The Bond Of Threads

30. Delicate

One evening of solace could not bring much change in Nakul.

The family was aware that he was trying his hard to blend in and at the same time he was trying his best to hide the pain in his heart. He pretended to be happy and gave dazzling smiles that did not reach his eyes. He was often seen lingering in the dark corners of the gardens, holding his phone to his ear.

One fine afternoon, when Shirom was packing his camera and prepared to leave for the shoot, his phone gave away an unfamiliar ring. He knit his brows and looked at the unknown landline number.

"Hello?" He asked as he pressed the phone to his ear.

"Bhai?" A timid female voice resonated from the other end.

Shirom's breath hitched. Rishu's voice sent a shiver down his spine. The girl was supposed to be in school. He did not know why she called him at an unexpected hour.
He brought the phone in front of eyes and blinked at the number. He then held it back to his ear.

"Rishu? Is that you?" He asked to confirm.

"Yeah! Can you please come to the school?" She asked. her voice faltered and appeared as if she was scared.

"Hey! What's wrong? Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Shirom asked, pulling up his shoes, while still holding the phone between his shoulder and his ear.

he could hear her suck in a breath, before she answered, "I am alright. Its, that.... they want to see my parents."

Shirom blinked in confusion. He immediately realized that there was probably a complaint against her. With an assurance that he would be there in no time, he disconnected the phone, only to rush down the stairs. He called his assistant on the way to the main door and told him to handle the shoot.
His mind was consumed by safety of the girl while he drove towards the school. He once or twice thought of calling his father. But he did not want to disturb in case the matter was trivial.

When he reached the school, he parked his car and rushed to the administrative office. he was asked to see the Principal. He proceeded to meet the principal with a bated breath.
The scene in front of him snatched the floor beneath his feet.

Rishu stood by the door with her head held high and a look of utter pride in her eyes. She had her hands clasped at her back and there sat two kids, a boys and a girl, who were brutally injured. They were accompanied by elders, probably their parents.
The boy had ugly wounds on his face and sported a bandaged arm. While the girl was crying her heart out and wailing in pain.

"Rishu?" Shirom called out as he rushed to engulf his sister in his embrace, worried that she too, might be injured. He was taken aback and pulled away immediately, when she hissed in pain.

He held her by her shoulders and looked at her from head to toe.
"Are you hurt? What happened?" He asked in concern.

She just shook her head. But Shirom could see her hiding her hands. He gingerly brought her hands forward and widened his eyes. her knuckles were swollen and were about to bleed. A quick math in his head made the picture clear. He looked up at her, then at her knuckles and then back at the injured kids.

"Did you do that?" he whisper asked, to receive no answer but just blinks from her.

A woman walked out of the office and looked at the duo.
"Are you her father?" She asked looking at Shirom.

A nerve ticked in his brain. Did he look that old to be a father of sixteen year old girl?
Rishinn giggled and he turned to look at her. How could she laugh at such a situation when she was in trouble? That too, at his expense. He shook his head and cleared his throat.