Our Burning Desire

Chapter 14

A WEEK LATER

Ashwin's life hasn't changed much, except for one additional - he can't seem to shake the thoughts of Shriya that keep distracting him.

Shriya remains the same - hesitant, nervous, and scared. She spends most of her time in her room, and although Ashwin visits her whenever he can, they struggle to find things to talk about.

Shriya can't seem to gather enough courage, and Ashwin doesn't know how to break the silence. He's never been in a situation where he had to initiate all the conversations.

Sometimes he tries to encourage her to step out of her comfort zone, but he always falls short.

As the days pass, Ashwin becomes more determined to help Shriya find her old self again. Arti has told him many things about her, how she used to be before and all.

All he wants is to help her conquer her fears and leave them behind in the darkness, to take his hand and step into the light.

It was already around 11:30 pm, and Ashwin forgot to message his bhabhi ma; he came out of the ICU and went towards his cabin with a tired sigh. He laid down on his chair.

Suddenly, his phone started ringing; it was Vidharth.

He gulped ready his ear for his angry brother or bhabhi ma and answered it

"H-Hello"

"I see, you care enough to answer the call," comes Vidharth's gritted angry words. Ashwin cleared his throat and said with a tired tone

"I was in surgery bhai sa"

"Ashwin, message!! I told you thousands of times to message me. Here your bhabhi ma ate my brain with her all overthinking."

He knows his brother is angry so without argument he just hears him apologising after every paused

"Stop saying sorry if you will repeat the same. It's not the first time you did this."

Sometimes, he thinks his brother acts like he is the father of all three of them, but then again, they ain't complaining. They wished for something like this for 20 years then they got care

"Stop scolding him; he said right; he forgot it happens. He is also a human."

Ashwin smiled hearing his bhabhi ma scolding his elder brother. Then comes Vidharth's disbelief tone

"Angel!"

Why wouldn't he when she first ate his brain and now scolded him?

"When are you returning?" Mythili asked Ashwin who sighed and said

"I'm very tired, bhabhi ma; I have no energy to walk and drive to the mansion. Can I sleep here today"

There was no reply for a few minutes. Yeah, it's difficult for Ashwin to sleep in his cabin only cause the couch is uncomfortable for his height and body, but then he is very tired from the 12-hour-long surgery.

"You wait there me and your bhai sa will come to pick you"

Even before Ashwin could answer the call ended from the other side. Ashwin smiled at his bhabhi's excited tone and understood that picking him up from the hospital was just an excuse for her; she wanted to go out at night.

Ashwin closes his eyes when Shriya's face flashes his eyes. A smile automatically made its way to his handsome face.

'She might be worried or get scared being alone there I should check on her'