64 A salvation with regrets

Noah broke down and cried like never before as soon as he saw Seb.

No one expected that to happen, thus no one dared to stop or say even a word. For them it was even more unbearable.

Iven only could turn away his with the regrets of being unable to protect her. It was all his fault, he let her go.

He wasn't the least convinced to keep Seb in the hospital at all after bringing her back. Seb hadn't even woken up once too.

He wanted her to keep in the ship, but faced a lot of opposition from everyone. He was being clouded by his personal emotions and wasn't thinking about Seb's priority.

Finally after a while of confrontation, when time was being wasted, he agreed to keep her home-hospitalised. That too in her apartment.

Because it was pointed that the ship won't be comfortable enough for her as it lacked facilities she required.

After the terrible incident, Iven seemed to have become extra obsessed.

He won't leave seb's side even for a moment or divert his eyes from her. He won't let any one else volunteer to stay or take care of any needs.

The doctor called for treatment was their personal, and he won't even trust him or the nurse. He kept nagging every hour since Seb showed no signs of waking based on the fact that she was

on heave tranquilizers because she might face pain and anxiety. Only saline supported her nutrition.

For couple of days he even denied to leave for a change of clothes, but Mak and Yuka forced him with them since Seb need proper hygiene around her.

Noah was kept at her side for the time being.

From the end of 2nd day, it was obvious that her wounds had started to cover up. Except her leg which was seriously fractured was still under cast.

But the saline water was no more needed. Even the drugs were stopped.

They could only wait for her to wake up.

And after 2 whole days and a half night, Seb finally regained her consciousness.

Her body scarred all over and covered in bandages.

A plaster on her leg and the back of her head had a serious concussion so it was gauzed as well for preventing risk.

Iven didn't allow himself to get a minute of sleep till the time Seb was out cold.

He was getting up anxious and desperate after her drip was taken off. He lost patience since she wasn't opening her eyes.

But he knew even if he wanted a lot. he couldn't do anything for her.

Only if he could swap places with her.

That night, he had spent the whole time staring at Seb's still and broken sleeping face. Without any motion or change.

He had started to introspect her somehow, things he never noticed before. Her features as a feminine, strong cheeks and bones due to active participation in sports. Not so delicacy in the skin.

All these never attracted him before to love her, but now it appeared so beautiful to him. All of a sudden, it was so different!

Why has he never noticed before that she has always been this pretty?

When Seb had opened her eyes, Iven was still scanning her.

He didn't even realize that she had awoken.

They caught among their eyes and stopped in a eyelock.

The moment was awkward but still went on for a while.

"Iven?", Seb's voice is almost inaudible.

In an instant, Iven blinked and broke the eyelock.

He was embarrassed as he scratched his head and then again re-realized that Seb was awake. But he had no words to express his excitement or explain his strange behaviour at the same time.

"You're....awake!", he was startled.

-It seems.....so are you.

-You've been out for more than 2 days.

-Seems so....so are you.

-You don't look well.

-Seems.....so do you.

And again like other times, it was enough as usual to bring back Iven's natural smile and break from his seriously worries eyes.

He looked down and smiled.....which fled in a while.

He stood up with a jerk and turned away from her.

"Should I get you something to drink?", he asked in a deep tone. Seb was unamused.

She didn't expect that behaviour from him after all that happened.

Is he still angry or blocking his sentiments?

Why won't he face her? Why won't he look her in the eyes?

"Nothing", she replied quietly,"Just turn the lights low".

"The lights?", asked Iven.

"My eyes burn", she admitted," May be because I was sleeping for a long time, they are getting teary. I might not be able to tolerate it for now. My head hurts from the sedatives too. So, would

you care?".

Iven was strongly hit by the last sarcasm.

He dimmed the lights and was about to come sit beside her when Seb retorted again,"I wish to stay alone for a while".

And he felt the same which Seb felt a while ago.

Only, he was taken aback more than she was.

But he didn't argue. Seb is still weak and he can't afford to get her worse.

He paused, totally set her words in his word and left obediently.

Even that hurt Seb like nothing.

He is pretending colder. Is he not happy to have saved her?

or is he pissed about something?

May be because she didn't listen to him and had her land in such a position, bothering him to rescue her?

But that's not the case is it?

His face was unreadable and blank!

She wished for him to defy her when stopped from staying with her and argue back. in fact, she wanted him to stay.

But instead, he just obeyed without a word.

What was all that about???

The door again opened slowly.

Seb's heart skipped a bit,"Iven?", she looked.

But disappointingly, it was only the nurse. She has come for the usual shot and a change for clothes.

Seb sighed and looked away.

The nurse got into her work and Seb cooperated.

She mildly asked in between,"Is my...is my friend gone?".

"That boy?', the Nurse seemed to be annoyed,"Never seen anyone so persistent like him. He won't leave for the whole 2 days you were out no matter how much his friends forced him. I doubt

he will go even now. He got worked up on me and even the doctor since you showed no progress. The other ones had to drag him, but just for a while", her expression softened,"Even now

he is still lying on the couch, stubborn young fellow. Really dotes on you I guess, a good friend".

And that's the information Seb needed.

"Yes", she said as she smiled,"A good friend, indeed".

He is clearly pretending or hiding something.

It is something to demand an explanation for.