The Devil's Sweetheart

Evelyn didnot wait to hear the man's nonsense; she hung up the call, called Ethan, and asked him to meet at the lawn. 

''Thanks for coming on time, Ethan. I owe you a big thanks.'' Evelyn said, looking at the tall figure walking towards her, a few steps away.

''O negative blood is scarce. I am happy that you called me, aunty Evelyn. Harley is safe.'' Ethan sat at the corner of the bench and gazed at the ablaze sky with the fire of the setting sun. ''How did you know my blood group is O negative? I suppose you don't know my mother's blood group.''

Ethan curiously questioned. When he received a call, Aunt Evelyn's voice sounded as if she was sure about his blood group.

Clearing her throat, Evelyn said. ''You are not supposed to ask questions to your elders.''

Ethan rigorously nodded his head. There was an awkward silence, for both didnot had a topic to proceed with the conversation. It was Ethan who broke the silence at last. ''Harley is my best companion during my school days. She will cry if I forget to give her a chocolate one day even. I also named her twiggy for being skinny.'' Ethan explained an incident that made both Ethan and Harley got to know each other.

''Is it?'' Evelyn turned to Ethan in surprise. So, the brother and sister bond started during their childhood? Evelyn smiled at the thought. ''Harley never told me.'' 

''She might be scared that you would reprimand her for talking with me,'' Ethan joked, a smile on his lips. Once Devin saw Harley accepting chocolate from him, he dragged her away, throwing laser atomic glares, which is still evident in his memory.

''I never hated you. You are welcome to visit our house any time, Ethan'' Evelyn genuinely said. When Harley comes back from school, the first thing she does is complain about Devin and Ethan's fights. It's all because of that vicious woman planting ego in Ethan's mind, which has sprouted into a tree along with his growth.

''I know. Thank you, Aunty'' Ethan smiled. He has learned lessons from the worst mistakes. His mother has made him into a puppet for her selfish needs, and he suffered beyond repair. ''I will take my leave then. I will come back on the weekend to see Harley again.''

''I hope your visit here remains a secret. I don't want your dad to know as well,'' 

Ethan nodded and left. He understood Aunt Evelyn's predicament. His dad has been bugging ever since asking for his childhood friend's whereabouts. But, unfortunately, he doesn't know what exactly happened, but Aunt Evelyn refuses to answer his questions. 

....

As Evelyn walked back to the hospital, Devin dragged her mother to the corridor. ''What's happening here? Why did Ethan suddenly show up?''

''B_ecause he has O negative blood group,'' Evelyn said, looking at the water purifier. She felt the design was more beautiful than her son's brooding stares.

''As if I don't know that fact. You are hiding something_''

''I have urgent work at home. I have to go back.'' Evelyn flared her hands from her son's grip and dashed out of place.

Devin looked at the retreating figure and sighed. She is hiding something. With that thought, he went to Harley's room, where Leena and Reese were sitting next to her.

 Devin gently stroked Harley's forehead. She has lost her charm in a day, he thought. If not for Leena's quick reflexes to track the exact location, the situation would have worsened.

 He glanced at Leena, a smile on his lips. ''Where is Savny?''

''She is sleeping. Aunt Jalapeno is taking care of her.'' Jane and Wilbur wanted to come the moment they knew about Harley, but Leena stopped assuring them that she is out of danger.

''Take care of yourself. Eat well.'' He kissed her forehead and whispered. ''I am going to the office.''

Leena grinned with a double thumbs-up sign, to which Devin chuckled, and made his way out.

....

When Harley opened her eyes the next day, she was petrified to see her legs draped with bandages. The kidnapper's words ringed in her mind, scaring her. Soon, the doctor assured her that she would quickly recover, which was a huge relief to her. One by one, everybody visited her, and soon the room was left with Leena and Reese. Reese was squeezing oranges using a manual juicer while Leena and Cutie were eating the fruits.

''Like a pig, you are eating from the morning.'' Reese chided Leena and handed the freshly squeezed orange juice to Harley. She then helped Harley lean against the headboard.

''Because I am hungry all the time.'' Leena shamelessly added with a grin, and Cutie followed the same.

Taking a sip of juice, Harley glanced at the door as if she was expecting someone. Her family members and friends, everybody has come to meet her, except him. Does he know that I am in the hospital? Why not? Reese knows Uncle Louis, and Aunt Mabel came to talk with her. She was hell shocked when Leena explained the incidents that happened yesterday. She never expected Jasper's grandmother is the mastermind behind the plan.

Harley glanced at Reese. ''Where is Jasper?''

''He is_ he is busy with office work.'' Reese lied. She doesn't know where that stupid brother is. He is neither in the office nor in the home. She sent Andrew to search for him, but God knows where he is hiding.

''Oh.'' Watching the disappointed expression on Harley's face, Leena grabbed Harley's arm to reassure her that everything is going to set right.

Harley nodded her head, though not convinced. By nightfall, a nurse came and went after checking her vitals. With nothing to do, she counted sheep before she fell asleep. At midnight Harley gently stirred from her sleep when something wet fell on her hands, and when she opened her eyes, she found nothing except darkness. ''Did I imagine, or is it him?'' Harley muttered.

The next day Harley waited, looking at the doorstep for Jasper to turn up, but only to feel disappointment. When she asked Reese, Harley heard the same excuse.

At midnight when she was asleep, Harley felt the same familiar feeling again. Her hand turned wet, and this time she opened her eyes and caught the hand before the person made out of the room. ''Jasper. Is that you?'' Harley got up and leaned back on the bed.

 ''Are you leaving me alone to guess your identity like last night?'' Harley felt his hand stiffen in her grasp. ''Is it because I can't walk that you refused to come near_''

Harley's words hadn't finished. The figure turned around and placed a finger on her lips to silence her. ''Never ever talk like that, Harley.''

''Why did you come here now?'' Harley questioned sternly. Like a cat who roams around the house during the nights, he is exactly behaving the same.

Jasper switched on the lights without speaking a word and looked at Harley's squinting eyes as she adjusted to the light. She looks pale, he thought, but still the most beautiful girl in his eyes. He wanted to hug her, but he cannot forget the hatred she has for him. How much he controlled himself to confront her, only he knows. His family was responsible for her situation, which makes it indirectly he is responsible for her state. ''I am sorry for coming here announced. Please sleep. I will leave.'' Before Jasper took a step forward, Harley caught his hand again. ''Can you look into my eyes and tell if you meant? Didn't you miss me? Don't you want to talk to me?''

Jasper turned around. He could no longer hold the heartbreak. He threw his arms on Harley hugged her gently without touching the wound of her stomach. ''I missed you. I missed you a lot, Harley. I missed you giving forehead kisses for two years. I can deal with anything in this world except your absence. But how can I show up in front of you

when I am the one responsible for your state. How am I supposed to show my face?''

Harley released herself from the hug and cupped his face. ''Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. The fault is also mine. I made it hard for you.'' Harley kissed him on his lips before she muttered. ''I am sorry for keeping you in the dark.''

''You don't need to be sorry,'' He kissed her forehead, the warmth he craved of her, in an innocent way for two years has come back again ''I_I didnot sleep with Celia. Those pictures were fake. My grandmother, and Celia_''

''I know. I am sorry for judging you with those baseless pictures.'' Had she talked with him two years back, she would have been the happiest girl on the earth. Unfortunately, she is responsible for misunderstandings.

''Next time, ask me if you have a doubt. Don't assume by yourself..'' Jasper chided.