Free Web NovelChapter 308: Welcome Home
After spending two weeks in the hospital Skyla was finally discharged. Zyair took his wife and daughter home.
Everyone had gathered at Meena Mansion to throw a welcome home party for Skyla and Arata.
Mawar, Huria, Rais, Erdith, Lawrence and Cheryl were present to arrange the surprise welcome party for them along with Meena.
The whole house had been decorated with fairy lights, flowers, balloons and ribbons. They were ready with party poppers and flowers in the driveway.
The car turned the corner, being driven by Kail so Zyair texted Lawrence, letting him know to take their positions.
"They are here, hurry. Take your spots," Lawrence instructed while Bitu sat on his shoulder. Both of them seemed to have made some peace treaty for once they weren’t fighting and were cooperating.
"Arata is here, Bitu. Get ready," Lawrence had ensured the parrot leant baby’s name.
"Arata! Arata! Arata!" The parrot squawked in his high tones making others laugh.
"Now, don’t shout too much or she will start crying. She is a baby, so keep your volume low when she is here. Understood," Lawrence ordered, adjusting the parrot’s tiny red bowtie. It watched him with its intelligent beady eyes as if understanding every word Lawrence said to him.
"I am so excited to see the baby," Mawar gushed while holding the flowers. She hadn’t gone to the hospital because she and Lawrence wanted to avoid crowding Skyla’s space. Letting her heal and spend maximum time with Zyair and Meena as they had been through such a tough time.
Cheryl was holding a party popper. The frilled lilac frock she wore was fit for a princess. A smile lighted up her excited face as she pounded her feet on the ground in rapid movements.
"I am sure she looks like Maziah." Cheryl clapped her hands together and others smiled at her exuberance.
The car slowly rolled inside the driveway and everyone cheered as it came to a halt. Kail quickly got down and opened the door, Zyair exited first and held out his hand so Skyla could carefully follow.
Kail began to take out the car seat carrying little Arata as the gathered people watched on in excitement to get a glimpse of the baby.
Cheryl popped the party popper, sending frills of ribbons and confetti into the air.
Meena was holding a finely knitted cashmere shawl. Skyla’s eyes wavered to everyone who had gathered there to welcome her. Her heart swelled with pride and love she experienced for people she could call her own.
Meena graciously stepped forward and draped the shawl elegantly around her daughter-in-law’s shoulders. A tradition that was followed in her family.
"Welcome home, Skyla." She wholeheartedly embraced her. Skyla returned her affection as Zyair contently watched them, his hand remained closer to Skyla’s shoulders.
On the other side, everyone had gathered around Kail, like ants do around sugar.
"Awww, she is cute."
"Look at those cheeks."
"Can I hold her?"
Mawar, Erdith, Cheryl, Huria and Rais were baby-crazed. Kail thought for a second and let Erdith take the baby seat. A silent exchange of meaningful glances was passed between them. Huria smirked seeing their sultry peeks.
"Playing favourites now, are we?" She sceptically asked with a wink and Kail loudly cleared his throat. His ears crimsoning.
Skyla and Mawar slowly giggled while Zyair and Rais wondered what that was all about.
Erdith was too busy with the baby.
Meena led Skyla forward when Mawar presented her with flowers and said with a pleasant smile.
"Welcome back, your daughter is adorable."
"Thank you! Mawar," Skyla appreciatively accepted the flowers while Zyair kept a gentle hand on her waist. She raised her head and took in all the decorations and efforts everyone had put into decorating the place.
"You people have outdone yourself. Everything looks amazing," Skyla showed her gratitude, her heart was overflowing with love.
Bitu flew from Lawrence’s shoulder and landed on Skyla’s.
"Pretty!" He squeaked and began nibbling at her ear making Skyla giggle.
"It’s good to see you, Bitu." She lovingly patted the bird, "Did you meet our daughter?"
Erdith had removed Arata from her car seat and was now carrying her towards Skyla and happily stated.
"Congratulations Skyla, she is so tiny and cute."
"She looks like Maziah, I knew it," Cheryl happily remarked and Zyair winked at her.
Huria hugged her friend, kissing her cheek while Rais offered congratulations.
"Thank you! Rais," Skyla appreciatively answered.
Bitu watched the tiny creature from Skyla’s shoulder and tilted his head at her.
"Arata!!!" He shouted in full volume waking the little one up from her slumber. Her tiny body jerked and she began to bawl.
"Stupid bird, I told you not to shout so loud," Lawrence reprimanded him with a glare. Several voices were raised and amidst the chaos, Zyair led his wife inside while Meena took hold of the little one.
"I will take Skyla to her room, she needs to rest a while and then we can have lunch together. Play with Arata in the meanwhile," Zyair announced to the over-excited crowd.
"Yes, I have prepared some stew for Skyla. I will send it. Let her rest a while," Meena suggested and Zyair agreed with his mother.
Zyair and Skyla went to their room while others settled in the living room. They placed the baby with red curls in the baby bouncer Erdith had brought for her. Several colourful stuffed animals were hanging from its bar.
"Hey! Little one, do you like it? It’s called an elephant," Cheryl playfully told the baby, she couldn’t help but poke her nose.
"Look at those cheeks as if someone has painted them pink," Huria remarked, seeing her overly fluffed cheeks.
Bitu had flown over and perched itself on the handle of the bouncer, curiously watching the alien who had everyone’s attention, wondering what was so special about her.
Mawar was guffawing at Bitu’s curiosity as Lawrence held her close and told her how they always fought.
"He is my arch-nemesis, don’t be fooled by his cuteness."
A servant took the bowl of stew with freshly baked bread for Skyla. Zyair took it from her with a thankful nod and proceeded to their bed where Skyla was lying down.
"I loved how everyone welcomed me. The place looks so beautiful." Skyla’s eyes were still roaming around her room which was filled with balloons, ribbons and flowers of miscellaneous colours.
"They love you and were super excited for this day. They had been planning for a while," Zyair confided in her. Picking up the extra pillow he placed it behind Skyla’s back so she could sit comfortably. He then settled opposite her with the stew bowl offering her a spoon.
"It’s good to be back among the loved ones." She gleefully opened her mouth and accepted the spoonful from him.
Zyair was still curious about what had happened outside and seeing how the girls had giggled he knew Skyla and others knew something which the men were not privy to.
"What was that Huria said outside about taking sides and all of you laughing? Is there something going on?" He curiously questioned.
Skyla had to press her lips together to hold back a chuckle. Zyair still didn’t know.
"Well, it’s not my secret to tell. Ask Erdith or Kail." She winked at her befuddled husband and pointed to the spoon so he could feed her more. freёweɓnovel.com
Zyair was slightly perplexed but then he remembered Kail had been in Marica City when Skyla had been abducted. Now he was putting two and two together and the realisation hit him like a tornado, making his eyes almost blast out as he hurriedly asked.
"Ohhhh! Are they dating? Or in love?"
"I think they are just shagging but there could be more. I am not updated because the last time we spoke to Kail, he said he doesn’t do relationships and yet something is going on," Skyla answered with a side smirk.
"I will ask Kail," Zyair announced while offering more stew to Skyla.
She thought to herself and repressed a cackle.
’Now that will be an interesting conversation.’
Later they joined everyone in the dining hall for lunch. Skyla could sense the happiness everyone carried and yet it gnawed on her how Madame Maven and Amsilia were missing. They had been telling her that Madame Maven was recovering and couldn’t visit while Amsilia spoke to Meena she didn’t visit or talk to Skyla. The guilt had eaten the woman raw.
She turned her attention back to the people around her and smiled.
An array of dishes had been prepared and everyone dug in. The chatter and laughter radiated the warm atmosphere of the Meena’s home. It had been lonely but was filled with so much laughter and joy today.
Meena dearly watched everyone as they giggled and chatted. Made jokes and passed food to each other.
Her daughter-in-law and her granddaughter were safely home, and their friends and family had come together to celebrate this special occasion.
What more she could ask for?
