Lone Girl

Chapter 17

Jay's p.o.v: 

We didn’t tell uncle and aunt about the incidents of that night as we don’t want them to be worried amidst their business trip. Swetha decided to tell them all by herself once they reach home. They reached on Sunday night and Swetha was asleep beside me by then.

I heard Anu explaining everything to her parents about that night. After a few minutes, they entered my room. 

“How are you doing, Jay?”, my aunt’s voice was filled with concern.

The look on my uncle’s face showed how much he was disappointed with Anu. He stood by my bed and was looking at Swetha.

“Yeah it’s fine aunt. It’s just a sprain, nothing to worry.” I smiled looking at my aunt. 

She simply nodded.

“Anyways I had the best person to take care of me, so it made things better”, I said gesturing towards Swetha beside me.

My aunt smiled but it barely reached her eyes. 

“Let him rest Madhu.” ,uncle spoke still looking at Swetha and gestured aunt to come out.

“Good night Jay”, aunt said and left the room.

After a few minutes Anu came into my room. Her eyes were red and swollen. She stayed in her room past two days and not even once, she came out.

“I wi- I will take her to her bed”, said Anu, her voice breaking and was barely an whisper.

I could see how much she loves Swetha but I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t there for her a couple of days ago.

***

Anu had been grounded for a week. As the inter college summit is going on, she even skipped the college. She decided to stay home for the whole week. Trisha went to attend her friend’s sister’s marriage and would be back after 10days. Swetha decided to skip school till my leg gets better.

Swetha was sitting on the floor drawing something in her book. She was so much immersed in her drawing.

“Swetha, can I ask you something?”

She looked up at me with concerned eyes. “Do you need anything?”

“No. Just wanted to know something.”

“Okay.” She said sitting beside me.

“How can you love Anu so much even after everything?”

She let out a sigh before answering. “You are judging her based on a single situation. I agree that she wasn’t there with me this time. I remember how much pain I went through that night but I also remember how many things she did for me. I remember her coming home straight from school to be with me. I remember her ditching parties so that I won’t be alone. I remember all the times she studied late nights as she spent time with me in the evenings.” 

She paused for a moment and studied my reaction. Then she again spoke, “ I know that her ditching parties doesn’t look like a big sacrifice for you. But it’s a big thing because unlike now, she is popular back at school. She used to be the Queen-Bee of our school. Everyone liked her and even the parties used to be planned according to her schedule. Inspite of everything, she never ignored me even once. She made sure that I never felt alone. She was there for me whenever I needed her. She never complained about any of those things just for me. I can’t be complaining, for,  this is the only time when she wasn’t there for me in all these years. I’m sure it’s cause of a guy. I hope he will keep her happy.” 

She let out an audible sigh. “She is not just a sister to me Jay, she is my second mother. My love for her never decreases because she is the reason I had the happiest childhood.”

Her eyes were filled with tears and she excused herself out of my room. I sat there thinking what must have made Anu forget about Swetha that night and I had a very bad feeling about it.