Happily Ever After

Chapter 13

I was very near to killing that man. I was even near to killing the drug lord! Adira was hot with fiery anger, as she was betrayed by both her dad and former boyfriend. I didn't want to leave her, but I had to. The drug lord won't open his doors again for me. Even though I ran away, I promised Adira that I would come back for her. A promise is a promise. And I never broke promises.

As I ran away, I couldn't think of where to go. I walked on the village road and met a pupil of Adira's, whom I knew very well, due to his visiting of the hospital with his elder sister and grandmother for his grandmother's illnesses. He was a kind lad, always thinking about others. Now he happened to be passing me, and greeted me with happiness. He said he was just walking along the road and had to meet the doctor in the afternoon to check his grandmother up. An idea triggered in my head, that I wouldn't be able to go to the hospital again, because the drug lord and Hayden would be hunting me down. So I took a notepad and a pen out of my jacket and wrote;

Dear doctors,

I won't be able to come back to the hospital again- because of personal reasons. I am really sorry for the troubles I have caused.

Sincerely,

Niru

I folded it neatly, gave it to him and told him to give it to the doctor he was visiting today. I said bye and left. I walked along the road and came to a place where two roads met; one led to the town and the other led to a lagoon. I chose the road leading to the lagoon. It was beautiful! The coast was white and the sea was blue. Right temperature. I sat on the coast. The view was great! No one came to this place, I don't know why. Some say it is haunted, some say it is full of thieves. I didn't see anything.

I was hungry. Great, now I have to leave for the forest to find something. I strolled through the forest and found a mango tree. I picked some mangoes and went back to the coast. I put them in the seawater, and washed them. Then I took out my pocket knife, cut a piece out of a mango and ate it. It was so delicious! I ate all of the mangoes out of hunger. It was enough to fill me for lunch. The problem was, how am I ever going to live here? I removed my jacket and checked all the equipment; notebook, pen, pocket knife. That's it. I had to find some supplies. I looked around and found some coconut trees. There were coconuts underneath it. Ha! It was useful, but I had to find blades. I collected a few coconuts and kept them in place. It was night, and I had to sleep. I was so tired, that I slept the moment I kept my head on the sand.

I woke up a bit late today. I felt like burning, that I had to remove my jacket. I washed my face, hoping to be fresh. With an empty stomach, I left for the forest and found ripe papayas. I picked up one and went back to the coast, washed it and ate. I decided to walk by the village and buy some blades. I went to the blacksmith and asked a few unwanted blades, which he gave. He always helped me, sometimes giving me free blades, like now. I went back to the lagoon and started creating my tools, such as cups and kettles.

A week passed. I felt lonely. I had no one to talk to. I missed Adira. I decided to walk by the village, so could meet a pupil or two of Adira's. They seem to be missing her. I walked on the road, went right to the village road and entered the village. I talked with some people in the shops. All of a sudden, I noticed a lady gesturing me to come near her. She looked like a Muslim woman. She was looking down, so I couldn't see her face. I looked at her carefully. Funny. Suddenly, she jerked her face up. It was Adira! Since when did she wear a yellow blouse, pink shawl and pink trouser? She hated and feared pink! Nevertheless, I went near her. She thrust a letter onto my hand before I could tell anything, and said, "Dad doesn't know that I have come. Here is all you need to know." She left. I also left, in a very confused state. I don't know why Adira came to the village or how she knew I was there. All I knew was that she had something to tell me, and that she wrote it in the letter she gave me.

I sat on the coast and started to think, what important thing must have she wanted to tell me? I had no idea. Since I had to have energy to concentrate I decided to eat a papaya I picked in the morning. After I finished eating, I started reading the letter. It was huge. It said;

Dear Niru,

I miss you a lot. Wish you could come back. Dad doesn't let me go to the village now, thinking that I would elope with you. I can only stay inside the house now. I won't be able to teach in the school again. Dad is infuriated about us. He swore to kill you the moment he saw you. So you better be careful. Hayden has also been visiting me. So irritating! He and dad are hunting you. They have even kept men to guard the hospital, in case you come. I am rather helpless, in this situation.

I wanted to tell you this. I overheard last night, Hayden and dad were talking about my marriage. I also heard that Hayden's dad didn't resign his post and handed it over to Hayden, Hayden just killed his father! His mother had witnessed it, and he had killed her too! Dad was laughing when he heard that. If he killed his parents without guilt, he could have the wit to kill anyone! Please be careful whenever you come to the village! It seems like the both of them planned it. The marriage is scheduled to be in a month, however. I hope we can ruin their plans. Call me at 12, midnight. I sent you your watch for you to check the time. Love you!

With love,

Adira.

I loved to see her handwriting again. Tidy and beautiful. She had sent me my watch even! Thank goodness she told me this. I couldn't believe that cheater killed his own parents! I couldn't wait until 12 at midnight. I had an early sleep and woke up at 11:30, at midnight. It was really cold. I lit up a small fire using some sticks, walked around and sat again. It was 12. I took my phone out and called Adira. We both talked about our problems, what was happening and so on. Finally an idea struck my head.

"You know what?" I asked.

"Kya?"

"You tell him to learn Hindi. It could drive him mad, as it is hard!"

"Mahaan (Great)!"

"Is he coming to meet you tomorrow?"

"Ji (Yes)."

"Then, when he comes, you tell that you will marry him only if he learns Hindi."

"Tike (Okay)."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

Adira ended the call. I kept my head on the sand and fell fast asleep.