Unspoken Love

The Diligent Presence

Sir Steven woke up a couple of hours later in a hospital bed. He was in the emergency ward. Philip was sitting beside him in a seat. As soon as Sir Steven woke up, Philip asked, 'How are you feeling now, Steven?' 

Sir Steven could only nod his head to tell he was fine. He wanted to look around but the curtains around his bed were drawn shut. 

'We are in the emergency ward. I brought you here in the ambulance when you fainted. I didn't tell Mom and Dad yet. It's not even morning  and they would have gotten worried.' Philip explained. Sir Steven closed his eyes. He was burning to ask about Eva.

'And..' Philip continued after a pause. Sir Steven opened his eyes to look at him. 

'The people who were found under the snow are alive but in a very critical condition at the moment.' Philip informed Sir Steven. 

Relief washed over him when he heard the word alive. He closed his eyes again as tears flowed down from his eyes. This was not how he had imagined to meet Eva again. Even if they were to meet one day it was supposed to be a happy meeting, not like this, where one was hanging between life and death and the other felt helpless unable to be of any help. 

Looking at the vulnerable state his brother was in, Philip asked once again, 'You came to look for the girl right? Her name is Eva, right? The news channels were giving details about the two who have been found. She is from Crestwood University.' his voice was gentle but inquisitive. 

Sir Steven did not reply. His eyes remained shut. 

'I'll tell you more about her condition if you will tell me about you and her.' Philip said feeling a bit frustrated at his brother's silence. It was like this five years ago as well. Due to his silence, everyone suffered every day but did not intrude on his personal life.  

Sir Steven, still lying in the hospital bed, looked at his younger brother and, after a lengthy pause, managed to say, 'There is nothing between us, Philip. She was my postgraduate student. I've only known her for a few months.' His voice was weak and tired.

Philip, undeterred, inquired further, 'And you liked her? Or did you get dumped?'

Sir Steven remained silent, his thoughts still tangled in a web of emotions.

Frustration welled up in Philip, and he continued with a mixture of concern and exasperation, 'Listen, Steven, your behavior is so childish. What do you think you're doing, keeping everything to yourself? You can't just hide from everything and hope it'll all work out someday. I don't know what transpired between you and her, but that poor soul is on the brink of death. To help or love someone, you have to find the courage and strength within yourself first. How can a weak-minded person be of any assistance or show genuine love?' Philip's words were filled with a mix of anger and concern as he urged his brother to confront his emotions and face the world with courage.

'Yes, I loved her. But she doesn't know about it. No one knows about it. This is why I left everything in Crestwood and moved here. I didn't want to complicate her life by starting a rumor that a teacher was in love with his student. How would she have felt? How would she have coped with everything?' Sir Steven said, his eyes still closed and his voice low.

Philip, stood at the end of the bed, looking at his brother in his pitiful condition. 'You are such a fool, Steven,' he remarked before leaving to call the doctor.

The doctor prescribed some medications and informed them that they could go home now. Sir Steven's secret was finally out, but a new concern had taken center stage – Eva's fragile state and her battle for survival. 

Philip gently took Sir Steven's hand and led him towards the ICU.

'Eva is in there,' Philip pointed towards the room. Sir Steven peeked in and was met with the sight of Eva, connected to numerous tubes, needles, and machines. She appeared frail and unrecognizable.