Ch4: You are not alone
Twelve years ago: 1st
December 1997,7.30AM
Place: Mountroad
Railway Bungalows,Nagpur
Dutta waited on his
cycle and munched the apple Ma had insisted he should have after breakfast. She
wanted that his brains should stay sharp as the school secondary exams were
fast approaching. Well, he didn't mind the apple, he didn't mind the White
shirt,white pant, white shoes combination uniform for Mondays that made him
look like Jumping Jack Jitendra of 70's. What he minded was being made to wait
for an eternity for that minx! He swore and pressed the bell again. Nakkusha-Hold
your horses!Mister. Dutta groaned and looked back at the gate of his home to
see if ma was still standing there. No. Great. He got off the cycle and arched
his hand to throw the half eaten apple as far as he could. Looking where it had
landed, he pulled a "yes I did it" hand gesture. He heard the commotion inside. Now what was
it today,he groaned. She liked to make scenes before going to school even now.
He wondered why couldn't she get the battles over and done with before he came.
Sometimes it was the half eaten breakfast, sometimes the milk, sometimes her
missing ribbons. OK !why in hades didn't she cut her damn hair? That way she
won't need those silly white and green ribbons right? She wasted half hour
tying them up in plaits. 30mins.Tying them then opening them, then retying
them. It made him want to scream. Ok, it was not the ribbons today either,
thank God. He could hear a few words she was saying…errr..screaming. Looks like
it's not even breakfast. She must have finished that, too. Okie. So they can be
on the move soon, as she takes hours to eat, nibbling everything like
squirrels. He knew the school bag was not the issue as he had personally packed
it last night after going through her science homework. So what new excuse the pest had found today to annoy
aunty?
Nakkusha-Mom,stop
nagging. It's not that cold. I don't need the sweater. It's an awful green
color.
Fanny-it's a uniform.
You don't select colors for uniform. It's start of December. You'll catch a
cold and fall sick in Christmas when we will have people coming. Why don't you
listen to me? Look, Dutta listens to his mother, he is wearing his sweater.
Nakkusha-yeah? You adopt
him. I'll live with aunty. She atleast doesn't force a damn apple on him every
day and the milk. She grabbed her ladybird purple cycle and came out.
Fanny- good morning,
betu. She kissed his forehead and ruffled his hair. He bore it quietly and saw
from the corner of his eyes that Nakkusha bit her lip to smother her giggle. She
knew he hated anyone touching his hair. Damn, the whole gel effect was gone.
But then this was aunty. Fanny- I have packed biryani for both of you, OK?
Nakkusha, save something for him. His is the lower box. I put some extra leg
pieces for him.
Nakkusha-save for him?
He'll hog it before the bell even rings. He eats like a pig. Fanny-shut up!
He's a growing boy. He needs it. Not everyone eats like a bird. Nakkusha rolled
her eyes-Oh,you make me sick. Dutta put his arm around Fanny – why are you so
jealous anyway? And you should listen to your mom, wear that sweater. Nakkusha
narrowed her green eyes at him like a jungle cat and kicked his cycle
disbalancing him and peddled away screaming,"Sucker!"
Dutta grinned ,kissed
fanny on her cheek and sped after her. He hoped, he'd get the seat next to
Shireen today. She always looked hot in that short white skirt on Mondays.
Somehow the white uniform didn't look that bad on girls. And she did say she
needed his help on trigonometry.Maybe as a favor he can ask for that movie date
this Sunday. He wanted to watch the Bond film, but he was ready to put up with
'Dil to pagal hai',too.
As he saw Nakkusha
peddle, he noticed that her respectable below knee skirt hitched a little
higher than the knee. He must remember to tell her to lower the hem a bit. The
fool never noticed what she is wearing.She is growing up and should see these
things.
Dutta was playing
volleyball in the first recess. He was doing good. Shireen had agreed for the
date, DTPH it is! He was in a very good mood today. He'll tell the pest to
bring the biryani for next break . all this jumping was making him hungry
again.
"Dutta!" He got
distracted when her name was called so suddenly. He turned his head and and the
ball hit the side of his head. He looked annoyed at the player of other team.
They raised a hand for peace, he grinned and looked back at the caller. Oh
damn! It was the pest's super pest best friend, Ashrita, princi's daughter, no
less. He heard the guffaws from his friends. The middle school girls were
annoying. Always giggling and making droopy eyes at him. Being the head boy he
had to interact with every class and the excuses they made to talk to him was
embarrassing to him. It was such a uncool thing to be seen with a middle school
girl, exception being his Nakkusha. But then her friends were annoying.
"What?" he growled,
using his best authoritive voice. Just then shireen walked passed his vision
waving and smiling at him with her friends. he raised his eyes playfully winking
at her, she giggled. He looked at his friend Karthik and winked. He made a
gesture for "Hot". Ashrita-aaaa….Dutta! Dutta irritated- What, ashrita? Now
what's the problem?
Ashrita whined-it's
not me,it's Nakkusha. Dutta snapped to attention- Nakkusha? Why? What happened? Did
she hurt herself at the gym? Speak up!
Ashrita- no. She is
fine, I think? Dutta-think? What do you mean, you think? Would you blabber a
little faster?
Ashrita- you don't
have to be so mean. I just thought you should know. Nakkusha has locked herself in
the girl's washroom since the first period and she is not coming out. We went
to Roy madam our class teacher, but she is not coming out. She is not even
making a sound. Everyone is worried and Roy ma'am is about to call Fancesca
aunty.
Dutta frowned- locked
herself? Maybe the latch was bad and she got locked in. Ashrita shook her head-
she was upset. She..She locked herself in. Dutta- Upset? Why? He looked at his
watch. Dutta- wait a minute. She is there since first period, that makes it 2
freaking hours. Are you dumb? What took you so long to come to me? You think
boys spilling ink on your dress is emergency and you wait 2hours to tell me
this? Dutta raised his voice so loud that the ground went quiet. Everyone was
looking at him. Ashrita burst into tears- I didn't think she'll take it so bad.
It was those boys. I told her to cover up and sit but they kept throwing notes.
Dutta-what boys? What
happened? Ashrita, don't cry. I am sorry, I screamed. I know you are her
friend. Tell me everything, please. He gave a reassuring smile to her. She
smiled back a little," She got up to give her science presentation in first
period and that's when everyone noticed. Not the teacher though. Just us. And
boys started giggling and making signals. She
noticed and got nervous and forgot her presentation. Sir scolded her and
made her stand in her place. She sits on the first bench..so everyone saw. They
started making bad cartoons and notes and passing them to her. When she
understood what had happened. She put her head low and when class got over she
just rushed to the washroom and didn't come out." Dutta was confused- everyone
saw what? What was it? What did the notes say? I don't understand.
Ashrita bit her lips
looking embarrassed. She gave him the crumpled note. Dutta took it and read it.
His blood boiled and he tore it to pieces, wishing it was those pups who wrote
it. His face got red with suppressed anger. "I'll kill those…" he remembered
Nysshu and ran towards the girl's washroom. Ashrita ran after him. Karthik thought
his friend might need boy's support so they followed him,too.
Dutta reached the door
which had "FOR HER" written in bold black letters. He didn't even hesitate a
second before throwing the door open and entering the taboo region. Karthik
stood stunned at his friend's gall, horrified thinking; he sure will get
suspended for this.
Dutta entrance raised
a lot of girly screams and screeches. He was oblivious to the mayhem he
created. He saw the cubicle door where most crowds was gathered. Teachers and
students all were trying to get the door open, shouting her name. He approached
that door. Roy ma'am noticed him and frowned at him,"Mr.Patil. What do you
think you are doing here?Its's girls washroom. You will be punished for this
atrocity." Dutta- I am sorry ma'am. But she is inside…Roy ma'am- And we can
manage it. You don't have to barge in. Where are your manners? What did your
mother teach you? This. Not respecting woman. You think you can help with this.
You think you know everything?
Dutta- I apologies ma'am.
I'll face the consequences. My parents did teach me how to respect girls but
this is beyond that. And no, I don't believe I know everything, but I know
everything about her. He nodded towards the locked door.
Dutta said humbly-
yes, I know everything where she is concerned. And only I can help her
now.Please.
Roy ma'am looked
stunned at the determination on his face. He took two steps near the door. He
hesitated a second before putting his hands on the door palm up and leaned his
head on the door, he called out to her softly,"Naksh?"
There was a sound of a
click as the latch was released. Dutta held the handle and nodded at the
stunned teacher and went inside and locked the cubicle door again.
Dutta leaned against
the door and looked infront of him. She was standing leaning against the wall
opposite him, trembling and hiccupping pitifully. Her eyes shamefully, looking
down at her feet. The cubicle was confined and small. But it seemed like the
longest distance at that moment, even though, they were hardly inches apart.
Dutta cleared his
throat- ahem, You know I read in science book that it happens to every girl.
It's just natural thing. Nothing to be ashamed of.
Nakkusha whispered- I
know that. My girls in my class already had it. But I was not expecting my
first time to be a joke infront of everyone. They called me..She broke down
again.
Dutta- Boys are
naturally born idiots. Especially middle school pups. Don't let some dogs ruin
something so important to you. By hiding here you are actually accepting that
you are ashamed to be a girl. Are you ashamed, Nakkusha?
Nakkusha swallowed and
shook her head-But I am ashamed to go out like this. She tugged her skirt and
continued in a halting voice- Its bloody white and now literally bloody,too.
Dutta choked at her candidness.
Damn, when will she learn to talk in a mellowed manner? Well, that was a
pickle. She had to go home, but how? As she said the dress was white and
…hmmm..aa..bloody. he looked as some frustrated tears fell down her cheeks. And
his face turned to stone.
He looked at her and
held her arm which she had wrapped around her stomach in a protective gesture
and drew her to him. She looked up in his eyes. She really did have beautiful
eyes, he thought distractedly. She looked up at him question, in her gaze. He
lost all thoughts from his head looking at her. She broke the gaze and he came
back to earth with a thud.
Dutta- are you feeling
okay? Anything hurts? He croaked.
Nakkusha shook her
head-just my tummy and back. He nodded- we have to get you out though. We can't
live here forever. What were you planning to do anyway? Make this toilet your
humble abode?
Nakkusha giggled- no, I
was waiting for you to come. Dutta- how did you know I would come? Nakkusha- I
figured when you wouldn't see me in the parking after school, you'll search for
me and check everywhere. Knowing how smart you are, I knew you would look here
too. Since there's no one around after school you will come in here. Dutta
murmured- Figures. It makes sense in a Nakkusha kindda way!
Nakkusha giggled again- but
you got here way too fast. In a girl's toilet! Your stud reputation is gone.
Dutta- yeah, thanks
for that. You just ruined my life and my first romantic relation, too. Now
Shireen will never go out with me. Nakkusha- good, she is a cat with claws. Meenal
is much better. Dutta- and a bore.
Nakkusha thumped
him-idiot! Don't just stand , dumbo. Make youself useful for once and get me
out of here. And promise me you'll take care of those punks.
Dutta- I promise you
that. But how do I get you out? He scratched his head. Nakkusha's eyes watered
again- do something please. Don't let this get worse.
Dutta looked in her
eyes and breathed deeply taking in her sandalwood scent and moved his hands,
without breaking the eye contact he took of his sweater. He put his arm around
her and tied the sleeves at the waist.
He then wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. Dutta- there problem
solved.
Nakkusha whispered-
thanks but you are coming home with me. I won't go alone.
Dutta –I won't let
you.
He turned and unlocked
the latch, looking at her, he asked"ready?". She smiled and nodded breathing
deeply. He put his arm supporting her back and walked out of the door.
Everyone looked at
them stunned. He nodded to an astounded looking Madam Roy and smiled at
Ashrita.Dutta,"Maam, I 'll take her home." She nodded in a daze. He walked
Nakkusha out holding her wrist. As he came out he saw his gang was waiting out.
But he ignored their shocked expressions and took Nakkusha home without a word.
In the auto, they sat silent
and thoughtful. Dutta looked at her sideways, she was thoughtfully looking out.
He knew this was beginning of the changes. She won't be a kid anymore. His
responsibilities had just doubled up. God, this pest!
……………………………..to be continued.
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