24 Inside blues (1/2)

”What were thinking risking yourself like that!!!”, Iven finally snapped as soon they were out of the ship.

Seb looked perplexed, unable to grasp his words.

Iven sighed,”I'm talking about the earlier situation”, he was telling about Noah.

-I don't understand Iven. Why are you getting so worked up about?

-What do you mean???

-Earlier too you yelled at me for no reason!

-I didn't yell, I was just....concerned.

-should I just have stood and seen him beaten to death?

-You could have called the authorities.

-Do you have any immediate wit? By that time everything would be over.

-Belle please understand! Those people are dangerous and merciless, they won't think twice before eliminating you.

-You know well that I'm quite capable.

-That doesn't change the fact that you're a women. And that's enough to make me worry!!!

-Relax!!! Just be glad that Noah is safe.

-That's the point. We can't repay you back for that. That's why I want to ensure of your protection!

-You don't have to repay. In the contrary, why do have a kid in your gang in the first place???

-We don't force anyone Belle. They come to us, we don't turn them back.

-Isn't it dangerous for him to survive like this at such a young age?

-You don't know anything about the insides Belle. We all are black sheep from our families. We could never fit in our own, so we have formed a family which is more understanding to each other. We fit in here because we protect each other.

-You, as a elder brother, manage to protect all of them?

-Hard to say. We've all got each other's back. We look after each other.

-Sure is cool to be a part of this family.

-Even you are!

Iven stressed the last words!!!

Seb's eyes lightened,”Really?”

”Of course!”, Iven said,”The way I see it, you've got a very special place among them. They looked very....impressed with you. As if they regard you as a sister already.....but....”, he paused,....I'm not going to take you as one!!!.....Sister sounds.....very awkward!!!”.

Seb started laughing. Iven chuckled a bit too. Then all of a sudden, he realized something very important about himself.

This was the first time when he actually found himself joking about something and laughing on it genuinely. Even if his brothers ever cracked a joke, he never paid much attention to it. But then, he was free enough to let it out in her company, Seb's!!!

This was also the first time in his life when he's having such serious intimacy with a girl and such earn urge to protect her. She makes him feel different, as if she has discovered a new hidden personality of him, which was within Iven but he has never come across it ever.

”So, what will you take me for then?”, Seb pulled himself together.

That's one question, Iven has been asking himself too. But in vain.

”Let's get going, it's late”, he swapped topics.

”Hey!!! No fair!!!”, Seb followed quickly as Iven has started walking already. She rushed upto meet his level and nagged him on. Not once did Iven replied her. It was a height of ignorance.

Finally Seb gave up and started talking something else,”You didn't seriously have to come. It wouldn't have taken much time for me to reach home”.

”It would take much less time if I drive you”, Iven said to her.

”Huh, even if you have a car, you can't compete me on bike....my bike....bike”, Seb's trail started fading.

”What is it? Where is your bike?”, Iven asked.

Seb recalled her memories as it went back,”I left it near at the lane,....where I saved Noah....unlocked!!!”. It was a heart attack for her. She treasured her bike more than anything. It was like her other half, she clasped her head tight. It might be gone by now!

”I was too careless!!! My poor bike!!!”, she mumbled.

Iven sighed at the melodrama. ”Stand up, it's not anything big”, he said.

”Do you realize what my bike means for me?”, Seb looked at him with popped eyes.

”Let's hope for the best. Let's go now”, Iven looked little soft. Seb pretended to sniff once. Iven rolled his eyes,”Let's go Belle!”, and he was going to hold Seb's hand hesitantly when suddenly she looked up.

Her expression changed,”I know he's safe, let's hurry!!!”.

And Seb started marching with huge steps. Iven fell behind because he was confused enough. She's too fickle minded!

He was intentionally walking slow because it was such a bother. He just made sure not to let Seb get out from his eyes.