Forever Yours, Vrinda

Part 7

"Guess what? The doctor gave you the green light to walk. You're ready for some brisk walks now that your bones and muscles have regained strength."

Vrinda's eyes sparkled with delight, and her wide smile showcased her entire top row of teeth. "Wow! I cannot wait to push the wheelchair away," she said.

"Sorry, but it won't happen soon," he said, wiping the smile off her face. From her downcast eyes, rigid smile, and creased forehead, it was clear that she was extremely uncomfortable asking for help to use the washroom.

The desire for independence burned within her, pushing her to seek a life of autonomy and self-reliance. Her heart yearned to soar through the sky, weightless and carefree. And he hated how the time for the realization of the dream had not yet arrived. "Where do you feel like going? There's a park right around the corner. Are you up for going there?" Vivaan asked, his voice filled with tenderness, as he fed her spoonfuls of porridge while she cradled the bowl in her hands.

Although Vrinda's muscles were now strong enough to hold and support herself, the anti-gravity movements, such as lifting, continued to torment her. Vivaan had forbidden her from eating alone until she could move her hands without strain, to avoid experiencing painful cramps.

"Aunty said I first walked in the lawns of this house. I wanna learn to walk again right here. Maybe it'll trigger my memory, who knows?"

There was an indescribable feeling that washed over her whenever she was near the man beside her. Perhaps it was because she couldn't recall her past, leaving no basis to assess their relationship, while the others had already determined their connection. Daksh, her brother, provided a sense of familiarity and comfort, while Sucheta, a mother-figure, offered guidance and support. However, Vihaan's mysterious aura left her grappling with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty about her emotions.

Sure, whatever you say. But as much as I hope that something triggers your memory, the doctor asked us to not let our expectations fly high," said Vivaan in a solemn whisper, wiping the remnants of porridge from the corner of her lips with the bulb of his finger.

"Yeah, I know, but we can always hope for the best, can't we?" asked Vrinda, the lost sparkle making its way back into her hazel eyes as they imaged the man whom her soul had recognized but not her consciousness.

"Absolutely! Hope is what keeps us going, right?"

He had an uncanny ability to recognize and understand the emotions reflected in her eyes. What reason would he have not to? He had seen those feelings swirling in her eyes before, a decadent gaze that always left him wanting more.Though he had witnessed those feelings in her eyes and the flush of color on her cheeks many times, he knew they still had a long journey ahead.

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Lawn,

"Wow, it's absolutely stunning!" Vrinda whispered with widened eyes, captivated by the picturesque beauty in front of her.

The sight that welcomed her was a beautiful, vibrant lawn, alive with an array of colorful flowers. The majestic trees stood tall, their branches swaying in the gentle breeze. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of the fragrant flowers from the garden. Her eyes danced with delight as they took in the beauty, and her lips couldn't help but respond with a gentle smile. As the late-afternoon sun bathed her in warmth, she found herself oblivious to the once bothersome cold metal of the wheelchair.

"Yeah, it is. Your parents really enjoyed gardening. They always found time for the plants, no matter how busy they were," Vivaan recalled, thinking back to when they used to play on the lawn as children.

"What about me? Wasn't I into gardening?" asked Vrinda, looking up at Vivaan from her wheelchair.

You were all about wrecking the flowers and fruits. You enjoyed adorning flowers and making garlands for your favorite God, and eating fruits, especially raw mangoes. Your parents did not like that trait of yours and you used to push the blame on Daksh Bhai or..." he paused as he corrected himself, "Vivaan."

Vrinda burst out in laughter, her joy echoing through the air, as she looked around at the vibrant assortment of flowers and fruits. She wondered if she could once more feel the exhilaration of stealing the fruits, the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she hid from prying eyes. The prospect appeared very enticing, especially given the man's overprotective demeanor.

"I will show you the entire garden some day," Vivaan said, kneeling down to adjust the footrests of the wheelchair, ensuring she could safely step away without any discomfort.

He made sure the footrests were out of her way before extending his hand, then took a step back as Vrinda struggled to stand. Despite her numerous practice sessions and mental preparations, her heart raced so fast that the sound of blood rushing in her ears became deafening.

"Now try to linger. Just put one foot in front of the other and make sure you're steady before moving the other foot," Vivaan said, checking her feet for any wobbling.

"Who would've guessed they'd actually listen to instructions for walking?" Vrinda smiled and shook her head as she asked him.

Vivaan's grin spread unevenly across his lips, adding a touch of whimsy to his expression. "Sorry if it wasn't up to par. It sounded off."

Vivaan tugged at her hand as he prompted her to walk. Whenever someone mentioned that Vrinda had taken her first steps with his help, he couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to experience that moment again. In his wildest dreams, he never imagined that his longing to feel the emotions of that moment would be granted, but the reality was far more devastating than he ever anticipated.

Vrinda placed her foot forward, but as she tried to align it with her other foot, she stumbled and lost her balance.

"Careful! You don't have to master the catwalk on your first attempt - practice makes perfect!" Vivaan's disbelief was evident as he held her in place and shook his head.

Once she placed her next foot forward, her senses sharpened, and she became more attuned to her surroundings. Her posture had transformed from awkward to graceful, yet her feet still trembled uncontrollably. With sheer determination, she pushed herself to take fifteen more steps, until the excruciating cramps in her calf muscles forced her to call it quits.

Despite losing her balance, she remained calm, having full faith in her friend's ability to catch her - a trust that he didn't disappoint.

Why didn't you mention that your muscles were hurting? Fifteen steps is significant for the first time, Vrinda. I mean, Radha! What if I thought you had full control and let go?" he berated her, witnessing her clasping her calf muscles in agony, her eyes scrunched tightly shut. As she listened to his concerned rant, her lips couldn't help but twitch with amusement.

"I'm sure you wouldn't have done that. There's something that pulls me to you, Vihaan, like an invisible force that connects us beyond explanation. And you have to be a killjoy and keep me in the dark about our shared history! You relish the feeling of being privy to something that I am unaware of, am I correct?" She asked, her tone filled with anticipation, already aware that he would keep the details hidden.

Yet again, his actions only served to validate her initial doubts. He just smiled, his lips quivering as he tried to mask the deep sorrow that consumed him, yearning for her comforting smile. She made sure not to disappoint him.