Chapter 11

All the misunderstandings I had with her up until that point came to an end. Her tears were all it took for me to realize that everything she had said was true. I felt disgusted with myself in that moment, as all the wrongs I had committed against her for so long flooded my mind.

There were still many doubts lingering in my mind, but I didn't feel like asking her given her condition. My intuition told me that one day, when the time was right, she would share that with me as well.

"Let's go," I said, and walked away without saying anything more. She followed me and got on the bike.

"Sorry," I told her, looking at her through the mirror with confused eyes.

"Why?"

"For everything... for our fights... for the hurtful words... for my anger... for misunderstanding... and for everything..."

"So how can I apologize to you, Nandu? Will a simple 'sorry' be enough?"

"But I shouldn't have acted in such a manner. It was my circumstances..."

"I understand, Nandu. This isn't what I knew of you, Nandu. You're good, I know that. And all of this, I have to face. It's my destiny."

We both carried the weight of blame.

"Start the bike, Nandu... if I delay any longer, that Miss Smitha will have my head."

Suddenly, she changed the subject. I started the bike and headed straight for the college. Even then, her posture wasn't right. I could tell she was leaning back with each turn. So, I slowed down.

"It's my first time on a bike," she confessed.

I understood her meaning.

"Oh, I said that without knowing... never mind."

"That's not it, Nandu. I mentioned it because you slowed down suddenly. This is my first time riding on the back of a bike. It was Nandu's bike. That's why I'm not sure how to sit or where to hold on."

I only responded with a hum and quickly drove us home.

"Why are we going home now?"

"What's the point of going to college at this stage?"

She glanced at her watch and sat in silence. As we approached the house, I spotted my elder brother and sister-in-law packing bags into the car. They were clearly heading somewhere.

As the bike entered the yard, I noticed my mother seated inside the car.

"Ah, so their journey isn't over yet?" remarked my sister-in-law when we arrived.

"Where are you headed?" I inquired.

"Her mother isn't feeling well. She's in the hospital. We're going to visit her. Then mom suggested we also go to our ancestral house. It's been a while since we've been there..."

"I thought I'd give you a call once we were off. How come you both are still here, not heading to class..." my brother's words were finished by my sister-in-law.

"Well then, we'll join you."

"No, no... Why are you skipping class to come? Mom, is not that serious. I can call you if needed. Then you can come."

There's something off about my sister-in-law's behavior. Her face doesn't reflect the distress one would expect when her mother is in the hospital.

"I'll come too, Mom..." Devu moved towards her, taking her hand.

"Not today, my dear... Let's give it some time. If I take you away today, won't he be alone here..." Devu just lowered her head.

Meanwhile, the sister-in-law, who had come from behind, called her over and stood a little apart.

"Yes... we'll be here tomorrow. By then, you should be good kids, either consoling him, crying, or holding his leg to quell his anger." I even overheard my sister-in-law say it was a private matter.

"When will you come, sister-in-law?"

"Tomorrow."

"So, I'll be alone until then?"

"Isn't that why she's here..."

I didn't say anything. Devu looked at me with a pitiable expression, like a defenseless baby bird caught in a crow's nest. She knew very well from my behavior up until yesterday that if I got her alone, I might lash out.

To be continued...