• Second Chances •

46. A Changing World

Ram's dreams were always made of the slightly damp grass, of him running across the fragrant orchards, of the sweet smell of the pineapple sheera wafting through the air that his Nani would make and the warmth of his parent's laughter. There was nothing more he wanted than laying beneath a tree, watching the sunlight play hide and seek with the tree. In the soft light and humid air he would tune into the views like a cinema was playing out. And selfishly, he wanted to remain there.

But there were things that needed his attention. Ram was well aware that there were people who needed him. So he sighed and decided to wake up.

As his mind woke up from the departing dream, he reluctantly banished it. He could feel the light of the morning sun on his face but he remained in bed for a little more. Everything about him felt heavy that day; from his arms to his feet. He let his head loll from one side to the other, eyes closing one more time as he relished the brief darkness. There was no option to sleep on, no chance to rest and conjure his dream anew.

That's when he felt someone touch his cheek. It was the softest touch. Ram's body sagged even more.

"Mom..." he whispered.

The hand pressed into his cheek more. It was warm. It was like the morning sun; mildly warm and comforting. And it did a world of good to him.

"Wake up Ram..." Nandini's voice was equally soft.

Ram pushed his eyes open languidly and looked at her. She reminded him of the times he was a small boy and was just getting to know her slowly. As was she. She would come to wake him every morning and get him ready. It continued till she had children of her own and Ram was packed off to the boarding school. 

Despite all that, Ram's love for her never diminished. It never would. In some corner of his heart, he hoped the same for himself. He wanted some reciprocation.  

He didn't expect anyone to understand his relationship with Nandini and that was okay. Even Nandini seemed to have forgotten it. He didn't mind it. He just desperately wanted to see a little glimpse of it and Ram was sure that it would last him a lifetime.

Nandini touched the now scarring side of his cheek tentatively. "How did this happen?"

Ram sucked in a breath. There it was. The concern glimmering in her eyes, the look of concern and strangely, love. He sat up at once and took her hands in his even though they shook. He couldn't believe his eyes. Perhaps, he was still dreaming?

"Ram?" Nandini took his name like it was a warning for him and Ram instantly understood that it wasn't a dream. What he wanted to see was happening for real.

"It's nothing," he started in an assuring voice. "I was sleepy and then I opened the door of my cabin and banged my head into it. So..."

"Ram," Nandini cut his explanation short and squeezed his palm. "You can humour Shivina and Shubham with this story. Not me. Talk with Karan about this. We need to know how safe we all are. If there is a threat, we need to be prepared."

"You," she stretched the word and emphasized it. "...need to be prepared." 

Ram was taken aback. He had not imagined or expected Nandini to know this. To be honest, she would be the last person to know about that incident.

"How..."

Nandini took a calming breath. "Ram, I saw what happened last night. I couldn't sleep and I was waiting for you and Shubham to come back home."

Ram went quiet. He had never imagined her to witness it.

Nandini then left his hand and turned away like she couldn't bear to look at Ram. Her chest heaved as her bottom lip quivered.