Chapter 58: Chapter 58

Hazel,

The next day in the evening, dad didn't visit mom. But, Mom was not looking very disappointed and she was performing her daily routine as usual. It was almost late at night around 11 pm, mom was about to sleep as she was already in her bed. Suddenly she heard a light knock at the door and instantly she ran towards the main door with a bright smile as if she knew who was waiting on the other side of the door. Exactly before opening the door, she spared a glance at the mirror and tied her messy hair with her hands hastily. Then, she opened the door with a shy smile on her face.

Recognizing the person who was standing outside the door, mom flashed a charming sly smile, then she murmured shyly, "Thanks for coming. Please come inside."

Dad entered silently but that day he was looking way more gentle and polite person than before. Mom signed towards the couch and said, "Please wait for a second, I am coming." Mom ran inside the house. Dad was looking a little confused and uncomfortable as if he was in an inner conflict about something.

Mom came back within a minute with the white shirt in one hand and a cover plate in her other hand.

She placed both of them in front of dad then took a seat exactly opposite to him, she started again with little hesitation, "Umm, I have made this only to show my gratitude. Though, I don't know what angels like basically."

Dad chuckled softly and removed the lid of the bowl. He found a handmade beautiful chocolate cake. It was indeed looking delicious.

Dad spoke for the first time with a surprising smile on his face, "We are like humans with some superpowers only." Then he picked up a big piece of cake and started munching it like a normal human. After finishing the whole piece, he spoke again, "Hmm, it is delicious. Thanks for this but I am the one who should be grateful to you, Rhea. You have not only saved my life but also helped me in restoring the peace between heaven and hell."

Mom was looking amazed, she asked curiously, "How did you know my name?" "Umm-hmm. I am an angel, I know everything," dad replied with a smirk. Then after a little pause, clearing her throat, he continued with little hesitation, "Actually I haven't come here for the shirt. I have come to check whether you are alright or not. Are you ok?"

Mom's cheeks turned into crimson red. She slyly replied, "Thanks for your concern. I am fine now." Dad nodded his head slightly and replied, "Alright. Take care then." Mom asked curiously, "Are you going to return to heaven? Have you seen God?"

Dad chuckled seeing mom's curiousness and started replying as if he was trying to explain the universe to a child. Their conversation went on till midnight. Mom fell asleep on the couch while listening about the heavens. Like the previous day, he scooped mom up in his strong hands and placing her gently on her bed, he left.

Dad used to pay a visit to mom's house quite often and they used to chat for hours. It was clear that dad started liking her innocent childish behavior and enjoyed her company. They used to go to a war alk at midnight and used to spend their night while watching the stars. Dad's behavior was not at all different from human, except for the difference of his unmatchable knowledge and supernatural power.

One day, it was raining heavily. The weather was extremely cold. Mom was looking upset as her scholarship was canceled and along with that, the manager of the store scolded her for her absent-minded nature.

She was about to take her to leave tore when it started raining. She waited for a long hour but there was no sign of stopping so she decided not to wait anymore. She started walking towards her house, covering her head with her bag.

She was fast so within 8 or 9 minutes she reached her house. She was all wet and trembling in cold. She ran to the washroom and changed her wet clothes. But, she started sneezing the moment she came out of the washroom. She made a cup of hot chocolate but it was clear mom was trembling. I could see clearly that she had a high fever. She laid down on her bed, covering her body with a heavy blanket. She didn't even get up for dinner. It was still raining and mom was rambling in a high fever. She didn't even take medicine. Suddenly, I heard the sound of opening the door and then, in a blink of an eye a familiar silhouette entered inside the house. It was none other than dad. Dad hurriedly reached beside mom, then gently placed his hand on her forehead. His expression changed slightly. He closed his eyes still pressing his hand on mom's forehead and I saw that same golden light like the previous day. Opening his eyes, he sat beside mom and leaning close to her face, called in a low polite voice, "Rhea, can you hear me?"

Mom mumbled, "Hmm," still closing her beautiful eyes.

Dad asked again, leaning a little close, "Are you feeling alright?" Their face was extremely close to each other. Mom opened her eyes that time slowly and mumbled again, "Yeah. Thank you." Their eyes met with each other and instantly I noticed that their expressions changed dramatically. Though the dim yellow light of the night lamp was not enough to see anything it was clear both of them were blushing.

After a little pause, mom nervously raised her head a d little, closer to dad, but he didn't move back. He was staring at mom's beautiful face silently. Mom's next move surprised me extremely. Mom suddenly reduced the distance between their lips and brushed her beautiful cherry lips against dad's lips. It only lasted for a second but when mom parted her lips and looked at dad's darkened expression. She nervously mumbled, "Sorry. I didn't mean to-" Before she could finish, dad moved back and standing up from her bed, replied in a cold tone, "As I can see, you are alright now. Better I take my leave now."

Dad started walking towards the exit taking a long stride when mom spoke again but that time in a determined voice, "Ammenedial, don't come back again. I think I am falling for you and I know that an angel can't live an ordinary human girl like me. So, better you don't come back ever again. It hurts when I see you so close to me but-" Mom's voice choked in tears, she couldn't reply anymore.

Dad's stopped facing his back towards mom. Mom was crying, hiding her face in her hands. It was raining heavily outside. The sounds of rain were increasing with every passing second and inside the room, the only I could hear was mom's sobbing.

Dad turned his head to face mom but when he saw mom was crying, his expression instantly softened. He reached to mom like a storm and holding her chin, dad forcefully tilted her face to face him. Then he raised his other hand and wiped her tear-soaked cheeks. Then, he replied in a calm voice, while caressing mom's cheeks "Don't cry please, Rhea. How can I explain how important you are to me? But I can't do it. You are human. I am afraid for you Rhea, not for me."

___________________

(Lines of the day)

And the stars whispered

A bright cheerful verse

To lift from my heart

A dark fearful curse.

-Dhaval Rathod.