Half Way in love (Chapter 28)

Revathy looked tired.

Her face lighted up, on seeing Dev. But her efforts at sitting up failed and she resigned to her pillow.

She could just manage a smile at Dev. A very weak smile. Only a shadow of her laughter, smiles and giggles.

Even Dev could return a half smile. A smile, heavy with guilt. In a way, he was the reason. Karthi had chosen to hurt her in order to get back at him. How happy she was, before meeting him. Her status updates. Happy ones. She used to be an easy going girl.

Meeting him got her to this. She lay there, on her bed, covered in bed sheet, face distorted with pain from the abdomen. She had lost lot of blood. That made her very weak.

How much time will it take for her to return to her old self?

Dev, now honestly wished, he had not met her.

Poor girl. Going through physical and emotional pain now. Wound was deep, and it took hours for the doctors to stich it up inside and out.

And the pain she might have been going through emotionally. To break that bitter truth to him, at the last minute.

Though Dev was hurt that time, Revathy's condition made him forget that. He was happy just to see Revathy alive.

He couldn’t forget the look on her eyes, when he carried her to the ambulance. He never thought she would make it.

Hell with the emotions and feelings for her. She mattered most. Her life mattered most. Her happiness mattered most.

"Don't bother yourself dear. You need to take complete rest."

Dev said, while taking his seat on a chair near her bed.

Her mother had gone out the moment Dev entered into her room. She was in tears. She wanted to leave them alone.

“Hi Dev. Happy you came. I thought you would never forgive me."

She said weakly, in a sad tone.

He held her hand, fondly.

"Forget that Revathy. I am sorry I behaved rashly that day. To think that, you are going through all this, only because of me. It is making me feel horrible"

"Don't say that Dev. "Her eyes were moist now." This is the minimum I deserve. For everything I did to you."

"But please believe me, Dev" She continued after pausing for catching her breath.

"I was not aware of the engagement part, till I reached home that day. He is son of father's batch mate in Army. Completed his engineering and got placed in FB headquarters. I have heard his name few times."

She continued laboriously now, struggling for breath, her heart clogged with emotions.

"They had come home, asking for my alliance. And mom could not deny. I couldn't blame her, as I hadn't told her about you."

"And I knew, you like me. That hurt me most. I was in a kind of mess. What to do, whom to call, what to talk etc etc"

"You know Dev, I didn't have the energy or will power to go against the tide. Mom was too quick in deciding everything. And she did everything taking me for granted."

"My inexperience, indecisiveness, and inability to assert myself, cost me huge. It was too late to make amends. And I went through the motions."

She wept now. Silently, but heaving with emotions.

"I wanted to tell you all this when I came back from leave. While you were driving me to Airport. But couldn't. Yes Dev. I couldn't. I was looking at you all the time when you were driving. You were so happy to be with me. Taking in each of my words. Laughing at my pathetic jokes. Pampering me with your care. I didn't want to spoil those moments. I postponed the news. With guilt. Crying in my mind."

"And I waited for a moment to tell you this, when we drove to Nelliyampathy. I thought I would tell you, when we reach the top. In at most silence. So that you can shout your heart at me. Burst your emotions on me. I thought I will buy time, for spending those lovely moments with you. Just a little more. But, the rain. It spoiled my timing. And you got hurt. Am sorry Dev. I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to cheat you. "

Dev was silently listening. With nothing but compassion in his heart. He had overcome the first shock. Now, he was ready for the reality.

He looked at Revathy. As if looking at a little kid. They looked at each other for some time. Slowly, Revathy, got over her emotions. Got over her guilt. Her heart beats calmed down. Her nerves started healing.

They smiled at each other. A caring, loving smile.

"Revathy, tell me only this. Did I ever have a place in your heart? I mean, at least, before this guy?"

Revathy, looked at him, without blinking her eyes.

"You need not ask this Dev. You always know. "

Girls never answer anything straight. They always leave something for guessing. Even on their sick beds.

But Dev could easily guess this time. He smiled happily.

"Ishwar talked to you?"

He was now prepared enough to ask her this. Though he didn't sound convincing. Still, Revathy could feel, Dev has now come to terms with the unavoidable truth.

"He keeps calling, Dev. Though he gives me enough time for rest. He is a good guy."

Dev felt at peace with himself now. Calmness prevailed.

Revathy's phone rang. It was on the table near Dev. He took it for handing it over to her.

He could see it was a whatsapp video call. Ishwar's handsome image flashed on the screen.

He didn’t feel jealous this time. He gave the phone to Revathy. And stood up to leave. Revathy held his hand.

She looked at him with a mix of various emotions.

Dev, smiled widely at her.

"Talk to him Revathy. You need more of him now. Get well soon."

He left the room in haste. He could hear Revathy's weak voice, talking to Ishwar.

Tears filled his eyes. And he knew he would miss her.