16 Tormented past

While returning to school, I was more at ease because of the bond of trust we formed between us. On the way, I saw a lake which was just as big as a swimming pool. Of course, the river wasn't as fancy as those of the swimming pool I had seen, but it was beautiful. Beautiful because of the rural touch the lake had.

I had the sudden itch to go and take a closer look at the lake, to spend a moment there. I looked at Neil through the mirror, and our eyes met. And he stopped the motorcycle even before I could ask him.

Bloody mind reader he was!

"No, I'm not." I heard Neil say. "I am not a mind reader, it is just you happen to have expressive eyes." He stated.

Really? I just shook my head as both of us climbed down the motorcycle and took off our helmets. And this time I knew how to take off the helmet. Yay, the awesome me!

There were lots of grasses around the lake, and the stairs of the lake were made out of the soil. We stood there silently for a while, looking at the beautiful creation of the universe. Then Neil spoke,

"That granny from the village...She reminded me of my grandma," There was a hint of melancholy in his voice which made me turn my head toward him.

And...and did I see a drop of tear dropping down from his eyes? It shocked me beyond my expectation. I had never seen him looking this vulnerable.

"Neil?" I cautiously called his name. "Would you like to tell me what is causing you this much pain?" Upon hearing my voice, he suddenly turned his face away. It was his attempt to hide his emotions from me. He don't wanted me to see him at his lowest, I got it. But we were friends, I had to do something for him!

"I won't say I know what you are going through," I said. "I just want you to know that you can always count on me for moral support. Just like I count on you..." He didn't react for a while. And just when I was searching for some other ways to make him feel good, he finally looked at me. And he started the story as both of us sat down on the grass.

"My grandma...She was the sweetest lady I knew. But she is no more." He said. I understood him. After all, I knew the pain of losing someone. I often heard people saying that the void of losing someone would be filled by time. But I knew it was just a story made up by people. Some wounds were never meant to heal.

After a minute of silence, Neil spoke again, "I was 11 when a disaster happened in my family. At that time we didn't have that much money and my father was trying to start a business. He expected some financial help from my grandpa for starting the business. Though my grandpa was a music coach at a prestigious university, it didn't pay him well. Hence, he couldn't provide the help my father needed."

Neil took a deep breath before continuing, "Next week I am going to a music concert, if things went well, I might be able to help you.–it was the exact words of my grandpa." Neil then looked at me and asked, "Do you know what my father said in response?" I shook my head. "He said –You always say the same thing, papa! When are you going to understand that your music is of no use?! Your music can give you fame but not money! And to lead a happy life, we need the bloody money! Who cares if your picture is published in a newspaper or not!?!"

Neil took another pause before continuing, "My grandma was a heart patient, she was finding it hard to see the verbal fight going between her son and husband. But no one paid attention to grandma. They both just kept arguing. They...they ended up holding each other's collars like mortal enemies. Grandma's fragile heart couldn't take it more, and she died on the spot because of a heart-attack. Since then grandpa broke all the ties with my father and bid his goodbye to the music world as well. Because deep down grandpa blames himself for the death of my grandma, he left music to punish himself."

That was ...sad. Who would have thought Neil, one of the kindest people on earth would be hiding so much within him? I couldn't help but look at his tormented face. It must have been very hard for him to remember those painful days.

"I am sorry," I said and he nodded not knowing what I was apologizing for. Then I inched closer to him and carefully circled my arms around him, taking him in an embrace. "I am sorry you had to go through this..." Neil was hesitant for a while, but a few seconds later, he returned my gesture by placing his arms over my back.

Then he stood up from the grass and dusted off his clothes. "C'mon, let's go," he said as he offered me his hand to get up which I grabbed without any hesitation.

.....

Damn! When I reached the school, I was already running late by two hours! Uncle will rost me alive! 'May the stars be merciful!'–I kept chanting in my head as I threw my bag over my shoulder and ran for my bicycle.

Neil and the gang were also there in the parking, fussing around with their respective bikes. For a split second, my eyes met with Neil's, but I didn't say anything and neither did he. I was getting super late which had me scared to the guts. Hence I climbed on my bicycle and started to paddle. The only relief was that Neil wasn't looking sad anymore. The gang had managed to cheer him up.

When I reached home, everything was awfully quiet. Was it the calm before the storm...?Or something entirely different? I slowly made my way to the hell...ahem, to the home I meant.