18

Chapter 15

"Are you okay?" Nil asked with heavy breath as he looked towards the alley and then towards the Nisha.

"Yes, I am okay." Nisha said, while trying to catch her breath. She leaned towards the pole near the bus stop as her heartbeat returned to normal. She grabbed her water bottle as she was so thirsty due to all this when Nil was patiently looking at her.

After a few moments, she said, "Thank you, Nil... I don't know how to thank you."

"No, thank you... but you should at least carry pepper spray." Nil said worriedly.

"I have, but I didn't find that at right time." Nisha said and offered water to Nil and observed him as he drank water.

"Why do you always surprise me as if we are in a drama?"

"Ohh... this??? sometimes I do some tennis practice when I am stressed." Nil explained while looking at his shirt and appearance.

"Ohh... I thought you only study at this time." Nisha said.

"Everyone thinks the same." Nil replied, while giving her the water bottle back. Nisha smiled because she knew that he would surprise her again if she asked him more.

"Well, keep it secret."

"And what I will get in exchange?" Nisha said while smirking and Nil looked back at her with surprise.

"I just saved you..."

"Yes, and I will repay it one day. But I need something to keep this secret." Nisha said in a mischievous tone.

"Umm...waffles?"

"Too expensive..."

"Then.... decide yourself." Nil said, while giving up.

"Okay! I will tell you. I have to think." Nisha said while looking at him and then at the roadand she saw her bus coming.

"Oh...my bus is coming...I need to go...bye and thank you for today." She said it in one go and dispersed into the crowd as bus stopped.  The bus finally disappeared from his sight view, but he was still there. He didn't move from his place and kept staring at the road.

It's 12th November today. It's been 4 months since he met Nisha. He always appreciated her, but seeing her freer in life always made him feel jealous. She can go anywhere without a car and strict instructions from anyone and he can't. He still has no idea about her story, but these little external freedoms always make him question his freedom.

"I wish I could live your life."

He finally decided to go back to the library but got a notification from Dad saying, '8:30. Dinner at Hotel Royal. The driver will pick you up soon."

"What's this now?"

—— 

"Yes, yes... I will take care of myself and will join soon." Professor Ghogare replied to Dr. Nirmala Joshi when she called for a health update. As the call ended, the Professor leaned back towards the wall behind her bed.

Hypoglycaemia. She had hypoglycaemia attacks in her university days but currently, it's getting more frequent and sever, and it needs to be taken care of it. Tanvi was aware of it, but she also knew how much her best friend neglected her health for her career. For this, Tanvi returned home earlier.

"Bro, here eat this." Tanvi said while coming with dinner.

"Thank you." Professor said while sitting straight.

"I am sorry. You have to do all this in the middle of your work."

"What is sorry about it? I am glad that I am here, otherwise I had to come for your funeral." Tanvi said in growing frustration.