The Journey (2016)

The Little Boy

"When you lose something you can't replace

When you love someone, but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you..."

Fix You, Coldplay

The Little Boy

When Radhika woke up warm and curled up in a soft blanket, the first thought that crossed her mind was a question; how did she get here? She rubbed her eyes and turned to look at the table where she remembered falling asleep. Last night she tried helping Nikhil with his work since he was still a little weak from his fever but ended up just calculating financial costs instead since nothing else seemed to make sense. Somewhere between the numbers, she fell asleep on the table. She turned to her right and caught the sight of him sleeping. Her eyes lit up and a smile made a way to her face before she could even think over her actions.

How can something as simple as a human sleeping make her smile so bright in the morning? Her own breath slowed down as she watched him breathe in and breathe out, looking so innocent and...angelic. The thing about Nikhil though, she realized, was that he was so simple and sweet that it was hard to believe. The way he treats her still amazes her. He is selfless, understanding and maybe only person she has ever met who doesn't judge people. He is the kind of human who doesn't allow negative thoughts to invade his happiness. He lives a simple but happy life.

Nikhil stirred and Radhika jumped in surprise. Her face reddened as if guilty. She shook her head and fanned herself. Stop thinking, idiot! But when she sat up and pushed away the blanket they both shared, Nikhil stirred again and this time he opened his eyes.

"Hey!" he said in a morning voice that made Radhika choke on air.

"Hey!" she replied, "Sorry I woke you­ -aich!"

Radhika's hand flew to her mouth but another hiccup made her jump anyway.

"Are you okay?" he asked, sitting up with worried eyes. She found it hard to breathe when she caught his messed up hair and sleepy eyes. He looks so adorable! But her thought surprised her again and she couldn't meet his eyes when another hiccup followed. "I will get you some water."

"It's okay, I will get—"she started to get up but caught her ankle in the blanket and squeaked as she fell to the floor.

"Radhika!" he rushed to her side. "Are you alright?"

Radhika pulled her knees to her chest and buried her head in embarrassment. The shock from falling seemed to have stopped her hiccups. "I am fine, just go."

"Radhika?"

"Just leave! Please!" she pleaded with her head still buried.

"Okay, okay! I am leaving." he said after a moment. She waited until she couldn't hear his steps anymore. She looked up and sighed in relief. She shook her head again and tried to calm her racing heart. Running a hand through her hair, she went to shower. When she came out of the bathroom, she found him standing by the door with a teasing smile. He seemed to have showered as well, since wet tendrils fell over his forehead and his eyes shined with mischief.

"Nikhil!" she said in a scolded and threw a pillow at him which, to her annoyance, he caught easily.

"Why are you so embarrassed?" he walked to her. She turned away. She didn't know why but she was still agitated from the incident that morning.