He meekly smiled at her and gestured for her to come near him. As soon as she reached him he planted a kiss on her forehead and closed his eyes while continuing to hold my hand which he held since the moment I entered his room. It was like as if he was a little guy and my hand would shield from the demons of this world. Did he vest so much of trust in me?  I felt happy with the realization.

After a while, I felt his grip loosen and my heart started beating like a bulldozer. 'Let not happen what I think.' - I sent a silent prayer to God and looked at the monitor beside him which was now no longer beeping. I moved towards it to confirm my abstraction and instantly became paralyzed.

My gaze immediately fell on Ana, and she was already staring at the straight line on the monitor. Gradually I felt her eyes brimming with tears and before I could reach her she burst into huge wails.

I hated myself that no words came out of me to pacify her. But my hands worked on their own. I pulled her to my chest and let her cry to her heart as this would be the last time when she was going to let her tears out.

Robert I'm coming to see you very soon. I gritted my teeth and pledged to myself.

Pulling Ana out of the hospital room, I dropped her in my house and immediately dialed a number. As soon as I got an affirmative, I put my Ferrari on to drive and moved out of the house not saying a boo. I had no time to console Ana though every bone within me was urging to go back and take care of her.

Ana was completely out of control as soon as she found her dad motionless on the hospital bed. All my thoughts circled her while I left her with my parents and started to drive. However my immediate warrented action is to protect her from every evil on earth  than sharing her pain. And I am just going to do that.

I kissed her head before leaving and looked into her eyes with a promise, I am not going to return empty-handed - my love.

Chapter 8

Ana's Pov

I found Ulrick's behavior unusual. He was burning like a sun ball when I entered Dad's room. But it felt bizarre that Dad appeared relaxed and happy. The ambiance of the room was screaming that there was something I needed to know. I wanted to reprimand my answers but I did not want to discuss anything with Ulrick in front of Dad as it may only aggravate his condition.

Dad felt lively and had a hearty chit-chat with me after I went to his room with the food. He relished the dishes and finished everything that I brought for him unlike the earlier times when he was sulking to eat even a spoonful of rice.

But consequently as our conversation progressed,  he was being queer in his talks. He counseled me that I need to take care of Mom and convince my brother to excuse him on his behalf. Though initially I felt happy that he was recovering the way our talk progressed, I was getting very paranoid. I looked at Ulrick with questioning eyes but he was giving away nothing by his impassive looks.

Ulrick could be very passionate and the very next moment act like a machine with no emotions. It sometimes irritated me and at other times got me nervous.

My senses were indicating that something miserable was going to happen in a short time but I pushed away the wretched thought. Chanting positive words that the best doctors in the city are taking care of Dad and he will soon return home hale and hearty, I kiss his cheeks. In return he gives me a smile of assurance squeezing my hand. I felt very happy at that moment. Dad is always with a positive thought and a healthy body resides with a healthy mind. He was promising me with his twinkled eyes that everything would go on in the best way but my happiness was only short-lived. Soon he passed away leaving me shattered.

I held Ulrick and cried unstoppable. But on the contrary he was emotionless. He dropped me in the house and immediately left but before that, he kissed my head and looked into my eyes for a second. His features were mysterious. It felt like he wanted to confess to me something. But nothing came out. Like always his patent phrase was back. "Take care doll".

They were the words that he always uttered before going out since my childhood but this time I felt a premonition of a dangerous shadow lurking around us. I don't want death hazards absorbing another member of my family. "Ulrick" I mumble resting my hand on his hairy cheek indulging him to stop going wherever he is ardained to.

"Don't cry." He insinuates wiping my tears away. "I will come back soon." Encircling my arms around his broad shoulders I let my body suck in the tranquilizing warmth of his muscled chest for one last time and kissed his cheeks standing on my tippy toes. He stilled for a moment with my unexpected action and walked to his car without turning back.

I wished if he had his eyes once more on me I could have stopped him. Probably he knew of the same which is why he walked away without turning back.

My heart broke. Hiding my face from him under the shadow of my curls I rushed straight to my bedroom and cried endless on my bed. I do not know why all this is happening in my life. I feel very distressed unable to find a clue out of this situation. I lost my dad, my mother is in a coma and my brother left our home.