Dedicated to dream-1297! 

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Ring! Ring!

Bloody hell! What is that insistent ringing? Why don't they let me sleep peacefully for a single night? From the past two days they made it their mission to wake me up at ungodly hours in the morning. I will kill this person who is waking me up now. The bed is extra warm today and it is very comfortable inviting me to sleep in. May be if I ignore it, it might go away. I snuggled in hiding my face in the bed trying to ignore the ringing but it kept on ringing insistently. I tried to get up with half-closed eyes but was immediately yanked back down again.

That made me snap out from my daze and realized that it was Gouenji who yanked me down and he had his arms around my waist securely again. For a moment I wondered what crazy situation made me sleep with him but then I remembered the whole G's incident. It really sounds silly to me now when thinking back to it just as I expected but I was really scared then. I held onto Gouenji tightly till I could sleep and he didn't complain even once. Not to mention I slept on top of him. I experienced how it would feel when a person practically sits on you but I slept on him which means all my weight is on him. I am sure I am heavy but he didn't complain thankfully.

I lifted my head to look at him and was momentarily mesmerized by his sleeping face. He looks very innocent while sleeping, very cute in fact. No expression on his face, not a smirk or smile or glare but just neutral. I wonder what more expressions I would get to see on him! I want to treasure him very much, treasure him and his each and every expression and emotion. He is precious to me. You are my treasure Gouenji. But just then the damn phone rang again reminding me why I woke up and I decided to make that person's life a living hell! That might be Gouenji's phone since I am sleeping in his room and I don't remember bringing my phone but this ringtone is mine. I looked onto the table to find his phone but sure enough it was not his phone that was ringing.

Shaking off the sleep induced haziness I listened closely to find the sound coming from my own pocket. Somehow I ended up with my phone in my pocket. I took it out of my pocket and Aram's name flashed on it.

"If you don't give me a valid reason to wake me up at this ungodly hour I swear I will make your life a living hell."

"Destiny." There was such an edge to his voice and sadness that all my anger faded away.

"Aram." I said back my heart beating a taboo. What happened to make him that down? He was fine yesterday when we all went together for shopping. Is his health fine?

"Can you..."

"Yes. Don't hesitate. Please tell me." I urged him when he hesitated. By now I could feel Gouenji's gaze on me but I am too worried to answer him now.

"Can you come now?"

"Yes, where?"

"Trinity hospital."

"Yes I'll be there in five minutes." I said getting down the bed and almost running to the closet. My clothes are already shifted here and I am thankful for that now.

"Can you come fast if you don't mind?"

"Sure. I'll be there as fast as I can. Just let me get dressed."

"Don't tell anyone. Come alone please!"

"Okay." I answered and ended the call and brushed my teeth in a mere minute. I splashed some water onto my face and grabbed some random top and pants that I could get hold of and again ran out of the closet. I remember I kept my car keys somewhere in the first cupboard in my room.

"What happened Astrea?" Gouenji asked me holding my hand.

"Gouenji!" I said surprised initially. "That.. that..." I said raking my hand into my hair not knowing what to say. My mind is not working properly now to make up some lie, it is all fussed up worrying what might be Aram's situation to call me this early in the morning and not to mention he is in hospital, and I can't tell the truth since Aram insisted. "I am sorry. I am really sorry Gouenji I don't know what to tell you." I said truthfully. His hold on my hand loosened partially. "I can't tell you anything now. Hopefully I will be able to explain to you clearly when I return."

With that I started running away and I am not sure why there is such a broken look on his face. There was so much hurt on his face that my own heart clenched in pain. Why is he even hurt in the first place? I don't have much time to dwell on it since this might be a life and death issue. I promise I will ask him in detail what is bothering him. Communication is an important thing in relationship and I plan to not have any misunderstandings due to lack of communications. I promised myself that the first thing I will do after returning is to talk to Gouenji.

I found my car keys in my cupboard and ran to the garage to take my car out. I drove out of the house and I think I saw Gouenji at the main door watching me leave. What happened? He was fine yesterday when we slept together. Not now Destiny! Deal with one problem at a time. Trinity hospital was a ten minute drive and I reached there quite quickly since there was no traffic at this point in the morning.

"Aram Stanford." I asked the receptionist.

"Room no.429."

"Thanks." I answered running again to his room. I reached his room panting but stood outside trying to prepare my heart. I am scared at what I might find. Aram's voice was not one of that good news. I am scared. I don't want to go in but nothing will happen by not going inside. It would just be cowardly-self refusing to face the truth while the world will go in. I took a deep breath and went in. My heart started beating fast seeing him in a blue hospital gown. Gathering all the courage I can I moved forward.

"Aram." I called out to him.

"You are fast." He answered throwing me a small smile.

"Yeah I am." There was brief silence. "What's going on?" I asked not being able to hold on or give him time to tell me by himself.

"I will be having an operation."

"Why?"

"My doctor suggested it. They will remove my tumour. It might be a success."

"What are the chances?"

"50%. Worst case my death date will be sooner than later."

"Don't say such things." I chided him. "You will be fine." I said assuring myself along with him. "You are strong you know!"

"May be."

"Not may be. Believe that you can then you will. Inner confidence and will power sometimes helps you know."

"As you said sometimes." He said despaired.

"This time may be that sometime. Who knows?" I said shrugging. "Why should you leave that chance? There are times when things are not in our hands then we should do whatever we can. We should do the things in our possibility and hope for the best you know."

He gave me a small smile. "Sorry for waking you up at this ungodly time." He said joking referring to what I said when I lifted his call. "I thought I could do this alone but turns out I am not still strong enough."

"You need not be strong always Aram. It's okay to be weak sometimes. It's okay to depend on others. You have people to depend on, sometimes and some people have none to depend on you know. We should consider ourselves lucky for everything we have and be thankful for them. You can always depend on me. I will be there for you." I said holding his hand.

"I know I can." He said squeezing my hand. I smiled at him.

"You know that you are my best friend right?"

"I don't remember you saying it out loud." He teased me.

"Somethings need not be said. They are shown. Bonds are formed without knowing you know! I love you Aram, all our gang loves you very much though we might not say it out loud."

"I am afraid what Gouenji might say listening to you now."

"You know what I mean!" I said chiding him.

"You consider me best friend but you are like my sister my parents never bothered to have. Love you too sis."

"So from now on you are officially my big bro." I exclaim excitedly but immediately scrunch up my face. "Nah! No way! I can't have a mischievous big bro like you." I said looking at him with mock disgust.

"Hey!" He exclaimed. "I cancelled all I said just now. You are not my sister! I can't have a sister who is on my side!" He said pouting making me laugh.

"But that's what sisters do." I grin teasing him.

"Have you told Elena?" I asked and the tense atmosphere return again but I need to know.

"No."

"But she would.."

"I know she would want to know about this." He said cutting me off. "But I am still jot strong enough to tell her about this. I am not strong to see her cry. I can't be that selfish. I am not sure whether this operation will be a success or not. I can't give her false hope. I am sure if she is here she would believe with all her heart that I would be alright and if this fails she would be devastated. I can't do that to her!" I really had no come back for this. "I am giving you enough trouble. I don't want to trouble her."

"You are not giving me any trouble. This is the least I can do for you."

"Thanks for doing this for me. Believe me I won't regret this decision to not tell her. Moreover I need the drive. The drive to see her again with my own eyes after the operation." I smiled at him nodding in understanding.

"Wait! What about your parents? Have you told them?"

"No."

"Does they even know about your condition?"

"No, hopefully they don't get to." I can't believe him! He didn't even inform his parents about this. He is trying to shoulder the whole burden on his shoulders. He is really strong. I am sure I would succumb under the conditions as his.

We remained silent for some time after that!

"It scares me Destiny. What if I don't come back alive?" Aram said his voice barely above a whisper. I squeezed his hand on the bed in reassurance.

"Don't think of what is in the operation theater Aram. Think of what is outside it. I might be the only one standing out but all our gang's heart is with me. Each one of us love you from the bottom of our heart and all our well wishes are with you. Not to forget Elena, you are her life."

"That is what I am afraid of." He said looking at me his eyes showing the depth of pain he is experiencing and the confusion.

"That is not something to be afraid of Aram. That should be your strength. Will yourself to be strong to see her again. Love and life are always fragile. They are valuable and something to be fought for. Make it your strength and fight. Do whatever you can. Be strong."

"When will the operation be?"

"In about fifteen to twenty minutes."

After that we chatted away discussing from nothing to everything putting aside the matter of operation. I was glad to see him smiling again. In about ten minutes a doctor came in and I stood up from the chair I was sitting in.

"Mr.Stanford." The doctor said addressing him formally. "I believe the arrangements for the operation are done. Can we move?"

"Yes." We answered and soon enough he was being moved. I was on the edge of crying but held myself in. I can't show myself crying when he was going in to get operated. I have to be strong for him. He needs my support. I am not the one going through this horrible situation. It's him and the least I could do is stay strong for him. If I cry now it will have negative effect on him and might decrease his self-confidence and will power. He held onto my hand at the door of the operation theater.

"Look after Elena in case something happens to me."

"You don't need to tell me that." I answered him giving him a heartfelt smile which he returned. Then he was wheeled inside and I broke down there immediately my eyes releasing all the tears I held on till now. I cried for my friend and his well-being.

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Hey guys!!!! I am doing a double update as sort of an apology despite it being a little shorter compared to previous chapter. Hope you guys like it!

Sigh! My dear Aram! What happens now. I hope you guys haven't forgotten about him amidst all the mushiness we were recently having.

Please read, vote and comment! Have a nice time!!!!! Till next update!

Oh I almost forgot! One of the readers commented that it would be nice to have a cast. Not the first time actually but though not frequent. I initially wanted to leave it to your imagination so as not to put out anyone but if you want I will put up cast. Either if you want it or not please comment so i can know. I will go along with the comments so don't blame me if you keep silent and I do something not according to your wishes.