A Loveless Alliance

Chapter-15 [Chocolate Box]

MYRA'S POV

"Good...if he doesn't..you can tell me, I will..scold...him."

His Voice carried a sense of innocence that didn't match his age. A slow realisation settled in me but I choose not to jump to the conclusion. Nodding my head with a hearty laugh, I passed a quick glance at Siddharth before looking back at the man in front of me as I spoke,

"Sure thing."

He lifted his palm in the air which I happily joined. His eyes darted at Siddharth then at me and went back to his brother, before he spoke.

"You two..talk...I.. am going inside.."

Siddharth offered to drop him inside but he declined the help and strolled his wheelchair back effortlessly. A sudden heaviness of awkwardness settled between us as we stood there in silence when Siddharth suddenly spoke.

"I and Vikram bhai have an age difference of 3 years. He met with an accident when he was 19 and I was 16. That accident left his legs permanently damaged and vocal cord severely affected."

The depth of pain hidden behind those words sloped my shoulders. I didn't want to know exactly what he meant by the "accident". The way his fist was clenched and jaw hardened, it showed that it was still a sensitive topic for me. This was just stoic covering, the ache lingered somewhere deep beneath his layers.

"It must have been hard."

I couldn't stop myself from saying those words, my voice came out a little above a whisper. He swallowed, hard and started walking forward on the green grass. I too joined him. I kept my hands forward while his dangled on his sides.

"At that time, we didn't have this much money. Papa did everything in his power but we couldn't save him. Later, when the money came, there was no hope left for the cure."

Ouch, my stomach fell. I could feel the bitterness of his words at the back of my throat. The way he said it with no visible expressions hurted even more.

At that time, I realised one thing, Things always look better from a distance than they actually are. Noone could match the agony his parents must have felt at that time, how they must have wanted to burn the money which came too late, that it costed their son's ability to walk.

"He holds a very important place in my life and I don't want him to go through any kind of pain anymore. I didn't tell you before because..."

Hesitation lingered between us as we both halted our steps.

"Were you scared that I would treat him differently because of his condition?"

The words left from my mouth, sounding more like a blame than a question. His eyes found their way to mine, fierce yet a fight reflected in them. I already knew the answer, his curt nod just confirmed it. I didn't know if I could blame him or not.

"I won't lie, I had some doubts. Now, I don't. It's just that I wouldn't have been able to bear you behaving, like others have, with him."

He stated clearly, with no holding back. I slightly nodded before looking to the side, the green leaves danced under the shimmering moonlight. It was only then, I realised how dusky it had gotten.

Going through such a horrible accident, when you are already in the prime age of self doubt, must have been harder than anyone could imagine. Siddharth's personality, being protective for his loved ones, his words and doubts were could be justified yet,

"I wish you had shown a little more trust in me."

I admitted followed by a sigh. He hummed and shoved his hands inside his pockets before he breathed out his next words.