Nishika
It was warm, and the sun rays hit straight on my face, making me scrunch it in annoyance. But the thing disturbing me the most was the familiar barking noise I kept hearing. I sighed and got up from the bed, only to hear the two most imperative troublemakers bickering—over playing music on a goddamn speaker?
Wow. Just a great way to start the weekend.
Looking around, I saw the mess they had created in the room, not even bothering to make it look remotely presentable.
"Can you both just shut up?" I shouted, losing the last ounce of patience I had been holding on to.
"No," they both replied together.
"What's so important about playing the song on that speaker?" I asked, trying to stay calm.
"She isn't playing the song I asked for, nor is she giving me the speaker. I want to take a shower with it!" Krithi complained, while Neha gasped dramatically.
"What?? You take showers with a speaker?" Neha scrunched her face in disgust. Not a good joke, dumbo.
Again, they started fighting, and this time Krithi did something completely unexpected—she grabbed Neha's blush palette from her cupboard and shouted, "If you don't give me the speaker, your blush will flush down the washroom!"
Neha ran after her as Krithi walked backward toward the washroom. And that was it. I lost it.
"If you don't want me to throw this speaker out the window and break it into pieces, then stop this good-for-nothing bickering and clean the mess you two created!" I yelled, holding the speaker near the window.
Smart move. Their eyes widened in panic, and they ran to clean everything immediately. I even saw Neha pulling out chips and chocolate wrappers from the study table drawer, under the bed, and inside the closet. This girl can eat anywhere but can't find a place to throw her trash?
After that, we left for the canteen to have breakfast. Neha walked toward me carefully holding a cup of coffee like it was a precious gem, making sure not to spill a drop. They came over with the brightest smiles—as if I hadn't threatened to throw their speaker half an hour ago.
Neha knew coffee was my weakness. I can survive an entire day with nothing but coffee.
Though I shout at Krithi and Neha, I can't deny that they're the most important people in my life. They've helped me through my hardest times without expecting anything in return. Even though I don't show my love easily, they never hesitate to express theirs.
Still, they would be even better if they reduced their annoying nature.
After high school in Mumbai, I chose to move to Bangalore for my studies. I still miss my family. I'm not usually emotional, but on weekends, festivals, and on special days—like the day my website got released—I long to meet them. But whenever I think of returning, all the old havoc inside me rises again, and the longing disappears.
My father always wanted to push me into his business, but it was completely out of my league. I wanted to work on my passion—my only real potential—programming. My brother joined the business as he wished, so my father started caring less about forcing me in. To stay true to my passion, I've had to hold back all my emotional mess.
Since it was the weekend, we planned to hang out, but the one outing day per month had already been spent last week. Thank God. Now I could execute my plan and drag them to the library.
On the way, a guy approached us and took Krithi aside, as if we would eavesdrop. Do we look like people who invade others' privacy? Of course not—Krithi would spill the tea anyway.
I turned to see Neha glaring dramatically at the retreating figures. To distract her, I said, "Come on. Instead of glaring at them, come to the library and glare at the books."
She stomped her feet toward the library, and I simply followed.
Inside the library, I started working on my laptop while Neha went hunting for a romance book. Seriously? How dumb do you have to be to search for romance novels in a college library?
Fifteen minutes passed. No sign of Krithi.
And did I mention—Krithi's home is nearby, but she stays in the hostel because her mother said she wants to be happy without Krithi's annoyance? Wow, aunty. You left her in the dorm for your peace, and now she's annoying us.
"Finally our woman decided to grace us with her presence," Neha muttered as Krithi returned. I shot Krithi a glance; she gave me a sheepish grin.
What does she want now?
"What do you want?" I asked, while Neha returned her books and I packed my laptop.
Krithi began hesitantly. "You know the guy we just saw—"
"You," I corrected, before she could finish.
"Yeah, yeah. I saw. He needs help from you. Can you?"
"No," I said instantly. What does that guy have to do with me?
"He's a junior UG student, and his professor is the one you had last year. He said a new competition from Sharma's company is going to be announced soon and… he wants to participate with you."
"Why?"
"Because he wants to learn from you. And he really wants to be part of the competition."
This time, I could hear the sincerity in her voice.
But participating with a boy was the last thing I ever wanted.
I dismissed it by saying I needed my professor's approval anyway.
After dinner in the canteen, we reached the girls' dorm earlier than expected—surprising, considering these two troublemakers can pull off the silliest stunts anytime just to feel adventurous.
My thoughts wandered to the competition the guy mentioned. If it was so important to him, I didn't want to crush his hopes. And Sharma's company was well-known. Winning could mean an internship. I started jotting down ideas to discuss with my professor the next day.
Later, I went to the balcony to call my mother. She's the only one who cared about my emotions when I said I wanted to stand up for myself and follow my passion.
My thoughts were cut of when my Mother pickup the call with a wide grin.
: "Have you eaten yet!?", she asked with the utmost excitement. No Hi, nothing, just straight to the point!
"Just now had and returned maa.. How about you all there?", I asked
: "We all are fine and hope you are doing good with your website", she asked hopefully.
"Good mom, Even yesterday I made few changes as the users increased and it also included few patients of Cancer and so I made few ammendments to help it"
:"Don't say me you stayed up late to do it??", she scrunched her eyebrows.
"No maa, I did it today afternoon", I lied as I don't want her to worry about my condition.
"And tomorrow I have to meet our professor regarding few project work and I guess I can't make it this semester holidays"
: "Are you not coming this time too!?", she asked with disappointment to which I just nodded in response.
"I too don't wanna go but still I guess its something important and winning this project we could get internship in Sharma group of companies itseems.", I told to which my mom got astonished.
: "Really?? Are you going for Sharma's company?!", she said.
"Yes... but aren't you disappointed that I can't come home?"
: "Nope not at all Nisha and do well for this project!", for the first time she's happy with me not returning home but why what's the matter with this company?
Soon after finishing call with mom I was here standing in the balcony alone and I couldn't stop myself from thinking those days which I never want to think but also can't stop regretting. I feel like I don't deserve anything or anyone present around me. I don't deserve this not after I did something which can never be forgiven and for which I can never forgive myself.
As the gentle breeze hit on me, soft soothing sounds calmed the storm inside my mind and heart.
As I stared at the sky, I could just wonder the stars shining there was nothing else but an evidence which were a constant reminders of my guilt, I don't deserve people, I don't deserve what I am right now not after whatever I had done in the past, for the one who trusted me so much.
And there was the moon which was shining brighter than the stars providing it's silent embrace of assurance and consoling.
If I never had the habit of watching the sky and composing myself, I would have surely become a depressed mess by now. After pouring out everything weighing on my heart I decided to leave before I start crying. I don't want to cry anymore. Not atleast now.
After taking a shower and doing my night care routine I changed my clothes and was Lying on my bed and saw Neha and Krithi sticking to eachother while sleeping. I was trying to figure out why Mom was too excited about the project for Sharma group of companies...it wasn't like she never cared about my work before but this was the First time she was cheerful about it even when I said I couldn't make it to home.
I thought I would ask to Neha about this next day but curiosity got the better of me. So I finally gave up and Googled about Sharma group of companies in my mobile and came to know that it was One of the top companies in India, a conglomerate —Programming, Designing and Investing.
I was little bit interested as I browsed about all the branches of the company, it's origin and growth over the last 5-6 years.
Hardwork. Consistency. Success.
I couldn't help but wonder who would be the owner of this company!
***
I hope this chapter was merely good enough to show you about the character of Nishika!!
And also I hope you love our mom who cheered up her daughter regardless her disappointment!!
Hope you guys know about who's company did Nisha I mean Nishika just browsed...!??!
Thankyou and do show your immense love and support by votes and comments!!