6 6. Delirious Delusions

The Autumn sky had turned into a deep shade of blue grading into a dark black, resonating with Mark's current state of mind.He was blank.He had lost a state of rationality which was gradually transforming into insanity.

"How could I?.....How could I?....How could I do this?"Mark kept mumbling to himself.

"Will he die?....Will I be charged for murder?"Mark continuously kept on questioning himself.

The night was seemingly long and torturous.With each passing moment,Mark became more and more anxious.He wanted the night to end so that he could run off to the university when the day breaks.However,the night just crept upon him and existed endlessly.

Mark decided to sit next to Akio and wait for him to regain consciousness.He grabbed a chair and sat next to the injured person and kept on staring at him.Mark eventually fell asleep whilst grabbing Akio's hand.

It was daybreak.The sun had risen above the horizon thus,giving people yet another chance for a hopeful life.Mark's blaring alarm woke him up.He was startled that he could sleep peacefully. In fact,Mark had never slept so soundly.Mark released his hand from Akio's hand,which was holding it tightly.He took a look at Akio and breathed a sigh of relief. Akio's face was no longer twisted in pain and had regained it's colour.

"I think he will be just fine."Mark said to himself,finally wading off any anxiety.

Mark decided to take a day's leave in order to fend the needs of the injured person.For him,it was a way to repent for his misdeeds.

Mark decided to cook breakfast for him.According to him,serving good food to an offended person can account for the person who offended.This could give him a chance to apologise without hurting his ego.

Having Indian blood running through his veins,he immediately thought of making "Dal" or Indian lentil curry tempered with herbs and spices.It had the power to even make a chronically ill person happy and comforted.He hurriedly sought out to buy the ingredients for the recipe.He went to a nearby store and bought the things he needed..

He reached home to find Akio standing right in front of the door.He impulsively reacted and rushed towards him,but tripped.Both crashed down with a THUD.

"What is wrong with you?"Akio questioned in anger.However,he noticed a wince on Mark's face.

Mark could no longer control his emotions.It started to overflow and tears were clearly visible in his eyes.Eventually,Mark began crying endlessly with no end.

"I am...sorry...I am....really sorry."He sobbed."Does it hurt a lot?" Mark asked,while running his fingers upon the wound.

"Yes it does."Akio said,wincing in pain.

Mark grabbed Akio by his shoulder and lead him to the bed.Akio sat down and Mark covered him with a blanket.

"Sit next to me."Akio said to Mark,gesturing him to sit beside him.

"Why did you say it was your fault?"Akio asked,with a tone of annoyance.

"I knew what was going to happen.In fact,It was me who asked Wang Xiu to get you beat up to a pulp.If I would have not heeded to my childish whims,nothing would have happen."Mark confessed.

"It was not Wang Xiu."Akio said.

"How can you be so sure?"Mark asked.

"It is because Wang Xiu is my friend and so are her accomplices."Akio replied,followed by a short mocking laugh.

At this point ,Mark felt betrayed.His humanitarian side drained out,yet again leaving behind the egoistic individual.He was betrayed by two people to whom he trusted at some point.

"I am serving breakfast.Would you like to have it? It is an Indian comfort food,Dal."

"Ooh..I always wanted to try Indian food.I heard it is completely opposite to that of Japanese cuisine."Akio replied.

"Well then,today is your chance."Mark said.

He grabbed a bowl and poured a ladle of Dal into it. He carried the bowl to Akio ,and sat next to him,presenting him fusion of explosive flavours.

"It looks...nice."Akio said,hesitatingly."Feed it to me." He said,like a child.

"Are you a four-year old?!"Mark questioned."I am not feeding it to you."Mark said,sternly.

"Ok..then."Akio said, disappointed. He grabbed a spoonful of it and ate it.

"It...cough....tastes...cough...very nice."Akio said,coughing badly.

"Why are you wheezing?"Mark asked,irritated."If it is bad,then tell it to me."He said.

"No..It's alright."Akio said,gulping the entire bowl.

Mark decided to taste it .He took a spoonful and ate it.His mouth was burning as if someone put hot coals.He immediately spat it out."Maybe I put in a lot of chillies,he said,gulping gallons of water with no relief.

He had done it again.He once again harmed someone unintentionally,but why was Akio's reaction so placid?