"I know we've been avoiding this conversation forever but you need to know this. And I need to get done with this." She slid his health report across the table. His expressions were neutral when he opened the book like file and scanned it as he flipped the pages.
She spoke again as she sat. "Multiple bruises on almost all parts of your body, swollen cheeks, Broken arm and ribs, shot on your lower left leg and lower abdomen, hit on the head and back and an attempt to choke your throat to death." He finally looked at her when she paused, until now his eyes were fixated on a certain word on the paper listening to her emotionless tone as she summarized the important information.
"It Brings me to the conclusion that there were several men againt you. Still you deny to go to the hospital even if it meant death. Doesn't volunteer to report the incident to the cops nor do you disclose your name. Identity unknown and still a decent doctor provides shelter to the verified suspect?" She finally completed. He quirked his eyebrow at her. He was equally confused as her, why was she keeping him in the house knowing the risks? And if they both sort this out this would mean he will move out and no one wants that. Then why bring it up.
'It'll be wise of you to stay out of this.'
"You mean I turn a blind eye to this injustice or you pulled something to trigger your own death!?" She almost lost her cool. But his bleak eyes never left hers. She was only seeing one side of the picture. He had a lot to say but won't text her.
'Lets pretend we never talked about it.' he slid away, eyes on the floor as he shut himself in his room, not planning to come out any soon and she remained on her seat, Defeated she pursed her lips.
He knew everything what happened in detail, and the written report is just thirty percent of that. Replayed it over a million times in head till now. The only thing she presumed wrong was that there was just one person against him. Only one. And he couldn't take one person mere person down. He don't want to hear her pitying words over this. Just not her!
He knew he had failed his sister, his father. Infact himself!
Next day she kept the food plate outside his door before she left. Maybe he felt embarrassed for getting beaten up or else why would he lock himslef over something so trival, she thought. In a way she was right but she turned the wounded pup sad. Her wheels were turning, gotta make up.
•
It had been quiet in the hospital for sometime now. She wasn't use to pleasant atmosphere at work. But it wasn't her time to make a move yet. She had already given up trying for a promotion. It was no use. Better go with the flow.
And what all he had been doing is getting his mind, body and soul back on tracks while carrying out his business behind the curtains.
She knew he had been improving because nowadays he spends a lot more hours in the health centre. He was taking it seriously.
Weeks later when came the day with no appointment after ten in the morning which was next to miracle, she took off, spending hours in the pet shop.
They were going to have a real conversation beside the formality talk portraying they were still strangers which hurt them both but who would come up and confess that the uneasy silence had been bothering them since the gap between them started widening before they realized it.
Each day she left first, he would leave too, after a few hours. She would come late at night and by that time he'd be sleeping in his room.
She was familiar with this kind of routine and repeating the vicious cycle pained her heart. Previous memories flooded her mind. She clenched her teeth, fisted her locket and pressed her chest with it.
