Intricacies of Love

Chapter-22

Akshit opened his eyes to find Saumya's head resting on his shoulder. She looked at peace with her eyes closed and lips parted. She did not look the least bit troubled as she slept. Akshit worried that she might end up with a crick in the neck but he didn't have the heart to wake her up. She had been so tired yesterday, unable to get proper sleep.

Sometimes he wondered if she was really this quiet and closed off before the accident. Was she really so responsible or had she learnt it the hard way? He could sense that she wasn't what she looked like. Her true emotions had been buried deep, beyond the reach of anyone. Sometimes he felt so proud of her. A young girl who lost her family yet she stood like a rock to support everyone around her. He had met many patients, children to be more precise, who had lost their parents. How they were lost astray in this world but he was happy that Pia wasn't one of those. He could only fathom the struggles Saumya must have faced to help Pia and herself. Had she really helped herself? To him, it seemed that she had forgotten about her own self in the frenzy that her life had become.

Is she your family? What makes you feel so pained at her predicament? You should just accept that you love her.

Love?!- his mind snapped. How? When? How can you fall in love? Haven't you had enough experience to not do that again?

He could feel her stir in her sleep bringing his inner battle to an end. He didn't know what made him shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep.

He could feel her get up and wash her hands in the washroom. He had the urge to get up and admire her but he had a play to maintain. He sat as still as a statue as she exited the cabin.

She didn't know why but she felt her feet moving on their own accord towards Sanyukta's ward. She walked in the brightly lit hospital corridors which contrasted the moonlit sky outside. Dawn hovered above the horizon and there was minimal activity going on in this part of the hospital.

She reached the door to Sanyukta's room. It was a mystery how she felt Sanyukta would be awake. She opened the door to find her sitting on the bed, her back resting against a pillow.

"Congrats Di! She is such a cute baby." A bright smile adorned her tired face.

"Thanks Saumya. I don't think you have come solely to greet me."

"Why else would I come Di?" she asked trying to keep on a stoic face.

Sanyukta smiled knowingly and patted the bed. Saumya gratefully sat down. She had never expected to be awkward in front of the only sister she knew all her life.

"I know you're thinking about my idiotic brother, Saumya. I knew something was brewing the day I met you in the mall. See I know that you're nervous and you don't want to make the same mistake twice.

You know when I saw you that day after 12 long years, you had changed so much. You were no longer that sarcastic girl who never bothered about other's opinion. You were no longer that carefree girl who would sit and study, doing no work." Di chuckled loudly at that. "You remember that day when Surbhi's brother asked you out. What was your reply- 'I will if you can change that nose of yours. It always gets in other people's way."

Both the girls laughed at that. As the laughter died down, Sanyukta continued.

"We are always afraid of leaving our shell, Saumya. But how can you explore what's beyond unless you get out of it. Peeking out of it can only give you a glimpse of what lies ahead but not the whole. I know you've been through tough times, couch potato." Di smiled lovingly. "I don't think I should call you that. After all, you've grown such a lot. You're no longer a lazy ass. I'm really proud of you little sis. I know you're strong."