STEVE & AKHIL

I entered a small, cozy 2 BHK house with Akhil beside me. It was painted white and grey, and filled with the fragrance of Rose. I understood the reason behind the fragrance when I saw the flower pots with different colored Rose plants in the corner of the living room.

"Make yourself home", he said and walked inside one of the rooms.

I took it as an opportunity to take a stroll around the house. I roam around his kitchen, living room, and also dining area. His house had limited things, nothing rich and he had the things which are needed for regular uses. It was just an ordinary house not like the one my parents owned filled with expensive things brought from all over the world. Somewhat his house was more warm and comfortable than mine. I was finally able to breathe.

"Do you like the atmosphere?", his voice made me turn towards him with a smile in reflex. He was wearing a pair of white shorts which reached a little below his knees and a neon yellow T-shirt. His body was too revealing to handle.

"Yes", I replied to his question. He signed me to sit in the dining room. I sit on the chair and lean back comfortably. I could see the kitchen from the dining room, I technically mean I could see him. He moves to the refrigerator and pulls out a bottle of mango juice and walks toward me. He pours the contents from the bottle into a glass and hands it to me. I drink and watch as he chops an apple into slices. Every single move of his was making the insides of me into jelly.

"Where is your twin?", I ask him

"He will be back soon", he replied calmly

"Would be okay with me staying here?"

"Of course", he said and pushed the plate of sliced apples to me. When I refused to eat, he forcefully pushed a slice of apple into my mouth.

"Just eat it", he said and I gobbled all the slices.

"So you are forced to marry your childhood crush", he asked out of the blue.

"Yes", I said

"Are you happy with the marriage?"

"Is there any kind of happiness in something that is forced?"

"Then why did you agree to all of these?"

"Because after I agreed, I, at last, got my parents speaking to me with love and care. I will sacrifice anything or go to any extinct to get them to love me"

"Sacrificing for parents is greatness, but sacrificing your happiness for them is utter foolishness", he said.

I knew it is not going to fetch me anything but hurt. Still, I'm willing to do this because I want to experience my parents' love. So, I brushed off his comment.

"This is your room and the beside one will be shared by my brother and me. Just give me some time I will move my things out of that room.", he said and disappeared into the room which will belong to me from this moment.

I opened the door as I heard the knocks. There was a lean, skinny man standing in his formals. He must be a few inches shorter than Akhil. As he moved closer the smell of antiseptics and disinfectant hit my nostrils. Is he also a doctor? Is he Akhil's twin brother or his friend?

I was lost in the train of thoughts and did not notice the man walking passed me inside the house.

"Who are you?", he asked while pouring a glass of water for himself.

"I'm Steve Mathew", I introduced myself

"And care to explain what are you doing in my house"

"Keshav, he is Steve my new friend, and Steve this is Dr. Keshav my twin brother.", Akhil said and explained to his brother everything that has happened with me.

"Make yourself comfortable with us. Think of us as your own family." Keshav said giving me a welcome hug. Then we ate dinner with some talks mainly concerned about 'getting to know each other.

"Let me show you, your room", Akhil said.

I followed him into the bedroom which was his before. His belongings were packed neatly in some bags. I was amused by how his all kinds of stuff were packed only in two suitcases and two duffle bags. There was a king-size bare bed and some pictures of his still hanging on the wall.

"Go take shower while I make the bed for you", he said with the same injurious smile. He takes out the bedsheet and pillowcase. He smoothly dresses the bed with a bluish green bedsheet like an expert while I walk into the bathroom and close the door. I spent the next half an hour there. They were spent in cleaning myself and staring at my reflection in the mirror, wondering how the last couple of hours made me feel alive. I hated my life because I had no one whom I could call mine but now I am introduced to two doctors Akhil and Keshav who are willingly ready to accept me as their family. I wrap a towel around my waist and remembered that I have no clothes with me. How foolish can I be to travel to another country with no clothes? I opened the bathroom door and peeked out to see if Akhil was still there so I could ask him if I could borrow his clothes, we were almost of the same size. He wasn't there, but there were folded clothes on the bed. I was correct his black sweatpants and white T-shirt were perfect for my size. There was a note on the bed which read out 'I noticed that you had no luggage with you. Hope these clothes will help for now. We can go shopping tomorrow.'

It was from Akhil he had observed me. At last, I had some people who had a genuine care for me. I turn off the lights, crawl into the bed and pull the covers over me and fall asleep peacefully with no worries, after a long time.