Confessions at sunrise
28. Dawn..
Raghavendra Gopalakrishnan, better known as Raghav, lay asleep. He slept well, and the cool comfort of his room, with the soft quilt around him was all the luxury he really needed. He had now stayed a considerable time with Kanika, in her “home”. He had spent the last two weeks (had the time gone by so quickly?) helping Kanika , a total stranger, teach a small group of boys how to speak English. This was part of a vocational training camp that Kanika was organizing. And so far the week had been very challenging. It took a lot to do with they did, and in a big way this was an exercise in coping with their own ‘handicap’. Kanika had possibly done this intentionally; she wanted Raghav to get involved with something, where he pushed through the boundary he had created for himself.
By now Raghav, had realized that, what kind of psychologist could he ever be if he did not, right? He was making excellent progress with a group of three boys, and they spent their ‘break’ time, butchering lyrics of some Michael Jackson songs that Raghav played from his music player.
The cold shell around him had melted considerably, but had he found what he came home to find? There was a good chance he did not know what he was looking for. For now, he was living in the moment. He missed Mali and the others. It was time for him to head back, and he decided he would do it himself. He was not going to call Manu, as he had been so fiercely instructed to. Instead he would go the distance alone, in which ever means he could, without revealing to anyone he was unable to see… it would be a little test for him and for everyone he met on his trip back, in trust and being trusted. That little journey lay ahead for Raghav, as he slept…dreaming a little dream.
Nisha and Mira were driving recklessly down a dark highway. They had rolled down the windows, and the cold wind blasted through the car, sending the girls into bursts of shivers. Mira did not really have to worry too much about getting the wind in her hair considering she had none, but Nisha would have some serious detangling to do once they reached where ever they were going.
The highway was lined with trees on either side and the sky was clear and studded with stars. The air smelled clean and pure, something that was indescribable but wonderful all the same, and the drive was proving to be quite exhilarating. Form the looks of it, the girls were headed to a hill, not too far from the city…it was known for its spectacular view of the sunrise, though the girls were a few hours too early for that. They has stopped and grabbed some disgustingly good egg rolls on the way, and after a much required bathroom break (note coffee keeps you awake, but there is a downside) the girls had started off.
So now Mira was curious, at the back of her mind she found all this exhileration a little unsettling. Why did they have to drive so far, what was that look in Nisha’s eyes, when they left? Well at least she looked like she was doing better right?
Nisha before the accident of her good friend had been a very different version of her present self. She was talented musically and was great at her terracotta art hobby, but she was also many other things. She was smart and popular in college and with the sort of attention she got, she was also greatly arrogant. Many liked her, but even more hated her. She was one of ‘those’; she called the shots, had the coolest looking friends, the best clothes, the latest phone… went to all the parties and did everything her parents would never approve off…
Well you are only young once, right? What disturbed everyone was now since her friend Riya had been crippled in the accident, Nisha was so low profile, hardly anyone even realized when she came and went. She still looked great, but she was definitely standing out for the dramatic behavior change, something quite contrary to her former self.
Her friend had been special to her no doubt, but a reaction like this? well it meant something…
A few kilometres short of the base of the hill, Nisha slowed down…Mira was a little relieved! She had this habit of running her hand over the back of her neck, when she was nervous; covering the green lizard tattoo she had just for a second as she did.
Nisha stopped the car, and parked it on the side of the road, keeping the headlights on, and the doors locked…she took some deep breaths, pulled back the seat, and just lay back gently…she took her hands to her face…and commented on how they were early for sunrise…
Almost immediately after this she began to sob…small light sobs were followed by full blown ones, till finally Mira gave up telling her to stop and let her get it all out…what was going on???
“Mira…you know how I told you about the accident my friend was in? The car that hit her, had two people, one of whom died on the spot. There’s something I did not tell you…Riya and I had a huge fight that night…it started at this party we were at…she and I sort of liked the same guy...this sounds so ridiculous as I am saying it… and I saw her work her way closer to him that night. I wouldn’t have it… so..so…I spiked her drink! It seemed harmless at the time; there were plenty of pills at the party so I thought it would not be that big a deal, and it got her to start speaking rubbish though she had not had much to drink, and so she decided to leave. I got in the car with her, and we got into an argument about something silly and she started yelling at me to shut up and that I was just a fake who thought I could have my way with anything. I was so smug and happy that I had sneaked that into her drink by then… and to make sure she would not try anything more with that guy…and since I was just a ten minute car ride from the party, I got her to drop me off kicking and screaming…I think the drug really kicked in by then. I think that’s really what caused the accident …crippling her and killing that other girl! And the only other person who could know anything about this, is that girl Rita, she was the one in the other car! A person is dead and another injured for life…and it’s all my fault!!!! She sobbed harder… Mira was sitting on that seat clutching the back of her neck…
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