Chapter 81: Chapter 81

''To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.'' Barbara Bush

Azura's POV

The two days went by so fast that when it was time for nana and the twins to go back to their apartment, I was in tears. With Emmy staying with Theo, nana and the twins would be so helpless. Who would help them with the housework? Who would take them to the doctor if the need arose? Who would cook for them when nana was unwell? Who would do the grocery shopping for them?

These questions hounded me day and night after they left. Every alternate day, after my duty, Bob would take me to nana's apartment. I would help them as much as I could, then return home and take my online classes. Then I would cook dinner and doze off to sleep waiting for Adrian.

I couldn't think of a possible solution to the problem. I didn't want to impose upon Adrian and have them stay with us. This hectic schedule was taking a toll on my health and my studies. I performed badly at the weekly test conducted and have to take a retest.

After a week passed, I woke up with aches and pains all over my body. It was evening already and I hadn't prepared dinner. I had returned from nana's house and attended my classes and fell asleep.

I didn't have the strength to get up from the couch on which I was lying. After trying in vain for several minutes, to go to the kitchen and prepare dinner, I gave up. I must have fallen asleep again when I felt someone pick me up, "You're burning with fever, babe?" Said Adrian as he took me to the bedroom.

I was so weak that I could barely open my eyes. He called Jenny, Stefan's housekeeper to come immediately. She came and made dinner and a light soup for me. Adrian helped me eat a little and then take medicine.

For three days, Adrian didn't go to his office and stayed at home to take care of me. By the fourth day, I was well enough to get up from bed and go downstairs. Jenny dedicatedly helped us, cooking for us, and taking care of me.

Mom and dad came to see me." Bob told me that you were overworking yourself, dear," mom scolded me as my eyes filled with unshed tears.

"It's okay, don't cry. You can tell me what's bothering you," said mom, holding my hand as tears pooled in my eyes with helplessness.

Adrian stood dumbfounded, looking at me with guilt but I couldn't stop myself.

"What's wrong Azura, tell me? Did Adrian hurt you? You just tell me," asked mom while dad looked at me, extremely worried and agitated.

Adrian vehemently nodded his head. "I seriously didn't do anything. I'm sorry that I was a little busy with work," he said as mom scowled at him.

"You shouldn't neglect the one who loves you, son," said dad scowling at him too.

"No, please, Adrian didn't do anything. He takes very good care of me. He doesn't neglect me," I said jumping to his defense while Adrian breathed a sigh of relief, giving everyone an 'I told you so' look.

"Then what is it dear?" asked mom and I controlled the emotional upheaval inside me and wiped my eyes.

"It's about my family. It's okay. I'm handling it," I told them with a smile. I didn't want to burden anyone with my problems.

"We can see how well you're handling it Azura. You fell sick handling it all by yourself. So tell me," said Adrian in a serious tone and I sighed. Who was I bluffing? Adrian did look mad at me!

"Emmy has moved into Theo's house after marriage. So nana and the twins are so far away, living all alone. Nana isn't well enough to manage a family and children single-handedly. The kids are too young to help with everything. I don't earn enough to pay for a housekeeper," I said as they all listened intently.

"After my duty, I went every alternate day to help them in any way I could. Then came back, studied, and made dinner. I failed this week's tests, and need to take a retest but I hardly got time to prepare," I told them as Adrian looked at me angrily.

"Why didn't you tell me Azura? I could have helped," he said furiously.

"You were busy, I didn't want to burden you," I told him, as I lowered my eyes.

"That's it? It's not a problem at all," said dad as I looked up at him with disbelief.

"There's a two-bedroom flat on the 3rd floor of this condominium which I had bought for Claire. She's settled in California already so I was planning on selling the apartment off, but now I think your family can shift into it," said dad as I looked at him with my mouth open wide.

" I can't afford this place," I said in a small voice.

"You don't need to pay. Just call me sometimes and feed me your delicious food. Okay?" He said as I nodded, getting up and hugging him.

"Yes dad," I said sincerely from my heart, overwhelmed by his gesture. Mom opened her arms out and I gave her a hug as well.

Adrian sat there in front of me grinning so cutely, I would have caught him and kissed him had mom and dad not been there.

"Addy, you remember Martha's sister Betty?" Asked mom as Adrian nodded."Well, she's looking for work. Why don't you keep her? She could work for you as well as for Azura's family. Azura could concentrate more on her studies," mom said.

"Yeah, send her. I'll keep her," he said as I nodded.

"No, mom I can manage," I told them. I really couldn't just be a burden upon Adrian.

"No sweetie, you should study more. Are you paying so much just to fail? Also, it would be a great help to your family," mom said sternly.

"Okay," I gave in finally. It was for the benefit of my family. Why couldn't my own mother be like mom?