Flashback starts...
There was a boy of 8 or 9 years almost shivering with cold - he was wearing only a torn vest - which was now spotted with blood oozing from his body - His whole body was containing terrible proof of the beating he had received! There are some people in this world - who feel himself at the top of the world while watching the helpless prayer in those innocent eyes of the kids - who had nothing to do but to receive that merciless beating and to be tortured and still return to him only for praying to have mercy on himself - this thing somehow gives those people a certain feelings of superiority! The helplessness of the poor kid makes him forget his all frustration for the time being - and by torturing the poor and obscure little ones he wants to feel the joy of having the power to make them cry in pain...
So enough of the discussion of the psychology of these kind of people who do not hesitate before abusing or torturing an innocent life! This was exactly the character of the Manager of that orphanage! The ultimate hypocrite! Whenever there are visitors his attitude suddenly changed - the polite tone he used then - was somehow unbelievable to those kids who at least once heard the devilish laugh of his while receiving the beating on their skin! He was the terror to those kids - who had no one else in this earth...
But this boy - that we are concerned about is somewhat a little bit different, as the cane or stick could break his bones, or make him wet with blood - but always failed to bring tears in his eyes... Which made that tyrant even more and more violent! He could not lose to a little boy - he must beg to him for life! He is the GOD to them!
"Tu mujhe sikhayega kiske saath kya karna hai ya nahi - teri itni himmat -", the man spanked his cane on his bare skin, which had hardly any space without bloodstain! The boy was trembling and shivering, his face was swollen enough to be unrecognizable - but nobody would be misguided as he had even a slightest trace of fear in him - his eyes were burning - and that burning gaze was enough to turn him mad!
After few more minutes of this (I am not describing each and every thing of it - as I really don't want to make you guys shiver with fear - and to lower your gaze with shame - yes, I mean SHAME! As I am also ashamed - that these people are also a part of US! The smell of blood always excites our animal instinct! What? cannot relate? well, let me give you a little bit more example - BOXING match - aren't they exciting? the way one shed other's blood! Cool, huh? and remember that thief they caught in the public bus? The way he had been beaten! aren't you the one who tried to peep in through the crowd just to have a glimpse of that bloody body? those pleading eyes? So... we all are somewhat beast inside! Anyways, now look away from the mirror as we always do! and coming back to the story...)
Finally he left him half laid - in the pool of blood - he slammed the door spitting aside before leaving - "Tera khana peena bandh - tere jaise tedhe ko seedha karna ata hai mujhe!"
The boy had not left with the ability to move so he lied as he was...
Few moments later, he felt a soft touch on his leg - just above the wound - a soft and low "Ahh" came out of his mouth.
"Daya - tujhe bohot dard ho raha hai, na?" she asked in a teary tone.
Daya wanted to smile, but that seemed too painful. He place his hand in a consoling manner on her hand.
"Main thik hu Nimmi -" He finally spoke.
The girl looked at him, her eyes were full to the brim. But she did not try to wipe that off.
Daya suddenly felt a sensation on his wound on his body, he looked immediately and as expected he found that poor Nimmi applying antiseptic on his wounds with one hand and removing her own tears with the other...
"Ahhh - Nimmi - dheere - jal raha hai!" he almost screamed. he somehow did not feel the need to be strong in front of her. It is always easier to express his pain in front of his Nimmi...
Nimmi: Shhh... Dheere - wo aa jayega - aaj ke liye yeh kaafi nahi hai kya?
Daya tried to smile - but hisfailed attempt made the other person broke into tears...
Daya: Nimmi - yaar - tu aise ro mat - tujhe pata hai na -
Nimmi immediately cleared her eyes and nodded sweetly.
Nimmi: Tu baith, main khana lati hun -
Daya: Mera khana bandh hai re -
Nimmi: Aaj pehli baar hua kya? aur tuhe kabhi bhukha rehna pada?
Daya: Nahi, mujhe to nahi, par tujhe zaroor -
Nimmi: Dekh ayinda kabhi aise mat bolna - aur main kahan bhukhi rehti hun - haan, yeh sahi hai ke hum dono me se kisi ka bhi pura khana to nahi hota - par kisi ek ko ekdum bhukha rehne se to behtar hai na ke hum dono hi thoda kam kha le - ab tu yehi baith - main 10 minute mein ayi -
Flashback Ends...
Daya stopped and looked at the two statue like figures sitting before him! Both of them were having tears in their eyes.
Abhijeet: (low) Daya - tune pehle kabhi bataya nahi - ye - yeh sab -
Abhijeet was looking at him in a way as if he was still bleeding due to those beating...
Daya placed his hand on Abhijeet's shoulder and also smiled at Tarika - who was on the verge of crying...
Daya: Ab to tum logo ko pata hai - mujhe aaj kya hua tha -
Tarika: Aur phir jab tum Mamta Foundation me chala aya Nimmi kya wohi reh gayi thi?
This time Daya lowered his gaze, to their shock, Daya's eyes were filled with tears now!
Daya: (almost self talk) Mujhe Kapoor uncle ne jab waha dekha unhone mera admission Mamta Foundation me kara diya - woh mere Papa ka colleague they, par uske baad main Pune chala aya - phir (even lower tone) bhul hi gaya - ek purani album ki tarah Nimmi bhi kahin mere mann mein yaadon mein kho gayi... Baad mein gaya tha main ek do baar usse dhundte huye - par woh waha nahi thi tab, na t woh manager tha - tab tak woh jail ja chuke the, aur nahi Meri Nimmi...
He paused. Silence spread in that room...
A/N: So this is it... I am overwhelmed as I am still getting reviews ;) Anyways, this is not a suspense story, no there will be no suspense in revealing Nimmi's where about... We will have some more flashback moments - with Daya and Nimmi - not only of this kind of violent ones but also some sweet ones - as we all have some sweet memories irrespective of how bad our past days were...
I know that this chapter is not "very good" but it was needed.
will be back soon.
Take Care.
Abhirikafan