Somewhere Only We Go (Editing)

Chapter 23 (Part 1)

Kabir

"AVI" I ran towards the bathtub almost losing my balance because of the water. No... no...no... there was too much blood, the water was turning red. I tried pulling him out but he was heavy.

"Shit" I don't know how Rishabh knew but he was beside me helping to get Avi out of the bath tub. We got him on the floor, his tshirt was sticking on his body. Rishabh started giving him CPR.

"Fuck Avi. Breath dammit."

I don't know how long it took though it felt like eternity Avi gasped. I tried grabbing his hand but there was still blood seeping out.

"I'll get a doctor, Kabir help him out of his clothes, he just recovered from pneumonia few weeks ago."

Rishabh grabbed my shoulder and shook me.

"Shouldn't we take him to a hospital? He is...he..there is blood Rishabh. He might need stitches."

Rishabh looked it him and then nods. "Okay just help him get in dry clothes. I'll take care of the rest. Can you do that Kabir?" I can't. I did this to him. I pushed him beyond limits after telling him I'll fight for him always for something incredible stupid. It doesn't even matter, the thing I shattered his heart for, doesn't even matter.

Avi was coughing and in the middle of it he grabbed my hand with his good one. His touch brought me back to my senses, enough for me to finally react..y guilt has to wait.

"Yes okay." I grabbed a clean cloth and wrapped it around his hand. I had no clue if it will help. We helped him out of the bathroom.

"Shit dad is sitting outside. Get him dressed, I'll get the car at the backdoor. It would be easier for him as well." I simply nod. Everything else had to wait, whatever he meant by dad is sitting outside I couldn't care less about it.

In the car Rishabh assured me Avi is fine and he just needs stitches. All the way to the hospital I made Avi lie down in my lap while I held the towel wrapped around his hand. The bleeding was slower but it wasn't stopping. I was the reason he was bleeding and I hated myself for that. I didn't even want to think about what he was doing in the bathtub. One guilt at a time.

When we reached the hospital and the nurse stitched him up, each wince caused by the needle was thousand cuts on my heart. Avi has trusted me with his heart and in one moment of weakness I had used it to hurt him. He got for stitches and the doctor gave him painkillers.

When we got back Rishabh helped me get him inside. The doctor told us to keep a check for coughs or even slight fever to see if his pneumonia returns. After we got him all settled up I went inside to take a shower and I heard Avi and Rishabh whispering. As the cold water touched my skin I let myself cry. The image of him in the bathtub was going to haunt me for a long time. After what felt like ages I got myself dry and stepped out. Rishabh was still sitting on the couch and Avi was in bed his head resting on the headboard his eyes closed.  That wasn't the first time I saw him defeated but it was the first time I was the reason for it. And that thought was going to kill me.

Rishabh got up and none of us said anything for few seconds. Then he rested his hands in his pockets after fidgeting it.

"Make sure that he doesn't use his right hand for a while. You know the stitches need to remain dry. The doctor said that water isn't a cause that triggers pneumonia so he should be fine but it's better to be safe. I took his temparature it's normal right now. You know what else you have to look for?"

I nod. Stitches... pneumonia...blood...cracked mirror...all because of me.

"Think about what I said." He says to Avi and then gives me a small smile. "Don't worry about dinner or whatever, I'll ask someone to bring in food for you guys. And if you need anything just give me a call, okay?"

I nod again. "Thank you Rishabh for everything."

He smiled. "Both of you had a long day just get some rest." Then he left.

I stood few steps away from the bed not knowing what to do, where to start with my apology, would it be enough? Did I ruined whatever we had. What if he asked me to leave. He should, I would have deserved it.

"Are you still mad at me?" Avi says his eyes still closed.

"No I am not...I wasn't..." I couldn't stop the way my voice was shaking, I couldn't stop the tears that started flowing again.

"Come here, please." I slowly get in the bed after locking the door. His pulled me in his arm and even though I should be the one comforting him I sob on his chest while he soothes me with his soft whispers.

Finally when I calmed down he said, "it wasn't what it looked like."

"You didn't crack your knuckes open or grabbed the cut piece of mirror tightly for it to slice your skin deep enough?"

"No I did those things, I...I meant the bathtub, I just fell asleep. Or maybe passed out because of the blood. I wasn't trying to..."

"Kill yourself?" I whispered.

"Yes."

Liar.

[I don't know how I did it but I posted three chapters in the last three days. Let's see how long I can keep this streak going. I also noticed this story reached it's best ranking till date, 5th spot in one of the categories and it's only possible because of you guys. Thank you so much for your continuous support and love.]