Page 71 - Musings 2022
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‘So, they haven’t ruled out that you might have paralysis, right?’ he seemed a little disturbed
               by the fact that he was comforting me with the idea that I might have paralysis.
               ‘Of course they wouldn’t put it in words. But I can see it in their eyes. They think I am a crazy
               liar.’
               They both now had some concern in their eyes for me, but it was definitely not because of my
               leg.
               ‘Vicky, please don’t be like this tomorrow.’ Seema sounded worried for the first time since
               yesterday.  ‘Prachi  is  coming  tomorrow,  and  I  don’t  want  her  to  see  you  like  this.  She’s
               cancelled all her appointments with her patients to come here. I don’t want her to be anxious
               for a long time about it.’
               I wanted to shout at her that I would worry Prachi over me, but better senses prevailed. I was
               frustrated to the end of my wits, but I don’t want to get my daughter to worry about this. No
               matter how bitter I felt, I have to be strong in front of her. I have known very well what having
               a bad father does to you, and no way I would ever want Prachi to go through a bit of that.
               I didn’t talk much after this and asked them to leave me alone. I spent the rest of the day in
               bed, thinking about how I would face Prachi tomorrow.
               Next morning when I woke up, I was able to walk again. My right leg felt fine, as if nothing
               happened. Seema and Kunal were there, and I couldn’t bring myself to look into their eyes.
               ‘When I heard about it,’ Kunal blared loud enough for me to hear. ‘I was sure Vicky would
               seriously be messed up. Is his leg paralysed? Any other injuries?’
               ‘None at all.’ Seema followed the suit with an even more obnoxious tone. ‘Doctors said it was
               a miracle that he got away with only so much in that accident.’
               ‘Miracle, my ass,’ I murmured. I was still irritated, but for different reasons.
                                                           ***
               After getting discharged, I insisted on taking a pair of crutches. Seema was against it initially,
               but doctors convinced her.
               The first week was peaceful, but then it began. And it has been happening since then.
               Every night, I have this horrible dream. Dream in which a monster is lurking around my house,
               a monster that is after me. He is stalking me, hoping for a chance to pounce on me at any
               moment. It is scary when you are in the dream, but after waking up, you don’t remember half
               of it.
               And that’s the worst part about it – waking up all scared and shrivelled up, but without knowing
               why.
               I am standing outside my house this time instead of my bedroom. And the monster in front of
               me. On all previous turns, I only heard his voice or saw a shadow, but it is there in front of me
               now – just a torso with blackened skin in patches. A trail of blood is visible from the end of the
               street to his cut off waist. Its face is also like that of a man except for scales on his face and
               four eyes. A lot of threads were tied on its two bulging arms.
               ‘Who are you?’ I put a brave front. I am scared, but I really don’t want the monster to know it.
               The monster does not say anything. He is just pulling at the ground to drag his body towards
               me.
               ‘S-stop it.’ I yell, but he is not yielding. In fact, he is now growling at me like a wild beast.
               I try to run away from it, but my body won’t move. I am under a spell!
               Left with no choice, I face him. My whole body is shivering.



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