Healing Him | ✓

06.

When Shivaay woke up, he found himself resting on Annika's shoulder, he flushed in embarrassment and got up quickly. Annika who was busy reading her book looked up.

"Hey, everything alright?" She asked. He nodded not looking up to meet her eyes, "I'm sorry about that, i hadn't meant to fall asleep. I'm sorry for intruding your personal space it was so wrong of me." He whispered rubbing the back of his neck. Annika rolled her eyes.

"You know I wouldn't have let you do that if I was even a little bit uncomfortable. I know Shivaay you don't have any bad intentions. We girls are equipped with special power. We can sense who has bad intentions to us. And trust me I know you don't." She finished her speech as she quietly removed the cloth from his stomach and he pulled the shirt down.

"I'm sorry you had to see this." He said. "I'm not." She replied, her voice serious. He blinked. "I wouldn't have found out about this anyway if it all didn't happen." Her voice coming out colder than it was intended. Shivaay turned away. She sighed as she wiped the excessive medicine from his skin. Her movements careful and quick.

"Does it burn?" She asked. "Pardon?" He asked, she eyed the scratches on his hand. He shook his head. "Not anymore." She sighed, his answers were like puzzles to her. One she was willing to solve.

"You stay here I'll ask Mrs. Sinha to plate the food." At this he sat up straight. "What's the time?" He asked in panic looking at the clock. "Two hours after the school." She murmured quietly.

He grabbed his bag and took out his phone. "Hello, dadi. I'm so sorry for not calling earlier. I was held back for some extra studies don't worry. I'm fine and safe." He informed and cut the call. "You have your own phone?" She asked. He nodded picking up his bag.

"Where are you going mister?" She asked in a clipped tone. "To home?" His statement came out as more of a question. "Did you have lunch?" She asked raising her eyebrows. He frowned. "Stay for the lunch then you can leave." She said sternly. He felt bad, she looked angry. He pouted. He didn't want her to be angry.

He took a seat infront of her to which she frowned, she patted the seat next to her. "Here." She forwarded him the bite she made for her. He blinked not sure what to now. "Open your mouth dummy." And he did, she fed him that.

"Don't eat with your hands you'll get antiseptics and ointments on your food. And don't wash them either." She chastised. She fed till the very last bite wasn't gone from the plate. "You didn't eat." He observed. "Not hungry."

"Are you by any means angry at me?" He asked tentatively. She eyed him from her bangs. "No why would I be?" She scoffed. "Okay, now you most definitely are. Tell me." He pried her crossed arms open. "This is all my fault." Her eyes teared up again looking at his bandages.

"Okay, that's bullshit." She gasped, "you said a bad word." She grinned. Shivaay rolled his eyes. "It's not much of a bad word."

"Tell me about everything." She asked taking his hands in hers. He looked down in contemplation. "You said you'll let me go after having lunch?"

"Well, you know what. Go, you're talking as if I have held you captive." Annika huffed. Shivaay sighed and turned her towards himself, "don't be angry with me na, i can't bear it." He whispered. She relented.

"Then tell me."

"Alright"

"I was three when my parents died." She gasped. "Or rather murdered. We don't know. From what I was told it was that my mother killed the woman my father had an affair with and the commotion cost my father his life. My mother was inconsolable and she later killed herself with the same gun. I don't remember much except for the loud noises; shoutings and the gunshots." His voice sounded hollow as he narrated his story. She never expected the dark narrative.