Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"But that was before he got married," Owen quickly added. "I am sure it's gonna be different this time."

Elsa placed hand on Rachael's arm. "But don't feel bad if he does the same things this time, okay? Everyone has their own way of coping with the grief and stress they go through. Let's just say this is his way of doing it."

Keeping quiet for a while, Rachael asked, "How long has he been doing it?"

"Since their first death anniversary."

"Wasn't he just thirteen year old at that time?" When Owen nodded, she pursed her lips and frowned. The thought of thirteen year old Andrew locking himself up for three days in his room, broke her heart. She could only imagine the pain and suffering he had been through all these years.

"It's sad, isn't it?" Elsa sighed. "I was too young at that time so I used to continuously knock at his door and beg him to open it. But later, I understood what he was going through and I felt kinda bad for disturbing him."

"This is why we just let him be," Owen added. "We leave him alone for as long as he wants."

"What about your grandparents?" Rachael curiously questioned them. "Did they not say anything or try to stop him?"

Elsa and Owen did not answer her question. They just looked at each other and stayed silent.

When she did not get an answer from them, Rachael sighed. "Is this why you both planned the camping trip?"

Elsa nodded. "We just didn't want you to feel bad when he—you know."

Keeping quiet for a while, she said, "Can I ask you both something?" When Owen nodded, she added, "Did Andrew's parents really die in an accident?"

"Why do you ask?" Owen frowned. He was quite surprised. He never expected Rachael to ask them such a question.

"I just—" She pursed her lips and hesitated before continuing. "I just wanted to confirm."

Elsa was about to say something but Owen stopped her.

"I think you should talk to Andrew about it," he remarked. The person to explain everything to her and clear all her doubts was Andrew, not him.

…..

[Two hours later]

[Bedroom]

"What happened?" Andrew looked at her as he gently caressed her back. It had been over an hour since he came home and she had been exceptionally quiet since then. It was bothering him a lot.

When Rachael shook her head, he sighed, "Okay, don't tell me but atleast let's go down and eat something." He had plans of taking her out for dinner but she turned him down saying she didn't feel like going anywhere.

Andrew did not question her any further, instead he held her close in his arms.

Keeping quiet for a long time, she finally said something. "Mom and dad's death anniversary is coming, right?"

"Who told you?" he frowned.

"Elsa and Owen." Pausing for a while, she added, "They told me you like to be alone before the remembrance day. So they wanted to take me away for a couple of days so that I don't feel bad."

She looked at him. "What should I do? Should I go with them?"

When he did not say anything, Rachael buried her face on his chest. His silence made her feel more bad than she already was. She wanted to stay with him but more than that, she wanted him to want her to stay with him during the hard times.

She didn't say or ask him anything. She didn't want to force him to do something he wasn't comfortable with. If he wanted to be by himself for a few days, she would give him the privacy he wanted.

After a few minutes, Rachael got up. "You freshen up, I'll make dinner for us."

Without waiting for his reply, she got off the bed and left the room.

…..

[Downstairs]

Since it was past dinner time, Rachael prepared a simple chicken broth for them. By the time food was ready, Andrew came down after taking a shower.

When he sat down at the dining table, she placed a bowl of soup in front of him. "Do you want some bread?" Before he could answer, she went back to the kitchen to fetch the bread.

While they were eating, neither of them said anything. The unusual silence made the atmosphere very awkward.

"I will just go to my parents house for a couple of days, okay?" Rachael informed him. She didn't wanna be far away from him, she wanted to stay somewhere close.

Andrew did not say anything, he kept fidgeting with the spoon on the soup he had barely touched.

"Don't worry, I am not mad at you or something," She placed her hand on his arm. "If you need me, just give me a call. I will come over immediately." She assured him.

…..

After dinner, Rachael was about to wash the dishes when Andrew hugged her from behind.

When he buried his face on her neck, she asked, "What happened?"

"Don't go." He looked at her. "Stay with me."

Andrew always isolated himself before his parents death anniversary, he had been doing it for more than ten years. The images of what had happened seventeen years ago haunted him the most during that time making him feel very vulnerable and useless. This is why he kept himself away from everyone. He didn't want anyone to see him in that state, not even Elsa, Owen and Justin.

But Rachael was different, she was his wife, his life partner and the woman he loved with all his heart and soul.

In the past, he had no one he could openly share his vulnerability with but now he had her. He didn't wish to grief all himself anymore. He wanted her to be by his side.

Without saying anything, Rachael turned towards him and hugged him.

The warm silent hug slowly faded away all their worries and doubts. It was their way of telling that they would always be there for each other.

…..