"Raisem, say something to me. Why are you still in contact with her?" she asked.
Raisem didn't say a word. He stood still in the middle of the ward, jaw tight, fingers curled into fists at his side. His silence felt heavier than any reply. The air between them grew thick.
"Raisem!" she screamed his name again, her voice cracking.
He slowly turned to face her, eyes cold.
"What do you want me to say?" he voiced out. His lips trembled slightly, but his tone stayed hard. "Why are you acting like you care after turning a blind eye to everything?"
"Raisem, how could you say that?" she gasped, placing a hand on her chest.
"Everything that I have done was for your best interest. You knew what Joja is capable of. You knew what she had done to our family and you're still reaching out to her."
"I never did," he said sharply. "She has been stalking me and anyone around me."
Her eyes widened. "Why did you not tell me? Why did you keep this a secret? Joja is dangerous."
"I can handle it." His voice was firm, stubborn.
"No, you can't!" she snapped immediately.
"That's what you said the other time, and it put everyone into trouble. Grandma almost died because of you! And now I finally thought you were grown up and responsible, but I was wrong. You are still that immature kid from nineteen years ago."
I stood by the door, frozen. I hadn't meant to listen… but their voices were too loud, too emotional. Every word sank into my chest.
"I can handle it myself," Raisem repeated, standing his ground.
"You said you could handle it and Ara got hurt!" she fired back. "When will you actually take things seriously for once? When will you take care of people you claim to care about? Or don't you care about Ara?"
My heart skipped. I leaned closer to the wall unconsciously. Does he even care about me? I was eager to get an answer.
"Ara and my relationship isn't your business and I am good enough to protect her," Raisem said.
His aunt let out a sarcastic laugh, shaking her head slowly.
"What if Joja is related to Ara's attack? What if something bad happens? How do you face her or her loved ones?" she asked.
Raisem went quiet. His shoulders dropped slightly. She had hit something deep.
"I want you to be sincere with me," she continued more softly. "Is that the only time Joja disturbed you?"
"No," Raisem replied.
"Oh my God," she whispered, bringing out her phone immediately. "I'm telling Grandma right now."
Raisem moved fast. He snatched the phone from her hand and threw it onto the bed.
"Don't bring her into this. I can handle it," he said, breathing hard.
"Don't be stupid. You can't!" she yelled. "You're just as arrogant as your father, thinking he could handle it all by himself — and he pushed my sister to her death."
Raisem's entire expression changed. His eyes darkened and his jaw tightened so hard I thought it would break.
"Just," he said slowly, dangerously, "keep my father's name out of your mouth. You of all people shouldn't even say his name."
"Raisem, what's wrong with you?" she asked, shocked.
"I'm tired!" he exploded. "Tired of your pretense — acting like you care!"
"Don't say that, Raisem. Of course I care. I was there for you.." she replied, looking hurt.
"No, you weren't," he cut in sharply. "You didn't show up after everything. You left me alone. All you wanted was the inheritance and that dog you called a husband."
A loud slap echoed in the room. My body jolted as I realized,his aunt slapped him hard across the face.
His head snapped to the side. His face turned pale instantly.
"I won't let you disrespect Alexa's father," she said, her hand trembling.
Raisem scoffed bitterly. "See? You still choose him. You still support him, even after everything. He never took responsibility for Alexa nor Alex. When will you face reality?"
"Raisem… that's so mean of you," she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
"Just keep my parents out of your mouth and we're cool," he muttered coldly.
He turned and walked out, that was when he saw us. Alexa and I stood by the door, caught. My breath got stuck in my throat.
Immediately I saw him approaching, I tried to move, maybe grab Alexa and pretend we were just passing by but he was too fast.
He caught us.
Alexa walked toward him slowly, her little face looking worried.
"Did Mum scold you?" she asked softly.
Raisem's expression softened immediately. He bent down slightly.
"Yes," he said lightly. "And she's really good at it." He gently pulled her little cheeks.
Alexa giggled. I just stood there, watching.
This wasn't my place. This was family matter. His family. I shouldn't interfere.
"Are we still going to the zoo?" Alexa asked, pouting.
Raisem ran his fingers through her hair gently. "Yes. Once I get better. I'll take you, just you and I."
Raisem walked past me and not long after his aunt stepped out.
"Let's go, Alexa," she said, holding her daughter's hand. She then turned to me, her eyes serious.
"You should leave Raisem. I hope you know he's not good enough to protect you." She said and walked away with Alexa.
I stood there. Frozen. Her words echoed in my mind. He's not good enough to protect you.
A part of me felt scared. But another part… remembered every time he stood in front of me. Every time he saved me and most importantly he was admitted at the hospital because of me.
I forced a little smile to myself and walked away. I needed to see him. He was at the rooftop.
The wind moved gently around him as he held onto the railing, looking far away like his mind was somewhere else.
As I walked closer, my footsteps made a faint sound. He turned, our eyes met and stayed.
Something passed between us. Something quiet. Something heavy.
I looked away first and moved closer. I wanted to speak to him about what happened but I never forgot the contract we signed, the rules I had to follow.
Do not interfere in each other's personal life. Anyways, he spoke before I could.
"Are you here to ask me about what happened in the ward?" he asked, still holding the railing.
"No," I replied softly. "It's none of my business. Remember, we don't interfere in each other's business."
He nodded once. "Then what are you here for?" he asked gently.
"You just got out of surgery and you're still recovering," I said. "I had to make sure you're okay. You shouldn't even be moving around this much. Austin will be mad."
He looked at me properly now.
"Did you get your wrist checked?" he asked, changing the topic.
"Don't change the topic Raisem. How do you feel?" I asked staring into his eyes.
"Physically, I'm recovering but emotionally, I really can't describe how I feel." He responded.
I was really surprised he would reply to the question.
"Your wrist?" He asked again.
" I'll get it checked" I forced a smile.
Then silence followed.
"It seems your aunt isn't really a saint like I thought," I said carefully.
He raised a brow. "Don't tell me you judge a book by its cover?"
I didn't answer. He was right.
"Did she really leave you alone during those times? Was she only after the inheritance?" I asked.
He nodded slightly.
"But I'm surprised you're still nice to Alexa and Alex," I continued. "You even allowed Alex to be a top model in your company. No one would guess your aunt is like that."
"The matter is between my aunt and me," he replied calmly. "Why would I pass that onto innocent kids? Besides, Alex and Alexa are fond of me. I couldn't push them away."
That was enough for me. Even with his arrogance. He had a good heart but he is so annoying, you'll just want to punch his face and bite his arm off.
"So the relationship between you and your aunt isn't really good?" I asked.
He nodded in response.
"Though everything is in the past now," he muttered, "but I don't think people really change?" He scoffed.
"People do change," I said quietly, thinking of my own past.
"No, they don't," Raisem replied.
He slowly reached toward my hair. I flinched slightly and stepped back.
"There's something in your hair," he whispered.
"Oh," I muttered.
He stepped closer. Closer than before. The wind moved softly around us. He carefully reached into my hair and pulled something out but it flew away immediately.
"Where is it?" I asked.
"It's gone," he said with softly. "Blame the wind."
I smiled. He didn't stop staring at me.
"What?" I asked shyly.
His hands slowly moved to my face. He cupped my cheeks gently.
At that moment, my breath stopped.His thumb brushed my skin softly. His eyes dropped to my lips and he leaned closer.
My heart beat so loudly I was sure he could hear it. Our lips were about to connect. Then...
BANG!
The rooftop door slammed open.
"Raisem!" Austin shouted in frustration.
He stormed over and grabbed Raisem's ear, dragging him back.
"You are so annoying!" Austin smacked his side lightly. Raisem groaned. "Why are you frustrating me? You're just recovering! You promised to stay in bed! Do you want to kill yourself?"
He kept dragging him back toward the ward.
I laughed quietly. It was actually funny.
When we got to the private ward, Austin exploded. He pulled off the bedsheets angrily and started packing Raisem's things.
"You're being discharged. You can go. Don't frustrate me here," he shouted.
"Discharged? He can't be discharged. He's still recovering!" I said quickly.
"He seems fine," Austin snapped. "If he isn't, he won't be walking around and taking off his drip. All my efforts are in vain. He is discharged."
"You can't just discharge me," Raisem said.
"I own the hospital. Of course I can," Austin replied.
"And I own half the shares," Raisem shot back.
"Austin, he is sorry," I said quickly. "He didn't mean to. I promise I will watch over him properly."
"He must not leave his bed," Austin warned.
"Yes, he won't. I promise," I assured.
Austin stared at me for a moment, then sighed.
"Last chance," he said.
He reattached the drip and injected something into it.
"What is that?" Raisem asked suspiciously.
"It's a sleep dose," Austin replied calmly. "You'll sleep for three days straight. At least that will give you enough rest."
"WHAT?!" Raisem and I screamed together.