Oh, Eleanor

Chapter 8: Love or sympathy?

Ron sneaked back to his room after the incident. He thought about Eleanor and her wounds. Would they ever heal? He thought about Billy. Billy hid Eleanor's existence for so long. He never let her come out to the public. Ron, who was just next door never knew about a girl living in that house. He had gone to that house before. To invite Billy over for dinner and things. But he never heard anyone else's breath! Now he wished he knew. For Eleanor must have slept hungry all those times Billy has gone with his family. Ron wondered if Billy ever gave her any food. She looked so fragile and almost malnourished.
How could someone treat an angel like that. It was horrible.
He couldn't skip all the beautiful things he had registered about Eleanor.
No objections to the fact that no one is perfect in this world.
But, Eleanor satisfied Ron's definition of perfection.
If only he could steal that beauty from Billy, he would cherish it, nourish it, protect it and love it always.
Ron was only sixteen. And to him love was a beautiful but heavy word. He may not understand it's meaning at this age. It was hard to say if he loved Eleanor or not. But if he could ever summon up what love is, then for sure he loved her.
But, when Ron saw her the first time, she was covered in blood, begging for help. When he saw her the second time, she had slipped. On the third time, she was injured.
In such a case, it was hard to determine if it was love...or just sympathy.
Ron was all muddled up in Eleanor's thoughts, when his phone rang.
"Hello." He answered.
"Hey." It was Leona.
"Oh, hey.... This isn't your number."
"Yeah. I know. I thought you wouldn't pick if it was mine."
"But you never tried. You never even called."
"I am sorry Ron. I took my time and thought about it. I love you Ron. I missed you all along. And I realised that if you after helping just another girl than it doesn't mean that you are going to leave me."
He wished to say he loves her too. But the words got stuck in his through.
And he was stuck at the reference of Eleanor as 'just another' girl.
"Yeah." He replied. For he couldn't come up with anything else.
"You forgive me. Right?"
"Um..."
"Oh, Ron! Please, hun." She begged.
"Oh, okay. I am fine. In fact I thought you were upset. I waited for your call all along and you never called."
"Yeah, I was upset. But you know it's just you who matters to me. I couldn't imagine anyone else bugging your mind."
"Leona! She wasn't bugging me. I just helped her for God's sake!"
"Yeah, right."
"Don't you bring in that sarcastic tone." Ron said, a little louder this time. "Look, if you are going to be like that for ever. Then I must say that it's better for you to stay away freedom me. I am not used to getting punished for no reason."
"Oh, Ron. It's going the wrong way."
"And you are taking it there."
Leona didn't reply. Maybe she excepted her fault.
Ron waited for her to say something.
"Okay, let's make a deal. We're will never talk about that girl. In this way you will not continue to sympathise her and I won't trouble you." Leona said, after some time.
Ron nodded, then he realised she couldn't see it. So he said, "okay."
"Yeah, so I think it's all right now. Have a good day, Ron."
"Yeah. You too. Bye." And then they hung up.
What if the thing he had for Eleanor seriously want just sympathy.