Ram wants to see how long can he pretend to sleep. Mark is secretly wishing for Ram to leave the room, so that he could eat something. A voice seemed to ring in Mark's head "Can you think of something other than food" What vidya always says seems to be the truth, no matter what the situation food is his first priority.
He didn't get to eat lunch because he's worried about Lakshman even after the doctor said that he'll be fine. It's half past 10 now, Mark is literally starving. He had been floating in the water all day and not to mention he ran all the way to the clinic carrying a person. He's got no energy left.
He could feel a pair of eyes stabbing deep into his soul. Feeling his body go numb, Mark controlled his breathing so that it felt like he was sleeping. But it didn't succeed, the more he tries to control it the more difficult it is. His heart rate increased, but he slowed inhaled and exhaled. Hoping for Ram to not notice his unusual breathing.
Too bad for him Ram is already aware of it, he's just being entertained. If only Mark knew this, he wouldn't have to treat breathing as a chore.
Even though Mark is lying, his body wouldn't. A grumble escaped from Mark's stomach. Mark clenched his teeth and prayed for Ram to not hear it. But heavens are not on his side.
"Mark!" his whole body stiffened.
"If you don't get up..." Mark's body sprung up like water from a faucet. He turned to side, sat on his knees and with teary eyes he said "Big brother! Forgive me!"
Ram blinked his eyes and said "What?" he placed the food in plate and passed it to Mark. "If you don't get up I'll eat everything"
Mark wiped his tears with the bandages on his hand and took the plate. He expected Ram to explode on him the moment he wakes up but right now he's so calm that it's scary or rather he's acting like nothing is wrong.
Ram finished his food. Mark just sat there as if he's not hungry "That is what I got after begging the street vendor at the beach to let me use his fireplace. You better eat it"
"You're not angry?" Ram asked leaning forward
"Angry? For what?" Mark rolled his eyes "Do you think I did not hear what you said a while ago"he thought but didn't say because he couldn't afford to provoke Ram when he's the one on the wrong side.
"Nothing. I'll eat then" Ram couldn't believe it just a second ago this kid was shaking all over to even open his eyes but now he's eating happily.
Both finished eating. To make it not awkward they didn't talk anymore.
Half an hour later the doctor arrived at the clinic. He was told that both woke up when he's out and are fine.
The next morning they returned to Ram's house. Even though Mark insisted he'd go to his own house Ram convinced him to stay till he is healed.
They recovered pretty fast and Lakshman told everyone they were playing and it accidentally happened. However their parents didn't believe him. Lakshman and Mark were pretty upset about it. "If dad knows about us going behind Ram's back, he'll never let me leave the house alone again"
Mark more than anyone knows it the best. As expected they've asked Ram for explanation instead of the victims.
"I pretty much knew this would happen. They don't believe us do they" said Mark with a sigh.
"It's not that they don't believe us, they don't believe you" Lakshman corrected him.
"Hey!!!" he has to admit it. For the troublemaker is, no one is going to believe him.
They are lurking outside Ram's room to listen what he was saying. Ram is talking to their Dad explaining the situation.
"Mark called me a week ago when I was in the house. He told me that Lakshman is with him near the beach in a clinic. I went to the address he mentioned. Lakshman said that they were playing ashore and while running they bumped into an anchor"
Mark couldn't believe his ears "Did he lie? What happened? Why? "
He couldn't believe that Ram is lying.
"Well technically he isn't lying" Lakshman winked.
Ram didn't lie but what he said isn't completely the truth either.
"I did tell him what he was telling father just now a few hours ago and you were really the one to call him. He just didn't mention when it happened" said Lakshman.
"He's doing this for you just because you asked?" Mark was amused
"No. He took a promise"
Mark is having second thoughts about confessing his guilt to father.
"He could ask us both to do something he wants for once and we should obey him" what Lakshman said bewildered Mark
"Obey? Alright so I'm gonna practice obeying him in case I couldn't do it suddenly in the future" said Mark confidently.
"Suit yourself" Lakshman walked away.
In the process of trying to obey Ram, Mark realized what an amazing person Ram is. He truly admired him as a brother. He wanted to become a brother like that.