|Eva|
The light seemed to be sucked up by the growing darkness of clouds clouding up in the sky. The departmental building was built in a rectangular shape, leaving the middle area open. So, one could easily see what was happening outside and inside as well. It was easy for the HOD to monitor the activities of students as well as lecturers. I quickened my steps while mentally berating myself for forgetting to bring an umbrella with me. There was no guarantee of Zarling's weather.
Stupid me.
'Stop blaming me. You need someone to blame? You have that Devon to blame.'
Yeah, he specifically reminded you to weep in his memories.
'Shut up.'
Who else is going to listen to you?
Lost in the banter, I would have walked ahead of my destination, but thankfully, my mind was still functioning. Lowering my head, I opened my bag hanging on my right shoulder to pull out some papers and entered the microwave lab.
"Ahhhhh..." A scream tore through my throat as I felt my foot lose its connection with the ground, my body falling. I tried to hold onto something, but found nothing before my one side collided with the door. Before I could realize what was happening, I was sprawled on the ground. My mind went blank, and my senses too.
"Oh god."
"Shit."
"Didn't I tell you to be careful?"
"Who was keeping an eye?"
"Dude, you are gone."
Continuous whispering voices fell on my ear as I sat on the ground. There was someone beside me, but too stunned by the fall, I failed to react. Slowly, I opened my eyes as everything rushed back. In front of me contents of my bag lay scattered, everyone.
Guilty students stood with their heads bowed down. Some of them might be enjoying seeing someone embarrassed internally.
"Ma'am? Are you alright?"
"What's going on here?"
I looked up when two voices spoke at the same time. The latter one sounded very angry, too.
"Hey? What's wrong? What are you doing on the floor?" Ryan concernedly knelt beside me. A look of panic crossed his face. I followed his line of sight and found a growing patch of blood on the cloth at my left elbow.
My other hand immediately went to examine the extent of damage. Piercing pain shot up through my elbow, which instantly travelled through my whole body.
The impact of the fall was pretty bad, and after initial shock had subsided, I was living its true intensity. I bit my lip to refrain from making any sound.
"Let me help you. Losing attention while walking could be extremely dangerous, especially when the losing footing results in dangerous wounds," Ryan continued, berating me, and at the same time, his hands went to support me, but I raised my hand to stop him.
It wouldn't have looked good. I let the girl student who was also kneeling beside me give me some support. With her help, I stood up and leaned against the door, cradling my elbow with my right hand.
"Who did this?" I asked, ignoring the waves of pain. Sweeping my gaze across a group of boys huddled together in the back, my eyes came to rest upon the student representative of that batch.
"I won't repeat again. Why is there water and marble at the entrance?"
A shocked gasp echoed from beside me. A few girls looked afraid as I mentioned marbles.
"Marbles?" Ryan had also stood up with me. I noticed the look of dejection in his eyes when I refused his help.
"Eva, you need medical help. It doesn't look good. We'll handle this later."
I shook my head in denial. This was important.
Nobody stepped out, but I found a few shrinking in fear.
"Alright. You don't want to answer. Be it. Don't blame me for the consequences later. You seemed to forget about CCTV cameras. Do you think it's funny? People can get physically handicapped or even die if they get hurt on the head. Whoever it is needs to understand the severity of their actions. Be it a prank, bullying, ragging… it is not acceptable. Because hurting another human for just the sake of enjoyment is ethically, morally and legally wrong," I said each word looking at their faces.
"Many girls/women get picked for their clothes, color, lifestyle, and the same is the case with boys/men. It might be school, workplace, home, or social networks. Your one move can cost someone's life. I think you know about terms like suicide, depression and the reasons for it. If you can't help someone, then at least do not make things difficult for them." Towards the end, my voice turned more stern.
I had seen many cases of bullying and what it did to people. I was disgusted by it. What I had said might hold no importance to everyone, but even if one of them learnt from it, then it was worth it.
"Now off to the table and take out the last practical."
I moved slowly with the help of the wall. Someone had already picked up my belongings and kept them on the table. Ryan followed after me, maybe afraid I would fall again. His concern touched me. He respected me enough not to force his thoughts. He left only after I settled into my chair.
The whole hall was pin-drop silent. I sighed heavily as pain in my elbow slowly worsened, but nothing I couldn't handle. Gingerly, I moved the cloth from my skin. Fetching a clean handkerchief from my bag, I pressed down on the wound. Shuffling of papers could be heard from time to time. No one dared to approach me.
"Keep all practical books on the table and perform the last practical again individually. Instead of 20 readings, take only 10." I gave out an order, and surprisingly, it was followed without any protest. It seemed like everyone was in more shock and stress than me.
'Why wouldn't they? You issued a death warrant for them.'
I had to. What if the injury was more severe?
"Here, let me have a look."
My self-talk broke with a male voice. Ryan was back. I found a medical kit in his hands. Pulling another chair beside me, he opened the first aid box.
"I am okay. It's just a small cut." I swiftly lied.
"Yeah, and I am the prime minister."
I smiled at his sarcasm.
"Be a good girl and listen to your senior," Ryan said seriously.
Having no other option, I let him have his way. Ryan touched the area around the cut. "Tell me if it hurts."
"Are you a doctor?"
"I am a trekker and a rock climber."
"Was that an answer?"
"Yes."
"Weird one."
I hissed in pain when he accidentally pressed on the hurting place. "Nothing seems broken, but there is swelling. I am cleaning the wound. It will be good to have it checked at the hospital."
I nodded like an obedient student, quietly watching the focused man working on my injury. The expression on his face was quite comical for me. It was as if he were the one who got injured.
*
"Are you satisfied now, Ryan Sir?" I asked him. Despite my protest, Ryan had kept me company till the end of my class and later had almost dragged my unwilling self to the hospital. Only after he got confirmation from the doctor that he relaxed visibly. He was driving me back to my apartment.
"Yes. Thank you." Ryan smiled, and thankfully, it wasn't a forced one.
"Can I make one request?"
"What is it?"
"I know you don't need any help, and you are fine on your own. However, I think you will need someone's help later because of muscle stiffness and soreness. I saw the footage and the intensity of your fall."
"I am not letting you help," mortified, I denied almost instantly.
What was he thinking?
His help?
He must be crazy if he thought I would take his help.
"I know, and you need female assistance. I was saying I will take you to my home. My parents are here. That's why I was on leave," Ryan clarified calmly.
You and your weird thoughts, Eva! How could I even think that way?
"Oh... that's good." I nodded in understanding. He had told the whole staff about his parents and how much he loved them. Familiar with his love for his parents, I felt happy for him.
"So, you agree?"
"For what?"
"Coming to my home?"