Vibinn Anjali Noothan Part 1

EP 13: The Loving Possessive Monster

"What was even that? What did I just do? There's a monster inside me, or am I the monster himself?"

Noothan reflected on his horrifying day at college, which could have been one of his most memorable days. It still was, but on a bad note. He was distraught at home, haunted by his actions. It was never him; he couldn't believe those were the actions of the overthinking introvert, the OG 'Vibinn Noothan'.

"You had a bad day, didn't you, sweetheart?" asked the gentle, ever-caring Sheela Shalini, Noothan's mother, her voice soft and soothing like a lullaby.

"No, Mom, there's nothing like that. I'm fine," replied Noothan, his voice betraying the forced smile on his lips.

"I'm your mother, Noothan. I can easily figure it out! You never enter your bed without changing your clothes after returning, but today you haven't even removed your socks. Definitely something has happened at the college today. Weren't you selected?" asked a caring Sheela, her eyes narrowing with concern.

"How do you know I participated in the football selections? I thought to reveal it to you only if I got selected!" asked a surprised Noothan, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"I'm sorry, but when you were in the shower, I saw a message pop up on your mobile: 'All the best for the selections V! I'll be your biggest cheerleader.' Moreover, you're in your football jersey. So, I guessed it. You weren't selected, were you? That's not my problem! I'm just glad you are out of your shell. Leave it! Tell me about Muskan. Was she disappointed?" asked Sheela, her tone shifting from apologetic to inquisitive.

"Muskan!? Mom... She is like my sister, I mean, she is indeed my sister, like a mother, or what do you say!? I mean, I just know her. She is not my wife, I mean not my girlfriend. She is not even my friend, just my classmate. I mean not even a mate, a member of my class..." Noothan blabbered, his words tumbling over each other in a rush of nervous energy.

"Calm down, my boy! It's okay to have female friends! Well, you are new to it. You never had any in your childhood. Even we are a reason for it. Don't mind it! Okay, if you are uncomfortable, forget about her. Tell me about you. Are you okay? You were never so disappointed ever in your life!" asked a worried Sheela, her eyes searching his face for answers.

"Yes, Mom. I have never felt this pain before. The pain of not getting your flowers for your sweat and hard work. For the first time, I had done something out of my heart. I had fought for something I love for the first time, and it wasn't worth it. You know that I love football and sports in general. I wouldn't have been disappointed if I wasn't selected due to my inability, but I was rejected due to my unfit mental health. They are saying I have mental disorders! Do you believe I have it, Mom?" asked a baby-faced Noothan, his eyes wide with innocent desperation.

Sheela's face turned pale all of a sudden. It seemed like a treasured secret had been dug out of the drains. She looked away, her eyes clouded with memories, and then turned back to him, her voice heavy with emotion.

"I don't know about the disorders, my little one, but I do know you are a special child. You weren't supposed to be alive. This is your second life!" explained Sheela, her voice trembling with the weight of her words.

"What do you mean I wasn't supposed to be alive? Was I about to die in my childhood?" asked a surprised Noothan, his voice rising in shock.

"'We could only save one of them, either the mother or the child. Whom do you prefer?' This was the question the doctors asked your father during my labor. You had overgrown before your birth, and it took an unusually longer pregnancy period for me. All of us thought you were dead already. It was God's grace. You are a miracle!" explained Sheela, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.