
“Thanks, Gwaine.”
“Pleasure’s all mine, Arthur,” Gwaine says with a smile and moves his king to claim checkmate. Smiling triumphantly, he walks across the room and nears the window, looking out. His hands were firmly tucked inside his pocket, eyes fixed firmly on the scenario out there.
“How long have they been gone?” Arthur asks, massaging his neck.
“I think almost an hour, why?”
“They are not back yet?”
“It’s not easy finding a teacher for the blind, Arthur. It requires patience,” Gwaine informs without looking down at Arthur.
“Sorry, just … getting a little agitated. Call it excitement!” Arthur tells Gwaine and laughs himself. Gwaine smiles watching Arthur feeling much better now than he has the past few days.
“Once آپ start learning, things are going to be much easier for you. آپ can stop depending on others.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
Gwaine opens his mouth but the telephone rings in the living room. “Excuse me, Arthur. Will be back shortly. آپ need anything just shout, all right?” Gwaine informs Arthur, turning around.
“Yeah, thanks”
Gwaine pats Arthur’s legs and leaves the room. Arthur leans back against the دیوار and recollects every single event occurred in the past twenty four hours. He sighs regretfully thinking of the accident, his father’s quarrel and the short misunderstanding he had with his friends, especially Merlin. And then his mind flies over to the nurse, Guinevere. He smiles thinking about her, her name cemented permanently in his mind. He remembers everything about her; her voice, the nervous giggles and the determination in her voice. She was a nurse, yet she treated him like a friend مزید than a patient. She listened to him and questioned him only when necessary. She was supportive of his father yet she wasn’t pushy. Arthur didn’t know how to describe what he feels right now about her but he likes her company. She makes him warm, warmer than he’d felt for ages. He would like to meet her again but unfortunately she’d resigned. That’s what the doctor told him. It made him sad but there’s little he can do about it. None of his دوستوں have met her before so there is no way they can help him track her down and he isn’t much of a help himself, either.
“Damn!!” Arthur curses under his breath. He finally found someone who understands him and now she’s gone. Maybe one دن their paths will پار, صلیب again, Arthur thinks. And when it does, he isn’t going to lose her again.
“Be careful!” Gwaine says as he steps in, holding the door back so Merlin and Arthur could step inside. Leon was parking their car in the parking lot and will be heading up shortly. Arthur was discharged from the hospital after scans on his head revealed he didn’t do as much damage as they had feared. Though the scans came out clean, the doctor still warned them should Arthur feel any kind of pain at all, they shouldn’t hesitate to get him back to the hospital. After an گھنٹہ long discussion with the doctor followed سے طرف کی some procedural check out documentation signing, Merlin brought Arthur back home. Gwaine was already at the apartment waiting for them while Leon picked the two of them at the hospital. Merlin was quiet all the way as was Arthur. Leon didn’t speak much either as he’s not the chatty type but the same can’t be کہا for Gwaine. The moment the elevator stops in the level, he was there waiting for them. He questioned Arthur and then Merlin and then back to Arthur again, his mouth never once shutting down. Despite being angry with Arthur, Merlin still finds Gwaine amusing.
“Careful there… slowly, sit here, Arthur,” Gwaine helps his friend and pounds the تکیا twice before placing it behind Arthur’s back before gently pushing him back to lean on it. Merlin dropped his bag on the coffee table, loosened his tie and rolled up his شرٹ, قمیض sleeve up to his elbow before circling the سوفی, لٹانا and sitting opposite Arthur. Gwaine quickly squeezes Merlin’s shoulder but the latter just pats his friend’s hand and concentrates back on Arthur.
“Care to explain what happened yesterday afternoon, Arthur?”
“Merlin…”
“No, I want to know what happened. Gwaine, I deserve to know because his father here thinks we are responsible for everything that happens to him and Mr. Blue Eyes here has the knack to run off whenever he wishes, so I believe we all deserve an explanation, don’t we, Arthur?
“Merlin, he just got back from the hospital… perhaps we should wait until he’s fine…”
“Oh, he’s fine, Gwaine! He is very fine indeed یا he wouldn’t have rushed out to the streets unaided… now that’s a pretty good achievement for someone like you, Arthur. Hats off, I must say!”
“Merlin,” Leon warns from behind them as he enters, closing the door behind him. Merlin hardly tossed any look behind him. He was very angry with Arthur and isn’t afraid to دکھائیں it.
“He is still injured and could do with some rest, Merlin,” Leon suggests.
“His father…” Merlin points to Arthur and turns around to meet the other guys, “Literally chewed my head off yesterday for what befell him,” Merlin says, his anger visible in his voice. “He thinks his son was on a suicide mission and none of us cared, and even went to the extent of warning me that should something like this happen again he wouldn’t hesitate to use what’s wise on us… get it Leon? His father just finished threatening days off of my life and I don’t want to spend another دن waiting for his answer… I want them now!”
“But, Merlin…”
“It’s all right, Leon, Merlin is right. I do owe all of آپ an apology and I better do it now,” Arthur says, picking himself up a little. Gwaine helps him to sit and steps back, folding his arms. Merlin waits patiently while Leon comes around to sit beside Arthur. “I wasn’t planning suicide like آپ think, Merlin, I just… can’t adapt to this life! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I tried and tried, and barely ten منٹ after all of آپ left I was bumping, tripping and stumbling all over the place. GOD!!!” Arthur shakes his head. Leon places an assuring arm over Arthur’s shoulder. “It feels miserable!! God damn miserable, Merlin! I couldn’t even try to pretend that I can manage because I can’t! I gave up and I was scared. I was terrified that I will lose to my father and suddenly I was overcome سے طرف کی fear. Fear of losing!! آپ know that feeling Merlin? It’s the feeling which creeps inside آپ to warn and chill the life out of you. It’s bloody damn persuasive, where آپ start to doubt yourself, thinking of nothing but failure. No matter how hard آپ try to lift yourself, آپ still end up being told that you’re nothing but a failure! And then it scared me… I was sitting down سے طرف کی the corner here, thinking how did I actually end up like this and when will it end. I didn’t want it continue, I wanted to live Merlin. I wanted to get out from this mess that I weaved myself. And for once, Merlin, I wished… I wished I could see!!” Arthur tells sadly.
Leon looks at Gwaine and then at Merlin. There was sadness in each of them and it was visible enough through their eyes, especially Gwaine’s. “I was in such a mess and couldn’t think at all… that’s why I ran. I didn’t realise what I was doing; I just did it. I ran and did the unthinkable; I took the elevator myself down and rushed out to the streets. Don’t ask me how I did it, but… I only realised I was on the streets when I got knocked down سے طرف کی something. I’m sorry, guys, I am really truly very sorry for putting each one of آپ in an uncomfortable position… and on behalf of my father, I apologise. Merlin, I do with all my heart. I just wasn’t aware of my actions, that is all!” Arthur finishes and buries his face with his hands.
Gwaine reach down and pats Merlin’s shoulder, asking the latter to say something to Arthur while Leon comforts Arthur. But Merlin decides to keep mum, prompting Gwaine to speak on behalf instead.
“There’s no need to apologise, Arthur. It’s not your fault, یا anyone’s fault, for that matter. آپ are experiencing a life-changing traumatic scenario and anyone in your shoes would behave exactly the same way. Right, Merlin?” Gwaine asks yet again; the latter keeps his silence. Gwaine throws his hands up in the air and looks at Leon for help. He is clearly frustrated with Merlin’s resentment towards Arthur. What has gone into Merlin’s head?
“Merlin?” Leon calls up his friend. When Merlin looks at Leon, the latter makes his sign, asking Merlin to start talking at Arthur.
“I am sorry for all the trouble I have caused آپ since this accident, Merlin, I …”
“This is the life آپ chose, Arthur. آپ stamped your ground, insisting this is what آپ clearly wanted. It’s your call and no one forced آپ to do this except yourself, so… no matter how tough it is for you, آپ have to accept it. Regardless of what the circumstances are, this is what you’ve chosen for yourself, so آپ need to adapt to it.” Merlin says straightforwardly.
“That is very comforting, Merlin,” Gwaine snaps bitterly.
“He’s right Gwaine, every word of it.” Arthur agrees with Merlin.
“I mean it, Arthur…” Merlin adds.
“I know. It’s just …”
“Tough?” Merlin guesses.
“Yeah. Very,” Arthur sighs sadly.
“I know… what isn’t? Life is always tough, Arthur. آپ can ask anyone and they’d all agree with me. But this is what the real world is made of. The world your father wants آپ to plunge into is one made of fake promises, and imaginary world filled with imaginary people, whereas this…” Merlin twirls his finger around, “This is where آپ learn the ways of life. The hard way. This is where آپ become a man, Arthur. Life can be full of surprises and expectations, yet it also can be your springboard to become the person everyone would look up to. It’s your teacher, Arthur. There are plenty of lessons to be learnt and giving up now isn’t going to help much”
“Merlin!! Where did آپ learn to talk like this?”
“I read… from a book”
“Really?”
“He’s right, Arthur” Leon chips in, clasping Arthur’s hand in his for support. “You have to have faith in yourself because without any, everything you’ve worked so hard for would be useless. Success and failure are like yin and yang, like black and white; one complements the other. We need failure to elevate us towards success, that’s how we become complete. So if you’re feeling miserable, then allow that misery to push آپ to greater heights, make آپ a man and someone your father will be proud of. آپ have to teach yourself before آپ teach others, and what better way than to start in our own life?”
“Gosh, Leon? Guys, seriously… I need to start learn to listen to آپ both… where did آپ learn all this, Leon?”
“From a book,” Leon tells Gwaine and smiles at Merlin who smiles back.
“You always want to be your own man, Arthur, and insist upon proving a point to your father, so this is your moment. This is your time, your stage and your play. آپ pull the strings in this play and we’ll help آپ as much we can. But in the end, it’s still your play. So be a man and brave up to your decision, mate. Stand your ground and tell everyone around آپ that آپ are living the life آپ chose to live. No one can dictate what آپ should یا should not do, because like I said, this is your life.” Merlin advices, tilting his head a little.
“We will support آپ all the way, Arthur. Good, bad, یا ugly… we’ll be there for آپ throughout,” Gwaine chips in. The other two nod in agreement.
“Perhaps this will change your father’s perspective on you. Maybe, just maybe he might finally see آپ for the person آپ are,” Merlin adds.
“I very much hope you’re right, Merlin,” Arthur wishes. Frankly it’s what he wanted from the دن he learned of his father’s hatred towards him.
“Let’s pray and hope he does Arthur,” Leon adds.
“Thank آپ guys, all of you. I promise I will not repeat my mistakes again,” Arthur promises, his face beaming with newfound encouragement.
“We hold on to your words Arthur, better not disappoint us.”
“I swear, Merlin,” Arthur swears, holding up his casted hand much to the amusement of the other guys.
“Now I feel better,” Merlin says and leans back on the couch. But he abruptly pulls back again, his eyes sharp on Arthur.
“And one مزید thing, Arthur… please take care of your head. آپ were lucky this time around, but the doctor couldn’t promise if you’ll be so fortunate the اگلے trip, so…” he warns his friend. Arthur nods with a smile.
“I will remember that advice, Merlin, thank you.”
“Well, now that we got all that sorted out… what’s for dinner?” Gwaine asks.
“So, he’s been on your mind all night huh? Is that why آپ look weary today?” Morgana asks as she sips her coffee. Gwen sighs, drops her head on her folded arms on سب, سب سے اوپر of the table, burying her face. Morgana reaches out and twirls Gwen’s curls playfully, tugging it a little to give Gwen a surprise jerk. As Gwen flinches in annoyance, Morgana silently laughs.
“Come on… آپ don’t want Lancelot to see آپ like this, do you?” Morgana says again, this time finishing her coffee.
Gwen lifts her head up quickly and whizzes around, looking for the person mentioned سے طرف کی Morgana. But except for some technician and a cleaner, there isn’t anyone else. Morgana laughs and picks up her doughnut.
“You are incredible, Gwen. One منٹ آپ are weary because Arthur’s been on your mind and the اگلے آپ are worried Lancelot might find آپ looking all tired and worn out. God, آپ are definitely occupied, young lady,” Morgana says.
Gwen playfully pinches Morgana and goes back to rest on her arms again. She can hardly lift her lids. The sleepless night endured last night is weaving its magic on her now. She feels sleepy yet she’s got a briefing in another hour’s time with her working mates and Lancelot. If he isn’t involved, she would have scrapped the whole briefing thing off and be heading home. But with Lancelot still in the picture and overseeing their progress, she didn’t see it as the wisest thing to do. Besides, this will allow Lancelot to have another go at her, probably tease her all the way till the briefing ends. No, she’s not going to give him a chance to do that. Not now and not today.
“Hello?” Morgana snaps her fingers.
“Yes Morgana?”
“Still Arthur?”
“No, it’s Lancelot now.”
“Damn it, girl, how many do آپ need? Hand me one, will you?”
“Morgana… I was thinking about Lancelot and the briefing. I am tired and if he wasn’t around, I’d be canceling the briefing and heading back home. I really could use some good hours of sleep!” Gwen yawns as if to make a statement.
“But he attends all the meetings and briefings, doesn’t he? There is no way he’ll miss this. But if you’re tired, maybe I can take over?”
“You can?”
“Yeah, but…”
“He’ll ask for me… yeah, I know that. No need to remind me of that. Bollocks!!” Gwen mutters bitterly and whacks her forehead lightly on the table.
“Is this how آپ exercise your neck after lunch?” Lancelot asks, sitting down opposite Gwen and Morgana. Gwen jolts up like a rocket, her curls dangling around her forehead. She pushes them away and straightens up, adjusting her بلاؤز, کمری and the matching chain she wore. Lancelot signals for a cup of نیبو, لیموں چائے and looks at both of them. He smiled at Morgana and looks disturbingly concerned at Gwen.
“You look tired.”
“She didn’t have much sleep last night,” Morgana chirps in, much to Lancelot’s amusement and Gwen’s irritation.
“Working late?”
“No…” Morgana began, but Gwen cut her off abruptly.
“Yeah, آپ can say that… hahaha!” Gwen laughs nervously while pinching Morgana’s thigh, warning her to keep quiet.
“Awww!!!”
“What happened?” Lancelot alerts himself, looking tensely worried. Morgana smiles, raising her hand up to indicate she was fine.
“Fine, fine…” she too laughs nervously at Lancelot.
Lancelot opens his mouth to ask something but his conversation was interrupted سے طرف کی the arrival of the waitress with his tea.
“Thank you,” Lancelot acknowledges the waitress and returns back to the girls. “So, where were we?”
“I thought آپ were with Gaius?”
“Should have been but he has an appointment with his dentist, so I thought I’d hang around here. It’s not a problem, is it… me hanging around?”
“No, no… of course not. Just curious to find your path leading آپ here, usually it’s either to Gaius’s office یا the server room.” Gwen laughs again. Lancelot smiles back.
“Thought I get to know آپ better, after all we didn’t get off on a good note on the first day.”
“You can say that again. آپ were brash and arrogant, what can I say? Your attitude was hard to stomach let alone endure; your overbearing personality gave away much of آپ as a person and in the end, we were left with little imagination of the type of a man آپ really are.”
“Gwen?” Morgana is horrified. Only then Gwen realised she went a tad too far with her sentences. And she regrets it. Lancelot came سے طرف کی probably to strike friendship with both of them and here she is, shoving the dirt back into his throat as if to say, get lost!!
“Hmm… interesting, Gwen! Very descriptive and brilliantly innovative, I must say. I didn’t know I made such a powerful impact on you,” he جوابات calmly, much to the girls’ surprise.
‘Ouch!’ the word stings and she deserves it. “I’m sorry… I really am…”
“No, it’s all right. Please, don’t let me stop you… anything else?”
‘Is this a mock Mr. Genius?’ Gwen thinks again. Beside her Morgana seems to be unnaturally quiet.
“No, I just… I’m sorry. It’s my weariness, actually. I tend to speak my mind without sensing my whereabouts. Sorry, Lancelot, really, from my heart.” Gwen hates apologising but if she had kept her big mouth shut, she probably didn’t have to. Serves her right!
“Like I said, it’s all right. Sometimes I need to know what others think of me. آپ were brave, I give آپ that. آپ definitely know how to grab a man’s attention,” he smiles and slurps his tea.
Gwen feels embarrassed so she bites her lip and holds her head down. She didn’t know if Lancelot is taking the mickey out of her یا is he genuinely being nice. She couldn’t think. Her head throbs with the weariness and she didn’t want to think about anything for the moment.
“What did I do now?”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t mean to hurt یا upset you. If my presence has caused آپ uneasiness, I’ll leave…”
“Oh no!!!” Gwen looks at Morgana for help and the latter shakes her head, agreeing with Gwen. “Of course not!!” Gwen adds quickly. “Like I said, I’m just tired, that’s all.” she squares her shoulders and purses her lips.
“Sure? Perhaps آپ like a moment alone?”
“Company is nice, especially yours, Lancelot. Do stay.”
“Thanks… so, how long have آپ both been working here?”
“Almost five years.” Gwen says. “Four,” Morgana adds.
“That’s a very long time…”
“There are others who go way back longer than us. Gaius was kind enough to allow an inexperienced fresh graduate like me handle an entire department all سے طرف کی myself.”
“He trusts those he works with heartfully. It’s the belief that keeps him moving all these years. Any plans?”
“On what?”
“Your life, of course. Is this where your future lies?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t know, really. I like to leave my life to fate. I trust it and whatever fate decides, I’m good with it.”
Morgana’s phone rings in the midst of the conversation, interrupting them a while. Morgana fishes out the phone, recognises the name of the caller, excuses herself and leaves to have her private conversation.
“You were saying?” Gwen asks Lancelot.
“I believe in fate too. I think God has plans for all of us and we just need to take one thing at a time.”
“True.”
“But what if the decision isn’t one آپ expected?”
“There’s nothing much I can do about it, can I? After all, there’s a reason behind every action, yeah. So, I’m a pretty much go-by-the-book type of a girl. I don’t defy fate, but neither will I ignore it,” Gwen explains to him. ‘Why is he being so nice to me?’ she thinks to herself, curiously.
“Interesting,” Lancelot smiles and looks away.
“What?”
“I thought آپ and I were miles apart, never seeing eye to an eye but here we are, having مزید in common that not.”
“It’s a small world Lancelot,”
“You don’t say…” Lancelot agrees and finishes his tea. He takes a quick look at his watch and back at Gwen. “Nice talking with آپ Gwen, it’s been a pleasure. I would like to sit longer and chat but I have some mainframes to check. So, see آپ at the briefing?” he says and gets up.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“On the other hand, if آپ are feeling tired, why not ask Gaius for a دن off?” Lancelot suggests. Gwen thinks she is dreaming.
“But the briefing?”
“I’m sure canceling the briefing one دن wouldn’t do much harm, would it? If آپ still want the briefing to go on as planned, ask Morgana to handle it. She’s a good speaker herself and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind taking over.”
“Okay, I’ll have to consider it…”
“Do it, آپ look like you’re going to drop off any minute. There’s nothing much آپ can say if your head’s laced with fatigue. Think about it,” he waves off and leaves. Gwen waves back and thinks back all the words he has just told her. Could it be true یا is he taking the mickey out of her? How come he seems nicer to her today? Is it because he doesn’t have any other دوستوں and needs to pass his time and chose her because she was an easy prey?
‘What nonsense are آپ blabbering about Gwen? You, an easy prey? He must’ve known all about آپ the first دن he arrived… perhaps he is genuinely being nice. Maybe he changed?’ she thinks to herself. ‘Change? Him? Huh?’ she thinks again and holds the sides of her temple, the throbbing increasing inside her head. ‘No, maybe Gaius must’ve advised him to be nice with everyone here. That’s why he’s starting with her, because he needs to work with her closely’ she finishes.
“Yup, that has to be the reason, sweetheart,” she tells herself.
“Reason for what?” Morgana asks as she takes her نشست back beside Gwen.
“Lancelot being nice to us.”
“Oh that… I’ve been watching from far and though I didn’t hear anything, he seems honest in his approach.”
“Never judge a book سے طرف کی its cover Morgana. I thought the same when I first met him, but in the end he was an arse.”
“But I think he changed his attitude these past few days, haven’t آپ noticed? He’s pretty jovial with everyone.”
“Maybe he’s opting for the sympathy vote should I confront him one day.”
“Come on Gwen, you… going head to head against him?” Morgana laughs. Gwen arches her brow.
“You may never know, Morgana… anyway, I don’t care much about him. Maybe he is genuine in his approach یا maybe not. We’ll deal with that later. I need a favour from آپ though, care to help?” Gwen leans back and folds her arms across her chest.
“Take over the briefing? Consider it done!” Morgana finishes, raising her hand to call for the waitress.
“Yup, thanks dear. I love you,” Gwen says and gets up, pressing her forehead again.
“Are آپ heading home?” Morgana asks as she hands the money to the waitress and gets up as well.
“Yeah… I need to sleep. Really do. Why?”
“Nothing.”
“Morgana?”
“Fine… don’t wander off to the hospital again all right, like yesterday when آپ کہا آپ wouldn’t and finally ending up declaring yourself to be a nurse to Arthur?”
“I’m really tired, Morgana, and even if I want to, there is no way I’m dragging my arse over to the hospital again. Besides, سے طرف کی now Arthur would have known I’m not a nurse and probably forgotten all about me.”
“You are not sure about that love!”
“Why would he want to even think about me when there are other things playing on his mind? He’s got his quarrels with his father to take care of, his friends, and maybe his health… I’m just a passing بادل in his life. After all, I lied to save my arse back there… you’re not expecting me to hold on to that lie?”
“Of course not… I’m just worried آپ might lie further should آپ choose to visit him again.”
“I am not visiting him, Morgana, I am heading back home, take a warm شاور and head for the bed. That is all I’m planning on doing, so sorry to disappoint you, girl!” Gwen says with a tinge of mock laced on her words. Morgana chuckles.
“Right, whatever آپ say, Gwen. Take care and call me if آپ need anything, all right?” Morgana advises as Gwen heads to the exit while Morgana leaves to شامل میں the visual merchandising staffs, seated on the میز, جدول beside hers.
“Sure thing, bye,” Gwen says, waves awkwardly at Morgana and drags herself out from there.
“Discharged? When was he discharged?” Gwen asks in shock, following the doctor from the lobby towards his room down the aisle.
“Today. His دوستوں took him back.” the doctor informs her, nudges the door open and allows her to enter while he steps in behind her.
“Oh, I didn’t know that.” Gwen looks disappointed. The doctor points to the chair and asks her sit down while he circles the table, drops his کوٹ on the میز, جدول and takes his own نشست opposite her.
“I thought he might still be around. Just wanted to drop سے طرف کی and say hello.”
“He would have loved that, but I didn’t find anything wrong with his head and the scans came back clean, so we didn’t have much reason to keep him any longer. Besides, his دوستوں insisted on getting him out of here as soon as possible.”
“Oh, looks like I’m a little too late then,” Gwen laughs nervously. The doctor smiles and arranges the documents on the table.
“He did ask for آپ though,” he tells calmly. Gwen almost jumped out from the chair she sat in. Looking at the doctor in bewilderment, she is puzzled why Arthur was looking for her.
“What?” she asks, her fingers coiled tightly around her bag strap.
“He was looking for a nurse named Guinevere and I know آپ are the one. Your friend told me both of your names and that’s how I recognised it when he asked me. He کہا آپ made him warmer than he felt before and requested my permission to ask آپ to look after him.”
“Oh dear… what did آپ say to him?” Gwen is in tense.
“Don’t worry, I told him nothing. I just کہا آپ resigned.”
“What?” Gwen laughs instantly. She tries to imagine what Arthur would have thought at her resignation. ‘Me a nurse? Wait till Morgana finds about this!’ Gwen shakes her head in disbelief.
“I thought it was funny too, but…”
Gwen stops laughing. “What happened?”
“He… was seriously asking for you, and first I thought he was requesting your service because آپ mentioned yourself to be a nurse but he wasn’t looking for the nurse in آپ Guinevere, he was looking for the friend in you. He thirsts your company, Guinevere.”
“I… what …” Gwen is speechless. ‘What is this new kind of confusion?’ she thinks to herself, scratching her head.
“You must have made quite an impression on him یا else he wouldn’t be asking for you. I know this because from what his friend tells me, Arthur became dispirited after the accident. He lost his faith and will to live. Almost turning even his دوستوں away, he isolates himself often from other living creatures around him. But you… آپ casted some sort of magic on him, young lady. آپ made him smile and talk. And he kept on asking for آپ all day.”
“I… just did… what anyone… in my position would have done.”
“I believe so, but آپ did well. That is exactly what he needs right now.”
“I’m sure his دوستوں could give better company than me, I…” Gwen is speechless. She didn’t know what to say یا think. Her mind is in a muddle.
“I think so myself, and I believe they are, but آپ can play a part as well.”
“What? Oh, no. No… you’re not suggesting…”
“No, I’m not suggesting anything. آپ and he are complete strangers, I know that, but sometimes the company of a stranger heals our wounds faster than those close to us. Arthur is shattered and broken but he has incredible دوستوں around him and آپ can شامل میں that rank too. From what I heard, he looks to آپ as his friend though he couldn’t see آپ and there’s no harm in becoming friend, is it not?”
“No, of course not…”
“He needs this right now, Guinevere. He needs warmth and love to heal, not our medication. He needs his friends… because his real wound is not up here,” the doctor points to his head, “but here.” He brings his finger down to his دل and pokes it lightly, looking at Gwen. “This is what will bring him back from his despair,” he finishes.
Gwen is in turmoil. Her mind is clouded with all sorts of emotion right now and she can barely think properly. She heard what the doctor کہا yet she is helpless to promise یا utter anything back. She didn’t know what to do; she really didn’t know what to do.
“I understand your silence and I’m not pushing you. I wouldn’t have told آپ this if آپ didn’t return today. Since آپ did, I have a feeling آپ care, and out of courtesy, I’m telling what I feel. But again, it’s up to you. Should آپ choose to heed my advice, آپ know what to do,” the doctor informs her and smiles.
Gwen smiles back, almost halfheartedly, and wonders what sort of mess she’s gotten herself into again.
“Elena called while you’ve been in the hospital, Arthur,” Gwaine informs Arthur as they spend the دن in Arthur’s bedroom. Arthur is perched at the edge of the bed, leaning against the دیوار with both his feet up on the بستر while Gwaine went through Arthur’s documentation.
“What did she want?”
“She wanted to know how are you? She seems worried”
“Didn’t her father tell her anything?”
“About?”
“Me being blind… doesn’t she know?”
“I think she does, but…”
“She doesn’t care, is that what آپ want to tell me?”
“Hmm” Gwaine keeps the files and documents properly back in its place and twirls the pen in his hand. “Something like that,” he finishes.
“Of course she doesn’t care, Gwaine, all she wants is me. She wanted me from the دن she set her eyes on me; of course she doesn’t mind how I’m presented to her.”
“It can’t be that bad, Arthur! She seems like a nice girl,” Gwaine tries defending Elena but Arthur waves his hand.
“She is a nice girl, Gwaine, a lovely girl if I may add, but… I don’t have any feelings for her. She claims she loves me but it’s infatuation, obsession, and God knows what else, but love… nah! I don’t think so.”
“How do آپ know that? آپ hardly spent any time with her, so how do آپ know آپ don’t like her?” Gwaine sets the pen back on the میز, جدول and turns around to face Arthur.
“Because I don’t feel it here!” Arthur points to his heart. Gwaine agrees. “Arthur do have a point there.”
“I want to fall in love, Gwaine. And I want the girl I love to make me fall in love with her… I don’t need to be told to fall in love like my father tells me with Elena! The feeling must be there genuinely, spring out to surprise you… maybe like, out of blue it just strikes آپ and then آپ start to feel it in your دل and mind. Your head and دل must be in consensus in this matter. There shouldn’t be any differing statements; must be mutual… get what I mean?”
“Phew, Arthur… sounds like you’ve watched some pretty old romance فلمیں to me,” Gwaine jokes. Arthur smiles.
“I’m not the romantic type, Gwaine, but if there’s one thing in my life I want to do right is find the girl I love and who loves me back for the person I am. I know my father loved my mother dearly and she must’ve loved him back equally too. Their love might not be the greatest یا rarest like in the فلمیں but it must have been genuinely honest. I know it must be because my father became a torn soul after my mother died. His love for her prevented him from sharing it with me and I appreciate how much he loved her. I know I can never سب, سب سے اوپر their love but I want it to be just like that. I want to enjoy falling in love Gwaine, feel the excitement, cherish the sensation with the women I am in love with and I want to tell how much I love her every day. I want to go through that moment, naturally. Not like this… I’m sorry if آپ disagree but I can never bring myself to love Elena.”
“I get it Arthur, but… she’s been promised to آپ since آپ both were teenagers. She never loved another and do آپ think it’s fair to her?”
“She’s still young, Gwaine, and if I can talk to her perhaps she might understand.”
“I doubt it, Arthur,” Gwaine plays with Arthur’s chess collection, set upon the marble میز, جدول beside the study table.
“Why?”
“She might be young, but from what Merlin tells me, it looks like she’s quite obsessed with you. She wants no one but you, Arthur. Hear that, just آپ alone!” Gwaine جوابات without looking at Arthur, still playing with the chess set.
“It can be dealt with, Gwaine. Just need the right type of word, that’s all,” Arthur is still determined to change Elena’s mind.
“What about her father and… yours?” Gwaine looks up, holding the knight in his hand, stroking it with his thumb.
“I don’t care about them, any of them. This is my life and I deserve to chose the person I’m going to fall in love with یا marry. Elena will be hurt for a دن یا two یا perhaps weeks but she will eventually get over it. There are plenty of guys out there for someone as pretty as her,” Arthur says with certainty. Gwaine nods and places the knight down and moves the bishop from left towards its right.
“Maybe آپ should tell her fast, Arthur. Not everyone deals with the truth maturely. And in her case, the hurt can be a devastating blow, especially if kept for too long, get it?” Gwaine advises.
“Yeah, you’re right. Did her father tell آپ when she is visiting him next?”
“No, he didn’t, but she did though, when she called in here asking for you. I think she’ll be here اگلے week. Maybe آپ need to talk with her then. Don’t wait too long.”
“Yeah, need to.”
“Good luck with that, you’re going to need it.”
“Thanks, Gwaine.”
“Pleasure’s all mine, Arthur,” Gwaine says with a smile and moves his king to claim checkmate. Smiling triumphantly, he walks across the room and nears the window, looking out. His hands were firmly tucked inside his pocket, eyes fixed firmly on the scenario out there.
“How long have they been gone?” Arthur asks, massaging his neck.
“I think almost an hour, why?”
“They are not back yet?”
“It’s not easy finding a teacher for the blind, Arthur. It requires patience,” Gwaine informs without looking down at Arthur.
“Sorry, just … getting a little agitated. Call it excitement!” Arthur tells Gwaine and laughs himself. Gwaine smiles watching Arthur feeling much better now than he has the past few days.
“Once آپ start learning, things are going to be much easier for you. آپ can stop depending on others.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
Gwaine opens his mouth but the telephone rings in the living room. “Excuse me, Arthur. Will be back shortly. آپ need anything just shout, all right?” Gwaine informs Arthur, turning around.
“Yeah, thanks”
Gwaine pats Arthur’s legs and leaves the room. Arthur leans back against the دیوار and recollects every single event occurred in the past twenty four hours. He sighs regretfully thinking of the accident, his father’s quarrel and the short misunderstanding he had with his friends, especially Merlin. And then his mind flies over to the nurse, Guinevere. He smiles thinking about her, her name cemented permanently in his mind. He remembers everything about her; her voice, the nervous giggles and the determination in her voice. She was a nurse, yet she treated him like a friend مزید than a patient. She listened to him and questioned him only when necessary. She was supportive of his father yet she wasn’t pushy. Arthur didn’t know how to describe what he feels right now about her but he likes her company. She makes him warm, warmer than he’d felt for ages. He would like to meet her again but unfortunately she’d resigned. That’s what the doctor told him. It made him sad but there’s little he can do about it. None of his دوستوں have met her before so there is no way they can help him track her down and he isn’t much of a help himself, either.
“Damn!!” Arthur curses under his breath. He finally found someone who understands him and now she’s gone. Maybe one دن their paths will پار, صلیب again, Arthur thinks. And when it does, he isn’t going to lose her again.
