10.The Thing

We spent our entire childhood wishing we were older. Now we are older and realise that this shit really sucks- The ability to understand and contemplate things; the ability to take decisions without having to worry about the consequences and take responsibility for it. We ignore every thing that restricts us, pretending as if they do not exist, but deep down we do know it wasn’t meant to end this way. Well, that leaves us compelled to believe that the Damned unknown thing, the Almighty put us on this Earth intentionally because no one else can do what we do, in the ways we do it and to be the unique person that THE THING intends us to be!

Vir had nothing to do with the feeling that the others were thinking, there in the hospital.His prime concern was NIKITA then, whether she was OK or not. He checked into the doctor’s office, discussed all about her. The accident was severe but she had been saved and that was the truth at that moment of time.

Vir was feeling good. He called her mom

“Hey mom.”

“Hello son how is Nikita?” mom asked, worriedly. (Early in the morning MOM had informed Vir about Nikita)

“She is ok Mom, I am calling from the PCO, nearest to the hospital” Vir said

“Ok dear, her father has already left for the hospital. He will be there by tomorrow. Don’t forget to receive him, ok? Take care” Mom hung up the phone.

When he returned to hospital, Ritesh was standing by the entrance,

“Hey Vir, let’s go, we are getting late. They are already here now, to take care of her.” Ritesh said

“Wait here, I will be back in a minute”. Saying this Vir entered the reception

There were four people were waiting for him. Shikha, Ronak, Aanya and her room partner.

“Can I see her?” Vir asked the nurse coming out of the Nikita’s room.

Nurse nodded, holding up her palm, symbolizing that he was given only five minutes to see her.

Vir entered the room, gesturing his gratitude to the nurse

“Hi Nikita, how are you?” Vir asked.

“Hi Vir, when did you come to know?” Nikita was surprised to see Vir.

There never had been much to talk about between the two, either in School or in the Institute. It was as if they were just acquaintances; their families knew each other. That’s it.  Yet, Vir had been horrified when he came to know of the accident. It wasn’t as if Vir hadn’t seen or heard of that kind of an accident. In fact Vir was a strong person in mind. Blood never was a huge deal for him. But for Vir, this was a different story. Although he always related with accidents or such incident a lot,. it really moved him if the injured person was weak or unable to tolerate the pain especially girls, in this case- Nikita.

“So what did you think? That if you got hurt, no one will know about it?” Vir asked with smile.

Nikita was smiling too

“No I dint mean that, I was just wondering..”

“Are yaar! There is nothing to wonder, some of your friends from your hostel told me.” Vir casually revealed.

“So, how are you feeling now? I heard that, there is some nice fast-food centre, just round the corner and it is really delicious when they serve in a banana leaf”

Vir continued

“So when can we go there? I am really desperate to try their food”

“Ha ha, we will go there very soon." she was giggling

“Ok then, take care, I will be waiting for that. I have to go now. Will meet you tomorrow.” And Vir  took leave from her 

She stopped Vir before he left. The door was half opened.

“Hey Vir! Are you always this funny or is today some special occasion?”

“Hey, Hope you dint feel awkward. We seldom meet. And that may not change in future either. But if someone is in pain, I feel its my responsibility to try and heel the pain, as much as I can. There is no such thing as a second chance. So make best use of that first, in your attempt. Ha ha”

“Hey don’t judge me with what I say. I am not always like this. But, I am damn serious about that banana leaf fast food centre. So please do keep that in mind and don’t ever dare to slow your recovery” Vir left the room saying this.

“What yaar! You took so long” Ritesh said annoyingly. He was still waiting for him at the gate, as he was not comfortable with sitting inside

“Let’s go, my work is over” Vir said, stepping outside the school. But he was stopped as someone called him from behind.

“Hi Vir” A female voice called out

“Hi Aanya, How are you?” Vir replied

“I am good. Why are you leaving like in such hurry? Dint meet us also. Is there any problem or is it anything else?” Aanya worriedly asked.

She didn’t know about the conversation that had happened between Shikha and Vir yet.

“Oh no. There is nothing like that. We came here quite a while back. And its getting late now. Ritesh here, has to visit his sister’s house. she lives just across the road.”

“Hi Aanya” Ritesh greeted her

“Hello Ritesh” Aanya replied.

“Ok then if you really have to go, then go on?” she said. Vir noticed that her chirpiness was gone..

“I will come again tomorrow. Until till then, you can enjoy the company of Ronak and Shikha” Vir said. It was seemed to be assurance enough for Aanya, but only Vir knew that he said this with a pinch of intended pun. Well, this kind of a flavour in conversation was out of her understanding.

“Ok then, we will meet tomorrow. But, remember, tomorrow we need to do some good catching up. Not like the other days. After school we haven’t had time to meet properly” Aanya warned him, but this time her warning was pleasant, bringing him showers of happiness.

Next day, Nikita’s father arrived. Returning from the institute Vir also went to the hospital. Since Nikita’s accident, Nikita, Aanya, Shikha and Anaya’s roommate had not been to institute. Each passing day, they were falling back on their studies. Before reaching the institute, Aanya called Vir and asked him to bring the institute’s notebook, so that she could copy the notes that she had lost in last few days.

“Hello uncle” Vir greeted Nikita’s father.

“Hello Vir, How are you? How are your studies going on.” Although uncle was asking about the Vir’s welfare, his worry about Nikita was very obvious and the worried expression could be clearly seen on his face

“I am good Uncle. My studies are good too.” Vir said. “Don’t worry uncle, she will be fine very soon. I have enquired from Doctor; her recovery has been faster than expected.”

Vir continued his assurance

“You need not to worry. She has so many friends, here, in this unknown place to take care of her “

Vir always did well in assuring people and this time was no different. Uncle gave a sigh of relief, acknowledging Vir’s words.

Well, for Vir, it was going to be different from here. Some unusual and memorable days were in store for him. But for now, it would be almost impossible to say whether these days were going to unforgettable for reasons that are good or bad.

To be continued............