~Recap~

“And I guess, she wasn't really wrong because you are literally always at work and yes, that too, till late. You should be careful about yourself as well. Be a little selfish. As you say to me, no?” The daughter points as she gets herself a glass of lukewarm water and takes a seat on the couch, followed by Frederick.

Nodding nonchalantly at Azura's words, Frederick nonchalantly speaks as well, “As I even do for real. I was definitely being selfish which is why I was at work or can say I'm mostly there. It feels so lonely and empty here when I'm just all by myself without you, sweetie.”

Now, Azura's smile downs and she mumbles, “Oh… I'm so sorry, Dad. I should remember that you must feel so alone while I'm gone. I should try to get back as early as I can.”

______

“What? No, no. I absolutely didn't mean to say that and having you miss your classes and education is of course a big naah. Don't try to slip away from going to college and study through this excuse of yours which ain't going to work anyway.” Frederick concludes his sentence with a glimpse of bickering which has Azura scrunching her nose in refusal.

“Of course not! Why would I try to take an excuse from studies? Like, yeah, Dad. I might not be a topper but you should know that I'm an unofficial nerd. And nerds are often par an average student in intelligence quotient so yeah, your accusation is proven invalid.” Snaps the younger lady to her father.

Frederick nods somewhat before his own expression shifts as he retorts back, “Well, judging your oh so very behaviour right now, no one would agree with addressing you whatever nerd of what do they say nowadays? Ahh, introvert. Yeah, that.” The man takes a pause as both him and Azura shake their heads at the specific word. He soon adds ahead, “Only if they knew that my Azura is like a garura secretly. No?”

Whining to the man's probably accurate hinting, the lady blabbers, “Dad, I'm nothing like whatever you just said now. I'm just your simple, sweet and only Azura. Right?”

A smile leaves Frederick's mouth. “I mean yes. But, who knows? There can be something or many things that can be possibly incredible about you which maybe not even I know, sweetheart.”

Though Azura rolls her eyes at her father's thoughts, she happens to feel related with every word he has said. Even Frederick himself always looked unreadable whenever he quoted that. Like, he most probably puns these statements in a playful way. However, sometimes his instincts express odd emotions whenever he talks about Azura being something or someone he doesn't know properly.

There were signs of seriousness, concern. And most of all, fear. He sometimes even seemed to fear these thoughts as if Azura would leave him for real.

But only Azura knew that these were just some negative thoughts and she would never ever leave her beloved father no matter what.

“Now you're just exaggerating at this point, Dad. Well, I could agree though about me being incredible I mean, an incredible daughter of an incredible father.” Azura exclaims.

Her words seem to change the mood and expression of Frederick as the man quotes, “Seems like I could agree with this as well because, I won't deny that I am incredible.” The duo began chuckling in unison before they calmed down a little.

“Also, as I was talking about me being selfish, I was actually meaning and yes, loneliness was just some part of the reason but not entirely the only reason. I really enjoy being in the godown because treasuring these beautiful gems put me at ease and in peace. I remember how your mother had every type of accessory and jewellery to match her dress as she outshined every other woman in all the occasions.” Frederick memorizes the beautiful moments of his wife.

A soft smile of bliss takes place on Azura's lips as she witnesses her father in happiness of memories. “That is understandable since you went to all limits to get every single jewel out there for her. So, obviously she was going to shine the most even in the darkness. To outshine everyone with the brightness.”

“But that's exactly what she was getting wrong. It was not gems or jewelleries that made her beautiful. It was her, who made them look so beautiful that no one could help but admire her charms.” The man exclaims and the daughter chuckles at her father's act.

“Yet you went all through to treasure them when you knew that Mom was herself a glass doll and even though she never asked for anything more than your safety.” Points out Azura as a matter of fact.

However, Frederick also wasn't just going to let it go without stating his own facts. “That's what both of you got wrong. I'm always safe as long as I have you two in my heart. Your happiness is what I live for.”

Azura sighs subtly as she replies, “Our happiness is not in these gems or treasure, Dad. Our happiness is when you live longer and healthier with us. Same as you say. That's why we're a family, right?”

Judging the look on Frederick's face, it was already confirmed that it was more than right. The little family just wanted each other to be content and happy and mostly, just to be with each other. Because the duo already had someone's absence and hence just their presence was a pure blessing for them.

“Right, sweetie. You are right. Your mother always stated the same as you. Always reminded me to be alert, secure and safe so that I'll never get hurt or get away from her. And I even did keep myself all in place every time. Who knew that it was Vivian who needed the safety the most which I couldn't ever give to her and so she left us. Left me, forever.”