Steward

Later that evening the doctor came to check Sandriya.He took her reports and read it carefully.He then turned to Mr&Mrs.Andrews and said"She has recovered pretty well.I think you can take home tomorrow.She is perfectly alright.But continue to give her the tablets.If you want you can consult me later".Everyone was happy to hear it.

"Finally I can go and sleep in my bed"Sandriya said happily.

"Doctor.Can I go to school then?"

"Ofcourse you can.But don't tire yourself too much"the Doctor replied

"I will make sure she doesn't strain herself"Jonathan assured.

Jonathan helped Mrs.Andrews pack the things.The next morning,Mr.Andrews came into the room after settling the hospital bills."Shall we leave? The cab is waiting outside"he informed.

"Okay dada"Sandriya said as went and hugged his arm.The four of them went and boarded the cab.In about half an hour they were home.Sandriya got down immediately and ran into the house.

"How good it feels to be back?"she said rushing to her bedroom.As she was gone for more than 3 months,her room was a little dusty.

"Oh my.I really need to clean my room"

"I can help you with that"Jonathan said as he came up the stairs.

"Hmph...what do you know about a girls room?"she asked with her arms crossed leaning on the doorpost.

"I may not know about a girls room but i know your style"he said as he walked past her and started changing her bed sheets.

"Okay.Okay.I can't let you do it yourself.I will help you"Sandriya said as she held the other end of the bed spread.

The two then started to work.The room was silent for a long time until a knock was heard outside the room.

"Kids,I brought tea"

"Thanks mom"Sandriya said taking the tray with two cups of Jasmine tea from her mother.

"Time for a tea break"Jonathan said as he sat at the table after washing his hands.

"Tell me if you need anything else"Mrs.Andrews said and went downstairs to take care of the work.The entire house was in a mess as no one had time to do the household chores.Mr.Andrews was in the garden cleaning the weeds and clearing dead plants.

Back in Sandriya's room...Sandriya gave a cup of tea to Jonathan.

"Wow.Drinking tea after a tiring a good work is really refreshing.You mom is really a great cook.She makes all types of tea.I really like them.I wonder where she learnt them.Do you think she has time to teach me some?"Jonathan kept on speaking but there was no response.He lifted his eyes from the tea and looked at Sandriya.She had not even taken a sip of tea.Her eyes were fixed on the cup while her hands were stiring the tea with spoon.Jonathan gave her a gentle nudge.

"Were you even listening?"

"What?!You were talking to me?"

"Who else is in here?A ghost"

"I'm sorry.I thought you were talking to my mother"she said still stiring the tea.

"Whats wrong.You were the one who got the tea from your mom and sent her down.Don't you remember?"

"Yeah.I am sorry.I was thinking something else"

Looking at her face he could tell that she was thinking something very deeply.He went near her and sat beside her.

"Whats wrong dear?You know you can tell me anything."

She turned and looked up at his face.Her eyes were starting to get watery.

"Do you think this Steward guy is safe?"

Steward?!

The name startled Jonathan.But he immediately regained his posture.

"Who is this person?A friend of yours!"he pretended to know nothing.

"No.He is not my friend.But he was the reason why I was kidnapped"

This broke his heart.It is true that it was all because of him.The pain after seeing Sandriya lying unconscious in the building was just starting fade from his heart.But now.Her words made the wound more deeper.He lowered his head unable to face her.

"I hope he is alright.If he is I wish I could warn him of these bad people who are after him"she said as she didn't know that each and every person involved were shot down.

"Why do you want to help him?It is because of him you nearly died.If I were you I would have hated this person to the core"

"I can't just sit and watch when I know I can help them.Besides,it really hurts to imagine someone else will be tortured in the same way as me.It was really scary"Sandriya started crying as the images of that night flashed in her memory.She buried her face in her palms.

Jonathan was blamming himself for everything that happened.He turned to her side.But suddenly Sandriya hugged him burying her head in his chest.He was surprised.She never once hugged him before.

"Can I hug you for a minute?I feel safe when I am with you"she said still crying.

He could feel his shirt soak in her tears.He didn't respond.He hugged her back.

"I am sorry Sandriya.Its my fault.I should have walked you home that day."he said softly trying his best to control his emotions.

"Don't blame yourself.If they had done something to you in the attempt to capture me,I would have never forgiven myself."

He didn't know what to say.This girl she is really strong.She wanted to protect him.Just the way he wanted to protect her.

"I promise as long as live I wont let anything come near ever again"he gently stroked her hair.She could tell that he was not lying.His heart was racing fast.His voice was firm.Slowly a warm feeling started filling her heart.She felt safe and strong when he was by her side.This thought made her tears to dry and a gentle smile appeared on her lips...