Chapter 7-Love, Still there?

Amrita was doing some revision exercise during her break. She prefers studying in her class than going out to have break with her friends. She brings her own lunch box from home which her mother packs because she knows Amrita does not like to go out to eat during breaks. After she was done with her exercise, she took out her lunch box. Suddenly, Suresh came in and took her lunch box from her.

“Suresh, give it back. I am really hungry. I really want to eat,” Amrita said.

“Do I look like I care? You know how much I enjoy the lunchbox you bring right?”

“I asked you yesterday if you want, you should have said you wanted. I would have brought for you also,”

“Nope. I like to have what is yours,” Suresh said putting the lunch box on the exercise paper that Amrita was using. Amrita felt so pissed and just ignored his behaviour. She did not want to get herself worked up.

Amrita realised that Suresh has changed. He does not bother about her anymore. He was becoming very selfish. All he thinks about is himself. Suresh also often spend more time with other girls. His good guy personality has changed in to becoming a Casanova. She was curious of what makes Suresh changed. She never had the courage to ask because Suresh is has become very rude to her now. She was not willing to listen to anything Suresh would say because anything that comes out of his mouth would only cause her more hurt.

“God, that was satisfying,” Suresh said, followed by a burp.

Amrita saw the container empty and squeaky cleaned. Suresh did not leave her any food. She could feel her stomach hurting because of hunger. She was angry but she could not say anything out.

“Glad you like it,” Amrita said and continued doing the exercises eventhough the exercise paper earlier was stained with food. 

Suresh just left the class without bothering to clean up what he ate. Amrita packed the container and kept it in her bag. It has been 2 weeks since she had a proper meal or even had anything from her lunch box during break. Everyday, Suresh would take her lunchbox and not leave her any food. Even when she brings extra, he would purposely finish her portion of food. Amrita could tell that her eyes were getting wet and blurry because she was very hurt by Suresh’s attitude.

Amrita could feel her body giving up slowly. The long hours of not eating makes her feel an acidis feeling in her throat and burning pain in her stomach. She was never a big breakfast person and being  constantly hungry and stressed has made her feel discomfort in her stomach. Amrita walked out of the class to go to toilet. As she was walking to the toilet, she felt her stomach hurt even more. As the pain was starting to take over her body, she slowly felt herself loosing conscious. She eventually lost conscious and fainted at the corridor.

Her classmate, Rekha, found her on the corridor and called the teachers. Amrita was rushed to the hospital immediately. Her mother has informed of the emergency.

#

Shivanesh is finally getting used to the news being out. He was happy about going to tuition even though the exams are just around the corner. The first thing he did the moment he reached is look for Amrita. After not being able to see anywhere he decided to ask Suresh where Amrita was even though he hates the fact he needs to talk to the guy who constantly causes hurt and cause discomfort for Amrita.

“Where is Amrita? Why don’t I see her anywhere?” Shivanesh said.

“Well, she collapsed earlier in school,” Suresh said.

“Why? What happened?” Shivanesh asked worrying about Amrita’s condition.

“Do not know why. That girl is so weak,” Suresh said laughing at his comment.

Shivanesh did not know what got to him. Whether the fact that Suresh was laughing about Amrita collapsing or his comment on her being weak. But he grabbed Suresh’s collar an flug a punch n Suresh’s face. Taking impact hard, Suresh ended up on the floor. Suresh was too shocked of the punch that he did not know how to react to the attack he just received. Shivanesh gave Suresh a disgusted look before he rushed to his seat to grab his bag and stormed out of the classroom. His tuition session did not seem important to him right now. All he can think of is Amrita’s current condition.

#

Amrita gained conscious and open her eyes to look around wondering where she is at. She saw her mother sitting next to her looking very worried.

“At last, you are awake,” her mother said.

“Owh, Amma. What happened? What am I doing here?” Amrita asked confused trying to sit up.

“Well, you collapsed in school earlier today. The doctor diagnosed with acute gastric,” her mother explained.

“Owh,” Amrita replied not knowing what to say to her mother. She did not want to tell her mother about Suresh or any information that could lead her mother to know about what she was going through at school.

“I am not gonna ask what happened now. All I want is for you to eat and rest,” her mother said.

Suddenly, they turned towards the door after hearing a knock on the door.

#

Shivanesh ran to the hospital reception the moment he arrived.

“Hi, I would like to know which room patient Amrita Raman is in?” Shivanesh asked.

“Room 306, third level,” the receptionist answered.

“Thank you,” Shivanesh said and rushed to the elevator. When he arrived in front of Amrita’s room, he heard the doctor explaining about Amrita’s condition.

“Amrita, you have developed acute gastritis. This is because you have been skipping meals and additional stress amount. If this continues, things might get worse. I am providing you with some medicine. Please stop skipping meals,” the doctor explained.

“Yes, doctor. I understood. When can I leave?” Amrita asked.

“Tomorrow morning. That is if you eat well, young lady,” the doctor said.

“I will doctor. I promise,” Amrita said.

After the doctor left, Shivanesh knocked and went in Amrita’s room to see her.

“Shiva? What are you doing here? Amma, this is Shiva. My classmate from tuition,” Amrita introduced Shivanesh to her mother.

“Hello, Auntie. Nice meeting you, “Shivanesh greeted Amrita’s mother.

“Hi, Shiva. I will leave you both alone. I want to go out and get our sick girl here some food,” Amrita’s mother said and left.

“How are you feeling?” Shiva asked, taking a seat at the chair next to her bed.

“Better. Just a bit dizzy,” Amrita said.

“What happened?” Shivanesh asked again.

“I am not sure. All I know, I was walking to the toilet at school when suddenly, everything shut down. The next moment I know, I am in the hospital,” Amrita explained. “How did you know I was here?” Amrita asked.

“I asked Suresh earlier. Was really worried because I did not see you at tuition,”Shivanesh explained.

“When I asked him why, he did not bother to give an answer,” Shivanesh continued.

“I am surprised that he even know that I am in hospital,” Amrita said feeling really irritated.

“Amrita, did something happened? Something is totally off with the both of you. You know that you can tell me anything right? Shivanesh said.

Amrita knew that Shivanesh was the friend that she can talk to. She trust him a lot. He was always there when she really needs someone. Amrita told Shivanesh everything about what has been happening with Suresh. By the end of the story, Amrita was already crying.

Shivanesh could feel his inside burning. He really felt like beating the crap out of Suresh. He could not accept the fact that someone is hurting Amrita so badly, and that someone is Suresh, the person who is supposed to be taking care of her.  Shivanesh tried to stay as calm as possible. He did not want Amrita to know that he has a really protective feeling for her.

“Did you ever asked him? Why was he being cruel to you?” Shivanesh asked.

“I don’t have the courage to ask,” Amrita said.

“Seriously? Why? Amrita, where is that strong, confident girl I used to know? Are you just going to let yourself be mistreated like this?” Shivanesh said. He was feeling frustrated that Amrita has allowed herself to be a victim of Suresh’s abuse.

“I think I should ask him, right? I will. Once I am out of the hospital,” Amrita said.

“Now, that is the Amrita I know,” Shivanesh said.

#

Finally, Amrita is back to school. She took 2 days break and now she is back and feeling much better. During break, instead of staying in class, she went to the gazebo in her school compound and ate her lunch. After eating, she went back to her classroom only to find Suresh sitting at her seat.

“So, the rumours were true. Wonder Woman is back. So, where is your lunchbox? I am so hungry,” Suresh said.

“They are empty. I had it already,” Amrita said, afraid of what would be Suresh’s next move.

“Owh, really. Great.  So now you are eating somewhere else so that I don’t take your food? Did you eat something wrong in hospital?” Suresh asked sarcastically.

“Why are you doing this? You didn’t even bother to come and see if I was okay. Not a phone call or text message to ask how am I doing. Do you still like me?” Amrita finally mustered up the courage and asked.

“I don’t bother about you anymore. In fact, I think you are boring. I feel boring being with you,” Suresh said.

“If that is the case, why don’t we just end this here?”

“Why? So that I look bad? No way!! If you want to end this relationship, wait till the end. I will only let you go, when I feel like doing so,” Suresh said leaving Amrita in tears.

“What did I do to deserve this?” Amrita asked herself.

“Everything. You are to perfect with everything. Beauty, brains, manners. There should be something imperfect about you. And somehow, I like to be the one to break your perfection. Watch and see how I will continue breaking you until you will never be able to love again. That would be your imperfection,” Suresh said leaving Amrita at her classroom.

Amrita was left speechless.