Two Brothers: Shadows of Deception

Chapter 72

Emotional Reunions and Heartfelt Vows

Siddharth

I don't know when I fell asleep. The sound of a door opening and closing woke me up from my slumber. I rubbed my eyes and slowly adjusted to the bright lights in the hallway.

As I looked sideways, I heard the squeak of wheels, and there was the nurse pushing the wheelchair with Aami on it.

"Oh, shoot!" I cursed under my breath. I had fallen asleep and forgotten to leave before she came out. I must have been too tired to keep my eyes open. I can't even remember the last time I slept peacefully.

The first two days after she woke up were pure torture. I was afraid she would never recover. The nights were sleepless with her screams and cries. I felt utterly helpless as there was nothing I could do to ease her pain. They had to sedate her to calm her down.

Thankfully, the medications started working, and her violent behavior subsided. However, nightmares and panic attacks still haunted her frequently. She was hesitant to have any males around her, and even accidental encounters would trigger panic attacks. Niharika has been a blessing, staying with her most of the time and offering comfort and support.

Then, two days ago, Gautham's mom arrived, and it turned out to be a blessing too. Her testimony is crucial, so we started her counseling promptly. At first, she was reluctant and scared to talk about it. Convincing her was a whole-night effort for Niharika.

I was anxious about how she would react during the session. I feared she might go into another panic attack or become violent. However, she surprised me.

During the session, she did cry a lot, but she remained composed. Afterward, she seemed calmer, and Niharika assured me that she was doing better. There were still some nightmares, but overall, she was coping.

I hope she continues to progress and gets well soon. With Niharika's support and Gautham's mom's testimony, I believe she'll find the strength to overcome her trauma.

As the nurse wheeled her closer, I instinctively stood up and turned around to leave the room, not wanting to intrude on her privacy. But her voice, soft and faint, called out to me, halting my hurried footsteps.

"Sid."

Her voice was soft and low, lacking its usual cheerfulness, but it was enough to make my battered heart start beating again.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and a small smile found its way to my lips. I sniffed and wiped my face with my palms, trying to compose myself. Clearing my throat, I turned around to face her.

She was wearing a white hospital gown with small black flowers on it. Her hair was neatly braided behind her back. There was still some swelling under her eye, which had turned a blackish-blue color. The wound on her lips was healing, and a scab had started to form. Her leg was still bandaged, the glass cut on her calf too deep to heal quickly. My fingers dug into my palms as I gulped down the lump in my throat.

I mustered a weak smile, and she returned it.

"If... If you want, you can walk with us."

Her words caught me by surprise.

"Are you alright with it?"

I needed confirmation. I didn't want her to feel anxious or uncomfortable.

She nodded her head, and I looked up at the nurse, who gave me an encouraging smile. Letting out a sigh of relief, we began making our way toward her room.

As we approached the door, I could sense her uneasiness. Her fingers fidgeted nervously, and tension was evident on her face. I understood that the counselor must have discussed something with her, making her apprehensive about being around me. She was trying hard to appear normal, but it was clear that she wasn't yet ready to face me.

I stopped in front of the door, not wanting to trigger another panic attack. "You go inside, your aunt will be here soon," I suggested, giving her an option to have some time alone if she needed it.

She nodded in agreement, a look of relief crossing her face. I offered her a small smile and turned to leave, but her voice called me back once again.

"Sid."

Turning around slowly, I looked at her delicate face, her vulnerability touching my heart.

"Thank you," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

I was taken aback by her gratitude. "Oh, that's okay. You take a good rest. Good night," I replied, trying to downplay my actions.

But she was persistent, her emotions getting the better of her. "No. It's... I... Huh... Th... Thank you. Thank you for looking for me. Thank you for coming to me."

Her words choked as tears streamed down her cheeks. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to regain her composure by taking deep breaths. I could sense the overwhelming memories flashing through her mind, the pain and fear she must have endured during those difficult days.

Stepping closer, I gently wiped away her tears with my thumb, my heart breaking for the pain she had endured. "Shh, it's okay. You don't have to thank me. I'll always be here for you, Aami, no matter what," I whispered softly, my voice filled with sincerity and love.

She looked up at me, her tearful eyes locking with mine. In that moment, I knew that we were embarking on a journey together, one where healing and understanding would mend our broken pieces. I was determined to be there for her every step of the way, offering support, love, and the promise of a better future.

As she leaned into my touch, seeking comfort, I realized that we had taken the first step toward healing and rebuilding our connection. It would take time, patience, and open communication, but we were both willing to face our past and embrace the possibility of a brighter future, hand in hand.

"You should know that I love you, and I would have gone to the end of the world to find you. But I am so sorry that I was late. I couldn't make it on time, and I am sorry that I couldn't stop him from taking you away."

My voice quivered as I continued, "I am sorry that you had to go through all those horrible experiences, and it's killing me inch by inch every day to see you like this. I don't know how our future will be, but all I want now is to see that charming smile back on your face again. I don't care how long it takes; I will wait for it, no matter how long it takes. I will be there for you, always."

Her sobs intensified, making it even harder for me to keep my composure. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them back, determined to be strong for her. All I wanted to do was embrace her tightly, to provide the comfort she needed, but I knew I had to give her space.

With one last reassuring smile, I slowly got up and turned to leave. As I wiped away the tears that escaped my eyes, I quietly walked toward the elevator, my heart heavy with emotions. Each step felt like a struggle, torn between wanting to stay and wanting to give her the time and space she needed to heal.

But deep down, I knew that no matter what, I would be there for her, ready to support her, and love her unconditionally. I hoped that with time, her wounds would heal, and together we could find a way to rebuild our lives and rediscover the love that had brought us together in the first place.

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Well, well, well, did you feel the emotional rollercoaster in that chapter? Passes tissues Don't worry, we all needed them too!

Our characters are going through quite a journey, with tears, heartache, and courageous confessions. But don't worry, we'll also have plenty of playful and heartwarming moments to balance things out. Hang on tight, dear readers, because love's unpredictable twists and turns are just getting started! 😄💕