Chapter II. The many firsts

The first night with him in the room was bad, because there were a lot of emotions, loads of reaction and another load of questions in my head. A four or five-year-old kid was sleeping in the living room, with no one around him. It scared me to a bit. What if he really has no parents or no one here or was abandoned to me? What would I do now?

Thankfully, Anirudh stayed put with me or my anxieties would have shot me down. He offered great support by being with the kid as I went back to my room. I couldn’t sleep that was definite but watching a kid in my room and the tagging problems with him was not something I wanted to keep analyzing.

Arjun called late in the morning, asked about me and even promised to drop by as early as possible, which I knew he would. Riya was of as help as a sweater was in summer, and I had no hope whatsoever.

“Purvi?”

“Yes.” I may have dozed off when Anirudh knocked the door, “He is up.”

“It is time.”

I hair combed my hair while proceeded to face this fellow, Anirudh held my hand. “Please be gentle, he didn't sleep well last night. And he cried a lot too.” The last line he spoke with a lower voice.

This was the first time I witnessed proximity with Anirudh and I did not like how quick I was to be comfortable to his gentle touch, “My hand.” He let go as I took a deep breath, “you think I have slept? I need answers Anirudh. He has to speak.”

Not approving his nonchalant sigh, I walked towards the kiddo, who was now wrapped in one of my towels, sitting on the sofa. His eyes darted towards me.

“You have to tell me, who are you? What do you want?” I knelt in front of him but all he did was bore his innocently big eyes into mine.

He wiped his red nose with my towel, his tears pouring down and his sniffing not helping a bit. He looked around and his eyes watered as quickly as he wiped them off. “Listen, I have no time, you either speak or I am calling the police.” This I told him in Hindi, hoping he’d get the hint of his mischief but instead of reacting, he pondered over my words.

“What is wrong with him?” I screamed in frustration as the kid kept crying silently. “God, I am losing it.”

“Maybe he is hungry.” Anirudh offered from behind me. “Do we have milk?”

I pointed towards the kitchen in the most unwelcoming way. “Help yourself.”

After three glasses down, two whole cookie packets gone and his face gaining a bright color, Anirudh tried questioning him in the nicest way possible but to no avail. Riya came out of the room when I couldn’t let out my frustration other than by screaming. She walked sleepily towards the crowd, looked at the kid and her eyes popped out.

“I thought it was a dream!”

“It is a nightmare.”

Riya sighed dramatically, her hands tying her hair in a bun. “Has he said anything?”

Anirudh shook his head as we watched the kid, now sitting upright and staring at all of us, especially me. He kept his hands on his lap and had a very neutral expression; he was not sad, not happy. He looked at all of us, his plump cheeks resting as his bangs kept falling on his forehead, and he attempted to keep them away. His lips had savored the milk like it was the one thing his life depended on and even grew a white milky moustache.

If he wasn’t such a problem, I’d agree that he was looking cuter with that milky moustache.

“We should go to the police.” My suggestion was deeply understood and Riya heartily agreed.

“If the building manager knows there is a kid here without his approval, we will be thrown out considering how much of a nuisance he thinks young females can be.”

“Okay, I’ll try once again.” The saint between us spoke, kneeling down to face the kid who kept breathing the mucus in after every three second. “Hey, can tell me your name?”

Silence.

“Just your name?”

More silence.

Riya scoffed. I sighed.

“Whom do you want here?”

Awkward silence because instead of even looking at Anirudh, the kid scanned the room. Like, literally Anirudh was talking to him but the kid was nonchalantly looking around. It was way rude but a kid was incapable of doing this. I did it, Riya did it.

But this kid here? No fucking way.

Anirudh turned to meet my eyes, and I understood what he meant, crossing my fingers to not hope it is true.

He took the steel glass from which the boy drank his milk and dropped it down, it made enough noise for us to blink and acknowledge it. Riya stared at Anirudh as if he had grown another head but then she understood what he was implying.

“Yup he is deaf.” He spoke, “And possibly a mute.”

Thanking my stars, note the sarcasm, I sat on the chair. Riya was unable to grasp such important information and remained glued to the floor. Anirudh snapped his fingers in front of the boy and got his attention, “Who are you?”

This is he spoke with actions, letting his forefinger point at the kid; the small lad grasped it and replied with a set of actions which all went over our heads.

Great. Just great.

“Where is your mother?”

I don't think the kid understood this because he jammed another set of actions, he was taking efforts to explain it out to us, and I pitied him at that moment.

“This is crazy.” Riya exhaled, “Shit.”

“Please call the police.”

“Will do.” Anirudh said as he finally agreed, getting off from his knees.

Then something weird happened, the kid tugged on Anirudh’s jeans, we all watched him beam a bit as he did the same action again. The one where he touched his chin with his thumb while his palm was open and then he pointed at me with his tiny finger.

A small smile broke on his face and a huge grim settled on mine.

This is definitely not going to be easy.

_

“Hey Purvi, are you alright?”

Alright? Am I alright? What is alright? Having to miss your important classes alright? Having no support from actual people alright? Having a roommate who gets on your nerve alright? Or having a 4 year old kid, sitting on your sofa since twelve hours, alright?

“Yes, I am alright.” I spoke over the call, “Why?”

“You missed class, and you never miss class.” June, an acquaintance from college spoke over the call, “Like never.”

“Just a little tired.” I did not want to dive in detail because there is no way she would believe it and let’s say June is not much of a secret keeper.

“Oh, boyfriend all night, tired?”

More like strange boy all night tired, “hmm.”

Sometimes the strangest questions, awkward conversations and the most difficult meetings can be solved with a simple sound, that small little hum can resolve all problems. Like there is no conversation in which you cannot add in that hum, someone confesses his love to you, you hum. Someone asks you for your tired expressions, you hum. Someone narrates their over the hill excited life to you, you hum in response.

It is not a yes, it is not a no. It is the marvelous invention mankind has done after of course the discovery of French Fries.

“Don't worry, I have your notes all updated and I think I did see Arjun round the campus today. Seemed a lot bright and glowing, if you know what I mean?”

“Hmm.”

See, it helps.

June took another fifteen minutes or so to hang up on me and thankfully, she did not put me into another crossover of her unimaginable interest in my love life. It was the very first time someone from college has called to ask about me. Though it was the first time I did skip lectures. Moreover June was the only person I spoke to and vice-versa, but considering how I did not ask on her when she was sick for a week, made me thoughtful on why did she initiate?

“He is crying, again.”

Riya screamed the statement which she could have softly said since the lad did not cry loudly. Poor boy could not even voice his frustration out.

“So?” I screamed back.

“So get out here, he is not acknowledging my presence.”

“Does anyone really?”

“Ask my four million subscribers.”

Rolling my eyes I moved out of my safe haven to see the lad crying bitterly, he sobbed and sniffed and wiped his nose on my towel and repeated the same again. Riya waved in front of him, he did look at her only to see her talk softly and make funny faces to which he started crying again.

She shrugged as I looked at the kid, snapping in front of him I got his attention.

*Why are you crying*

He happened to catch my tainted signs and looked at me with those big eyes; he made some really fast hand gestures and waited for me to reply back.

Argh, I couldn’t even hum here.

“This is like the first time I watched a Russian movie with no subtitles.” She gestured her hand going above her head while I clutched my head.

Anirudh had left after we promised him that we would try and take care of the kid and get some necessities. I did tell him to hand him over to the police and get on with our lives but he just gave me a glare which lasted only a mini second and walked off.

The first time Anirudh had glared at me.

I knew that glare. The ‘such a bitch’ glare. I was accustomed to it since years now.

The kid looked at my frustrated expression and seemingly got the fact that he was unwanted here, he hung his tiny head low and cried. This time his tiny hands covered his face as he let the tears down.

That moment was the first moment when I felt for the kid in front of me.

Not because he was crying helplessly or his parents had abandoned him, or the fact that he was unwanted or he could not muster courage.

It was because of all of it. The very thing I'd do back then whenever I would have the darkest of nights was bring my hands to my face and cry. It was like my childhood flashing right in front of me, my demons showing me a similar flashback.

My brain did not listen to me at all as I knelt and my hand touched the kid’s forehead. His hands moved from his face when he felt my touch and it did not take another second for him to hug me. He buried his small figure in my stomach, as he wrapped his hands around me. It was the very first time I had a physical contact with him, the first time I felt his small yet pacing heartbeats.

The first of all things precious and dear, scary and terrific, dark and happy, were always registered in our memories. Like the first time I was punished in school, or the first time I had broken my head, the first time I stepped in Mumbai, the first time Arjun and I kissed, the first time Anirudh met me, the first time when I smoked or the first time I drank and passed out.

These firsts become the start of so many memories in the future, but the best of best memories cannot wipe these out.

For this was the first encounter with my past, the first to have someone this close to me, the first time of so many others.

I did not hug him, though. How could I? He showed me my past for the first time after many years and that is something I would never step on again. Never ever.

_

It has been 24 hours now.

Midnight.

The clock struck at midnight and last night’s incidents flashed in my mind. The kid, his big potato eyes, his small smile, his straight hair falling imperfectly on his forehead and his expression when he wants to explain something.

Life is full of surprises.

Personally, that quote was something I never hooked upon because let’s say the first chapter covered the part where I loathe the idea of surprises and my life was everything but that. I had fared pretty well in life; sure I struggled wait let me correct that, still struggling as a bachelor of accounting and finance, and with the looks of it, maybe still would be. Being an average student made me literally squeeze all my energy into studying and revising, because in the first or the second time, I never really grasped any concepts.

Hard work or more hard work, I wouldn’t let a kid get in way of my deemed boring life.

“What are you going to do of him?”

The him was asleep on the sofa. At first he was totally against the idea of sleeping. Kids do not like to sleep is what I thought the problem was. He was very tired by all the events happening to such a small thing as he but he absolutely refused to sleep, until I tucked him in. He held on to my t-shirt, afraid I’d ditch him in the night; his grip was tiny, firm yet not so much. Once Arjun arrived, I let go of his grip and let the former take me in his.

“I do not know.” I sighed, as he sat next to me, my hands entwined in his, “I really do not know, he is definitely getting out of the house soon but when, I am not quite sure.”

Arjun kissed my cheek, “What about the police, do they know?”

Shaking my head, I took a long sip of my strong coffee, the one which held my nights strong. “Anirudh said we should go by tomorrow.”

“That would be great, since Anirudh’s dad is an Inspector himself, maybe he can help, right?” Arjun comforted me with his words and kept tracing his thumb over my fingers, “you want me to come by the station tomorrow?”

He pressed my hand, telling me that he was there with me, I shook my head, “no, I think you should take your stand, let the elections pass and then maybe you can help.”

Considering how subtle I was in my remark, he caught the taunt in it, “I am so sorry, baby. Seriously, I got caught up in work and… you know Purvi, I would never neglect you, right?”

“Hmm.”

He leaned in, “I will make it up to you, the elections are running really heavy now and there is so much of this cut throat competition and all this politics. I really want to win it.”

Yeah this shit always gets on my nerves, after Riya of course.

Now is the time to explain the bullshit I never really liked to speak or think about.

Every third year, our college held out new baits for students to be hooked. It was something they adopted with inspiration, great thinking and consultation. I feel they just took the same from Delhi University. It was a small political agenda in the college amongst the biggest held in the country.

Basically, the normal, same, boring routine. Get a group, make a camp, enroll yourself as running party, speak for the betterment of the college, and win the elections and then that party gets to rule over the students and provide betterment for the next three years. Arjun wanted to win the election and be a face of the college because it will not only look good in his resume, it will also provide him a platform considering how well known our college was and how cordial our relations stood with politicians, businessman and film stars.

Bullshit to be honest. 

“…and it is going to be marvelous, till the opposition understands our new strategy, we will be already way ahead.”

“Hmm.”

“I got to leave, with terms and election, things are about to get real rough.”

My life was as rough as a drive up on a hill can get.

“Okay, don't worry, I’ll take care of the kid and makes sure he is done with by tomorrow.” He smiled at my assurance and proceeded to kiss me, his hands cupped my cheeks and his touch lingering over my lips.

It didn't last long because it was another known but forced idiot of my life who barged in on us. “Making out on the swing in the balcony? Quite a show.”

Rolling my eyes I got off Arjun, and he got off the swing, “I do not like the idea of you being around strange guys at this time of the night.” Arjun said eyeing the guy who had the nerve to smirk.

“Oh, is the strange guy you? Because my sweet and dear bhai (brother).” He said putting his hands on Arjun’s shoulder, “you do not come here as often as I do, and let’s say your pansy friend comes here more often than he should. Why not keep an eye there?”

“Rohan.”

My growl did not seem to faze him because he zipped his mouth with an imaginary zip, locked it and threw the key away, and left us by ourselves.

I know real mature.

“I cannot believe how you can stand someone like him.”

“I cannot help it either.”

Arjun’s forehead strained with stress lines, “then shift somewhere else, Riya is a problem for the both of us considering the number of boys she has here and especially this piece of shit. This house is not safe for you.”

“Arjun you are overreacting, I am perfectly capable to take care of myself so don't bother.”

It was his turn to growl at me, “I have concerns for your safety.” Or more like his rep. “Anyway, please try and attend some of my speeches. It would look good if the girlfriend of the leader was standing and supporting him.”

“I can’t. Your keynotes and campaigns are held at any random time, I have my lectures and sessions.”

“It is BAF (Bachelor of Accounting and Finance), I’ll teach you.” He shrugged.

“You are doing Bachelor of Business Administration. How can you?”

“BAF (Bachelor of Accounting and Finance) is super easy doll, anyone can teach you.”

Even though the taunt hit right where it wasn’t intend to hit, I let go of the ego and bade him a goodbye. What else could I do? Tell him to suck it and let me be in peace? Arjun was a business student and his hopes, dreams and intentions to uplift his life were way different than mine and I had nothing planned for my future. I don't know why I am here, where would I land and when would I finally get the self-satisfaction I have longed for. A known and liked personality in college dating a junior, who did not carry ambitions for herself, forget others, was too much already.

Arjun was smart, intelligent, and carried a strong aura about change, leadership and strength and I carried my sorry ass everywhere, struggling to get average marks in a course, I don't even know why I had chosen.

Although I never really realized how much my opinions were worth until a special someone forced me to stand and listen to him and literally put that in my head. That was a tale for the future, right back then, I was still a failure. 

When Arjun leaned in to kiss me again, the kid decided to frighten us by appearing from nowhere. He looked at us curiously, like we were doing something really intriguing. His eyes on us made me guilty and embarrassed while Arjun cursed his way out. Upset that he did not get what he planned on getting tonight.

“Great guy.” The guy in evil disguise spoke, “I like how over protective he is of you, especially when he comments about where you live and with whom.”

“Rohan, do not get on my nerves.” I warned him, all he did was roll his eyes.

The kid looked at us both and especially to Rohan since it was evident that the kid did not like strangers, which was funny because he was a stranger to me and yet was comfortable around me.

Rohan Mehra, a guy who no matter what, never fails to take out his life’s frustration by toying with me and I had no escape from him because he was related to my