TILL INFINITIES END

37. TIA

ONE WEEK TO GO – SAM'S DEPARTURE LOOMS CLOSER

I laid down on my couch, and closed my eyes, trying to get some sleep. It was around 2 in the afternoon and I just had my lunch. But honestly, you know what? When something happens in your life which bothers you to this level, your hunger is gone. You eat to survive, and not because you want to eat. I just covered my head with my arm and tried to sleep while a knock at the door pulled me from the couch.

I thought it must be vyom, this is his normal time to come back from school. The bell rang again, forcing me to wake up and go. But as turned the knob and opened the door, my heart skipped a beat.

I couldn't react nor breathe.

Restlessness covered my face and I thought I might just fall down.

Shit.

Vaibhav stood there, in front of me, with his hands hidden behind his back and bruises here and there on his face. Fear gripped me. What is he here for? Shit. Even Sam is not here, I am alone. Fuck fuck fuck. What if he came to know that Sam is leaving and came here to hurt me? Memories of his advances and a touch of fear pinched my numb skin. I looked down, and my hands were shaking, literally shaking. I can't deal with him right now; I had no amount of strength.

With a choked throat, I asked, "Vaibhav...what are you-"

And then I stop.

I don't say anything.

A familiar face peeped out from behind Vaibhav, a face I... loved the most. It was Sam, holding Vaibhav by one hand on the collar and other hand squeezing Vaibhav's two hands behind his back.

My hands stop shaking.

My heart stopped for a moment. Sam had bruises all over his face and hands, but Vaibhav looked even worse. It was clear that he had been beaten up very bad. But my eyes stuck on Sam. It made me panic to see him like that, because I have seen him fight and quarrel but to see him get physically angry- I was shocked..

"Wh-what is all this? What happened?" I asked.

"Tia," Sam said, his voice steady but filled with a protectiveness that made my heart ache, "Whether you talk to me or not, your safety is my responsibility as your best friend."

I was speechless, my eyes wide with shock and concern. Sam squeezed Vaibhav's mouth, making him look so vulnerable.

"Just say it," he commanded, in a voice as fierce as I've never heard him have.

Vaibhav looked at Sam, with fear and anger evident in his eyes. Sam tightened his grip, causing Vaibhav to flinch in pain.

"SAY IT!!" Sam's voice was fierce, almost unrecognizable. What was he asking him to say?

Vaibhav, turned to me and said, "Sorry for everything, Tia. I will never harass or bother you in Sam's presence or absence. I promise to never talk to or touch you ever again, not in school premises or beyond that."

Oh. My. God. My heart was breaking apart.

Sam released his grip "Go and never dare to bother again." He said and pushed him towards the stairs and he got going after giving two of us a glance.

He kept looking at him with those fierce eyes as he went, and then he looked at me, his eyes softening. I looked at his face. It is the most beautiful face I have seen in this entire world. It was the first time I was seeing him after the cafe in person, and that too with bruises here and there, and that too, just to make sure I was protected when he goes away.... God, where will I find a guy more caring than him?