The book of snippets

Two birds

Abir starts the car, with shaky hands , parks it to a side of the road and stops. Kunal still doesn't give any indication that he knows what's going on, Abir knows he should be worried and scared, he will be, right now however he's just relieved.

Minutes ago, in the same car, in the same seat... he drove around like a madman, following kunal trying to make him stop before something happens to him. Something did happen, his brain cruelly supplies.

His world turned upside down, he nearly died and Abir couldn't even begin to dissect the flurry of emotions raging around in Kunal's mind while his face set to a blank stone.

But Abir sits there drinking in his brother's presence, the fact that he's here with him, maybe he was a little banged up but Abir would make it okay.

He had to believe that he would make it okay.

They sit silently for a long time, Kunal staring at nothing and Abir staring at Kunal. The night was setting in.

Abir quietly started the car and drove to the nearest clinic. Kunal had a few bruises and scrapes, he had to fix them, that was where he was going to start.

"Nanko" Abir calls out and Kunal's breath hitches breaking Abir's heart all over again, "chal.." he says getting out of the car.

Kunal freezes in his chair and fear colors his features, Abir's eyes mist as he walks over. He opens the door and announces, "Andar jaathe hai chal..."

Kunal looks up at the bright luminescent sign, his eyes slightly dilated, "I'm fine... bhai..."

The way he hesitated calling Abir what he's called him his entire life didn't go unnoticed by him, "No, you're not... jyaada time nahin lagega.. chal.."

He's holding Kunal's hand again, the one that he knows isn't bruised and scuffing him along. Kunal for his part keeps his head down and lets Abir do whatever he wants.

They tell the doctor that he fell off a bike, Abir does, except he has to swallow a heap of fear and hurt to even begin to explain, so Kunal clips it to a phrase. He's not even looking up.

The doctor asks him if he's hurting anywhere or is finding any of his functions difficult. Abir nudges him and Kunal sighs before he answers.

He has a scraped elbow and wrist and a bruised calf. "I'm just sore" he says dragging his words, "I'm...f..ine.."

They make quick work of his scrapes and pain. "He just has to sleep for a while, let the pain killers work" the doctor says.

Abir hums reading the advice above it's value. 'Just needs to sleep...'

Abir's done that so many times before, made Kunal sleep through his worries while he stood vigil.

Except Nanko's not sleeping now, no he's staring ahead with vacant eyes.

He can't drive them home.

He can't drive them to the office.

Kunal doesn't want to eat, say or do anything.