THIS SIDE THAT SIDE

Rain or Tears?

Sunaina's POV

"How about....a sponge bath....."  I heard Arjun speak in his feeble voice that was not helping me resist his inappropriate request. I tried not to quiver and replied casually.

"Umm...let me get a nurse for you." I was about to go out of his cabin to fetch some nurse when he caught hold of my hand. I must say for being a sick person, his grip on me was very strong.

"Can...you do it for me? I am not so comfortable around those nurses..." There was he looking at me with those puppy dog eyes acting as if my denial will break his heart. Having no choice, I let out a big sigh and brought a set of washtub and a towel. Luckily, the nurse knew me and didn't think much when I asked for these stuff. I got into his room when I saw him looking outside. I followed his gaze and found that it was raining heavily.

"Oh! I didn't realise when it started to rain." I smiled looking outside.

"Do you like the rain?"

"Yes! A lot. Rain gives me both romantic and horror feels. You can get all cozy and start reading a book in the rain. You can also listen to horror stories in rain. Makes you feel better." I remember how I used to be home alone and during those rainy days, horror stories and books were my sole best friend. As time went by, rain became my constant partner for books. Recalling all this, a smile curled up on my face.

"So you like it that much?"

"Why? You don't like rain?"

"I used to like rain a lot but then you know life happened. It was raining that day when my dad passed away." My heart ached when I heard him say this. "Since then, I kinda despise rain you know." He gave me a sour smile as if he was tired. I wanted to lift his mood up and hence decided to concentrate elsewhere.

"Ok...now...it's spongebath time!" I declared showing him the washtub and towel. He gave me a grin looking at me first and then at the things that I had. Maybe it was just my imagination but it seemed to me that his eyes were beaming with a hidden naughtiness. I pulled him on to make him sit. Covering his lower portion with a blanket, I took off the uppers of his hospital robe. I must say, he was very nicely built. His shoulders were broad and buff- something that I never noticed when he used to be fully clothed. I drooled watching his back and my hands hadstopped it's movement.

"So this is how my dream guy looks when naked huh?" I thought to myself.

"Ms Sunaina...if you have finished scanning my back then can we begin?" His devilish words brought me back to my senses. I was so embarassed! How could I even do this?

"Who... who is staring at you? Not...not me. Hah!"

"Oh so you were staring at me?" I was busted. I knew I fell into my own word trap and thus decided to stop talking. I then started off by dipping the towel in some lukewarm water. Rinsing, the excess water out, I pressed the towel lightly on this back. I first started to rub the shoulders. Then little by little by rubbed on his waist and on his wide back. I reached at the dressing wound when I finally stopped. I looked at the cotton crepe wrapped clotted wound. It must be that one place where he was shot. My heart shivered at the thought of that day. My eyes started to water and unknowingly, a few sobs got released out of my mouth echoing in the whole room.

"Hey! Hey!" He pulled me in front of him slowly and softly. "Why are you crying?" He looked at me with those soft eyes.

"I am sorry Arjun! I...I just couldn't protect you well." This time, my sobs grew louder. I felt myself tremble again at the thought of losing him.

"Hey! It's alright...I am fine. I told you that it's not easy to kill me right?" I smiled at his childish declaration. I knew that at the moment he was the one who needed comfort, but in the end, he decided to give it to me. How lucky was I to have found him. Yet, how tragic was it that I found him here. A place where I don't belong. Soon Arjun and I were staring both into each other's eyes. It's like the time has stopped for both us. Our lips almost brushing each other's tips. Arjun cupped my face bringing it increasingly closer to his. My feets were getting all jiggly and the sensation of his breathe on my lips were driving me insane. We were on the verge of kissing when suddenly...