They didn’t know where to start. Praveena didn’t want people to judge Niveda, and Anil agreed. They wondered if they should speak to the principal; they could imagine his reaction, “Drugs!” he would exclaim, “Oh, goodness! If the management hears about this, I’ll lose my job. You’d better leave the college and then take whatever medication you want!”
Praveena signed as she imagined his big eyes rolling in fear.
“He’s a chicken,” she told Anil when he suggested talking to the principal. The two of them sat in the canteen, sipping dreadful coffees while Niveda remained in the hostel. She had taken the past two days off from college.
“Is Niveda alright?” Anil was concerned about Niveda, he hoped Niveda wouldn’t have to undergo the difficulties he had faced.
“Not really,” Praveena replied, “it’s really difficult for her to get through even a day without the drugs. She’s depending on it.”
Anil nodded, he knew how it was, he understood, only too well, what she would be going through. “It’s good that she decided to stay in the hostel, she’d be vulnerable and could easily be provoked if she comes to class. Someone might just annoy her.”
Praveena looked at him, thoughtful. Was he saying the truth or just pretending?
“Anil?”
“Hmm?” he asked without looking up from his coffee.
“Were you saying the truth the other day?”
He looked into her eyes. “Yes,” he said simply. “I love you.” It was easier the second time, much to his surprise.
Parvena remained emotionless, “I meant when you said you were addicted to drugs.” she said with gritted teeth.
“Oh,” Anil smiled sheepishly, “I thought — yeah, that was true.” he said and shrugged it off.
“How did you — ?” she shook her head, unable to say it.
Anil smiled, “It started out as fun, and then went out of control. Lucky I had a good teacher to help me out.”
Praveena smiled, and then all of a sudden, shouted out, “That’s it. A good teacher! Let’s ask James!” Everyone else in the canteen stared at them as Anil too shouted in ecstasy, “Yeah!”
They gathered their things and left the canteen. There was still fifteen minutes left in their lunch break. James would be in his room. They hurried, their footsteps echoing in the hallway. They reached his room and knocked.
“Come in,” said James’ muffled voice. They entered.
“Hello Praveena, and Anil” he said courteously. He sat behind his desk, going thorough a few papers strewn across his desk. The walls were covered with students’ assignments and news paper clippings. There were long articles of famous studies and research results.
“Thanks for the appreciation, Praveena.” he smiled, looking at Praveena’s look of admiration. “but that’s not what you’re here for, right?” he sounded a bit more serious.
“Good afternoon, Mr James. Could we talk to you? Praveena heaved, breathless. “It’s important.”
“I’m free, go ahead.” it was this attitude that impressed Praveena and the other students. He was always enthusiastic about students approaching him for just about anything.
“Sir,” Anil began, a little tentative. He took a quick glance at Praveena, and when she nodded, he continued, “it’s our friend, Niveda.”
“What about her?” Though Niveda wasn’t the most attentive in class, but James didn’t sound annoyed or angry; he was just curious.
“Sir,” Praveena spoke. She told him all about Niveda’s family issues, and how she had become dependent on drugs.
James listened without interrupting. When she had finished, he asked, “you’re her room mate, right? You didn’t notice anything?”
Praveena hung her head in embarrassment, “No. I couldn’t recognize.”
“Don’t blame yourself” James advised lightly, “just be careful from now on.”
“So, what do we do now, Sir?” Anil asked.
“She has to see a therapist, of course,” James said gathering the papers on his table. He put them in a drawer, turned to them and said, “I know a friend, I’ll have him come over.” he assured them. “Have you told anyone else about this?” he added. When they shook their heads he said, “good, these people would only care about the reputation of the school. You two tell her not to worry. Keep encouraging her to hang on. We’ll sort this thing together.” He ended with a confident wink.
“Thank you, Sir.”
They closed the door behind them, their hearts much lighter.
National Blog Posting Month – Day 24
The Chaos Within 