New Beginnings

37- Responsibility

Samar looked at me unsurely and asked, "You are not saying all this, just to make me feel better, are you?"

Words really had the power to pull someone down. The confidence, I had seen in him, from past few days, just disappeared into thin air.

Tanya's words pulled him down, now it was my duty to push his confidence upwards with my words.

"Why would I lie? Plus you know the town better than me", I assured him.

Even though I said it to reassure him, it was 100% true. Raghav had mentioned that Samar knew this town like the back of his hand while I still got lost every now and then.

Heaving a sigh, he pulled his strength back and spoke with determination, "Okay then, Let's go and find Sia".

We walked around, calling out Sia's name loudly.

Samar slowed down his pace and turned his face in doubt.

"What's wrong?" I asked curiously.

Instead of answering, he questioned back in doubt, "I think, I heard the noise of machines. Is there construction going around here?"

I face palmed hearing his question. How could I not notice it?

"Oh yes! I should have known better. We should change our path or else you are going to fall as there are many little stones and so much cement scattered around here", I replied sheepishly.

He could have hurt himself, if he didn't notice the noise.

"Little stones", he mummered to himself.

"Stones", he repeated but this time excitingly.

"Here Sia is missing and you are excited about some stones?" I asked incredulously.

"They are not some stones. You know Sia loves making stone castles. There is a chance Sia is somewhere around making stone castles", he explained and then let out a huge sigh dramatically as if explaining something to me was so much work.

"Stop your dramatics. But I think you are right. We may find Sia here, let's go", I agreed with his assumption.

"Give me your hand", he said forwarding his own hand.

I looked at him as if he had lost some screws of his head but then realized he couldn't see and told him to stop being an idiot.

"I am not being an idiot, you are. You were the one who told me that I would lose my balance because of the stones and cement scattered around here", he informed me with a 'you are a gone case' expression.

I blushed slightly in embarrasment, thanking the stars that he couldn't see me.

Not replying to him, I just held his hand and moved further.

Seeing a stone castle, I came to an abrupt stop.

"WHAT THE HELL?" Samar yelled when he lost his balance as I stopped without informing him.

Fortunately, he wasn't relying too much on my support or else he would have surely fallen down.

"Sorry sorry, Its just that the excitement got me. I found Sia's stone castle", I apologized sheepishly.

"Really? but I can't hear Sia. Where is she?" Samar asked, looking equally excited.

"Umm, I just found the castle not Sia", I answered hesitantly.

He facepalmed and muttererd something under his breath.

Shaking his head at me, he motioned to move ahead as it was clear Sia was somewhere around here.

I called Raghav and Tanya to come here as well.

We went ahead and in a corner, I saw Sia sitting there with her stones. Informing Samar about it, I started calling her loudly. He too joined me.

"SIA SIA".

Upon hearing us, she came towards us smiling and gave both of us a tight hug, well tight hug to our legs because of her height.

"You two always come whenever I get bored", she grinned, looking happy to see us here.

"Sia, why did you come here, leaving Tanya alone?" I asked her gently.

She looked at me confused and opened her mouth to say something but before she could reply, Tanya and Raghav came running towards us.

As soon as they neared us, Tanya started shouting at Sia. We tried to intervene but she didn't hear us.

"STOP IT", Raghav yelled at Tanya, clutching her shoulders tightly.

If it was any other time, I wouldn't have liked Raghav using his strength on her but he had to forcefully stop her by shaking her shoulders as Sia had started crying.

"I told you I was coming here. Not once but 2-3 times", Sia spoke, while still crying her eyes out.

"Sia come here", saying this Raghav took her in his arms and started consoling her, by rubbing her back.

Looking at Tanya with a disgusted expression, Raghav gave her a piece of mind.

"Instead of you shouting at Sia, you should be the one shouted at. Sia is a five year old but you are an elder. It was your responsibility to take care of her. And it wasn't even the first time, you did this mistake. Either don't talk on the phone while you are with Sia or don't bring her out with you. We are happy to spend time with her, we will take her out instead of you. Atleast that way, she would be safe".

Tanya just bowed her head, not saying anything.

"Leave the anger now. All's well when it ends well", Samar said, trying to diffuse the situation.

Raghav was going to argue but I hinted at Sia who looked scared because of all this. He nodded sighing and adjusted Sia in his arms, so she could be comfortable and turned to leave this construction site.

Tanya too followed Raghav quietly.

I wordlessly took hold of Samar's hand and started to leave too.

A smile crept upon his face. Tightening his hold, he clutched my hand properly.

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