Part 8

"So, the Doctor said that you can walk from now on. Your bones have become strong enough and your muscles have gotten enough strength to facilitate brisk walks. We cannot walk inside the house because there is not enough space to walk in straight lines and taking rapid turns might be bad for you. So where do you want to go? There's a park nearby. Do you want to go there?" asked Vivaan, feeding her porridge as she held the bowl.

Vrinda's muscles had developed enough strength to hold and support herself, but the anti-gravity movements like lifting were still tough for her. Vivaan had refrained her from eating by herself till she was comfortable in lifting her hands with ease.

"Aunty told that I had walked for the first time in the lawns of this house. I want to re-learn to walk in the same place. Who knows, it might trigger my memory, after all?" wondered Vrinda, eying him.

She could not place her finger on what she felt for the man beside her. Maybe it was because there was no parameter to judge their relationship as she had no memories and the other already decided her relationship with them. While Daksh was her brother, Sucheta was a mother-figure, but Vihaan, according to her, had left so much for exploration that she could not fathom the true nature of her feelings.

"As you wish, then. But as much as I hope that something triggers your memory, the Doctor has asked us to not let our expectations fly high," reminded Vivaan, wiping the corner of her lips with the remnants of porridge with his fingertips.

"I know but one can always hope for the best, can't they?" questioned Vrinda, the lost sparkle making its way back into her hazel eyes as they imaged the man whom her soul had recognized but not her consciousness.

"Of course! Hope keeps us alive in the worst of situations, isn't it?" mused Vivaan, smiling at her.

He had read into her emotions in her eyes and had even recognized them. How wouldn't he? It was not the first time he had seen those feelings in her, which made him feel more alive than ever, but he knew they had a long way to go.

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Lawn,

"It's so beautiful!" whispered Vrinda in surprise as she drank in the picturesque beauty in front of her.

The lush green lawn studded with flowers of myriads of colours greeted her. The gentle breeze from the majestic tress standing tall carried the tantalizing aroma of the fragrant flowers of the garden. The corners of her lips twitched upwards into a smile and her eyes scanned the beauty with awe. The cold metal of the wheelchair no longer bothered her in the warmth of the late-afternoon sun.

"It is. Your parents were very fond of gardening. No matter how busy they were, they always used to tend to the plants and spend some time with them," said Vivaan, reminiscing about the times when they used to play on the lawn as children.

"And me? I was not interested in gardening?" asked Vrinda, looking up at Vivaan from her wheelchair.

"You were more interested in breaking the flowers and fruits. You loved to adorn those flowers or make garlands out of them for your favorite God and eat those fruits, especially raw mangoes. Your parents did not like that trait of yours and you used to push the blame on Daksh Bhai or...." he paused as he corrected himself,".. Vivaan."

Vrinda burst out in laughter as she looked around her at the various varieties of flowers and fruits around her. She wondered if she could experience the adrenaline rush of stealing the fruits while hiding from everyone. The prospect seemed very enticing, especially considering the overprotective nature of the man beside her.

"I will show you the entire garden some day, but for now, let's walk," said Vivaan, bending onto his knees as he arranged the footrests of the wheelchair to facilitate her movement.

He offered her hand, after ensuring that the footrests would not hurt her, and moved back as Vrinda tried to stand on her feet. She had practiced several times to stand and was confident about it.

"Now try to linger. Place one foot in front of the other and, after you have stabilized yourself, move the other foot forward," said Vivaan, looking down at her feet for any signs of instability.

"Who would have thought that they will listen to instructions for walking?" asked Vrinda, smiling at him.

"I was just trying to help. Sorry if it was not good enough," laughed Vivaan, tugging at her hand as he prompted her to walk.

He had always wondered, whenever he had heard someone mentioning that Vrinda had taken her first steps with him and he triggered her to walk when nothing could, how would that moment have felt. Never in his worst nightmares had he imagined that his wish of knowing the emotions of that moment would turn into reality in such an unbelievable manner.

Vrinda placed her foot forward, but she wobbled as she had tried to place her foot in line with the other foot and her balance had come undone.

"Careful! No need to learn catwalk in the first go!" said Vivaan as he held her in place and stabilized her as he shook his head in disbelief.

Her natural instincts soon took over as she placed her next foot forward. Her posture was no longer awkward, but her feet trembled all the same. It took a great deal of determination for her to take the next fifteen steps, after which the severe cramps in her calf muscles compelled her to give up.

She had lost balance but worry did not enter her mind as she knew her friend would catch her without fail and he did not prove her wrong.

"You should have told that your muscles are paining. Fifteen steps is significant for the first time, Vrinda. I mean, Radha! What if I had thought that you gained complete control and left your hand?" he berated as she held her muscles in pain.

"I know you would not have done that. I don't know, Vihaan, but somehow I feel pulled towards you, as if we shared a very special bond. And you had to be a spoilsport and not tell me about our past! You enjoy knowing something that I don't right?" she asked, knowing well that he would not divulge the details.

Yet again, he did not prove her wrong. He just smiled, in an attempt that the smile would cover the sorrow in which he was sailing, that somehow that smile would make him see her satisfying smile.