He preserves, he cares
He counts on my tears,
Oh, what a munificent man You've given me, Lord Almighty!
My pain that is, he shares
-H

❥⁠˙⁠๑

Her

"I'm so happy to see you, Dean!" Evalena smiles at him. Her bright green eyes hold affection for her elder brother.

He smiles back, feeling the same emotions bubbling inside him after seeing his sister for a long time. He can't help but hug her again, feeling overwhelmed by the urge to keep her before his eyes to make sure she is safe. Forever. He is a protective brother.

"Me too. I'm sorry I couldn't attend the ceremony," his deep voice reminds her of the night when she missed him so much.

All of a sudden, the brightness in her eyes starts to cease as she falls at the mercy of its remembrance. In her family, her brother loves her the most.

"It's okay, don't remind me of that. I might sue you," she jokes, making him chuckle. "What about Dad, how's he?" She asks after she gathers the courage.

The seriousness of her question snatches his smile. He nods. "He's doing fine. We planned on settling back in New York."

"I see. He isn't fond of India very much."

Dean purses his lips. "You know the actual reason." He looks away at the bright blue sky and he smiles upon realizing they are as blue as Barak's eyes. "But you don't have to overthink about it, sister."

"I won't. I just wanna know how he's doing in his life from time to time. I can't stop worrying about him."

"Then rest your heart, sister. I'll take care of Dad." He puts an arm around her shoulders, giving her a side hug as an assurance.

She smiles at him. "I believe." And she looks away, too. A flight takes off before her eyes and she whispers, "Will he ever forgive me?"

"He will. He can't remain angry with you. If nothing else, he's your father."

"You're so bad at telling me that he loves me!" She punches his arm and he laughs. Her punch did not hurt him at all.

"I don't like to talk about him when I'm with you. We both know his previous treatment of you. He doesn't care, Lena."

It hurts her to know the reality but it is true. After what decision she has made, she can't expect him to forgive her so easily. She has hurt him so badly but still, she believes he will forgive her. Someday or the other.

She swallows, nodding her head. "He doesn't want you to meet me often, that's why he's thinking about New York, right?" She looks at him for an answer and he looks away, confirming her suspicion. She did not have to think deeply. She is right.

"He argues every time I mention you before him, so nobody talks about you at home. It's hard to make him understand. He's an arrogant man, Lena."

She sighs. "Hold your tongue, Dean."

"Of course." He rolls his eyes, murmuring a sorry under his breath that is audible enough to be heard by the divine Creator of everything.

"And what about your husband? Is he treating you well?"

There is something about the way he asks her. Like he does not expect much from her husband either. Protective brother, after all. If he could, he would have pampered his sister for his lifetime but she chose someone else over everyone and he respects her decision.

"Do you doubt him?" She narrows her eyes at him.

He arches a brow at her. "You can't expect me to shower him with roses after the way he treated you alone. He, too, is like others in my eyes. So, Lena, tell me how he's treating you."

Evalena can't help but notice the darkness in his tone as she hears him. And she is afraid of this side of her brother. He is still upset with Adam about their last meeting and doesn't expect much.

"Very good."

He hums. "Good for him. Because if he becomes a caveman in your matters, he better get ready to confront me and I'll show him the grave consequences for hurting my sister even a bit," he grits out, huffing and puffing.

Evalena can't help but gasp. "Dean! Where are your manners?" She scolds him, slapping his arms and this time, the hit is not playful at all. He scowls, but doesn't say anything. Rather, stares at her silently.

"When talking about Adam, don't forget he's your sister's husband and your brother-in-law. Respect him because I won't tolerate it again."

Dean opens his mouth to say something but nothing comes out as guilt takes over him, shutting him up. He steals away his gaze, muttering another sorry.

He knows his sister loves that man and she won't tolerate a bad word against her beloved. She loves him, too, but her other half is her first responsibility and concern. She's Adam's wife and she surely will stay loyal to him like she should.

"I'm sorry, Lena."

"I love you, Dean."

It makes him smile and he turns around, pulling her for another hug. She hugs him back with a giggle. Her brother is too sweet and protective. She likes this side of him but sometimes he speaks too much which is not acceptable to her.

"You should leave now," he says, pulling back and glancing down at his wristwatch. He licks his bottom lip, adding, "Can't believe I took half an hour and it still feels so less."

She chuckles, now realizing why Adam arrived before time at the airport. She had no idea her brother would be there to meet her. However, she was glad for the opportunity.

"You can come and meet me anytime," she offers, wiggling her eyebrows.

"I will. And will spend some time with Barak, too." At the mention of Barak, something ticks in his brain as he adds, "And about Barak? Are things smooth between you two?"

"Yes, he loves me a lot."

His eyes soften. "You deserve it. You deserve the world, my princess." He hugs her one more time and kisses her cheek. "Let's go back now." And they walk together inside the roof where Adam and Barak await them.

❥⁠˙⁠๑

The flight takes off and a small buzz can be heard around Evalena. She sighs, looking down at Barak who is holding her arm tightly, clinging to it.

The little boy is not used to traveling on flights, that's why, was a little afraid when the plane took off.

Beside him, sits his father who is reading a book. Its cover is maroon, and embroidered flowers adorn it. Hence, she can't read the name. He is wearing his specs, eyes set on whatever is written inside but half of the focus is taken by his son. He is holding Barak's other hand, making sure he doesn't freak out while the plane takes off.

The boy receives attention from his parents. However, he doesn't look spooked. He is skilled enough to hide it and she wonders if he is already learning this ability from his father.

"You alright?" She whispers into Barak's ear, concerned about him as she feels his grip becoming clammy and firm.

"Yes, I am," he whispers back, receiving a chaste kiss on his temple that makes him smile.

Soon, he lets go of his parent's hands and quickly turns to his father, calling him, "Daddy?"

Adam hums, looking down at his son. The little boy is holding his father's bicep, his back is towards his mother. His small body is almost curled as he is lounging in his seat which seems too huge for him.

"I had a question."

Adam smiles. He can expect this anytime. Barak has always been a curious kid.

He takes off his specs. "And what's that?"

Evalena perches her elbow upon the armrest. Suddenly her mind is getting excited to hear what Barak wants to know now. Whenever they talk, they talk sweet, she can't deny. The father and son duo is cute.

"Why did God only have to send His Son into the world to save us? Why not someone else?"

Something inside Adam causes his eyes to lower. In a moment, the amusement from his eyes is gone, replaced by hurt. A pinch of sadness dances in his amber eyes because the answer he has is too mature and sorrowful to speak before a kid.

How would he react, Adam wonders. Because the answer is simple yet not for his son in his childhood days. However, as this divine good news shouldn't be concealed at any cost, God gives a way to represent it before a kid.

"I'll tell you a story."

"I'm excited!"

Adam smiles softly, the gleam is back in his eyes. "In a village, there used to be a Judge who was just. The law regarding crimes there was perfect; one of which was the death sentence for a murderer. If anyone murders, they'd have to die." He pauses for a moment, looking deep into his son. He wants to assure himself that nothing has a bad impact on his son and he finds Barak very attentive.

"Many were judged rightly by the Judge of that village. He was upright and was an honest man. The people in that village respected him greatly. But one day, in court, the villagers brought up a man accused of murder. And he turned out to be his own son."

Barak's lips part in amazement. He wasn't expecting such a turn in the story. Meanwhile, Evalena frowns in distaste. Her heart hammers inside her chest for she knows what comes next.

"Now the Judge was in a great dilemma. He loved his son very much but his son was a murderer and the Judge never showed partiality in his work. He was diligent but he loved his son deeply, too. So he wondered what he should do."

"He should judge his son, Daddy," Barak says, the bitterness in his tone reflects his disappointment towards the 'son' in Adam's story.

And his father smiles at him. For someone who hasn't borne a kid, it's too easy to put judgments upon others for they don't know how it feels to lose loved ones.

It doesn't mean we shouldn't correct them but the feelings are highlighted. It is not easy. When you love, you love too deeply to let go. You forgive because you hope. Love waits, love preserves. Love is above everything because love saves, and gives life.

Adam lovingly caresses his son's cheek. His eyes soften, a flood of sweet emotions emerging in his eyes that none has seen before. Evalena watches him silently but her hands tremble as something in her mind doesn't let her remain collected.

"But he couldn't, for he loved his son too much."

"Then what did he do, Daddy?"

"He said, 'I'll take the punishment upon myself.' And he had to die in his son's place."

"And his son?"

"The Judge knew his son would surely consider his sacrifice and repent."

Barak goes speechless. He stares into his father's eyes and the love in them shakes his heart inside his chest. The very little pumping organ beats softly and the little boy finds his father's eyes to be the most beautiful sight; eyes filled with love. The warmth in them envelopes him. The feeling is tangible. He has never seen such softness in one's eyes till now and the pure love in them makes him realize how beautiful that emotion is.

They say love is an emotion, you can't see it but all of a sudden, love is visible in his father's eyes. So much that it drowns him sweetly and he knows nothing can feel more pleasant than this to his heart. His heart can't desire for more, because desires end at the discovery of love.

"The same way, my love; when Jesus saw us doing what was wrong in His eyes, He couldn't sit peacefully on His throne and judge us from heaven. But as He loved us so deeply, He had to come into the world and take the punishment upon Himself."

"But it was so painful, Daddy."

"And His love for us is stronger than any pain, my dearest."

Barak exhales, plopping onto the fluffy seat, while he can't help but imagine something in his mind; the image of Jesus on the cross.

It looked so painful to him. He can't even imagine the pain through which Jesus had to go when he was on the cross. As Barak is taught, he knows that in ancient times, the punishment of the cross was the most merciless treatment one could ever give to an accuser. And what caused him to scowl was the fact that Jesus never even sinned yet they accused Him, and He willingly took the punishment only so we could be saved.

On the other hand, Evalena abruptly leaves her seat, striding away. Adam watches her until she is away from his sight. Probably to the restroom. So he waits, because somewhere or the other, his heart says something is wrong with her.

Time passes. The pointers in his wristwatch are crossing numbers. Even though the book in his grip is interesting enough to hold his attention for hours, he can't wipe his wife's name from his mind. He waits until she comes.

And soon his heart is at peace when she comes back. She sits beside Barak. Calmly.

The kid is reading a story book but Adam makes up his mind to scrutinize Evalena. His book rests in his lap while he looks at her even though he can hardly catch a glimpse of her face.

She is staring out through the window. Her dark hair curtains her side profile and she absentmindedly fidgets her fingers, sometimes pressing her thumb to the point the tip is blasting pink and nail white. She sits apprehensive but after a few minutes, it is gone. She leans back with a sigh and Adam can see the scenery outside that can immerse any being.

The sky is colorful like the canvas of a passionate artist. And indeed, God is.

He beholds the art, shades of blue soothing his mind, along with hers. White clouds outside are like enormous cotton candies, the fog of which is spattered by the hues of orange. It looks like paradise. The bluish-purple atmosphere surrounds it and suddenly, the wing of the plane is unobtrusive.

❥⁠˙⁠๑

Weighty silence meets her when she enters the huge hall of her grand house. Her eyes raise to catch her father who sits on a couch, arm resting beside, hand holding a cup of tea. She timidly walks to him, greeting him and soon her brother enters the place, an unpleasant noise made by the way his shoes hit the neat floor causes his father to scowl.

"Lena? I'm glad to have you here, my princess." The young man hugs his sister, kissing her temple.

"Likewise, brother," she whispers in a hushed tone.

"If this reconciliation has happened then should we proceed?" Their father taunts in a sharp tone, causing the siblings to pull apart.

They nod their heads and sit beside each other. Nervousness grips Evalena as her father looks upon her, putting down his half-emptied cup.

"What do I hear, Evalena?" His voice is gruff, tone sharp. The way he asks, she knows he is not pleased at all.

"Ah, actually Dad, I-I had this p-proposal and..."

"Cut the crap, I know this all. Weren't I with you in that party? I know why they put the proposal forth. But the question is, did you say yes?"

Her head lowers. The organ in her chest goes crazy in a flick of fingers when her father asks her directly. She knows he knows everything yet he is one of a father who wants to confirm everything with his loved ones. But what about the fear he puts her in?

Dean pities his sister. She has always been afraid of their father, unlike him. She was disciplined harshly, not her fault. And till now, she is unable to share anything with her father.

"Evalena, did you?" He emphasizes in a deep voice.

"Y-Yes, Dad." Her hands clutch the fabric of her wide jeans and her palms are clammy. Blood crawls back from her fingertips, her mint-painted nails dig carelessly as the anxiety heightens. Her knuckles turn white, her heart is beating loud in her ears and all of a sudden, everything pauses as the response coming out is harsher than she expected.

"You disappoint me over and over again, Evalena."

Tears brim her eyes in a moment. She does not raise her head. She is too ashamed to.

"For you've said yes to a widower. Where was your sanity when they asked you? Were your memories blurred? Don't you remember, at all, how he treated you? Accused you?!"

"His son needs me, Dad."

"Oh?" In a scornful smile, his lips stretch. For the first time, his daughter has tried to answer him, interrupting him in the middle of his scolding. He shakes his head, "Don't think I'm unaware of your obsession with Christian's son, Evalena."

The remark is too personal and killing to her that the embarrassment of the world comes to sit heavily upon her chest. Her eyes widen.

"Dad! Stop it, please!" Dean stands to rescue his sister, coming in between.

"Truth hurts?" He flicks his tongue, looking back at Evalena. "Your fad for your childhood friend couldn't let you let go of this chance. Don't give excuses, daughter."

"Lena is selfless, Dad!"

But the man shuns his son. If accusing her and confronting her harshly felt less to him, he decided to startle her heart, too.

He turns to his daughter, saying, "Cancel it, Evalena."

Eyes filled with tears, she stares at her father. The pang in them is like a blooming rose. He has asked for something she can't give him. She has promised someone. And the image of him comes to remind her of that promise.

She shakes her head. "I can't, Dad."

"Can't? Or you don't want to?" He steps ahead, making her heart flinch in terror. She is afraid of him. Though she wants her brother to break in anytime soon so she can be saved, she can't even dare to look somewhere else than her father.

"If I had known m-my decision would displease you this much, I-I'd have denied long ago, Dad. But now, I can't." Somehow or the other, she completes with a trembling heart and a stuttering tongue, wanting to give up.

Her brother stands beside her father, looking down at his sister whose fingers are quivering already. He feels powerless to interrupt and take her away from their father's presence.

Her big fearful eyes can make anyone sympathize with her but not her father.

He narrows his eyes at her, staring deep into her soul, troubling it. "What have you bound, Evalena?"

"A p-promise, Dad."

"You're nothing but a disgrace to me."

"Eva?" Her soft and favorite voice calls her name, breaking her reverie. She looks around, eyes halting to her husband who is standing before her, holding the door of the taxi for her.

She gets the hint and comes out, unintentionally overlooking when he stretches out his hand.

A cool breeze passes through, brushing her skin. Her hair gets swayed by it and she tugs the strands back, not knowing how such a simple act makes her husband behold her like she is the moon of his eyes, a dove of paradise and the sun melting in the evening. As her hand moves, those silver bangles clank. The neat and beautifying designs of bloomed henna look so appealing on her hands, that he is at the loss of words to admire her. He wants to keep admiring.

However, her lost mind doesn't let her acknowledge much around her until Barak comes running to her to hold her hand.

Adam retreats with a faint sigh.

Barak's bright smile warms her heart as she casts her glance down at the kid. She runs her fingers through his ruffled hair.

"Mamma, see! This is our home!" He chirps like a bird, big eyes admiring his mother like sprouting Myosotis.

Evalena lifts her gaze up to the view and admires the house before her. It looks simple yet so lovely. They have crossed the main gate of the house and the broad stoned pathway has welcoming trees and bushes on either side.

Holding Barak's hand, she walks ahead. Adam holds his other hand and steals a glance at Evalena who is busy admiring their house. He knows what she wonders.

"This is Mediterranean style, right?" She asks, smiling at the view of dangling vines. They are pink, orange and white.

"Right."

"What gave you the idea?" She touches the brown wall upon the width of which sits a sparrow.

"Nora's mother was a Moroccan. Nora loved the Moroccan architecture."

Evalena nods. "Impressive," she says with a smile. She stops where Adam does, before the dark brown threshold of their house.

"So much! I love home!" Barak says with a grin. "You'll like it so much here!"

Evalena giggles. "Wherever my Barak is, the place is home to me." She pats his cheek, making him sigh. He loves his mother a lot. She is so sweet to him. After Nora, his mother, he wasn't expecting a nice woman like Evalena to take responsibility of him and love him like his mother did.

A man, dressed in a uniform comes jogging to them. He bows down to Adam, saying, "Welcome home, my lordship."

Evalena recognizes him as the butler of the house and soon Adam introduces him as the same. He smiles at Evalena as he gets to know she is Adam's wife. The realization fills him up to the periphery with respect and honor for the woman.

As they walk in, the servants come to get their suitcases while Barak's bag is hanging on Adam's arm. And they get comfortable.

❥⁠˙⁠๑

Tears begin shedding. She looks too vulnerable. Her red eyes say all about the ache in her heart. Oh, tears aren't tears, after all. That's blood oozing out of wounds of the soul. She has gotten the blow where she had no protection at all.

"Dad-"

"Am I wrong, Dean?" He grits out at his son but eyes remain on his daughter. He throws dagger at her through them and they slice brutally enough.

"My daughter has always been a disgrace to me! Since childhood till now, when has she been a reason for my pride? Not of pride but always of my grief and disappointment."

Acid words pour slowly upon her. Too slow. Slow to scorch deep and bitter.

"Stop it, Dad. Don't be so harsh." Dean comes to stand beside his sister who is busy shedding tears.

"I'm honest, Dean! Your sister has always been a reason for my disappointment. She has always run after what was never hers! She shamelessly coveted another woman's husband!"

"I've never, Dad."

Her father gapes at her for her courage that she answered him back.

She raises her head, ignoring the tears that glide down her skin, disappearing into the neckline of her top.

"I've never coveted Adam. I just loved him."

"My daughter has been shameless, too." Sharp watch makes her feel so small that her chin wobbles in absurd insecurity. He scoffs. "Love? I wonder if you know what it is! I wonder if you've ever loved someone. Anyone!"

Dean squeezes Evalena's shoulder as he feels her shoulder shaking under his hand. Her entire body is experiencing tumors running down.

She wipes away her tears, declining her gaze. She has no idea how to show her love for others. She thought eyes could tell but she was wrong. Her father had never seen love in her eyes for him, or anyone.

"Why do I even talk about others; you couldn't love your own when!"

The accusation snatches her breath. "I-I have, Dad!"

Dean sighs and his father glares at Evalena with nothing but hatred when she confesses. "Liar!" He shouts, watching her entire body jerk in utter dread. He doesn't care though.

"You're a liar! You're the reason she died! You killed her! You killed my Gabriella!"

Her heart has skipped several beats as she beholds her father's rage pouring out through his brutal words and merciless stare. No softness but only such flames they are burning crazily. She has seen how much he hates her and the belief in him is deep enough to make her fall in her eyes own.

He says she killed his wife, her mother.

And maybe she did. She accepts the reality because she has no other way. However, the very bottom of her heart has always been denied because it knows she wasn't it.

Since then her heart has been broken. She has been treated that way. She has been attacked like a city with no stronghold or main gates. She was bent over until her backbone was damaged.

The emotions, the agony of her heart are too much to bear now. Her eyes brim with tears, the very blood of her soul's deep and fatal wound. They get fattened, sliding down the set of her lower eyelashes and soon uplifted by a finger that breaks her daze.

She is taken aback. Immediately looks up and finds Adam, hurrying to wipe away her tears but she is too late. He has seen her crying, the tears have left their tracing marks. He was the one who took the burden off her eyelashes. Her nose tip is pink and eyes red. It would be folly for her to hide anything from him now.

"What bothers you, Eva?" asks Adam, bending his leg to sit before her. He grabs the linen cushion to make a place for himself and places it in his lap.

"During the flight, too, you were lost in your own thoughts," he continues, having an idea of her every movement.

She steals her gaze, towards the sky which is going lilac, mingling with the fugacious salmon hues of the setting sun. Her tooth sinks into her cherry bottom lip before she mumbles, "Missing dad."

He arches his brow. "For such a puny reason?" He slants his head. He fulfills a desire by raising his hand and pinching her chin gently. He makes her look at him and sighs as her wine-red brimmed eyes catch his warm set.

"For such a puny reason you cried your eyes out?" He doesn't leave her face, fingers migrating to hold her jaws softly. "Don't, Eva. We can meet him anytime you want," he proposes, the pad of his thumb caressing her cheek.

He does not know how things are going between her and her father. He knows her father is a strict man, though. However, he has no problem in visiting her father for once.

"No, leave that." She releases her face from his loving grip while her heart begs her not to. She gets up and turns to leave when once again, he pulls her back.

"You think I can't do it for you?"

"I don't doubt you, Adam."

"Then what?"

She exhales, not knowing what she should say. She can't tell him the real reason. She doesn't want to. What would she get by letting him know that she disobeyed her father regarding this marriage? How would she be able to tell him about the hatred her father has for him?

"My job comes in between, Adam. I've plenty of things to handle." She releases her wrist from his grasp. It is too easy for her since he holds her like holding a flower. And she hastes to leave before he can ask her something else. Does she not know he is too good at catching lies, too?

But one thought in her mind stops her right at the doors of the room as she asks, "Adam, are you ordering food?"

"I decided to cook for us. I don't like the food outside, and I know you're tired so..."

"C-Can I help you?"

A childlike smile catches his face. Just like his son, he smiles. Or his son smiles like him? She can catch the dip in his cheek as he nods his head.

"No problem, Doctor."

❥⁠˙⁠๑

A/n:- So long, isn't it? I just determined to complete this memory in one update.

It wasn't bad, right? I'm planning on giving long updates only. Hope you like.

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