Stand in My Shoes

45. Shock for Nila

At the clinic

Riya and others were waiting for Alex and Catherine to return. The clock was showing 5: 00.

Riya: It's becoming late. Where is Alex? The meeting isn't over yet? The doctor and nurse haven't returned yet.

Catherine: I wonder what's going on.

Susan brought a  cup of hot chocolate from the canteen.

Susan: Here, have this.

Nila: I don't want anything. Why did you buy?

Riya: Don't say like that. You look too weak and tired. Have this. It will give you some energy.

Riya made her drink it somehow. In the meanwhile, Alex made a dash to the clinic, followed by Catherine.

Riya (shocked): What happened?

Alex(: There....over there...at the canteen...there's a fight going over. Come fast!!

Riya lost her temper.

Riya: I told you to bring Mary ma'am here and you went to watch the fight!! You fool!!

Alex (shouts): Come with me and see first!!!

Riya, Susan, Catherine and Alex ran towards the canteen. Nila also got up from her bed and followed them.

Michelle: Where are you going! You need to stay here and rest.

Nila: I'm fine now. Morever I need to know what's going on there.

They reached and found a large commotion of students outside the canteen. Somehow they squeezed themselves and slip through the crowd. Their eyes went wide, witnessing the event which was going on.

Sooraj was beating the living daylights out of Gautham. He pulled him up by his collar and threw him on the table. Avinash, Marshall and Morgan were holding Jake and Ryan. Plates and glasses tumbled down and chairs fell down. The students were watching the fight in horror.

Nila was traumatized seeing the trail of events. She shouted, asking him to stop, but she her voice got lost among the whole commotion. Gautham's face had bruises all over and his nose was bleeding. Sooraj layed him on the table and punched his face hard.

Riya(shouts): God! What is he doing?? Ask him to stop!!

He pulled him up and shot daggers at him.

Sooraj(shouts in fury): Hear this!! Even if your shadow falls on her, I'll whack your brains out!! Stay away from her!!! Understand!!

Gautham(shouts): You!! Why are so concerned about her?? If I thrust a compass in her palm, why is it hurting you!! Why are you taking revenge for her sake? What is the fricking reason behind???

Sooraj again lost his temper and pulled him up by his collar. To the shock of the entire college and students present there, he shouted on top of his voice.

Sooraj: BECAUSE I LOVE HER!!!!

There was a sharp intake of breaths. The students stared at him with their eyes and mouths wide open. Riya, Alex, Catherine, Susan, Michelle and Judith were standing as if they got struck by a thunder bolt.

Sooraj turned aside and his eyes saw Nila. She was standing mute and erect, with her unblinking eyes staring at him. She could feel her heart beats racing beyond her pace. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

Sooraj mv: What have I done!!

He left his collar and quietly went outside the canteen.

At the conference room.