Amy

As soon as my laughter died down, there was an awkward silence between us and we just looked at each other.

"By the way, I just noticed. This room looks like a flower shop", Aaron chuckled breaking it.

"Well, you have a lot of well wishers" I chuckled.

"Anyone special I must know of?" he asked.

"Well, it is mostly clients. Except that one", I said pointing to the one in the corner.

"Why?" he asked with a frown.

"It came without a name. It just has a card that says 'Hope you know it's me.' It sounded weird to me but, I was too worried to care", I shrugged.

Aaron looked deep in thought for a few minutes and then just shook his head.

"Did you buy a new phone?" he asked.

"Huh?" I was surprised he remembered.

"Yes, I did. I told Peter to get me one", I smiled.

"Sorry for breaking it", he said and I stared at him in shock.

He said sorry to me? This is for the first time in months. I shouldn't think much into it. Maybe he is being nice because he just met an accident.

"Its..Its alright", I muttered.

Aaron bend forward trying to get up suddenly.

"What are you doing?" I asked him going forward to stop him.

"I want to use the restroom", he said continuing to move.

"Wait. Do it slowly. I'll help you", I told him.

"Mel, you do remember that my legs are fine, right? You said it yourself", Aaron looked at me amused.

"Yes, but you may have weakness. You woke up after a week. Besides, I am here to help so why not take it", I told him and he just looked at me and blinked his eyes.

Slowly, he looked away and I helped him go to the restroom.

Soon, we came back and I helped him lie down comfortably on the bed.

I smiled at Aaron when someone knocked on the door.

"May we come in?" dad peeped in.

We nodded and they all walked in.

"Oh yes! What did the doctor say, dad? The so called office work is done, Peter?" Aaron raised an eyebrow at them and shot them a fake smile.

"Well, you were looking all around and we knew you'd ask about Amy. We didn't know if Amy had even woken up yet. We were scared how you will react", mom said sheepishly.

Aaron was looking around to see me?

"Amy woke up like a few minutes after you did. When I went out, I had actually gone to see her and she ran before I could even complete my sentence", Peter flattened his lips.

"You ran till here?" Aaron looked at me with wide eyes.

"Well, I wanted to make sure that Peter wasn't lying to me", I shrugged.

"You went unconscious and the first thing you did after getting up is running?" he asked me incredulously.

"You went into mini coma and the first thing you do after getting up is yell at me?" I asked matching his tone and expression.

Aaron just shook his head.

"Well, if your couple fight is over, Aaron doctor has instructed that you need complete rest, okay? So, no drinking, no unhealthy food and forget your wife for a few days", dad told him and when we looked at him with confusion he continued, "Oh, I don't mean Amy. I mean Kingston Designs, his first wife", dad laughed.

"I don't get drunk anymore, dad and I don't overwork either", Aaron rolled his eyes.

"Liar", everyone said in unison.

"It's the truth. I haven't got drunk since my wedding. Casual drinking, yes. But, not wasted drunk", Aaron said with a smile.

"We don't mean that, boss. It is the overworking", Peter joked.

"I did mean the drinking too. But, if you say so, then it is sad you don't get drunk anymore. Marriage ruins people", Daniel shook his head and mom hit him on his head.

"Why are you always hitting me, woman?" Daniel cribbed.

"Because you deserve it and there is no one else to do it for me", mom glared at him making us laugh.

"This is child abuse", he cribbed again.

"I think the patient needs to rest and we all need to go", dad said cutting the argument short.

"One of us needs to stay here and rest will visit again in the evening", mom declared.

"I can stay", I said.

"No, Amy. You need to rest. You are going home and coming back in the evening. Unless you want me to admit you in the room next to this one. Trust me, I can do it", mom said with finality. No room for argument left at all.

"Thank god, there is someone at least that you can't argue with", Aaron said under his breath and I shot him a glare.

"I'll stay", Daniel said and we all agreed.

A few weeks later...

"Carefully", I scowled at Aaron as we entered the house.

"Mel, I am okay. Relax", he chuckled.

"Shut up. You just got discharged, okay? You still haven't recovered completely. I think they discharged you just because of all your cribbing", I rolled my eyes.

"No, they discharged me because I have been there for more than three weeks since I woke up, my ribs and lungs are fine now, my arm will take about one more week and the injuries on my neck are all healed except the marks that will fade away on its own. Doctor's words not mine", he laughed as we walked to his room.

I rolled my eyes and made him sit on his bed saying, "Fine, but your injuries are still fresh. Your head is still bandaged and your arm still has a cast and yet, you walk like you own the earth. You have to be careful else-"

"Mel, you do realise that you worry a lot, right? It's okay", he laughed.

"It's okay? Do you get into such massive accidents everyday?" I glared at him.

"Mel, you know why mom and dad went back to Tennessee today? Because, they think that there is no use of them. You don't let anyone do anything. Actually, you know what? I think the doctors let me go because of your constant questions", he smirked at me.

"Aaron, don't make me hit you again. I...it doesn't hurt to be extra cautious", I blushed a little.

He just shook his head and rested his back on the headboard. I helped him become comfortable.

"I'll get your lunch. Do you want anything else?" I asked him.

"Oh no! Not that soup again. Can I get some real food please?" he asked making me purse my lips to stop myself from laughing.

"Would you prefer some porridge?" I asked biting my lip as I already knew his reply.

"I'd rather die", he made a face.

"Aaron", I warned him.

"Fine, fine. No taking about deaths. Soup it is", he said helplessly.

I went to the kitchen and quickly prepared the soup that the dietician has prescribed for him. I took it out in a bowl and went to his room again.

"What the-" I clicked my tongue looking at him. "You are supposed to rest, Mr. Kingston. What the hell are you doing on your laptop?" I asked glaring at him.

"Working. I am bored", he pouted.

"Just a few more days, okay? Until your arm is fine", I said taking the laptop away and putting the soup and the breakfast table on the bed for him. I turned to go get his medicines and he caught my hand.

"Where's your lunch?" he asked.

"I'll have something later. I need to get your med-"

"You worry so much about my health. Will it kill you to take some efforts for yourself too?" he asked giving me a fake smile followed by a glare.

"Go get your lunch else I am not eating", he told me.

"Aaron, it will take time for me too cook something. You eat-"

"Then, you share this with me", he said.

"What? No", I said looking at the soup. Just the thought of eating broccoli soup made me cringe. I hate broccoli and he knows it.

"Why? It is supposed to be really healthy, right? I am the cranky one between us and crib a lot for no reason at all. But, you are the sweet adjusting one, right? Come, let's share", he teased.

"Aaron, don't joke. I am not ill. You are", I told him with a nervous laugh and gulped.

"Nope. Now, you are having it with me too or else I am ordering food from outside", he shook his head smirking.

"Aaron!" I exclaimed.

"You were having the time of your life when I was cribbing a few minutes ago, right? Now, suffer with me. Come", he said making me sit on the bed.

"Why don't you...finish this? I will get another...bowl for me", I told him and started getting up.

But, he pulled me back. "You can refill this later when we finish it."

He took some of the soup in the spoon and turned it to me. I looked at the soup and felt like puking. This is worse than all his torture combined. I gulped and forced myself to open my mouth. I nervously tasted a little and instantly wanted to spit it out.

Aaron doubled over laughing hard, "Oh..oh god. Your...your face", he continued laughing.

I had never seen him laugh like this since our marriage. I was staring at him in awe. He looked so happy.

"I was just kidding. I know you hate broccoli. Go get something for yourself quickly. I am waiting", he smiled at me finally recovering.

I nodded and got up. I went to the kitchen and quickly fixed a sandwich for myself.

Something has changed with Aaron. I mean he has become more like how he was before the marriage. He laughs more, he talks nicely to me, he looks relieved somehow. He is more carefree when he talks to me. The spark that he used to have in his eyes before our wedding is back. In last two weeks in the hospital, he has been acting really sweet and nice to me. Almost flirty sometimes. I don't want to think a lot about it because maybe I don't want to jinx it.

After spending the first night in the hospital when Aaron got into the accident, I had realised that Luke and Daniel might not be completely wrong after all. It did get me thinking about how we still care for each other. I realised that Daniel was right. It wouldn't have affected me so much to see his life in danger, if I hated him. But, I didn't get to any conclusion.

But, the day Aaron woke up, that morning, when his pulse dropped and doctor said that we are losing him, I felt my heart skip a beat. For a second, I felt like it will stop any minute. I know that Aaron has done a lot of wrong things to me and I may never be able to forgive him for them. But, I think my heart doesn't think like that. I feel like my heart still belongs to him somewhere. My heart still wants him, still needs him. Maybe because he is my first love.

With Aaron acting all different since he woke up, I don't think it will be long before all my feelings to resurface. After the talks I shared with Daniel and Peter at the hospital, I feel like he is the Aaron that I fell for. That is the actual him. This Aaron, the guy who kept hurting me is a fake cover. It is not the real man. It is the face that he used to take his revenge. That being said, I am still not going to forgive him for cheating on me. I am trying to avoid feeling anything for everything that he does but, I am not sure for how long I will be able to keep going.

I wish Daniel would have been able to tell me about the reason behind this that night. We never got time after that to talk more. But, somewhere I am also glad that he didn't complete it. I want Aaron to say it to me. I want him to be able to trust me enough to share it with me. Don't know if that will make any difference to how I feel but, still maybe it will help me see things with a more open mind.

"Mel, are you done?" Aaron called to me making me come out of my thoughts.

"Y..yeah, one second", I yelled back and took a deep breath forgetting everything.

I went to his room and we ate lunch silently.

"I might have to go into office next week", he broke the silence.

"Have you lost your mind?" I asked him.

"Actually, it is-"

"No. You know what? I think I should call the doctor. I swear Aaron I am going to pay him double to put you back to the hospital if I have to", I told him angrily.

"Mel, the doctor said I am fine. He had also said I could go to work soon, right? Besides, it is just a little-"

"No, Aaron", I said with finality.

"Mel, listen to me. I just have to just sign a contract. The client needs me there. Peter can't do it. It will take only thirty minutes", he explained.

"Aaron, you just came home! You need rest. Doctor clearly said that you cannot overwork yourself", I groaned.

"Mel, please. It is really important. You can come with me, if you want, and make sure that we will leave the office within thirty minutes", he suggested.

"I can come?" I asked.

"Yes, I am sure you must be missing office. In fact, why don't you get some of your work home? Your work must be piled from being at the hospital last month. You can work from here until you resume your work from next week", he told me.

"Aaron...you are...okay, right?" I blinked at him. "You...want me to...work?"

"Yes, I would have said this week but, I know you wouldn't leave me. You love working, don't you? You should really go with me tomorrow. It will be good change. Also, you just have two more months in the company, right? You should think about your plans for future. I don't have an issue if you want to continue but, your choice", he told me and ate silently.

"I think we need to see the doctor. If not for you then for me because I think I am going crazy and hearing things", I told him still shocked.

"What are you trying to say?" he chuckled.

"Aaron, you have been against me working since forever!"

"Well, that's not true. I did support-"

"I am talking about after marriage", I cut him off

"Umm....that...let's just...let's just say that I do not have any issues now, okay? You can do as you please", Aaron told me with a smile.

I just continued staring at him. I knew he was trying to avoid saying something. I have realised he tends to avert his eyes everytime he doesn't want me to know something. Thanks to Luke.

"So, we are going tomorrow?" Aaron asked and I just nodded still staring at him.

"I am done. Can you please give me my medicines?" he asked me.

I gave him his medicines and water.

"Now, you rest and I will go do some...", I frowned as I had nothing to do.

"You don't have anything to do?" Aaron asked.

"Yeah but, you take rest. I'll find something. There are alot of things to do in the house", I just gently pretended to wave it off. I don't know what I will do but, that is my problem. He needs to rest and not worry.

"No, I don't want to rest. Why don't you sit here for sometime? You can give me company or even better, you can do my work for me. What say?" Aaron asked.

"What?" I frowned as I didn't understand what he was saying.

"Yes, I'll speak and you can do it. Just typing letters and looking into a few contracts. You can share your views too", he shrugged.

"Aaron, that is management level work. How can I-"

"It's not that hard. I will teach you", Aaron told me.

"But, it might be confidential", I argued.

"I trust you, Mel", he chuckled.

"I don't think-"

Aaron clicked his tongue and said, "Come on."

I sat next to him as we started working. I was doing everything that Aaron told me to and time just flew by us.

"Mel, I need help", Aaron called to me from the bedroom.

"What is it?" I asked going to him.

"Uh..I...I need to take a bath", Aaron said looking at me.

"So? Nurse said you can sponge yourself for a few days and I already kept the things you need in your bathroom", I said frowning at him.

"Uh...my clothes. I am unable to remove the t-shirt with one hand", he suggested and I understood what he meant.

Fuck, I didn't think of it.

I blushed and walked to him avoiding his gaze. I slowly lifted his t-shirt and slowly pulled it off him as I felt the heat rising on my face. I faced the ground as I took it off.

"Ouch", he said suddenly.

"What happened? Did your arm hurt? Or the stitches on your neck?" I asked and looked up to see he was smiling. I glared at him as I realised he was pulling my leg. I slapped him on his shoulder.

"Ouch!" he yelped in real pain this time.

I threw the t-shirt on the bed and said, "Do the rest by..by yourself."

I left the room before he could say anything.

I cooked dinner while he washed himself up and then we sat down to eat.

"Mel, I was thinking that if you are in for it, since winter is approaching we can go to Miami next month, after I become alright, of course. All of us. Family trip", Aaron told me.

"Family trip?" I asked surprised.

"Yes, family. You know me, you, mom, dad and Dan, if he is not in Italy", he frowned.

I just continued looking at him. Family trip? See, this is what I was saying. Aaron is acting so weird.

"Aaron, I-"

"It..it's okay, Mel. You don't have to...answer right now. Take your time", he gave me a forced smile and continued eating silently.

"What do you want to do after dinner?" he asked changing the topic.

"Sleep", I told him incredulously.

"What? Who sleeps so early! You want to go out? Long drive?" he asked.

"Firstly, you just came from hospital. You need to rest which you don't do enough and secondly, you mister aren't driving for a long, long time. I am asking Peter to hire a driver for you", I told him.

"Well, I am tired of staying inside four walls the whole day. And, no I am not getting a driver. I always drive by myself", he argued.

"I have seen how you drive. You got into an accident, Aaron. Don't act so casual and childish about it", I said angrily.

"Okay, let's make a deal. I will do everything for the next week until the doctor says I am good to go and you don't hire that driver for me. Sounds good?" he asked me.

"Aaron, it is not about that. You drive like crazy when you are stressed and I don't want you to get into an accident again", I told him.

"I won't, I promise. Besides, the accident was because of brake failure", he told me.

"Yes, I know. But, how did the brakes fail, Aaron?" I asked him.

"I don't know. The police said they are still looking. I didn't realise until I was on the highway", he shrugged.

"Why were you even on the highway?" I asked him.

"I told you before, Mel. I was driving aimlessly", he told me.

"Why did you leave that day, Aaron? Why did you leave after...after the..", I asked him and averted my eyes as I recalled the kiss.

He didn't answer and we stayed quiet for a few minutes.

"Forget..forget the long drive. Let's watch a movie tonight. What say?" he asked me avoiding my question and I just nodded silently.

We sat down on the living room couch after dinner and decided on the movie.

"I'll make some coffee. Want some?" Aaron asked.

"I'll make it", I told him getting.

"Relax, Mel. I still have one hand working, okay? I'll make it", he smiled and left to the kitchen leaving me behind to think.

Aaron is acting like a changed man. I don't know what to believe anymore. Is he acting? Why is he suddenly behaving nice? He avoids answering my questions about why he left that night and yet, acts all playful and kind with me. His sudden change is scaring me.

Uh..I can't even call Luke and ask him what to do. I don't know how Aaron will react.

Aaron came back from the kitchen and gave me a cup of coffee. He went again and got another cup for himself. He sat next to me and played the movie. I looked at the screen as the movie started. But, in the back of my head, a thought kept lurking.

What the hell has happened to Aaron?

Next week...

"Luke, I am telling you. Something is seriously wrong with him", I told Luke with worry.