The Bond Of Threads

19. Bond

Nihaar rushed back to follow Rishinn, who was now pissed off.

"Hey, Princess!" He called out as he held her hand and stopped her in her tracks.

She looked at him with pursed lips and fury evident in her eyes. Water was dripping from her wet clothes. Nihaar smiled and dragged her along.
"Come I will show you something."

Rishinn tried to snatch her hand and he gently tightened his grip.
"I don't want to see anything. Let me go."

He looked back at her when she forcefully tried to twist her wrist. Nihaar's eyes softened and he let her go. She blinked at him. It was not that she pulled her hand back, he had left her hand.

"You will get sick. You should change." He said after a moment. His voice was more of suggestion and not commanding.

Rishu did not look back at him and rushed inside the house and to the room they were staying. She sighed in relief and picked up the small bag that they had brought a long. She snapped opened the zip and looked for fresh pair of clothes. Picking up a knee length frock, that she always wore, she marched to the bathroom.

She walked out after washing her hair and wearing her white and mint green frock that brought out her fair skintone.
She was surprised to see a range of large chocolate bars neatly arranged on the bed along with a beautiful big teddy bear.

A low gasp left her lips and her eyes glinted with joy. She dumped the towel on a nearby chair and walked to the bed. She held the poster of the bed and looked and glanced at the large bars of chocolates. Her eyes moved around and stopped at the beautiful soft toy. It was pristine white with hints of baby-pink. It was large enough to be like a ten-year old child. Rishinn had her breath stuck in her throat as she looked at the teaddy with unwavering gaze.

She hastily blinked to send back the unshed tears as someone walked in the room after a crisp knock.
She turned around to find Nihaar standing with a small smile. She looked away after a moment. He walked closer and held her shoulders to turn her towards him.

She blinked at him and he held her gaze for a moment. He gently raised his hand and tucked a wet lock behind her ear. She parted her lips in surprise.

"I wont say 'Sorry'. Not when I don't mean it." He whispered and she blinked at him with apprehension.

"I would have teased and tricked you all my life, if you were here. I would still do the same. Why don't you be my partner in crime?" He asked with a little  mischief in his voice.

She did not answer and looked away. Nakul walked in as if on cue, followed by Nisha and Rivaan. Nakul parted his lips in surprise as he looked at the things that lay on the bed. Rishinn held his gaze for a moment and looked away. Something changed instantly. The mood change was noticed by Nihaar and he looked at Nakul, who walked closer to Rishu and picked up the towel to wipe her hair.

He turned her around and gently wiped her long raven locks.
"How many times I have told you, Rishu, don't leave your hair wet. You don't want to fall sick, do you?"

She did not reply. It was evident that she was not listening to him.

"Rishu?" Nisha called her out and she blinked at her mother.

Nisha came closer, trying to blink away the moisture and Nakul stepped back.
"Hungry?" She asked fondly and Rishu blinked.

"Breakfast is ready. Why don't you all come down and join Rivi?" She asked again.

"You go, Rishu, I will eat after a shower." Nakul replied.

"I will wait for you." Nihaar chipped in.

Rivaan rubbed the back of his neck, uneasily and licked his lips.
"Actually, I need to take her to the hospital."