Read The Echoing Void :: Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Vinod's inner voice: If this isn't a dream, if it's real, then I have nothing left to lose. Even if I have no one in this dream or reality, I spent time with my parents, with my friends, with Pooja.

The stranger was still holding his punch.

Vinod's inner voice: Even if they beat me to death and kill me, I won't regret anything. I have the memories I wanted now.

Vinod: I don't know why I killed your brother. But now, I can't forget this. I'm not even asking you not to kill me. Do what you feel is right. But I'm so sorry for what happened to your brother.

The stranger held his breath and his punch. He was truly shaking with rage and sorrow, but this was not what the stranger had expected.

But he punched Vinod again and said, "What? Did you think I'd forgive everything if you spoke so emotionally?"

Vinod: No, don't forgive me. This is what's supposed to happen to me.

Vinod vented his inner emotions by speaking out loud.

Vinod: If you hear my situation, you'll enjoy killing me even more.

Stranger: Oh, shut up! Don't try to escape by saying something.

Vinod: I didn't care for my parents. Now they don't care for me either.

Punch...

Vinod: I didn't care for my friends. Now they're gone too.

Punch...

Vinod: The girl I loved so much, she left me because I told her to. Ha (smirk). No, no, she left because of my mistakes.

Strong punch...

Cough... cough... blood spills.

Vinod: I'm doing a job I don't like in a foreign country, instead of the job I love.

The stranger smirked at Vinod's pathetic situation.

Stranger: Yeah...

The strongest and most satisfying punch for the stranger.

Vinod: More than all this, I made a huge mistake without even knowing it. I know how much you're feeling because of your brother's death.

The stranger again held his punch and looked into Vinod's eyes with a change of emotion. But his rage overshadowed him, and he was now totally angry at Vinod, because the stranger's heart was changing, and he might leave Vinod for what he said.

He was now constantly punching and screaming at Vinod for what he had done. The stranger didn't want to feel bad about this.

Punch, punch, punch, punch, punch.

Stranger: What do you know, huh? Besides killing my brother, do you think I'll let you go just because you say a few sad words, huh?

Punch, punch, punch.

Stranger: You've talked enough.

And he pressed Vinod's neck, pressing his fingers onto Vinod's windpipe to kill him and stop him from speaking.

Press, press, press.

Vinod was choking, and life was slipping away.

Stranger (with anger): Die! (Angry shout)

Vinod wasn't moving. Vinod's eyes were open, but his face didn't show fear. Vinod's face looked as if he was okay with dying.

The stranger's hands shivered. Seeing Vinod's face appear okay with dying, the stranger didn't get the satisfaction he wanted. And he noticed a sudden change in Vinod too.

Stranger: Yeah! (Angry shout)

And he punched the dead Vinod again.

Silence.

Darkness everywhere.

Blackness.

Vinod woke up near the tree. This time, Vinod was so close to the vertical eye tree, with spider legs at the corner of the vertical eyeball. Even the tree was staring at Vinod so scarily. Vinod wasn't even flinching.

From the corners of the vertical eyeball, the white area of the eye was turning blood red. And the spider legs were now all turned toward Vinod, and they were so sharp, like they were really trying to kill and scare him away. Vinod wasn't even moving or backing down.

These dreams or alternatives had changed Vinod so much. They made him care for his loved ones and spend precious time with them, and never think of leaving them or doing things he never liked. This realization made him stand straight before the scary nightmare. This nightmare couldn't scare him anymore.

Suddenly, the eye closed, and the light coming from the eye stopped, plunging everything into darkness. A small light appeared. That light approached Vinod. The light was in the shape of an open door.

The light was very bright. Vinod was now close to the door. A hand came out of the door and grabbed him. It pulled him inside the door where the light was coming from.

Lights flashed. He was being moved. They were taking him somewhere. After he regained some consciousness, he realized they were taking him into a hospital emergency room. Vinod wasn't fully conscious, which is why they were trying to save him. Everything looked blurry to him; no one was very clear. In that blurred vision, he saw his mother and father next to him. They were very anxious.

They took him into the emergency room, turned on the light, and gave him an injection. He lost consciousness again.

Vinod (fully exhausted): Mom... Dad... help me...

Silence.

Vinod opened his eyes. His parents were eagerly waiting for him to wake up. His mother's face was tear-stained.

Vinod's mother: What would have happened to us if something had happened to you, son? Why didn't you tell us anything?

Vinod's father: If you have any problems, tell us, son. We are also in your life. What would have happened if we hadn't arrived on time? It's okay if you don't talk to us, but if you have any health problems, please tell us. We'll take care of the rest.

Vinod's mother: Don't scare us like this again. At this age, where would we run if something suddenly happened to you?

Vinod: Sorry, Mom. Sorry, Dad. I troubled you a lot. I hurt you a lot. I thought my problem would trouble you, but I didn't know you'd be so anxious if I didn't tell you. I won't do this again.

The doctor interrupted and said, "Sorry for disturbing, the reports are here. Everything is fine now. You can take him home. Take your time."

Vinod: Mom, Dad, I want to talk to both of you.

Vinod's mother: What is it, son? Tell us.

Vinod: Mom, you said you liked working in childcare, remember? You also said you loved children a lot. From now on, you'll do what you like. There's no need to give up things for me. And Dad, Mom loves exhibitions and going out with you. You have to fulfill Mom's wishes.

Vinod's mother: Son, why all this now?

Vinod's father: For your mother's happiness, I'll do it, son, but what about your happiness?

Vinod: Dad, I want to go to the aquarium. All three of us. Actually, not just us three. My friends will come too.

Vinod's father: Oh, speaking of friends, your friends are outside. They're very anxious about how you are.

The friends outside came in.

Ramana: What happened to you suddenly, man?

Shanmuk: What happened?

Vinod: It's nothing. I'll explain it clearly later. But do you have any thoughts about joining the Naxals?

Shanmuk: Why all this now, man?

Vinod: Tell me, man.

Ramana: Yes, I do. I already told you before, man. I want to be a Naxal like my elder brother and bring justice to the people.

Shanmuk: When did you ever tell us, man?

Ramana: Hey, I told you in 10th grade, didn't I?

Vinod: Yeah, I remember that too. I even argued with you about why and what.

Shanmuk: I don't remember clearly.

Vinod: I remember. And there's no need for that. We can achieve something good from here.

Ramana: But why talk about that now, man?

Vinod: Promise me you won't join the Naxals.

Ramana: No, man, I'm not interested anymore.

Shanmuk: Wherever you guys are, I'll be there, man. Having you two is enough for me. The time I spend with you, that's what gives me happiness.

Vinod thought about Pooja; he remembered similar words: I love the moments I spend with you. I always wait to meet you.

Then he also remembered the breakup message.

Vinod asked for his phone: "Where's my phone? Bring me my phone."

Vinod's phone was with his mother. Shanmuk brought it.

Vinod checked his messages. Vinod had typed a breakup message, but he hadn't sent it. It was in drafts. So he took a relaxed breath and erased the breakup message.

Vinod's mother came and said to Vinod, "Someone came to see you."

Pooja was too shy to meet Vinod in front of his parents, but she couldn't wait to see him. So she came.

Ramana: Okay, man, we'll leave. You talk. (playfully saying)

Shanmuk: Talk well. This is what he wants now. (playing with Vinod, playfully saying)

Everyone went outside to give Pooja and Vinod privacy.

Pooja was crying: "Even when I tell you, you don't listen. You do what you want. I can't trust you anymore. I don't want this pressure. I'm leaving."

Vinod: What...? (with shock and tension)

Pooja: Yes, I'm leaving... (she is serious)

Vinod: Leaving what...? (with doubt and tension)

Pooja: I'm leaving my job to take care of you... otherwise, you'll keep doing what you want without listening.

Vinod: Ha... (chuckles) Hahahahah (laughing with relief) You scared me.

Pooja slipped under the blanket, hugged Vinod from the side, and lay next to him, saying, "I won't leave you that easily. It's impossible. I won't let anything happen to you anymore. I'll be with you. Marry me. I'll sleep next to you every day."

Vinod: Hahaha (with happiness) Okay... Madam... (with playfulness)

And Vinod hugged Pooja tightly.

They both were so happy now.

Everything was getting normal.

Vinod and Pooja were now happily talking.

Pooja asked, "Oh, if I quit my job, what will you do?"

Vinod: I'll quit too.

Pooja: Why?

Vinod: I don't like the job I'm doing now.

Pooja: So, what should we do now? Beg on the streets? (playfully saying)

Vinod: Haha (laughing about the joke Pooja said). You start a bakery, and I'll work at the aquarium.

Pooja: Hey, you remember about the bakery?