STEVE & AKHIL II

It's been more than two months that I have been staying with them. Both the brothers were nothing less than a family to me especially Akhil, he pampered me like a small kid and spoilt me with whatever I wanted. I got everything I wanted from them. Though they weren't rich enough to provide the things my parents gave me, but the warmness, love, care, food from time to time, small talk, and hanging out was more than enough to keep me happy.

I wake up sniffing like a puppy because of the aroma of cheese sandwiches. I sleep walk following the aroma to the kitchen. I was welcomed by the handsome Dr. Akhil moving back and forth to the stove, the fridge, and the stored groceries. He was wearing an unbuttoned white shirt on his black tank top and a pair of grey jogger pants. I was wide awake after this view. It is my routine to wake up with the smell of Akhil's cooking.

"Morning", he said as I jumped to sit on the kitchen slab.

"Morning", I said cheerfully and he slapped my hand away when I was grabbing a sandwich.

"Go brush your teeth first"

"Let me grab a bite first"

"No", he said, "You are not a toddler anymore, Steve"

He pulled me off the slab, dragged me to my room, pushed me inside the bathroom, and threw a towel to my face.

"Clean yourself first and then think about breakfast", he said and walked out.

This wasn't any new behavior of his, he always acts like a stern parent with me when it comes to hygiene.

I take a shower and walked to the living room drying my hair with a towel. I settle on the couch next to Akhil. Keshav is on a trip with his college friends and the house is so silent without him. We both keep bickering about things that do not matter and then Akhil gives us 5 minutes long scolding to make us quiet.

"Can I have something to eat now?", I said with a pout.

"Sure", he said and pinched the tip of my nose. I pull myself back and he smiled. It was common for him to be this close physically with me, I know this is not something that happens between friends but I still let him, only him do it because it feels warm. He made his way to the kitchen, worked on the microwave oven for a few minutes, and brings me a plate of cheese sandwiches and a glass of warm water.

He connected the Netflix to the television and I grabbed the remote from his hand.

"Concentrate on eating. I will play whatever you want to watch", he said.

As he said he played the horror movie which I wanted to watch for a very long time. I gobbled the food fast and set the plates in the dishwasher and settle again next to Akhil to continue watching. He was leaning back on the couch with his feet resting on the coffee table. He was on leave and watching him relax makes me happy.

We spent the next two hours watching the scary horror movie. I have no idea how he watched it in complete silence while I was screaming each time the ghost appeared.

After the movie, he was scrolling through his phone when I spot a guitar placed behind the bookshelf. I did not know about them playing guitar. I remember the days of playing instruments during my school and college days.

"Do you play guitar?", I asked placing my head on his shoulder. The new comforting position that I have discovered.

"No, it is Keshav's guitar", he said

"I used to own one like this"

"You play guitar then"

"I used to"

"Why did you stop?"

"My parents told me that playing guitar was nonsense and they threw my guitar which fell and shattered into pieces. That was the last time I played any musical instruments", I said and he pulled me against his chest. We just sit there in silence and his thumb brushes my shoulder.

"Forget about the past. I am there for you now, let's make your future colorful", he said. I look at him with a painful smile and rest my head on his chest again with a yawn.

"Someone still sleepy ahh", he said.

He held my head and cautiously placed it on his lap. He pulled my legs up on the couch and patted my head. His way of telling me to sleep. The most confusing riddle to me know was how can a random stranger can become comforting, trustworthy, reliable, and important to me in just a span of 4 months. I close my eyes and fall asleep within seconds.

Akhil's phone started ringing which disturbed my sleep. I woke up and saw him trying to take the phone from the coffee table without disturbing my sleep. I smiled inwardly about how much he cared about me. Looking at his struggle I decided to lend him a hand. I picked up the mobile and gave it to him. He smiled at me and picked up the call while his hand was running through my hair.

"No problem doctor. What's wrong... Could you please brief me on the symptoms the patient is facing... So doctor considering whatever you have said I doubt that she is suffering from a brain tumor... I will be there by an hour and we can run some tests and proceed with the treatment," he said and hung up the call.

"Steve I will be gone for a while", he said

"Hmm", I hummed in response

"There is some food in the fridge, preheat them before eating"

"Okay", I said and got up from his lap.

He hurriedly got ready and rushed to the hospital.

The days passed happily for me. I no more needed to worry about being unwanted because now I had someone who celebrates my presence.