Valentine Four-Drabble Series| #4 Part 2. Page 11. - Page 3

"Swayam" She placed her arm on my shoulder and squeezed it gently "Let it go."

Could I?

I gave her a half hearted smile and wheeled towards the bathroom. From the corner of my eye I could see she wanted to help me, but I had been firm. I wanted to do the things on my own, atleast try. I brushed my teeth in a jiff and turned on the shower. As the cold water hit my face, past memories came forward towards my conscious self. November 2014. The month which had changed everything. I had caught a disease which had left me with useless limbs. I could clearly picturise the look on Sharon's face when the news came out, for it had hurt me to see her like that. She was devastated and I, frustrated. Truth was, I had become a cripple. And the thought had filled me with bitterness. I didn't show it to Sharon outwardly but she could see it, clearly. I knew she wanted me to vent it out, but how could I? When I knew any thing I was capable of saying in anger would hurt her very much. In the past 4 months, I had learnt to live with my newly acquired disability but my past still haunted me occasionally.

Worst of all was that I knew Sharon was not happy, because I was not happy. It stung me that I could not give Sharon the happiness she deserved. All her life, she had remained unknown to hardships and now, I was the sole reason she remained unhappy for most of the times.

"Swayam, you've been in there for an hour. You'll catch cold. Come out now."

I wiped myself and pulled on my clothes, water dripping from my hair and rolled outside, the sight in front of my eyes surprising me. Sharon stood near the bed akimbo, glaring at me. What had I done to earn this glare?

"What do you think about yourself?"

"What am I supposed to think?"

"How about I just slap you tight?"

I was positively alarmed by now.

"Sharon, are you okay?"

She walked towards me and thrust her face into mine. "Do I look alright Swayam? I am not alright. I cannot be alright until you tell what the bloody hell's your problem." I averted my gaze and looked down, breathing hard. I could see her longing, her urge to heal me. If only I would allow her. "Swayam" her voice softened "When I said I love you for what you are, I meant it. When I said you make me happy by just existing, I meant it. What puzzles me is why you are hell bent to make us both miserable."

I looked up at her in wonder. How was Sharon like this? The cold hearted Diva at one time was now the most understanding person in my life. I gulped my tears down and felt her kneeling beside me. "I am patient Swayam. But trust me, I am hurt too. 'I LOVE YOU' aren't just three words Swayam, its a promise that I'll be by your side whenever I am needed. You have taught me that Swayam, and now you expect me to break the promise just coz your legs went to sleep. Honestly?"

I pulled Sharon into a hug the next moment and held her close to me, breathing deeply. And I promised her, I would let the wounds of the past 4 months heal. I promised her that.

"I love you."