MYSTIC [Part I]

CHAPTER :- 21

Prem takes Boun to his room ,lays him on the bed and calls a physician . Everyone else goes there too. Samantha starts sobbing silently, seeing him once again in this state.

The physician checks him up and treats his wounds.

"Sir I have treated his wounds and bandaged him. It's a relief he didn't get any internal injury"

"Why isn't he waking up? "

"There's a lot of wounds on his body......... Seems like..........he's been beaten by leash and there are several knife cuts too. He has fainted because of the pain........He will wake up soon"

"Thank you" Keng says.

He bows and takes his leave.

Prem is been standing silently in the corner of the room since he came. His eyes are fixed on Boun.

"Prem....... you must rest too. I'll stay here till the morning"

Prem shakes his head "I am here. I am not going away anymore"

Ben opens his mouth to say something but Naya places a hand on his shoulder and shakes her head.

"Let him be here" she says.

Ben nods.

°°°°

Boun's POV

I open my eyes. It's morning. I try to sit up from the bed but as I move, I feel pain all over my body. This is when yesterday's events came to my mind.

Those men........they tied me and beat me as if I wasn't a living person. Recalling all this, I feel my eyes getting blurry with tears. It was horrible. I thought I would not wake up again. But......I am safe now. The last thing I remember is........Prem calling my name. I wasn't even capable of opening my eyes.

Speaking of which, I want to see him. I try to move my hand but it feels like it's stifle.
I tilt my head on the left and see Prem on the chair next to my bed , his head resting over his hands. But.......why is he sleeping like that. Was he looking over me throughout the night?

"Prem.... "

His eyes slowly open. He stands up.

"Boun..........how are feeling now? Should I call the physician? You must be...... "

"Prem, I am fine. I am just feeling a little bit pain, it's not much. Help me sit please"

Prem helps me sit back.

"Do you need anything? "

"No"

"Does it still hurt? "

"It does..... but not much"

"I..... It's alright then"

He is acting all cool but I can see his eyes brimming up with tears.

"Prem.....are you? " I hold his hand and make him sit in front of me, on the bed.

"Boun, I am sorry, I couldn't protect you. I am not even worth being forgiven...... I am really sorry...... "

He has nothing to do with it. He has rather saved me. I can't see the one I love,  blaming himself for all that happened to me.

I put my hand on his back and pull him closer to me. As soon as he hugs me, he starts crying.

I am starting to cry too. It's obviously not his fault.

"Prem, please don't blame yourself. You're the one who saved me. Please don't say anything like this ever again. It's not your fault"

°°°°

Keng and Ben are standing at his door. They see Prem crying in Boun's embrace.

"He was holding back till now. Let them be"

Ben smiles and goes away from there with Keng.

Prem has now calmed down. He is not crying anymore. He is just holding Boun as if he is going to disappear anytime. Boun is patting his head softly.

Prem pulls back.

"I am glad you're fine" Prem looks into his eyes and shies away. He stands up.

"Prem.... I wanna brush my teeth. Give me your hand"

Prem extends his hand to him. Boun holds it and stand up from his bed.

°°°°

"I can't be convinced........You said there were just two men, hiding in an open place. The forest is not hidden from anyone. Like, who would hide someone they have abducted, in a place like this, where they can be found easily"

"This is exactly what I am afraid of. It seems more like it was a plan to let him be found. I should have interrogated them first.......but seeing them hurt him.......made me lose my temper"

"We'll find anyhow. I'll do everything to find the real truth. And Sean...... he has not done anything suspicious.......but It's still a mystery. Don't let him anywhere near Boun. I'll do the investigation myself. You just take care of my brother for now. I can't thank you enough for saving him"

"You shouldn't thank me. He is my....... "

"I know what he is to you. He's not only your duty or responsibility now. He's the one, isn't he? You said in front of everyone that day. It was something...... unexpected. But I am glad it's you"

°°°°

Days passed, Boun is getting better now. Most of his wounds have healed. Prem doesn't let him be alone, even for a minute.
He cleans and bandages his wounds everyday. They are getting closer, emotionally and heartily. They spend almost every single second with each other.

°°°°

Sean's POV

It's a shame that he isn't dead yet. But he was meant to be found anyhow, dead or alive. The plan is still proceeding well. I am going to kill them all anyway, after I take over the throne. That old man isn't worth being a king. I am tired of acting nice all the time.............but it'll be over soon.