Aftermath

CHAPTER SEVEN

THIRD PERSON’S POV

Devan was standing in front of Elif’s hospital room. He wanted to make sure that Elif is not his kid. Devan had a feeling that Elif is his daughter but seeing how Klaud takes care of Elif made him think otherwise. While watching Aera’s family he saw Aera walking near the door so he hurriedly leave the area to avoid having contact with her. As much as he wants to confront Aera about Elif’s Identity, something’s stopping him from doing it so.

“I swear, once I am sure who's the child is that I'll get the fuck away from Aera,” he said to himself. He walks up to his car and called his brother, Derek.

After a few rings, his brother finally answered.

“Yes, Devan?” his brother’s first words after answering the phone. Derek is Devan’s older brother. The two is very close to each other ever since they were kids. Inseparable, they said. Derek always protects Devan. Everything Devan wanted, Derek would always do anything to give it to his precious little brother.

“I have a favor,” Devan said directly. He knows that Derek wouldn't decline his favor that's why Derek is the first person he called to solve his problem.

“Anything. You know I would never say no to you.” His brother answered.

“I would like you to take DNA from me and Aera’s daughter.” Dean finally said his favor. He’s not at peace knowing that Elif could be his child.

“Aera? Do you mean your wife? Aera Zirene Levin?” Derek asked.

“Yes. There’s no other Aera, Derek.” Devan answered his brother.

After talking for a while the two agreed that Devan would take a sample of Elif’s hard strand so that they could test it. Devan’s brother was shocked by the news that Aera had a child. Devan was skeptical that Elif is his kid because they rarely slept together since he’s always away on a ‘business trip’.

Devan came back inside the hospital. While walking he accidentally bumped into his target. It was Elif. She's still energetic as if she didn't get into an accident. The child had minor stitches on her knees but overall she is fine. 'This is the kid? I thought she was Xana's kid?' he asked himself.

“I’m sorry.” Elif apologizes to Devan. Hearing her speak made Devan’s heart melt. She sounds just like her mother. Devan squatted in front of her.

“It is fine, young lady. What is your name?” He asked Elif while staring at her. Elif looks like Devan in the angle he is looking at.

“I’m Elif. What's yours?” The little one asked politely while giving off a sweet smile to the stranger she met.

“Devan. Where are your parents?” He asked her again.

“Mommy is doing something and Mamaw let me play for a while.” The kid answered directly. Devan was watching the kid stroke her doll’s hair. He remembered how gentle Aera was, just like how gentle Elif is to her doll.

“Elif!” Devan heard Aera’s voice look for her daughter. He immediately grabbed a strand of Elif’s hair and leave the area.

AERA’S POV

After the doctor called, she explained that Elif had to get minor stitches on her knees because it was the part that got injured. Although it is just a minor injury the doctor still wanted to make sure she's perfectly normal so they had to run several tests. Thank goodness, my daughter is fine. I can't afford to lose her. Ever.

The results came out and the doctor concluded that Elif is good to go and if we ever see anything unusual on her we should go back to the ER. I paid the bills and left Elif with my Mom and Dad. Xana and Klaud have already gone home. I thanked them for accompanying me when I got the news and I appreciate them so freaking much.

I called Elif after I paid our bills. I saw her standing near the door. Was she talking to someone before I arrived? I shrugged it off and walk closer to my daughter.

“Elif, let's go home,” I said and stroked her straight brown hair. It was messed up. She probably played with her hair that’s why.

Mom and Dad took us home since I left my car at the office.

“Thank you, Mommy Daddy,” I said after I put down Elif.

“We’re sorry about what happened to Elif, dear.” Dad apologizes for the hundredth time.

“It’s okay, we make mistakes Daddy. Just, please keep an eye on her all the time next time.” I hugged them both and waved goodbye.

I watched my daughter sleep peacefully. She's so fragile. She's the perfect mixture of me and Devan. Her round eyes that she got from me. The perfect face shape that she got from her father. Her pointed nose was just like her father’s. And her perfectly curved lips that she got from me. She's so precious. How I wish I could let her meet her father but something inside me is holding me back. It's so painful. I don't want my child to grow up without a father but I have no choice. I'm so sorry, Elif. I hope you will understand Mommy once you grow up.

I got up and prepared dinner for myself. I also prepared one for Elif in case she wakes up and wants to eat. While I was eating dinner my phone rang, I extended my arm to grab it and answer the phone call.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Hey, how are you? I didn't get to check on you earlier.” The other line said.

“I’m good, Klaud. Thank you so much. I'm okay now since Elif is fine.”

“Good to hear. I was so worried about you. I was about to give you your daily coffee when you bumped into me.” he said and chuckled.

“Wait didn't you give me a coffee already?” I asked. If it's not him then who gave me the coffee?

“What? No. I was about to give you one. Who gave you the coffee you're talking about?” he asked worriedly.

“I don't know. I thought it was you because the note says, ‘see you around’” I answered.

“Maybe it was Xana?” he suggested.

“No, Xana was busy that morning,” I said.

“Well, it might be one of our co-workers trying to be friendly. Don't worry about it too much,” he said.

While we were talking about how our day went, I heard a knock on my door.

“Hold on, Klaud. I'll just get the door.” I excused myself. I walk to the door and opened it. I was shocked to see who it is. What is he doing here late at the hour?

DEVAN’S POV

I am having dinner with Rejina but my mind is still preoccupied with Aera’s child. I gave the hair strands that I got from the child to Derek and also gave my DNA sample. Derek said it would take a day to get the results. I should be at ease now but I couldn't be at ease. What if that child is mine? How will I make it up to her?

“Babe!” Rejina shouts and it brought me back to reality. I looked at her, she's nothing compared to Aera. Rejina dresses so sl*tty while Aera always dresses so charming when she's with me. Rejina has this sexy body and I understand that she wanted to embrace it by wearing tight clothes that complement her shape. But for once, I want Rejina to be like Aera. F*CK! Why am I comparing them?

“I’m sorry,” I said and started eating again.

“You’re spacing out. What's wrong?” she asks and sat on my legs. She moves closer to me and lets me feel her body. I touched her bare shoulders, it's soft, and hot at the same time.

She started kissing my neck. Our breathing becomes heavy as we are going far from where we started. I know for a fact that this is wrong but as I was kissing and touching the girl I am with right now, I couldn't help but think of my wife. My wife whom I betrayed for so long during our married life.