"Eric have your dinner", I looked at Nonna for a brief second and then looked away. They really think something would go down my throat right now!?

"Nonna I want to be left alone. Close the doors behind you."

I saw her keeping the dinner tray on the table, "Eat it!", and then left the room.

I picked up my abandoned phone once again to dial her number only for it to go on voicemail the hundredth time today.

I can't go to her apartments, even though I had the spare keys because I know this is not some silly couple fight between us. This is big.
I chose someone else over her.

But I know when she will read the reports she will understand why I did that. However, this isn't causing me to be scared a little less, because the way I saw her in the morning after she saw her mother, I wasn't sure if it was okay to leave her alone.

David strolled in my room, "I have arranged for the blood bank if in emergency we had to need it."

He sat beside me and eyed the food kept before us, "You didn't eat!?"

"David!? Should I go and check on her once?"

He shook his head, "Eric! We need to give her some time to process everything. Especially we both. If she will see me, she will think about this sudden relationship change between us. If she sees you, she will think about your fight! Right now, let her process that her mother is back!"

"But what if she starves herself or drived rashly to her place!? God!! What if she cries to unconsciousness!?", I pulled my hair in frustration.

"What if we ask the watchman to go and check on her once? Wait! James has his number!"

"We will be sending strange men to check on her!? Seriously?"

He groaned, "He is not a strange man! Last time I checked Erica gifted him a suit because in her absence, he keeps her apartment safe and makes sure it is cleaned by sending in maids! You told me this!!"

Okay! That was true.

"C'mon let's go!"

*

"Calm down both of you! He will call once he meets her."

We stared at the phone with concentration. Anytime it may ring.

"He wouldn't tell her we asked him to check on her?", asked mom.

Dad shook his head, "No! I know Seth from long. He understands our concern."

Just then the phone rang making me jump.

"Speaker James! Speaker!", David said.

"Hi James Sir. The kid is fine. She was looking tired but she asked me to send some stuff she ordered.", He said and that finally calmed my nerves.

"Anything else Seth. Her phone??"

"Yeah! I told her I was calling, and she said the battery is dead."

Liar! I was the one to pull her phone out of charge in the morning and it was full then. Her phone is going off since the time she left.

"Okay thank you Seth! It was a huge help."

"No worries Sir! Tell me if I have to check again. The kid is my responsibility!"

Everyone loves her. She is so kind hearted and genuine, I don't know how she even spares me a glance.

I heard Ms.Embrey sigh and turned to look at her. I am not so sure now about her relationship with Erica.
It's beyond repair.

*

"So? Brother huh!?", I asked David who was deep in thoughts.

We were sitting in a corner sipping coffee while Dad was sitting in the portico working.

Being a brother to a little sister is one of the best feelings in the world. Whenever I used to sulk over Eve, I always thought David would never feel my grief. But right now, I see him in a different light.

"Yeah!! A brother! The idea is hard to digest but I am thinking about all what we have missed, and all what I can do to compensate."

I chuckled, "Well, our relationship changes too. I am your little sister's boyfriend!"

He narrowed his eyes at me, "I wouldn't approve of you for her! And now I will decide when she is allowed to spend time with you!", he smirked smugly.

God no!!!
He will make my life hell!

"Don't forget David! You were the one who suggested me to bed her for the first time!! Remember!?", Now it was my turn to smirk on seeing his baffled expression.

I continued, "Don't you want to hear the details of what I do with her when we are...."

I am interrupted by a smack on my shoulder, "Gross! Shut up your mouth before I disable your kids making skills!"

"No no! I will tell you!"

"Ashton!!! Fuck off you dick!"

"Yeah my di..."

And then he starts singing like a whale, "James!!! Shut your son's mouth before I make him!!!!!"

Dad ignored us and went upstairs. Well, it was our usual.

E R I C A

I wipe the sweat off me and look at the mirror again. It is one in the night and, i tire myself so much so my body can finally succumb to sleep. A sleep with no nightmares.

I won't take any sleeping pills. That would push me back to where I came from.

I fall on the bed hoping for the better this time, counting in my head till sleep takes me over.

But guess what!? It never comes.

It was not meant to be this painful for me!

Frustrated I sit up and open the drawer where my doom was kept. Anti-depressent pills. Sleeping pills.

Why was I still carrying them? Because I was always scared this day would come. Though I thought I would meet my father.

But the thought that my father never knew about my existence makes me laugh at myself. How naive I was to aspire of things that would never come to me?

Lifelessly I go to the balcony, determining myself to not look at those pills. I spread the mattress there and lie down under the stars. The fact that my bed was cold wasn't helping.

I thought several times to call him and tell him to come here but the fact that I was the one to walk out, and that for once I will have to cope up without him overpowered. I cannot depend on him for life. And right now, if I call him, the fear that I am nothing without him will become true.

My body shivered with the cold wind, and so I snuggled up more in the heat of my blanket.

You can do this! You have done it once! You'll do it again.

*

I wake up startled when a flower pot falls off the threshold. And then I see a crow destroying my little plants.

I stand up immediately and shoo him away.

I looked at the plant that was broken from its branches, and the soil was spread all around.

I put the soil back in the pot, and after removing the broken branches, I plant it again. Then, I keep it among the larger pots so it wouldn't be visible to those notorious birds to destroy.
I smiled knowing once it will grow into an intimidating huge plant, those crows would instead use it's shade rather than destroying it's limb.

Staring at that little plant, life dawned upon me. My limbs were cut too, and I was made helpless. Though, when I was replanted and kept in the care of the people who saved me from everything, I grew up as a person. Now, I can fight my own battles.

I stood up and came inside my room, and looked into the drawer that was still open from last night, those pills staring back at me. I picked up the bottles and threw them in a trash can.

That relieved me. Considerably.

And now back with some life, I glanced at the watch to see it is ten in the morning.

I went in the washroom and tried to clean myself. May be that will clear my head too.

I wore a baggy t-shirt or precisely his t-shirt and came out of my room. My eyes then fell on my dead phone.

I was reminded what Seth said yesterday, "I tried calling you child. But your phone was not reachable."

I made an excuse but now when I see it, I feel a sudden urge to switch it on. Though my main reason was that I have to order food. I haven't eaten since yesterday and right now, I was feeling as if I will faint any moment.

I settled on my couch and switched on the phone. As soon as did that, my phone started blaring with a hundreds calls and equal texts, and voicemails. Most of them from him.

It didn't take me a second thought to call him, though I disconnected the very moment I remembered yesterday.

"Sorry! But she can't go anywhere.", The 'she' being my mother. And what did he justified himself with? That she was his parent's friend and someone who tried to help during Eve's abduction.

My eyes teared up at that, and so ordering for myself a pizza and lot of coke, I went to my room to extract all the new books I purchased last year. They can only help me escape everything.

*

I paid for the food and went inside to see my phone vibrating.
I went closer and saw his name.

I picked up the phone and switched it off immediately. You don't get to hurt me, and then talk like nothing ever happened. It is not a couple fight between us, it is something that makes me extremely vulnerable. And he being aware of everything won't choose me!

E R I C

I threw my phone frustrated, "She fucking switched it off again!!!"

I was so happy when I received a message that her number is now available to take calls. The call connected once before she decided to be all cruel to me.

"Eric! Calm down! She is still upset about yesterday! Give her time!!", I heard dad.

I looked at him already tired of this situation, "Dad! Time!??! She got twenty four hours!! What else does she want!? God! I feel like I will go insane!!"

I couldn't sleep at night because I was worried about her. Also, now I can't sleep alone after spending all these nights with her! And everyone telling me to give her time is aggravating me more now.

"Eric! Baby you should focus more on Embrey!! You were the one to take up her responsibility. Weren't you!? Erica is mature...once she reads the reports, she will herself understand your situation."

Dad forced me to sit and I complied, though not easily.

"Eric! Now listen to me, and listen well!"

He sighed, "Eric, she was living in a brothel before. After that she stayed under my care. Later when I came back to Italy, she went in your protection. Ofcourse I love her, you love her, but for a woman this constant care from others makes them feel hollow from inside. They start thinking they are nothing when alone. And this is very deteriorating for a girl, especially Erica, where she lived half of her life in insecurities. Give her time! The time she will spend away from you will help her in loving her own self. It may be difficult for you or for her, but distance is what we need sometimes."

I ofcourse don't want her to deteriorate because of my presence, "Fine! If that is what we need, she needs, I won't bother her. But that doesn't mean I won't worry about her! She must be having nightmares for god sake!! I remember when she was molested. That night she woke up all drenched in sweat!!"

He chuckled, "If you worry so much...then there are ways...though you have to think about them yourself.."

And with that he and nonna scurried out of my room.

I opened my drawers and saw the spare keys inside. Should I be a rascal for once!?

I sighed and contemplated the insane idea I had in my mind but when worry clouded over, I knew nothing can stop me.

*

"Where are you going at this hour of night?", I hear Mom.

Picking up my car keys, I mumbled, "Somewhere!"

"Oh C'mon Jess we know the answer!"

I glared at David, "Shove your answer in your ass. I am just going to see her once, and I'll be back. Stay awake!"

"Oh no! Your rotten ass will roam in the roads Asshole!"

I came out before I could hear more profanities.

*

C'mon Eric! You can do it.

I showed the watchman my entry I.D. and he let me in smilingly. I like some humans after all.

I picked up the big guy from the backseat of my car, and went in the elevator avoiding people's eyes so they don't think of me as insane.

Things i do for you Erica!!

I prayed to God that she was sleeping and I don't get thrown out.

One of Eve's memories helped me to come up with this idea. My sister helps me whenever I need it.

I slowly turned the keys, mumbling all the prayers I remember. And they were not many. I was one of those kids who used to mutter song lyrics in school assembly.

With small quiet steps, I entered inside.

It was completely dark inside, and so remembering where the switch is, I switched on a night bulb to give me just enough light.

I came near the couch and my eyes fell on the abandoned phone, some half eaten pizza boxes and overturned books. There was also an empty can lying near the foot of the couch, and I was glad it was just coke.

I walked in with the humongous guy in my hand, and peeped in her room. I breathed in relief when I saw her sleeping in the middle of the bed.

I slowly went near the bed and at that moment I felt my life coming back. She was here. And she was fine. At least physically!

Without making much noise, I did my work. And came out of her apartment, not before kissing her on forehead, and shamelessly stealing a peck, because C'mon I need something to survive!

E R I C A

I felt so light when I woke up this time. Guess, a good sleep is always of help.

I inhaled the air inside and smiled when I smelled his familiar scent. The same fresh rain like with a cinnamon essence.

Though, my body stiffened on realising I was supposed to wake up alone because I slept alone.

Scared and baffled I opened my eyes to scream loudly when my eyes fell on who was sleeping beside me. Rather what was sleeping beside me!!

A brown coloured huge teddy bear, as huge as Eric himself, wearing his white t-shirt, that had a caption, 'Don't talk to me! I bite!' was lying beside me.
Or more I was hugging him like my life depended on him.

Though I kicked it as soon as I saw it.

What the hell is this doing here!? Or better how did it get here!?

And then my eyes fell on the sticky note attached near it's belly.

"I am giving you as much time you need. By the time, keep him as my replacement, though I know I can't be replaced. It will save you from nightmares.
Don't get too attached to him. Because I will throw him away the moment I enter this place again. The spare keys are in the drawer.
And yeah! Don't eat too much pizza! Cook for yourself."

**

BTS:

Eric is huffing embarrassedly while me and David are rolling on the floor laughing our asses off!

"You are such a cutie!", I coo and he glares in return.

David chuckled, "He is a whipped ass! I hope Erica marries that teddy bear! God! My sister will finally have a real man!"

I hear smacks and punches behind and ignored the guys because I have to write the next update of TVPOL. They fight like pigs.

**