Livid Guardian's Endless Coddling

At a rooftop cafe,

"Thank you…" Noor thanked the waiter when he served their order while Aria just nodded at the young man.

Aria sipped her steaming hot coffee before asking Noor, "So, how are you doing, Noor?"

Noor tilted her head hearing the same question twice. Aria had asked the same question with a smile when they were in the car. But now, that smile has vanished, replaced with seriousness. 

It took her a few seconds to grasp and answer her, more like convincing herself, "I am doing good, Aunt Aria."

Aria had spoken to Naira. The latter had the role of secretary in a series so she was following her for two days. Even though Naira didn't know the reason behind Noor's changes, it was very easy for Aria to discern.

Aria wanted to give time for Noor to chose whoever she wants to speak. Noor had her friends, her parents, a sister so she was hoping Noor to handle herself. When she spoke to Norah in the morning, she got to know Noor was bearing everything alone by feigning ignorance. It was just hurting herself and that will eventually change Noor's personality.

Hearing her quote as 'good' Aria felt like she might be poking into their life too much. Youngsters had their way of dealing so she didn't want to cross her line and make Noor uncomfortable. So she flashed a smile to ease her up.

Noor sipped her juice before looking at Aria's hand. Alan always controlled Aria's caffeine intake. So she realized Aria is stressed about something. "Aunt Aria, are you missed Young Master too?" She knew the work couldn't worry Aria so much.

Aria's smile widened slightly. She was glad Noor knew she was missing Arsh, "I also haven't seen him for two weeks, so yeah." Aria didn't ask back anything. She let Noor ask all her questions so that her response could help her accept her feelings.

Noor nodded, her smile was replaced with sadness as she sipped her juice. She knew she was missing Arsh but she didn't know how to stop herself from thinking about him.

She let out a deep sigh and looked at Aria. She hesitated but she found nobody better than Aria to speak so, "I- Aunt Aria, how will wait for him till he returns every time he goes out?" She couldn't bring herself to speak about herself so she asked a question.

Aria placed her cup down. "I guess… You already know what he does. Don't you?"

Noor nodded in acceptance.

Aria continued, "Nobody knows at home excluding me and Alan. So I go to Alan. Sometimes I will stay sad the whole day, sometimes I grumble all day, sometimes I just stay silent without uttering a word… After venting out, I will be fine with the rest." What she meant was she doesn't have to hide her emotions. Even if there is one to speak with, that's enough.

Noor nodded, this time smiling at Aria's response. She likes how Alan never missed staying for Aria. Alan? "What about Uncle Alan? Doesn't he miss Young Master?"

Aria smiled to hear her question. She knew everyone admired Alan, they might not tell him but he always made everyone envious. "He does." Aria knew Noor's intention to ask the question was to know how he copes up, "But Uncle Alan is different. He trusts Arsh, he believes in him to return safe and sound. So he shows everyone that he is angry for making me worry."

"Ohhh…" Noor mused. She thought if she trusts Arsh. She trusts him, his smartness but she couldn't stop worrying. She didn't want to think further about it. She didn't want to start fearing.

A few minutes fell into silence. The sky started turning in the shades of orange and red. Aria was watching the sky when Noor had reduced to cupping her face and repeatedly sighing to herself. Aria heard her, she felt bad for Noor and craved to bonk her son.

"I am so messed up." Noor suddenly said, laying her head on the table.

Aria propped her head on her fist and watched Noor. She whispered, "You can bitch your boyfriend. I don't mind. I always do that with my husband."

Noor pouted as she cupped her face and looked at Aria, "If I remember right, Young Master used to go out more than a month."

Aria nodded in response confirming that she was right.

"You all used to tell me, he went out with his friends, outing or on work. I never missed anybody so much and I was never stressed out about the same." Noor thought about what she was talking about. She felt confused and messed up again.

Aria lifted her brows looking at her blank out. "Noor…"

Noor blurted out, "I feel like crying again."

Aria had purposefully blocked the whole cafe so there was nobody. Hence she didn't stop Noor. She stood up and went to her. She hugged her while Noor cried silently. Aria rubbed her head while she dried her tears back in her eyes.

She wanted to order her son to do something else that won't make them anxious. But as his mother, shouldn't she support him when he chose something he was passionate about? Will he loathe her if she tried to stop him? Then, what was Noor's mistake? Would she be able to take this on alone? 

Even if Noor had fallen for Arsh, these distances and hurt could bring a large distance between them. 

Aria silently accompanied Noor until she was able to stop herself. Passing her tissues, Aria tied Noor's hair as she tried to lighten her mood.

"When he comes back, let's go on strike against him and make him do what you like."

Noor didn't smile. Instead, she was even sadder. She mumbled lowering her head, "But that's what he likes." Even if she didn't like it, she wouldn't stop him.

Aria hugged her again, "Silly girl." Noor was too sweet, Aria felt really bad when she should have been happy to know Noor supports her son.

'Where are you, Nemo?' She looked up at the crescent moon and let out a silent deep sigh.