𝐒𝐂𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐄

29.𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔

One day until Grandma's surgery, I thought. I stared at her as she tried to communicate with the doctor. The doctor asked her how she was feeling and if she was ready for what was to come. He couldn't be any more thoughtful.

Grandma spoke a few sentences with me as well. But because of the medication and probably the fear of the surgery, she preferred to sleep or watch TV. She asked me multiple times if I was alright and if I ate well. I assured her that I did and that she shouldn't worry.

Everything was going well, except for the demon situation. We decided we should take care of them after Grandma's surgery. Azra said demons don't have feelings, but he's the most thoughtful demon person I've ever met. He knows how stressed I am because of the surgery, so we postponed our plan.

Both of them are guarding the building from inside and outside. They occasionally visit me or talk to me when I go home. Both of them are greatly concerned for my safety, and that tugged a string at my heart.

Yesterday, when Azra stayed in the hospital and Keliah took me home, we started a conversation as I ate fries with a burger. Can I add how delicious it was? TV was playing, some random reality show was on, and ketchup was smashed across my lips. "Spill everything," I said, chewing the food like a beast.

"And what might be that, V?" He asked with a curious voice.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about. Don't play a fool." I bickered, frowning.

Keliah cackled and ran his fingers through his long, bright hair. "It's too complicated of a topic." He confessed, looking at the floor.

I stopped eating and placed the food on the table, taking a sip of beer. "Nothing is too complicated. You only have to know a way of explaining it." I stated.

He sighed and spoke. "It happened centuries ago. Since the day he saved my ass. I was almost at the front desk meeting the devil, if not for Azra."

I nodded, thinking about the story of how the two of them met. "Azra enlightened me." I smiled.

"Ohh, that's great, then. I have much less to explain." He said, glancing at me. "So, since the day he saved me, I have always looked at him with admiration. He could've left me there but instead, he brought me to his home and cured me." His words became quiet as if he were talking to himself.

"But it's not only for that, right? You like him because he saved you?" I questioned.

There has to be much more to liking than just saving someone's life. Sure, not anyone would save you when you're drowning, but does that automatically mean that their action is enough for the development of deeper feelings?

"Azra has always been honest with me. He never liked me sticking by him; I was aware of that, but despite it, I stayed by his side until he didn't mind my presence and my weird personality. What can I say, I'm a pretty charming demon." He grinned. "Eventually, when I won his liking and together we went through all kinds of hell, I realized I stared too much at his ass."

I burst into laughter, hiding my smile. Keliah couldn't stop himself from laughing as well. I took a deep breath after a couple of seconds and spoke, "You like him for his ass?"

Keliah's brow rose. "His ass is one of the qualities I love about him." He cleared his throat. "I can't believe I confessed this to you, V. This will remain with the two of us only, or otherwise, I'll have to end your life." He said in a low voice, glaring at me with his red eyes.

The knocks at the door startled me. I looked away from the entrance door to Keliah for him to confirm it was safe for me to open it. He nodded. Then I opened the door with caution, expecting to see a stranger. Instead, I was surprised to find Rowan standing on the other side with a gloomy face. He rushed in and gave me a big hug.