Kindle to Rekindle

25. Trust, Love, Faith

"Trust precedes love and love is a fruit of faith. This, my dear student, are words of wisdom, for you. Nimrit trusts you, has put her faith in you and cares for you. That is such a beautiful confession, Nivi. How could you not acknowledge her earnest words and just say "bye" to her?" Swarnima tried to explain to Nivedya what Nimrit must be feeling with his ignorance.
She muttered to herself, "Both the brothers are fools."

Nivedya heard Swarnima intently and shared the reason for his inability to judge Nimrit's feelings, "I don't know, Nim. She is full of surprises. She was so 'miss touch me not' when she came and ridiculed everyone. Now she is expressing her feelings so beautifully, how am I supposed to react? I don't even know how she will react?"

"Nivi, it's tough for girls who live with restrictions to just open up. Nimrit is very brave. She accepted what she felt for you, knowing very well, her father, might not like it. Trust me, there are girls who even if they want, can't say what they feel. Help her Nivi. Bring her out of her shell." Swarnima urged Nivedya to help Nimrit with such emotions that he could feel she was not just talking about Nimrit.

"Why are you so reserved Nim? Why do you hide yourself and your feelings?"

"Who said I hide my feelings? You irritate me so much and I am so vocal about it. Right now, I suggest you understand the girl who makes you smile and 'bother'. If you feel for her, make her feel that." Swarnima left with that suggestion.

Nivedya thought over it and prepared himself to fulfil the promise of answering questions his brother fired.

The first and direct question Abhedya asked him was, "Do you love her?"

"What I feel for her, I have never felt for anyone else," Nivedya told him honestly.

"You trust her?"

"I... Do."

"You have faith in your relationship?"

"Yeah,"  Nivedya answered in a 'duh' tone. "Trust precedes love and love is a fruit of faith," Nivedya repeated Swarnima's words.

"Who told this bullshit to you? Nim? She is a liar. She is a cheater. She is a... Don't listen to her." Abhedya showed his finger to Nivedya in a warning and walked out of the room in anger.

"Don't say that about Nim," Nivedya shouted back but Abhedya was away from his sight. He was just glad the question-answer session was brief.

Nimrit was lost after Nivedya left but like a good girl, she told her parents about his visit. Reet appreciated Nivedya's concern but Amber disapproved of his visit to their house when Nimrit was alone. He suggested to Nimrit to not open the door for him in the future.

"Amber, please. He was just worried for her so he dropped by to check on her. Didn't you do that too? You know Nimrit, in our college days, if I skipped a single lecture without telling him he would turn the world upside down to find me."

"I was madly in love with you. My worries were justified. That Singh boy is not. He is just a friend." Amber declared his love openly making Reet blush slightly and Nimrit thought her father was right. None of her friends called her but Nivedya dropped by to check on her.

"Nimrit, just don't listen to your father. Relax and go to sleep. I think you can go to school tomorrow?" Reet asked Nimrit and she kissed good night to her parents.

She didn't want to think about anything, anymore now. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions of love, care, concern, and annoyance.

Nivedya got up with a smile the following morning. He had special plans to cheer up Nimrit. She was on her period for the first time and he knew about the pain and mood swings women encounter during that time. Nandini had raised her sons as compassionate humans.