CHAPTER 8 : LOOPHOLE

Nikhil

Roma entered into the room and got startled when the doors suddenly closed behind her. She was wearing a pink body fitting knee length one piece and paired with black slacks. Simple and beautiful as ever. She started panicking and screaming out for someone to open the door. I was hiding behind the cupboard and peeking . I could only see Roma's back. I wanted to go out and clear things, hug her and tell that it's all ok (Woh! hug? From where did that came up? Maybe I just want to console her).

But I rather turned the projector on with the remote control I had. From here my plan begun.

Roma

I turned around and saw a huge white screen which started a count down that used to be in the movies of old times. Then I caught on that's it's a short film. In it was a lady standing in a place that seemed like an annual program of a school. She seemed to be in her late 30's. She had a oval face, fierce ocean blue eyes, down turned nose and arched eyebrows. She appeared to be crying with a short smile in it. Her eyes screamed nothing but pride.

THE LADY : Oh our little boy, he grew up so fast! (Then there was a deep manly voice whose appearance I couldn't see).

THE VOICE : It's all for you dear. You taught him this, you made it happen. It's your preachings in him. As much I am proud of him, I am more proud of you. The lady gave a warm smile to the voice with love in her eyes. (Then a preteen boy who was rushing towards the stage came into the view with the same ocean blue eyes like the lady, a voice quite deep like the previous one but a little faint and a huge smile. The camera was now probably settled on a stand).

The preteen boy waved his hand, his hair was blowed to the left, fully gelled. He was in proper attire of school function. He stood with a mic in hand, waiting anxiously for the principe to allow him to speak.

PRINCIPLE : Good morning dear parents, guardians and students. As we all know today we are all gathered here to celebrate annual day in school with a small function. But before starting the orientals I would like to hand in the student of the year award to the eligible. This year, it's none other than Nikhil Dixit. (A huge round of applause followed) All of us know that this award is usually provided to the high school students who aren't just good in grades or sports but multiple other factors. But I and all of faculty and administrators believe, Nikhil Dixit truly deserves this. Nikhil we expect a few words from you.

TEEN NIKHIL : Thank you very much, respected principle and all the administrative members who found me as an eligible for this award. It's an honour and dream of every student here. But with all due respect of each faculty member I deny receiving this award. Deep down at heart, we all know that I am in the last year of my middle school and what's the reason of handing me this honour and I find it to be disrespectful. What I did was sincerely my responsibility as an alert candidate of the school. Please respect my decision.

PRINCIPLE : Is there anything we can do to thank you Mr.Dixit ?

NIKHIL : It might seem a little biased. But with your allowance, may I call my dearest friend Advik over the stage and explain how without him all of this was impossible.

PRINCIPLE : We couldn't be more grateful. (Advik stepped on to the stage with the same looks he has now, the only difference is his height).

TEEN NIKHIL : Before I hand over the mic to Advik, let me clarify he is as modest as a lotus. Don't consider if he says what he did was nothing. His coding were exceptional for catching that unholy creature. Its a shame that our fellow female mate was involved in s*x trafficking of all those innocent girls. But further it's Advik's place to explain. (I froze at the last line).

TEEN ADVIK : Good morning everyone, I…(the film was turned off and I was left with just white screen again).

I tried looking around to see how and why it turned off and was suddenly hit by something hard. I was about to fall when a pair of firm hands caught me by my waist. I saw it was Nikhil. I noticed the same fierce ocean blue eyes and arched eyebrows like the lady in the film. I was drowning in them and honestly didn't wish to float to the surface. I stood up on my legs back.

NIKHIL : Are you ok? (His voice as deep as the man in the film who called the woman his love. I presumed by now it was his parents. Though I don't know how his dad looks like. My throat was too dry to say anything).

NIKHIL : I didn't show you all this to brag about myself. (He said it looking me in the eye and with a confessing tone but it snapped me back to reality).

Though I knew the doors were locked I still tried escaping through before a firm hand on my wrists stopped me. It was of course of Nikhil's. This all feels like the start. It all started again like the first day I met him. Me bumping at him, he catching me by waist, me giving him a piece of my mind and wanting to run away from the devil. Probably there was an invisible loophole which we both passed.

NIKHIL : Please don't leave. I am sorry for what happened earlier Roma. I didn't mean a word but things were revolving so fast in my head that I wasn't thinking (I stopped struggling to free my wrist).

I : People usually speak their heart out when they aren't thinking. (It all felt like we have entered a loophole and now this comment will make things go the same way it did on the first day).

Nikhil

Jesus, this girl is going to be the death of me. I know she has relaxed by now but I was still on edge. I didn't want to lose a woman in my life who is trustworthy.

I : Please trust me Roma. It's not what you think, I just don't trust women. I showed this film to you so that I could give you an evidence that I have always and I always will respect women. You are a great girl Roma and though I don't really know anything about you, I can still say that you are smart, kind, funny, attractive, gentle, sarcastic, honest and diplomatic. Don't you think if I wanted to brag I would have let the video play further and let you have known the whole story. I can never, at-least in this life, claim your character to be otherwise Roma. Please forgive me. (I said it all in one go and was breathless and anxious at the same time)

She was silent. Not a word did she say and started walking towards the door. I wanted to stop her but after the explanation, I didn't have anything to say. All I wanted was just a chance. Though I made a blunder but I silently wanted her to turn around and say it's all good in the hood.

ROMA : I can bet you are having the keys. (She said it in almost threateningly)

I : Roma, please..

ROMA : Not the answer I am looking for. If you got the keys, open it and follow.

(I opened the door immediately as if she has the control over my body functioning. A moment before I was glued to the ground and now I am fidgeting with bunch of keys)

She opened the doors, there was a sticking note saying sorry. Roma crumbled it and threw it in the nearby dustbin. She told me to follow, which I did without making any further sound. We were moving into the cafeteria.

ROMA : Choose a table, I will be right back. (I did as she said. Now here I am, sitting at the table waiting for Roma meanwhile talking to myself)

I : Is she still angry? Tanya was right, Roma looks scary sometimes. Oh god, does she really believes that I was bragging? I just wished her to know about me. I just wanted to give her glimpse of hint about why I don't trust women. Why did she dragged ourselves to the cafeteria? Does she wants to have a revenge because I called her a h*# in the cafeteria last time? Should I have let her see the whole video? Do I trust her enough for that yet? I will definitely do that if she asks me to, but I need some time for that. Jesus, what's taking her so long! (I almost screamed the last sentence).

ROMA : Yes yes, young man. Calm down, I am here. (She showed up with two cold drinks and some snacks in her hands with a lovely smile).

I : I didn't mean to…

ROMA : It's fine, here is your share. (She handed me a plate of the snacks, a bottle of drink and took a seat).

I : Am not…(she cut me off)

ROMA : Hey, I am Roma Roy, first year. (She said this forwarding her hand to me)

I : What are you saying? I know you.

ROMA : I don't guess so. Let me start again. Hey, I am Roma Roy, first year.

I : Hi, Nikhil Dixit, first year too (I made a firm handshake, glad that we were starting over).

ROMA : Nice to meet you Nikhil, where you are from?

We started having light hearted conversations. This felt so nice and heart warming. Getting to know someone for real, without researching about them behind their backs. I haven't done this since 4 years. I had almost forgotten, what talking to someone without a purpose feels like. What are you doing to me Roma?