For some, it takes a whole fucking load of shit to come down from the high of life, for some it takes just some miniscule words. But the low they come to, is deeper than an abyss.

•

D A V I D   W E L L I N G T O N

"Stop being such a pussy!", I rolled my eyes at his words. If only he knew how much nerve wrecking this process is.

Well, when his own wife would be in the same situation, I'll be shocked if he doesn't kill one or two doctors, "Tell me when you're stuck in this same situation!"

He looked at me warily, "I didn't ask you to make her pregnant!"

I chuckled, "I just wanted to make you jealous!"

"Will you both stop that! She's wailing inside because of the pain and you both are being a pain in my ass!", I heard Mum and separated myself from this scum I call my best friend before she lashes out at us.

He scoffs and settles on the chair beside her. It looks like he directly came out of the bed as soon as I called him. I was being a nervous wreck as soon as Venus informed me that her water broke.

All the drilling and mind preparation went in vain when I saw her crying profusely.

Thankfully, Mum was there to shove some senses into me at the final time, otherwise I don't expect any good from myself.

"Did anyone inform Erica?", I asked. Amidst all the rush, I forgot she asked me to inform if something happens. Though today, she was stuck in her concert in Spain, and I doubt she'd be able to make it before the delivery.

He nodded and looked at his watch, "I told her when I left from home. The concert was over though, and her next concert is two days later. She's coming back."

I was aware she would mess up her schedule for me. She even threatened me to be the third person who gets to hold the baby after me and Venus.

Baby!
I was never ready for a baby, and all the time I spent for preparing myself to become a father seems to be going in vain too.

What if my kid is an irritating piece of shit that cries whole day and night?
Or what if he refuses to go to school?
Or worse becomes a criminal?

I shook my head. Venus will kick my ass if she hears I was thinking this again.

We are having a baby boy, and the moment I heard that, I cringed at the idea of the world getting another staunch fuckboy. My son would be no innocent, I know.

My thoughts were broken when I heard some disturbance outside the OT. Some doctors rushed in followed by more nurses. I couldn't hear Venus anymore. Probably sedatives.

I wanted to be inside the room with her, but I get anxious seeing all the blood and stuff. The doctors didn't need to divide their focus between two.

I looked at the OT again and something inside me told that when those doors open, my life will forever change.

•

"David!", I heard her soft voice and looked up immediately.

Thank god she is here. I stood up within a moment and hugged her, "Thank god you came! I am losing my shit!"

She rubbed my back and giggled, "You should know now on how to calm yourself. You are going to be a father."

I was wondering how in the world she's still in my embrace. She's probably glaring at Eric.
Or the guy got some brains now.

"Can I abort this mission!?"

She retreated back and looked at me making a face. Her husband standing beside us, already dying for attention.

"You should have thought about that ten months ago, when you were fucki....", He was silenced by a smack on his arms.
Wow! How much I love when my sister dominates this asshole! Sometimes their fights make me want to sit with popcorns and look at them with all the love I have in me. I can't help loving how Eric succumbs to her everytime she throws a tantrum or makes a demand. Whipped ass!

"We are going to have a kid among us now! So stop swearing at every other sentence. You both even corrupted my mother, a kid will definitely get a bad tongue!"

I sighed. No one can help that. Atleast the two of us can't. I don't know how to survive in this world without cussing.
It is my pour out mechanism.

I look up and see the two of them getting cozy. Cozy- as in hug. That's the most they can do. I like to say Eric doesn't have balls, but I know they don't like public display of affection. He was seeing Erica after a week.
Usually he accompanies her in her world tours, but this time, she asked him to stay for our sake.

I was aware there was no better husband for Erica. And everytime he gets worried over her, my belief becomes firm. Like right now, him asking her if she had her food or if she's drinking adequate amount of water. Two years into marriage, and I feel like I would never regret that I couldn't find my sister- a proper husband.

No one can care like he does. Sometimes I wish Venus would be this caring, but sadly, I wouldn't change a single bit in her. She's the best I deserve, and I love her so damn much it hurts.

•

"Mr. Wellington!", The doctor addressed me and I stood up from my seat.

I looked at him exasperated, "Doctor! It's been nine hours!! What is actually happening!?"

I felt Eric come at my side, "Yes doctor! We have got no update as such. Is the child and mother fine!?"

He looked at us with an unexplainable face, "I am sorry Mr. Wellington, but you will have to make a choice."

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

Love is hard and bitter. Harder than the theory that is expected to answer all the mysteries of this world. Bitter for if not reciprocated, you die little by little.

H O P E   R I C C I

"What was he like Hope?", She asked me interested all of a sudden. Thankfully that would take her mind out of the worry.

Stephan settled in front of us and smiled at me. He knows what I am trying to do.

I sighed and sat back leaning on my seat.

"Your husband was one of the most desired boy in school. But that was it.
Whenever Eric and David used to get down from the same car, girls used to literally drool. It was cringy, they were only school boys. But I never understood what is actually so special in them! They were jerks!", I chuckled.

Erica snickered beside me. And that was probably the first smile I saw after the call from Eric, when he told her that Venus has gone into labor.

I don't want to go and face 'him'. It's been six months since I last saw him, and I wonder how I managed to dodge all the chances to meet him. But today, I can't leave Erica alone when she's so worried and anxious about her brother.

I continued, "People were afraid to approach Eric! Even the queen bee of our school had her confidence crumpling. Since I was a quiet kid, I often observed this. On the other hand, David was like 'come! I am yours' kind of guy. And no wonder he was named as the playboy of our school."

Erica shook her head, "I have seen their pictures. And god! He literally was something else. He had girls hanging from his arms. I am glad now that Eric is so crude!"

I nodded, "He's way gentler and approachable now. At that time, he was simply untouchable."

Our conversation carried on like that till the pilot announced we are about to land.

Hastily, Erica got down the jet and we saw a car waiting for us.

"Uhm! Stephan!", I called him out.

"Yes Hope!?", He halted in his way.

"Can you take Erica to the hospital alone? I don't want to go..."

He furrowed his brow, "Why!? What happened?"

"I am tired.", I lied.

The fact that my heart still skips a beat when I see him disgusts me. I should not be feeling like this for a man who is married and is going to have a kid. But my heart never actually followed what my mind said. Not then. Not now.

"What happened both of you!? Why did you stop?", I heard Erica ask, and turned to see she has stopped too.

"Erica! I don't think I should go to..."

She rolled her eyes, "Not that family excuse again! Hope you are family!!! How many times should I tell you that! And you know I need you there....I am so anxious right now! And David was also asking about you!!"

David! The name alone can make my body rebel against my mind.

I reluctantly nodded, and in no time I was in the car, heading towards my doom.

•

My eyes fell on him the moment I entered. A lazy smile on his face as he talked to Embrey, sitting outside the operation theatre. Those black obsidian eyes glistening at something she said, and his hair ruffled from probably all the tension he has been facing since hours.

I stayed back as Erica approached her brother and hugged him, trying to stray clear of his line of view.

I could see how her presence calmed him considerably and something inside me just smiled at that.

How is it possible to love a man so intensely who doesn't feel an ounce of such feelings for you? I don't know. But I can't help myself.

It's fulfilling as well as heartbreaking.

I leaned on the wall and just witnessed how he was going to become the happiest man on earth in the matter of minutes. He will have his wife, and his child, and then he will smile wide like he always does. Probably cuss out of happiness.

I chuckled to myself thinking that. He's so colourful, his vibes simply light up the place he walks in.

And his effect has drowned me in deep. So deep, it's almost hard to breath.

*

I took the coffee from the canteen and walked back to the OT corridor.

My phone beeped and I looked at it to see a text from Harry.

'Hope you landed safely sweety! I will come over tomorrow for lunch.'

'I am in hospital with Erica. Will wait for you tomorrow.'- I replied.

Sipping the coffee, I walked back while scrolling down through my emails when I heard sudden chaos.

I looked up and saw everyone from Erica's family going frantic while David was sitting down with his head in his hand.

It was definitely something not good.
Or may be the baby is delivered!?

I went forward and asked the first person I could, Eric.
"What's wrong Eric?"

He looked at me with a sulking face, and his posture radiated worry, "Venus is not doing good. They say it is either the baby or Venus."

My eyes widened at that but I literally jumped when I heard a loud thump, "Ofcourse it is Venus!!"

He stood up hastily, "Stephan!! Tell the doctors I have my decision! I want Venus! Unscathed!"

Eric blocked his way and held him by his shoulder, "David! Calm down... nothing is wrong. Both will come out safely. Sit!"

His eyes were restless but he followed nonetheless. He was anything but calm. Erica sat beside him, herself anxious. She was very excited about David's baby. This situation is definitely not good.

Eric left to meet the doctor and I took the place he occupying initially and stood near him. I avoid this, but not right now.

I can't really help my heart feeling for him. He loves her, and he is happy with her. That is all the reason I want her doing good. She's special if she makes him fee....

I gasped when he grabbed my hand, "Please be with me. I am feeling scared!"

My breathing stopped and my heart fell down to my feet.

He was still looking at the ground. I nodded, though I know he isn't seeing me to see the response.
I took the seat that was initially occupied by Eric and closed his hand with mine.

My breathing had stopped, and air was stuck. But I couldn't do much than just let myself drown in the moment.

Why!? Why I am so vulnerable when it comes to him?

"I hate this conflict Eric!", And just like that my heart was broken the millionth time.

I gulped the hurt I felt.

He thinks I am Eric. That's why he grabbed my hand for support.

My insides were sobbing at such a heartbreak. Small but devastating. But when have I cared about my heart more than him? Absolutely never.

I looked away, but made sure my hands deliver him the relief he expects from Eric.

I saw Eric coming back and his eyes drifting to me and then our joined hands. The only person who was aware of what I am going through, but sorry for me, that even he can't feel what I am going through.

It's not like he loves Erica more than himself, and she has never even looked at him that way.

He smiled briefly and nodded at me, silently conveying it's fine to comfort him and that it is no wrong, if I feel of it that way.

Little does he know.

•

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。

No one knew the beautiful night will turn into something so devastating.

For doctors, the mother was under extreme pressure, and her uterus has started pushing the baby out. But there is so much internal bleeding that may be the baby chokes on blood, or if the baby is saved, then the mother would die of the injury.

The ultrasound reports were all normal. There were no complications. Never.
David Wellington made sure his wife is checked twice a month and eats healthy. Even when Venus made faces because he was being too caring.

What missed the doctor's eyes was the rhesus positive blood of Venus, that caused her body to develop immunity against the foreign blood group of her child. Though the pregnancy showed no signs of complications, the body accepting the baby well, it gave up at the time of delivery.

The rushing doctors, the chaos in the family, and the numbness inside him looked so real to be a nightmare. He hated breathing in this moment. And he was also aware he can't escape this fear that is clawing inside his heart.

With shivering hands, he signed the papers that said he would prefer his wife over the child. Venus would kill him for this.
She will probably hate him forever. But he was being selfish.

If he has Venus, he will have more children. Heck, they would even adopt as many kids as they want. They love each other, and that is enough.

"David! Everything will be alright.", He looked at his right, to his sister, his family. The one person, whose sudden entry in his life made him feel like the luckiest man on earth.

The world has been harsh on him, since he was two. But he stood straight, like all the blows were god's gift for him. However, this moment, he felt vulnerable. He didn't want another hit. It was as if he was aware he wouldn't be able to take it this time.

Few more hours in waiting, and the lights of the OT were off. His heart started racing. Everyone's did. A shrill cry, made everyone's attention jolt to the doors. And that cry, in all this chaos sounded like a happy melody in a funeral.

He stood up immediately, in the process pulling out his hand from someone who was his very prime well wisher. Not that he was aware of that.

She stood up too, ready to see him reunite with the woman he loves so dearly. The lucky woman who owns his heart.

The doctor came out, followed by a nurse.

Air decided to abandon him at that very moment. The moment he saw, a white bundle of joy in the nurse's arm. So small, yet so captivating.

In two steps he covered the distance between him and his baby. He felt like he would cry with how much love he felt for that little human being.

"It's a boy, Mr. Wellington."

His family was happy. He could hear them. But his attention was solely focus on that little him.

"My boy!", He took his baby from the nurse's arm. Still pink and gently shook, eyes closed, and small brown silky hair covering his forehead. Small ears, and little hands curled into fists. His baby literally fit only in his huge palms. But he held him securely. The fatherly instincts taking over completely.

"So beautiful!", His eyes drifted to Erica who was in tears. His brother's son was probably the most handsome man she ever laid her eyes upon.

The moment breaks when the doctor clears his throat. Eric, being the more practical one looked at the doctor ready for anything and everything. If only he could save his friend from everything.

He stood before the doctor, and asked, "What is it Doctor?"

"Uh..Mr. Ashton...as I told you before, the delivery was complicated. The baby is safe because the head was pushed out of the body before it could affect him. But the rest of the body took its decent time..."

He was aware what was coming. He sensed it. But he refused to believe his instincts, "What else Doctor? Is Ven...."

"She is counting her last moments Mr. Ashton. I would advice you all to meet her for one last time. She's waiting."

David heard that. He wished he didn't but he did. And just like that,something in him shattered forever. His hold on his new born happiness loosened, so much that Erica had to step forward to hold her godson.

Everyone witnessed that moment of weakness, and how the most happy-go-lucky man lost himself to the brutality of life.

Eric was fast to hold him by his shoulder.

"E_Eric he..he...!", Words abandoned him. He couldn't believe what the doctor said. His world was slipping from his hand, and he couldn't do anything.

Another nurse came forward with lab coats, masks and gloves, giving them to the grieving family.

With shaky hands, Eric made his numb friend wear the medical accessories before pulling him inside to see his wife.

There she lay, with only small ounce of life in her smiling painfully at the man who she loves more than his life. The doctor said he chose her over their child and she wanted to kick his ass for that. But probably god, and world were on her side today.

Her eyes drifted to her child in her sister in law's arms, "H_He is beautiful Erica? Isn't he?"

A sob left Erica's lips and she came forward so Venus could see her baby.

"His hairs are like me D_David. Sorry to disappoint you."

He didn't say a word. A part of him felt betrayed. Another part shattered. Another numb. And another, aware that he will be dead also.

She looked at Eric. The man she trusted most. When the doctor said she may not live long now, she knew she had to do something.

Something for both the men in her life.

"Eric!", He was himself conflicted and shattered. Scared for his friend, but Venus was a friend too. He was never very close to her, but he was grateful she makes David happy. Aside from the occasional jokes they shared or their dislike towards David's madness, they had nothing in common. Yet, their was an unsaid promise. She promised to make his friend happy. He promised to make her husband strong.

"Yes Venus?", May be it was the time to voice out the promise so as to make it more concrete.

"I trust you with both my boys. Please take care of them."

"Stop your crap Venus!!!", David bellowed. There was still hope. She can't leave him just like that!

"We promised to be together in health and sickness!", He whispered going forward and taking her hands in his.

She smiled painfully, a tear leaving her eyes, "Till death do us part..."

That as if made it all the more real because his eyes finally gave up. The tingly sensation of a tear leaving his eyes made it clear that she was leaving him to suffer.

"Life doesn't end here for you David!"

"You know it does!", He cried.

She shook her head, "If you ever loved me, you'll find yourself back."

"I won't!"

She has never seen him like this and god knows how much she wanted to stay. But she can't. She was aware.

But she didn't want him to stop being the person he is, "I love you David. But I can't stay!"

"Why damnit!!!??? Why always me!!!?", He sobbed in her hands.

She looked away from him and her eyes landed on the rest of the family.

Embrey, the woman who took care of her, her mother in law. Jessica and James- the people who loved her without questions, not caring whether she was an orphan or not. She remembered her parents, her brother, her family. And at last when she attempted to look back at the love of her life, her eyes stopped on the certain someone standing near the door, in tears, her eyes focused on the sobbing man beside her.

Two years before, she had a doubt that this old school friend of David, liked him, and felt she was a threat to her married life. She confronted David and he laughed it off, saying, "Hope is just a friend Venus."

She has seen her stealing glances at him. She has seen her go jittery in his presence. She has seen how hard she tried to avoid him. She knew it all. And now, when she sees him cry for him, she knew it was not mere liking or a childhood crush..

Eric caught Venus gazing at Hope. He has seen that before also. And that was why he was so protective over Hope. Because he knew that girl would never defend herself if she's blamed as a homewrecker and she was anything but that.

For a moment, his eyes met with the almost dying Venus'.
She signalled at Hope and then at David, smiling softly at him, passing him the message that swept the floor off his feet.

His eyes widened at that, but when he saw her still smiling in assurance, as if now she was at peace that David will find someone good.

He nodded discreetly and she nodded back.

The message was clear, and he knew what she expects him to do.

The heart monitor became frantic. And taking the last glance at her husband and her child, Venus bid a good bye to the world.

"Time of death: 2:39 am."

The words broke many hearts but they also broke one of the strongest man, David Wellington.

•

Dressed in a crisp black suit, looking at his wife's casket getting lowered six feet under the earth, his baby wailing in the background, one thing registered in his mind. Something that he never thought he would do.

•

Eric was stressed and had a huge headache. Last few days have been stressful. Awfully stressful. And now, he wanted everyone to live in peace, and focus on how David can be brought back to life.
He knew he can do this. They were buddies since diaper times.

He entered the huge Wellington mansion, followed by his wife, and a now sleeping baby in her arms. They have to think of a name. Probably David will suggest something. If things would have been normal, he would've never allowed David's name for his godson. Why!? Only to piss him off.
But now, he will grant him the privilege.

"He must be in his room.", Erica whispered careful of the baby.

He nodded and went upstairs to the master bedroom. He didn't knock and went inside, "David! Let's go out and have some men time. There's this club Austin told me abou...."

His words died in his mouth at the deathly silence of the room.

He's probably in the washroom. He has this habit of taking shower whole day, and roaming half naked all around.

He left the funeral early. And he thought he shouldn't ask why. He thought his friend isn't feeling good, and it's fine if he wants to leave.

When he opened the doors, he was not in the washroom also.

Walking out, he went to the adjoining closet only for his heart to fall at his feet when he saw it half empty. Everything was gone except Venus' clothes and stuff. There was some baby stuff they probably brought together but nothing else.

He left.

He came out of the closet frantic, his eyes falling on the bed where a small crumpled paper was kept.

There in bold, messy writing were written the words, Eric never thought David, his best friend, is capable of writing.

'I AM SORRY. I CAN'T DO THIS. I GIVE UP."

•

(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。