The sky covered itself with the blankets of dark hues of the clouds. The which was bright with a ray of hope a few hours ago was now covered with darkness and silence. A pale moon rose high, casting its silver glow over the earth while the stars beside it twinkled, looking like a pearl shining brightly. The cool breeze played a soulful melody, carrying a faint scent of freshly watered soiled. The occasional chirp of a cricket, the giggling of the children running around the garden, and the whispers and laughs of the elders sitting across the benches were warming and peaceful.
Kirti, a girl in her mid-20s, walked along the path, her step slow and steady, lost in deep thought. Her movement was unchanged, showing her disinterest in everything happening around her. Her hazel-brown eyes were filled with an unknown emotion—darkness, maybe regret. Her heart raced; those judgy looks filled her mind. But something inside her stopped her from reacting to anything.
She slowly walked towards the small pond, settling herself on the edge of the boundary wall. She looked inside it. Her reflection, distorted by the water ripples, was like a reminder about her past, blurred and unreachable. A sigh escaped her lips; she hugged herself, feeling an argument to break down in tears.
“Everyday! Every single day, I regret this. I just need one chance, just one. I want to change everything done in the past few years. I wish I never did that. I wish my parents were here to support me. I wish I could hug them and complain about everything. I wish,” she muttered to herself as a small tear escaped through her eyes.
She wiped her tears quickly and chuckled, looking up towards the sky.
“Funny, isn’t it? How quickly the situation can change. A star ready to shine brightly among the darkest cloud is now completely shattered, sitting here in a place where she had no one. Maybe this is what my life was meant to be,” she whispered and inhaled sharply, wiping her tears.
She quickly looked around her, making sure no one saw her talking to herself, or else they would get more topics to gossip about. Regret still clung to her like a shadow, cursing her from moving on. Her words again left unspoken, suffocating her heart. She didn’t want to stay here anymore, as the weight of her thoughts was way too heavy for her.
Quickly collecting her broken self, she hurried towards her building, desperate to escape this place. Just then, out of nowhere, a football came flying at her with the speed of a bullet train, slamming against the side of her head. A sharp shriek of pain escaped her lips, feeling her head spinning with the effect. Her legs trembled with the effect of making her ankle twist. Her trembling body met with the ground as she hit it with a soft thud, hissing in pain.
“Run guys”
She had barely collected herself when the sound of hurried footsteps filled the air. Her barely open eyes saw a blurry scene of children running past her, clearly caught in the mischief. Their giggles turned into nervous whispers as they disappeared somewhere in the bushes.
Somehow collecting herself, she tried to push herself, but the sharp pain in her ankle stopped her. Frustration built inside her, her mind fogged with just one thought. Could this be any morse?
But then a voice broke the silence.
“Are you okay?”
She looked up, her eyes meeting those dark black pair, filled with an unknown worry. His sharp jawline grumbled in guilt, while his soft lips were busily murmuring an apology. For a moment she was feeling drawn to him in his eyes. But as soon as his hand extended to touch her, her thought broke. She jerked his hand away and tried to sit back, resting her back on the legs of the bench beside her.
“I am sorry; it was my mistake. I kicked the ball way too harshly,” he said, trying to hold her leg.
But she was quick enough to throw it off, screaming in pain.
“Are you mad? Who kicks a ball like that? My head is bursting in pain, and cherry on top, my ankle is twisted. You are not a child as much as I can see. Grow up!” she yelled at him, holding her head, trying to erase her pain.
“I know, I am sorry. I just shifted into this building, and I love playing football or any game with children and in the heat of excitement. I mistakenly kicked it way too harshly.” He apologised and tried to hold her leg, trying to help her.
“You should be careful. Ahh, my leg, leave it. It’s hurting,” she shrieked, scolding him as he was continuously touching it.
“Let me help; I am a doctor. Let me check if there is any major injury or else it will be more painful for you in the future,” he said, examining her leg.
“It was just a twist, not just a hit. How can this be a major injury? Stupid doctor.” She murmured the last two words, feeling irked by the touch of some stranger. But the latter one was unaffected, calmly examining her leg like it was not a big deal for him to get scolded.
“I know it was just a twist, but sometimes a twist too can cause huge damage,” he calmly replied, and he bent her leg a little, making her yell in pain.
“Fucking leave me. It’s hurting my god,” she yelled and jerked her leg.
“Are you stupid? Who bends a leg like that?” She shirked in pain and held her leg.
“Now you can walk, and make sure you apply some soothing balm on it. Your leg will be fine by tomorrow,” he said and smiled, standing up.
“I am not able to even move it, and you are saying it will be fine by tomorrow. I surely want to see your degree now.” Sarcasm dripped with each word while he just smiled at her.
“Try it. I am sure you can even run by tomorrow,” he said, smiling at her and forwarding a hand towards her, helping her to stand up.
“I can’t,” she whispered helplessly.
“Try it. Trust me,” he said and slowly held both her hands.
At first, she was unsure, but as soon as his hand touched hers, something in her felt peace, a sense of strength. Slowly holding his hand, she stood up in her place, clearly feeling slight relief in her ankle.
A sense of relief washed over her as she left his hand and tried to stand on her own and succeeded. A sudden realisation hit her, making her bite her lips and look down.
“Thank you, doctor. And sorry,” she muttered, looking down.
“Welcome. But why sorry?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.
“For yelling at you,” she replied, feeling embarrassed.
“It’s okay, and to be honest, it was my mistake. I should be more careful,” he sighed and smiled at her.
“Should I help you till your apartment?” He asked, not sure if she would be comfortable.
“No, no, I will go by myself,” she hurriedly replied, not wanting to give anyone a topic to gossip about.
“Okay. Then I will take my leave. My mom might be waiting for me. Bye, miss.” He smiled and wished her before halting towards his building.
“Bye,” she murmured
She bit her lips, feeling embarrassed, and finally looked up at his retiring figure. But just then, he stopped and looked back at her. She got confused and looked at him, making him smile.
“And by the way, it’s Dr. Darsh.” He passed his warmest smile at her and turned back, hurting towards his building.
While Kriti froze at her place, baffled by his calm behaviour despite her rudeness. Her heart felt an unknown peace, but her mind was still not ready to accept it. Maybe to avoid her past mistakes.
