Friday, September 14, 2018

The Nun is the final nail in the coffin for the Conjuring series


A derelict abbey in the middle of the woods. Ghostly nuns pouring in from all quarters. A graveyard. In theory, Corin Hardy’s The Nun had the perfect ingredients to make a terrifying horror film that could have sent shivers down the audience’s spine.
But sadly that didn’t happen. Instead, the confused storylines, loose ends and religious mumbo-jumbo made the film a flat bore. And that’s a shame, considering it is the fifth installment in the Conjuring franchise, which had given some good scares before.
While it had potential to give us sleepless nights, (let’s be honest, the trailer terrified us), we got a rather confused and dreary film that made us raise an eyebrow occasionally, forget about any spine-chilling moments. It’s like ordering a biryani and ending up with rice and curd, with a sprinkle of pickle.
THE NUN
We saw our Nun Valak running around haunting demonologist Lorraine in The Conjuring 2. Encouraged by the audience’s response, director Corin Hardy decided to give the demonic entity a proper story.
The Nun revolves around a priest who along with a young nun, have been summoned to a desolate abbey in Romania,  after a nun is found hanging at the abbey. It is meant to be an investigation, but hell is soon unleashed.
Despite their flaws, the Conjuring franchise still managed to keep the audience’s interest. It could also probably because of choice of actors like Vera Farmiga and  Owen Wilson. Yet, though Vera’s sister Taissa, who plays Sister Irene in The Nun, bears a striking resemblance to Vera, couldn’t offer much to her role as the terrified nun. The dialogues are also very staid, and the ending leaves you rather baffled. There was hardly any mystery that needed to be solved as well.
Ironically, more than the horror elements, it’s the comic timing by Jonas Bloquet that almost saves the day. Almost.
The Nun follows the horror film textbook closely and every possible cliché, that you can think of, to the extent that even the jump scares become predictable. It’s now quite annoying to watch characters chase after ghostly people in graveyards, or continue staying in a haunted abbey, after being buried alive.  There are some outright bizarre things such as a boy spitting out snakes as well, and you can’t help but say “What? Why?”
There’s a confused blend of history and religion as well, and some elements are shoehorned into the story conveniently.  You can’t even help laughing at points.
THE CONJURING FRANCHISE
The first Conjuring film introduced us to Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Owen Wilson and Vera Farmiga. These characters were inspired by the real-life demonologists, who had experienced supernatural horrors in their life- or so they say.  We were told the story of a happy family, living in a seemingly welcoming house in Rhode Island. Of course, it’s a horror film, and a house has to be haunted.
The first half of the film provided some good shivers, like the demon sitting on the wardrobe and flying down to attack the daughter, or the random sounds in the house that could make the sparse hairs on your neck stand up. The second half was a little stretched and dragged, especially after the demon’s mystery was unraveled.
However, all said and done, the Conjuring was a decent film from the supernatural genre. It made good use of done-to-death horror elements like a haunted house, creepy cellars,  and scary dolls. There was no excessive gore, and annoying camera shaking, Moreover, the performances of Vera Farmiga and Owen Wilson carried the film through.
Emboldened by the success of Conjuring, the makers churned out prequels Annabelle, Annabelle: The Creation and Conjuring 2. And so the Conjuring Universe was established.
Nun Valak makes her appearance in Conjuring 2 (2016), and this time on English soil. The demonic entity popped in every corner of the house and haunted Lorraine. However, despite some horrifying moments, Conjuring 2 could not conjure the same interest and fear that Conjuring had. It was getting a little weary to see haunted houses. Apart from this, the film stretches on painfully, and it’s an entire hour-and-a-half before something concrete happens.
Annabelle revolved around the hideous and terrifying doll of the same name, (enough to scare children from ever buying dolls), who incites a wave of violence in the house she has been brought into.  The film had a few good frightening moments, yet for those who have seen the film Rosemary’s Baby, or rather any film that producer James Wan (who is responsible for the Conjuring franchise) has had a say in, will know how the story will pan out in the first 30 minutes itself.   
Annabelle: The Creation (2017)  redeemed its prequel. The doll was awakened by pesky children, and it ran around on a murderous rampage.  The film is actually better than Conjuring 2 as well, as it relied more on atmosphere and frightening symbolism. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but its gothic approach revived some interest in the Conjuring universe, which Annabelle had singlehandedly killed.
A HORROR FILM NEEDS MORE THAN JUMP SCARES
It’s 2018, and directors tend to forget that jump scares alone don’t make a horror film. There has to be a cohesive story, as well. Horror can be conveyed in expressions, inanimate objects, soft haunting music, atmosphere and symbolism as well, not just a pair of random hands coming out of nowhere, to strangle you.
 Let’s recall some other films from the genre that actually did give us sleepless nights.  Steamrolling over the tepid Paranormal Activity franchise, there aren’t too many horror films from recent years as filmmakers would often get carried away with terrifying the audience rather than concentrating on a cogent storyline.  In the end, horror becomes comical. In this respect, there are films like the gruesome Evil Dead, Cabin In The Woods, where the story was buried under ugly and bloody demons.
The film Sinister (2012) told the ghoulish tale of the demon Boghuul who possessed children to kill their parents. The gory deeds would be filmed on camera, and renamed as family home videos.  Terrible as it sounds, the unraveling of the mystery for horror film lovers was of far more interest, rather than the jump scares, which just enhanced the effect.
The Insidious series received mixed reviews from critics. Yet, while the story had much promise, the film used age-old horror tropes. There was a ghost child running around and a random monstrous red demon would appear out of nowhere sharpening his claws. The interesting part of the story, which was the astral plane called “The Further”,  which dragged on painfully at points. The film wasn’t entirely a loss, it had its moments where you did feel intrigued. The same can’t be said about Insidious 2.
It (2017) is another example of an interesting film from the genre. While it might have had its flaws, it was also a dark psychological thriller at its core, where a clown preyed on the fears of children. And it’s the children, who set out to take down the clown Pennywise.  
Of course, we could travel back to the days of The Shining, The Exorcist, Cujo, The Exorcism of Emily Rose- days when horror films relied on a substantial story, rather than just frightening settings and a background score. Indeed, the horror films of yore.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Now or Never II

NOW OR NEVER PART II


I am pacing up and down a deserted corridor. I have walked away from the dull- lit waiting room, because I feel claustrophobic now. I feel suffocated by the numerous anxious faces and teary eyes. I’m tired of hearing the same question, “What’s happening now?”

Exactly, what’s happening now?
The doctors rush past, possibly trying to avoid us. They’re exhausted from giving the same staid replies,
She’s under observation right now. I’m sorry we’re not allowing anyone to see her right now.”

I want to ask you, how did you let this happen? Why did you let this happen? Have I not warned you enough about dangerous Delhi roads?
How could you be so careless?
Even if we’ve exchanged few words over three years, how could you forget all those times I told you?
Why, Swara? Why do you always leave me worried like this?

I want to fight with the doctors, and push past them. I want to rush into this hidden room and see you. I want to see you, Swara. I want to look into those steadfast eyes- those big beautiful eyes, which have come to me so many times in my dreams-and I’ve never understood why.
I want to see you awake, and that expression in your eyes- which you just had for me. Something only both of us understood.

I see Aisha, pacing up and down too. Her usually neat hair lies untidy and loose around her. She hasn’t slept for two days straight, and her eyes look ill and tired. Her scarf, which was always kept carefully around her neck, is now twisted around her hand. She doesn’t speak much to me-perhaps just some short and curt words and I suppose I know the reason why. I try again anyway.
“Have you eaten something, Aisha?” I ask hesitantly.
She gives me an irritated glance and shakes her head.

Despite the morbid and waiting gloom, I feel an inward happiness.
You have a good friend, Swara. Better than me, probably. Though I know you’ll defiantly deny that. You’ll smile and say, “Don’t say that Rehaan.”

I don’t know where time went, Swara. I don’t know how it’s been three years and all we’ve exchanged is New Year greetings, birthday greetings and other small bits of irrelevant information. I don’t know why there were times that I didn’t respond to your message asking me what’s happening in my life.
Was it your reaction to my news about Aditi which kept me away from you for good?
I’ve never cried like that.
Not even when my parents divorced.
What was it about you that produced such emotion in me? It was Aditi I was dating, then why did you and I have a silent moment on the phone that day?
I’m so happy for you.”
I can hear those clear words ringing in my head even now.
I remember being relieved that I was a hundred miles away from you at that time. I wouldn’t have been able to handle it, had you been in front of me.
Just the thought of your eyes and your smile would have been enough.
What was it about us, Swara? You would speak volumes without speaking. But I wouldn’t understand, because I was dying to hear it from you. You, who used to answer everything in crisp and concise sentences?
Will I ever be able to hear that voice again?

I remember the first time I saw you. It was orientation day-our first day in college. We had exchanged polite smiles, and sat in different rows in that stuffy auditorium. You were wearing that black t-shirt and jeans, with your tiny bag slung across your shoulder. I smile now as I think of that tiny bag. You only carried a notebook and pen in it. Your hair was tied back, and you were wearing those long earrings.
Do you still have that earring collection, you kept boasting proudly of?
I have thirty-three of them, Rehaan.”
I would pretend to scoff and shut my ears.

By the time, the dreaded orientation ended, we were sweating profusely. The electricity as always didn’t work. We were told to leave the auditorium and find our department heads.
I remember both of us trying to squeeze past the crowds and get out. We laughed in exasperation.
“Which course?” I asked you.
“History.” You answered, almost getting knocked down by a stampede of screaming girls.
I held your hand, to stop you from falling.
At that time, we could hear raindrops, and thunder and lightening. We both groaned at the same time, and then we laughed.
Do you remember how there was a flash of understanding in our glances? I do.
We were in the same course, and you said with your trademark shyness, “Oh good, we’ll be in the same class.”
We walked outside, to see the rain. It was just drizzling now.
I turned to you and said, “They’re holding the department orientation in this rain. I’m not going. It won’t be of much use anyway.”
You seemed taken aback at this declaration. Years after, I would remember how sometimes you would just roll at your eyes at my declarations-or at times smile and nod, and go along with them.
“I detest rain too. We could sit on the steps for now.” You said quietly.
We sat on those dirty steps, and then when the dreaded drizzle stopped, we went for a walk around campus.

We wouldn’t go anywhere specific, all that mattered was that we were together.

I’m brought back to the present reality, with Aisha’s sharp call,
“Rehaan.”
“Yeah?”
“Her parents have been allowed to see her.”
“That’s good.” I say rather mechanically.
I prefer to dwell in those forgotten days.
Aisha says, “Don’t walk around so much. Stay near the waiting room. Can’t keep running around looking for you.”

It was ironically Aisha, who had called me.
I don’t know how she got my number.

I remember answering the phone, and hearing a rather weak voice saying,
“Hi, Rehaan…I’m Aisha…Swara’s friend.” She seemed to choke a little.
My fingers were already cold.
“Yes, tell me Aisha.”
She did. She told me you had gone to visit college. You had walked a little fast across the street-near those dreaded red lights…and a car had rushed past.
I had felt numb and my head suddenly was spinning. For some reason, I wildly remembered the last time I had spoken to you properly- not through short text messages-or Facebook comments- but a proper conversation on the phone.
It had been about my new job, two years ago.  
Two years.
The conversation ran itself in my head for some reason so many times that day. It played in my head while I bought flight tickets with fumbling fingers, while I threw everything possible into my bag, along with your postcards-while I sat dazed through a two hour flight- while I walked into the hospital and saw a sea of pale and teary faces around me- but just not you.
That was still the time when you were the first to know things about my life.
The conversation had taken forty-five minutes. It had a touch of our old camaraderie, and a new sense of maturity in it. I still teased you, but it was different. You told me how proud you were, and how you knew that it would always happen.
The same thing you used to say during any debating competition.
And I asked you…the same thing I would ask after every debate,
How do you always have faith?”
“I just have a good feeling when it comes to you.”
Why do you, Swara? Why did you never get angry and ask me to call you? Why did you still insist on being friends with me, even though I was a coward?
Yes. I was a coward. After Aditi came into my life- or rather after I told you about Aditi-and the way we had cried on the phone…I had felt an urge to stay away from you.
You scared me sometimes.
The way you felt for me, frightened me.
You felt my joy- like it was your own-you felt my sorrow, like it was yours.
I have disappointed you, Swara.

You remember our last meeting.
There are nights I’ve been awake thinking how those five minutes could’ve gone differently.
You were wearing that light white kurta. You had insisted on wearing it- even though it was slightly crumpled. Your mother wasn’t happy with that decision, but as always you went ahead with it anyway. You were wearing that faded necklace which was now turning black in the Delhi heat. It was leaving a few marks around your neck, but you had refused to change it. Your hair was left loose, with a few strands flying across your forehead. You always preferred it like that.
I had a mad urge to miss that train. I wouldn’t have cared. I would have not gone to Bangalore to be with my mother if…I could have just stayed back in Delhi.
I would not have gone to Bangalore and seen further domestic chaos.
I would’ve been in Delhi…just had you said something.
You had chances, Swara. So many. The day at the lake, the day we talked about it at night and I told you,
If we were together, I would lose you.”
I wanted you to fight me on that- tell me I was wrong. I wanted you to shake me out of my fear of falling in loving with you so deeply- and telling me it would be okay.
Yes Swara, I wish you had seen through my false bravado and confidence like you always did. I feel better blaming you because that’s the only way I can justify myself.
And now you’re lying unconscious in this miserable dingy hospital and no one knows how you are.
I am not allowed to see you, yet.

Bangalore was a cold drudgery misery. The city was alive and warm, but my family was in pieces.
I had moved with my mother away from my father, and I honestly don’t know whether that was the right decision. Not that I wanted to stay with my father by any means-I just didn’t know what to do at that time. I had seen enough during college years. I had seen their cold and uncomfortable silences, and witnessed their raging fights. If there was one thing, which united them- their pale love for me and their complete disappointment in the professional path I had chosen.
You remember how dismissive my father was. He never bothered about my talents in college-well by that measure neither did my mother. She was convinced it was a waste of time. When my academics suffered in that terrible third year, they blamed it on these distractions…and you. They made judgmental remarks about you, and I lost my temper once.
In the course of the argument I threw down a plate. Of course, that action spurred them on. They were convinced that I was becoming unstable because of you.
“She’s the only good thing in my life. It’s you, both of you.” I had yelled.

I fought with them so many times. I blamed it on them- something I shouldn’t have done in retrospect. You were right later when you told me that I couldn’t keep blaming others for everything.


You only saw my family once, and I took care that you would never see them again. You remember walking into that brightly lit dining room. The first thing you noticed and told me later was how well polished the tables were. They shone, you said. There were a series of ornaments on the prim and proper bookshelves. You admired them for a long time, with a small smile. You liked the stone china cats for some reason, you strange girl. I never liked them as I always thought they looked mocking and evil. You would argue with me several times about this and try to convince me later to give them to you. I actually would have, but that would have led to another domestic wrangle.
You looked particularly windswept that day- as if you had survived a tornado. You later explained to me that it was because you were running after an auto rickshaw. My father was of course contemptuous of your appearance and later told me you were “dowdy”. I didn’t speak to him for two days.
I came in, and gave you a drink of water. We were meant to leave for a play. My parents came in and of course delayed us. My father didn’t fail to disappoint though. He left after ten minutes abruptly, indicating dismissal. He had issued short and curt questions to you asking why you were studying history and whether there was anything to be gained from it. He asked if you participated in debating like I did. You confessed you had no interest. I can’t forget that smile curling around his mouth. That was my father. He would hate my debating, but pretend to be condemning of those who didn’t. You were noticeably stunned, but you kept your cool. I had tried to give him glances to stop. You got nervous and started stammering. I was exasperated with you now, as well. Why did you have to let everyone shake you up like this Swara?
My mother tried to make conversation but you had lost all confidence by now. You gave a few nods, and I understood it was time to leave. I’m sorry Swara, I told you to come home. Before leaving my mother said conversationally, “Your kurta is faded. You shouldn’t walk around like that, especially when you’re going out for a play. Looking a bit pale next to Rehaan.” She laughed at the end.
You were quiet while we were in the metro. I suppose there was not much you could have said, as people were all pressing in against us. A fat balding man fell on you, when the metro gave a little jerk. There was no reason, he could have held on to the railing like everyone else. I lost my cool and came in between the two of you. You knew I was going to get into a fight that day. You held my hand and whispered softly,
“Rehaan.”
And you gently leaned on my shoulder. The fire in me died instantly, and I leaned back, my head touching yours.
I forgave you for getting rattled by my parents.
I forgave myself as well.



When the divorce finally took place, I made an impulsive decision to go with my mother. It’s not as if my father cared anyway. The only thing he said to me when I saw him last was that he wouldn’t send me money anymore.
I could’ve cared less. But my mother cared, and was worried.
We stayed in a small dingy flat, and sometimes we had problems with the electricity bills too. It was difficult getting a job in the beginning as well. My mother’s salary for a meagre job was not enough.
Your messages were a breath of fresh air at that time. Your calls were the only light in dark flat. I did not tell you what was happening-because I knew you would worry for me. Your voice would maintain its steady note but I would sense that anxiety.
I didn’t want that. I wanted those carefree conversations. I don’t know if it was right or wrong, but I needed that. I loved being able to laugh with you.
I know you’ll be upset with me that I didn’t tell you this. But I didn’t want you to become my counsellor and crutch, which is what you were becoming for everyone else. I was scared that you would just become so involved with helping me that you would forget yourself.
I didn’t want to be that person who would just cry to you about their problems…. because I felt if I started, I would not stop. I had done enough during college.
After months of toil and chaos, I found a job- by a pure stroke of luck.
I began to work for an upcoming magazine, and they made me editor.
And that’s when I met Aditi.

I don’t know why I delayed telling you about Aditi.
She breezed into my life during a cold and rainy February. I hadn’t even noticed that we had a new intern in the office. I had been so preoccupied with getting my mother medical attention that I had become oblivious to my surroundings. My father had spared money for my mother finally- but his business was suffering as well. No doctor had been able to tell us what the problem was, or why she was in so much pain.
Aditi and I were told to divide the articles to edit. We stayed in late that night, sifting through millions of articles and laughing at some of them.
It was only then I realized how lonely I was.
She reminded me of you at points. She had strange quirks, which I would taunt her for. She was also a steady listener just like you.
She was perfect in most ways- she was fun, bright and had a witty retort up her sleeve all the time.
It was easy to talk to her. I wasn’t constricted by emotion at times or overwhelming urges to confess something crazy which I hadn’t shared with anyone.
The only word I could think of- I was fine.
We spent time every day together, just like you and I used to. Except we didn’t have those comfortable silences, or those X-raying glances we used to exchange.
And it’s possibly why I asked her out two months later.
And three months later, I told you.
And that’s why I call myself a coward.

That relationship was a quiet and pleasant one. We were just comfortable. We never spoke of the future; we decided to go with the flow.
In essence, we grew complacent.
It was convenient.
But how long can a relationship like that be sustained?
It was as if we had entered marital ennui without even being married.
It was a routine- we worked together, and then we would go and get dinner. We would talk, and laugh. Sometimes the silence was uncomfortable, sometimes it wasn’t. We would try out new restaurants…in the vain hope we would have something new to talk about. I sometimes stayed at her place, she sometimes stayed at mine.
She knew all about my life, and my complicated family situation. She had come and seen my mother on several occasions, sometimes even when I wasn’t there. She somehow got along better with my mother than even I ever had.
My mother heartily approved of her, and would embarrassingly refer her to as my future wife. Aditi had raised an eyebrow, and then she laughed to cover up her reaction. She never mentioned it to me, though.
“She at least is lively and is talkative, unlike that girl you used to bring home.” Mom had once said in front of her.
Aditi later asked whom she was referring to. She of course knew about you, but probably never heard you being talked about in such terms.
“Swara.”
I rarely uttered your name anymore. Once when I had said it, Aditi had remarked, “Your face changes when you say her name.”
I had laughed it off.
Even though we had good memories for the most part- it was if they had all become tarnished with pain, and I couldn’t fathom why.

I’m brought back to the present abruptly as Aisha silently hands me coffee.
“Thanks.” I say, trying to be friendly.
She walks away.
I call out, sharpness of strain showing in my voice,
“Aisha. I thought we got along well.”
She turns around. Her face looks whiter and more haggard than ever. Yet it doesn’t hide her anger.
“This is not the time, Rehaan.”
“Then why were you the one to call me?”
“Why did you come down to Delhi?”
“You thought I wouldn’t.”
“I was sure.
Her cold replies provoke me, and my anger blends with grief. But I find myself saying,
“Say what you want to say, Aisha.” Don’t spare me, I say in my head.
“Where have you been, Rehaan?” Her voice breaks.
Where had I been? Somewhere between surviving with my mother in Bangalore, desperately trying to pay electricity bills, looking madly for jobs, and then getting myself involved in a job and a beautiful dead-end relationship, ignoring recurrent thoughts about you…where had I been?
“It’s been rough.” I finished lamely.
She throws me a look of disgust and says more to herself, “That’s what you all say.”
It bursts out of me then.
“What’s been happening with her, Aisha?”
I don’t know what makes me say it.
“Why didn’t you ever call her back? What good were those two line text messages, Rehaan? If things were ‘rough’ as you say, she would’ve been there for you. The truth is, you just forgot about her ever since Aditi came into your life.”
Her accusations are like poisoned arrows. I almost feel weak. I hold on to the staircase railing and say unsteadily,
“I’m not with Aditi.”
She dismisses this and continues.
“ You don’t even know what’s been happening with her. She tried telling you to call her so many times. But you didn’t.”
I stay quiet.
Tears break free at last.

We sit down on the white dirty benches outside, and she tells me your story, Swara.

A few months ago, Jay had gotten in touch with you.
Jay, that menace from college who had hurled hurtful comments at you from time to time. He needed help with his application for a Masters degree.
You acquiesced. You helped him even though you were never friends. He had upset you in every conversation.
Then why did you help him?
Of course, he was sweet and loving to you within days. He did the perfect things, the perfect man would do-called you every day, whispered sweet nothings,
You fell for it. You believed he had fallen for you. He expressed his love for you soon.
And you…accepted.
Had loneliness taken such a strong hold over you, Swara?

I remember our conversations in college about dramatic love stories, and painful breakups. I remember this particular day, we were sitting in the café on a rainy day, and discussing someone’s failed love life. You as always were feeling sorry for her- a person you barely knew. Apparently in this story, the boy had broken up with the girl for no apparent reason. There was no fight, there was no other girl in the picture. Just because he wanted a change. You were angry.
“How can people just break things off for no reason?” You said with a sigh.
I honestly wasn’t bothered because I didn’t even know these people.
“There are far worse breakups, Swara. This is nothing.” I remember saying airily.
That statement shocked you.
“I don’t know what a “far worse” breakup is. A breakup is a breakup, Rehaan. You can’t decide the amount of pain a person feels.”
I felt rather ashamed, but quickly hid it.
“Oh stop it, Swara.”
We changed the topic, but I could see you were upset.

This conversation came screaming back to me.
Jay had broken up with you, without reason. A cool dismissal.
A quiet end to what promised to be a relationship.
He had just said that you weren’t the girl for him, and he needed to explore more. There was no discord. It had just been an announcement. He had avoided your calls for a week, and then come home one day to tell you.
How simple.
No drama.
You tried asking. In your peaceful way you wanted him to come back. But he said, “Don’t push it. I’m sure you’ll find someone else.”
He left and closed the door behind him.
After all those fervent confessions.


I see what you meant, Swara. I can’t decide and measure the amount of pain a person feels.
And right now I can’t even imagine what you must have felt.
I close my eyes and I see your stricken face so clearly.  

I despise Jay. The burning anger makes my head sway for a bit.
But I know I despise myself more.

Aisha leaves.
But before leaving she says, “I expected you to be there.”
Clear and sharp, those words strike me like arrows.
I don’t know for how long I’ve been sitting on this rusty bench. I wipe my eyes, and finally get up.

It’s been three bleak days.
You’ve still shown no sign of consciousness.

Everyone else has seen you. They’ve sat by your side, given you cards and flowers. Someone has given you roses too.
I can’t help smiling. You detest roses.
“They’re so artificial.” You had once said.

I haven’t seen you yet, I don’t know why. I have paced up and down outside your room. I have put my hand on the door handle, and then turned away.
I’m afraid to see you-like that Swara.
The idea of you lying unconscious and unaware of your surroundings sears me.

And then I see Jay, in the waiting room.

Another conversation comes back to me.

We were sitting in the back lawns and eating that plate of maggi. You loved maggi, and I was eating it because…there was nothing else to eat that day.
We had had a good day. It had been the teacher’s day celebrations, and the performances had been god-awful. We had laughed ourselves sore, and had gotten yelled at by professors, which made us laugh even more.
This was the first time you had been yelled at by a professor- but ironically that didn’t register with you.

How do you like this lumpy stuff?” I said in disgust. You were used to my grumbling.
“How can you not?” You were perplexed.
“It’s s such a lump. I’m going to kill that man for taking thirty rupees from us, for this misery.”
“Wow Rehaan. Physical violence?” You laughed.
I laughed as well. Then you were curious, and decided to ask.
“When was the last time you hit someone?” You wanted to know.
I thought.
“I don’t know…I don’t like hitting. It does nothing for me. I like fighting it out with-”
“Abuses.” You finished the sentence for me.
I smiled sheepishly. “Yes, pretty much.”
“But you’ve never punched anyone or gotten into physical fights? I thought you might have.”
“Swara, just because I have a hot temper…occasional hot temper, doesn’t mean I go and beat up everyone because I feel like it.”
“So when will you feel like it?” You were really interested in this conversation. You’re such a weirdo.
“Oh god, I don’t know. Why, do you want me to punch someone?”
“No-o-o-o! I’m just curious about this whole non-physical-violent side of Rehaan.”
“When I do hit someone, it will be when I have a perfect reason.” I said.
We laughed.

This conversation plays a million times in my head as I walk up to Jay, drag him by the collar and push him out of the hospital, amidst a crowd of stunned people and a few exclamations. The fool tries resisting and utters some confused words but I don’t hear them.
With a composure, which I have learned from you, I tell him never to show his face again.

It’s the fourth day, and I still haven’t seen you.
The hospital has become embarrassingly familiar now. It’s as if the uncomfortable couch in the waiting room has become my new home.
Sleep is a faraway dream now.

Aisha comes and sits next to me. Her dislike and resentment has melted slightly.
She hasn’t slept either, by the looks of it.
She isn’t wearing those colourful bangles, you used to talk about. The colourful Aisha you had described to me has become a pale and quiet girl- just waiting for you to wake up.
We sit next to each other for hours. In that time, we talk about the good memories.
Sometimes we laugh.
She mentions your love for postcards. I nod silently
I fumble through my hastily packed backpack and pull out a sheaf of postcards.
We look through them together. I tell her how you always sent for my birthday, and for Christmas.
Not to mention that you used to give them to me in person in college.
“She’s such a strange girl. Only she would do that.” Aisha said smiling through her tears.
“Mad, absolutely mad.”
Aisha finally asks why I haven’t seen you yet.
“I…not when…she’s like this.” I manage to say.
“The doctors expect her to gain consciousness soon.”
I nod. I swallow hard.
“It would mean everything to her if you were the first person she sees when she recovers.”
I give a little helpless laughter.
“You’re definitely Swara’s best friend. Bollywood runs in your blood.”
She gives a tired laugh too. “Sorry, got carried away. But…you understood what I meant.”
I do. Despite the gloom, a strange happiness breaks over me like a wave.

It’s the fifth morning. I’m re-reading your postcards again.
I’m reading the one you gave me before my first debate.
The first postcard you had ever given me.

Five years ago. I touch your handwriting gently- and notice the slants.

Rehaan!
You’re probably wondering WHY on earth I am giving you a postcard for a debate.
Truth is, I don’t know. Somehow I feel like giving you postcards. I have a bad feeling this might become a habit.
So if you wish to end our friendship now, you may. Hahaha.
But I wanted to say, all the very, very best for your debate. You’ll be amazing. Go thrash your opponents.
Love, always,
Swara.

I remember laughing in exasperation when you handed me this. But I never told you what it meant to me.
Yet I loved each and every one of your postcards…but never told you I did. You must have thought I treated it as a habit.
There are so many things I haven’t told you, Swara.

Love, always.
I re-read the postcard again. Emotions swarm over me and I walk towards your door finally.
I push open the door.

I see you, at last. But I’m afraid of nothing now.
I know you’re going to wake up soon, and you’re going to be fine.
With my postcard clutched in my hand, I bend down at the bed. Conversations explode in my head, and I can’t tell one from another.
You’re a Bollywood fan, aren’t you? If this was a film I would sit and express myself clearly, in the most beautiful and soulful way possible.
But this is real life, and all those words are stuck.
Instead, I read out the postcard to you.
I’m as strange as you.

I hold your hand tightly, just as I used to. I don’t know how many hours have passed. But I can finally sleep.
The postcard is still clutched tightly in my other hand.

There are so many things I haven’t told you. I have taunted and teased you so often- but never said the real things.
I don’t know what I was scared of. Or maybe I do.
I’ve never told you I loved your postcards and looked forward to them every time. I’ve never told you that I liked it when you wore those peacock blue earrings. Or that you looked beautiful on farewell- and I ruined your mood, as usual. I’ve never told you that I’ve tried writing postcards, but I never could go through with it.
Beneath that confidence and bravado…you were right, I was more scared than you were.
But I’m not now.
The idea of losing you forever has erased all that.


Time has lost all essence now. I know I’ve been sleeping and waking, and looking at you hopefully. Nurses and doctors have come in, and gone.

I read out the postcard you sent on my last birthday. I knew you were angry because I hadn’t acknowledged it.
I close my eyes. I’m more despicable than Jay.


Why aren’t you waking up? I want to scream in frustration. I touch your hair gently. Please, Swara. Please.
 


After what seems like an eternity…
You open your eyes.
Slowly.
You close them again. I jump up and say your name. Your eyelids flutter.
You look bewildered. The bewilderment melts into a faintly happy expression.
And your eyes water. You try making a movement. I shake my head slightly, afraid that you’ll get hurt.


I open and close my mouth. It seems surreal, it’s a dream, I’m sure of it.
I show you the postcard with trembling hands.
 A few minutes pass. You give a rather confused smile.
That smile tells me all I need to know. Your hand tightens on mine. Your very small and slight fingers.
The words almost burst out of me. But I realize at last- there’s no hurry. Moreover, there’s no need. Everything has now- been said.
There’ll be years. A lifetime of them. 
There’s just certainty.
For now I just smile back. I kiss your forehead and say,
“You really to need to learn how to cross roads.”
We laugh through those tears.