Part 4
As Nisha and Viraj walked up to the hotel room Viraj hesitantly said: "Miss Nisha I think you should tell your mother. Maybe you'll feel better." Nisha continued walking quietly. When they had almost reached her room, Nisha suddenly said, "I'll tell her, but not now. If I do, everybody at home will panic. Then they'll want me back ASAP. I'll tell them after I win this championship. At least, I'll compete wholeheartedly. "
Viraj was ecstatic. She wasn't quitting. He nodded in agreement.
As soon as they reached Nisha's room, Nisha turned to Viraj, "Thank you Sir. I don't know what I would've done without you. And I'm sorry I... Hit you..."
Viraj interrupted her: "Please Miss Nisha, don't thank me. I don't know what I would've done if you got hurt. You don't have to apologize either. I'm fine... If hitting stuff makes you feel better...maybe you should go punch your pillows for a while."
Nisha didn't smile but she almost did, too. "Good night Sir."
With that she vanished into her room and shut the door.
Viraj was left staring at her door. He just couldn't make himself leave. He knew she was as safe in her room as anywhere else, yet he didn't want her to be alone. Staying alone could do things to your head, especially in a situation like this.
He paced the corridor, wondering how to get to her when he saw his second favourite people in the world...
Inside her room, Nisha changed into her pyjamas and tshirt and got into bed. As soon as she shut her eyes she fell into a light slumber. She was tired.
A thirteen year old with tied up hands squirmed on the floor.
She tried to shout but she couldn't produce a sound. She could hear some people laughing... Their laughter seemed distant.
But why were they laughing? How could they laugh at her helplessness?
Suddenly, the thirteen year old looked much older. She was still squirming. Why wasn't anybody helping her? She'd been struggling for so long...
Suddenly, she saw fire. All around her... It blinded her. 'Be a good girl...' someone was saying, but no one was around.
She was locked up in a room with rifles adorning the walls... But there were no doors...or windows.
She felt suffocated. She could hear a doorbell ring but there was no door. How was she supposed to open it?
The ringing grew louder. In frustration, she picked up a rifle and fired continuously at a blank wall... the wall had started to crumble... She continued shooting, almost in a rhythm now.
But the ringing had not stopped...
Nisha awoke with a start. She was sweating profusely. She was extremely out of breath. She felt parched. She filled in the glass on her side and took a few sips. She took some of the remaining water and splashed it on her face.
She heard a doorbell ring... Someone was knocking at her hotel room.
Nisha got up and opened the door.
"Shreya?Lavanya? What are you doing here right now? It's late... " Nisha turned to look at the wall clock. It was a little past 9 pm. It wasn't that late... It felt like it had been a long time... That fire... Nisha shut her eyes.
"Nisha di! What are you thinking? Are you all right?" Lavanya questioned.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just a nightmare. You didn't tell me why you're here though..." Nisha replied.
Shreya spoke up now, "Nightmare? You're nervous about tomorrow too? Actually, both of us were feeling very jittery. Viraj Sir suggested that we could sleep with you... If you don't mind, that is."
Viraj...What would she do without him?
Nisha looked at both of them sternly for a moment. Then she hugged them. "Why do you even have to ask? Come in."
Lavanya held up a packet. "And I brought Russian sandwiches too!"
As the three of them nibbled on the sandwiches, Nisha wondered if having them with her was a good idea after all... For her, yes. But for them? What if she got nightmares again?
Soon, the three of them snuggled into her bed. Within a few moments, Lavanya and Shreya were fast asleep. Nisha was too scared to fall asleep. She didn't want to get those nightmares again...
Suddenly, her phone buzzed.
Did you eat? It was Viraj's message.
Yes, I did. Nisha replied.
Thanks for everything. She added.
Are you alright? He asked.
I don't know.I know I said that I want to compete. I do. But I'm scared that I won't be able to shoot. Like I wasn't able to lift up my bow and arrow the last time.She replied.
Are you going to laugh at me if I say nothing's tough? Viraj messaged.
Have I ever? Pat came the reply.
I don't know what advice to give you Miss Nisha. What do you do when you're stressed? Like I play drums... Viraj asked.
I just bounce off a tennis ball, Sir. Nothing too artistic. She replied.
Hmmm, do you have that tennis ball right now? He asked.
No. She replied.
Sir? She added.
Yes? He wrote.
Why Aarthi? She asked. She wanted to distract herself.
Forget it, Miss Nisha. It's a little embarrassing. Viraj replied.
Please Sir... She coaxed.
Well, actually... Aarthi is the only memory I have of my mother. A faint recollection of a lady chanting hymns, ringing a bell... It's the only memory that convinces me that she ever existed. I just want to hold on to that memory. Viraj answered.
Nisha was amazed to read that. The sheer innocence... What had she been thinking? Blaming him like that...
Sir, I'm sorry for drawing assumptions. I was a little blinded by my emotions, I guess. I was paranoid too... I'm really sorry. She wrote.
It's OK. The situation was such. I should have been more honest with you. I judged you too... Despite the fact that your messages always made me feel better. I'm sorry, too. He replied.
Nisha felt lighter. She should have had this conversation long ago. Before she could type anything, she received another message. Sniffling a yawn, she looked at it.
Tomorrow's an important day for you. Do you think you can sleep now?
Yes Sir. Good night! She replied.
Good night. He wrote.
And remember- nothing's tough! ;) He added.
Nisha smiled at her screen. She was too sleepy to answer coherently. But she sent one last message before falling asleep.
:)
Edited by aneri.fan - 10 years ago
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