Life Teaser

Minakshi was a fresher in the city college. Superb academics and beautiful looks created magnets around her. She felt herself on the seventh heaven. Minakshi felt no one apt to pair her but she enjoyed proposals from sundry.

Three months passed in the college twinkle toed. Soon she settled her likes on a lad a year senior to her. Nikunj was his name. He was never sought amidst friends. A loner in the college became a fun for everyone. Minakshi took notice of him. She shared few words of kindness with him. Nikunj felt a genuine heart within her. soon they paired as friends.

Minakshi and Nikunj spent times together. Both had great likings for movies. It was the premier show of a war based movie in which the Indian army triumphed over the Pakistanis. He was watching the combatants and Minakshi was watching him. The expression on his face was indeed captivating. He seemed to be a soldier in the battle and all casualties his achievements. After they came out of the hall Nikunj could recite in the same temper, the dialogues that stirred blood.

Nikunj hadn't come to college after the movie show for three days. Minakshi planned a visit to his home. She took help of a mate to reach his home. She coaxed the doorbell. Waiting at the vestibule, she could hear rantings. His mother opened the door. Minakshi introduced herself benignly. She was taken to Nikunj's room. What she saw there could hardly be explained. He was dressed as a soldier, marching up and down the room and saying the dialogues from the movie. Minakshi felt so sorry for him. She came to know from his mother that he was suffering from bipolar disorder and has sparse chances of recovery. Minakshi promised to help his mother. Hardly did she know then that the devil was around and would dampen their promise.

Days passed and Nikunj was back to college. He gained normalcy through medication. Minakshi greeted him back but never asked him about what she saw. With few more sunsets everything was forgotten. College exams got over. New semester gradually came in.

It was the final semester for Nikunj. He offered a request to Minakshi for a movie show. Minakshi did not refuse. She opted for a comic relief but he intensely wanted to watch a movie based on real life incident. He even swore that she would enjoy the movie.

The movie began. Nikunj glared. It was the story of a woman's fight against a brat who attempted acid attack on her. It chilled all viewers. Few scenes were even watched through the web of fingers of covered faces. Nikunj watched with involved indulgence. At intermission Minakshi wanted to leave. Nikunj did not refuse. Both walked out of the hall.

Minakshi was panic stricken Nikunj tried comforting her. He even told her to come to his home as his mother had been asking about her whereabouts and also wished to meet her.

At Nikunj's house , his mother welcomed Minakshi. They were having a very good time together. Nikunj wanted Minakshi to stay longer. Likewise she informed her parents of her longer stay. In the meanwhile Nikunj's mother received a call from her sister who wanted her to come over to her place for some important discussion.

No sooner did she leave than Minakshi noticed Nikunj nowhere around. She kept calling out his name while making a search for him. Finally she found him in the kitchen standing with his back towards her. Minakshi stepped in and tried to turn him around forcibly. No sooner did he turn than Minakshi could sense nothing . Her face felt like a burning orb. She yelled in wrenching pain. Then all went numb for Minakshi.