Shindom – Chapter 2
After school, Saahi came back to his rented house. He lay down on the bed thinking, Teacher said I need to become strong to protect others… and he was saying the truth. I should become strong so I can help others and not become a burden on them.
Then he shouted in excitement and said to himself, "Yes! I will become strong to protect others! I will protect—" He paused, then said sadly, "Others? Who? Who do I need to protect?"
He sighed. Anyway, until I have someone to protect, I will train hard like an animal. But how am I going to learn shin? And what the fuck is shin? What should I do?
He thought for some time and decided to call Vishu and Om for help. He called them, and after some time they reached his home.
They all sat on the floor, and Vishu asked, "Saahi, why did you call us to your house? Do you need any help?"
Saahi said, "Yes. Will you teach me how to use shin? Please, Vishu, teach me."
Vishu said, "No, I can't teach you, Saahi."
Saahi got upset and asked, "Why can't you teach me?"
Vishu replied, "I don't know how it works. I can use shin but I don't know how to explain how it works."
Saahi was disappointed and sad, and said, "Really? It's okay, Vishu and Om. Sorry to disturb you." He stood up and walked toward the washroom.
Suddenly Vishu said, "I can't teach you, but I know someone who can!"
Saahi turned toward Vishu, sat really close, and asked, "Really? Who is he? Please tell me!"
When Vishu was about to speak, Om interrupted and said calmly, "Vishu, if you are going to take my father's name, I will kill you on the spot."
Vishu said, "Don't get angry, buddy! I'm not talking about your father. I know you don't like him, so why would I talk about him?"
Then he leaned toward Saahi and whispered in his ear, "I'm talking about his father. Don't tell him or he'll kill me."
As soon as he finished, Om threw a leather ball at his face, shouting angrily, "Fucker! Shut the fuck up! I told you not to talk about him!"
Saahi asked, "What is the problem? Why don't you like your father?"
Vishu said with excitement, "I know! I can tell you—"
Om jumped off the bed onto Vishu, shouting, "Tape your motor mouth! No one needs to know my story! And Saahi—you also don't ever ask that question again!"
Saahi got scared and said in a low voice, "Okay, Om… I won't ask about your past again. But please tell me about your father. I want to become strong. Please."
Om said, "No. You can ask anybody else."
Vishu said, "Yes, he can ask anyone else. But you also know your father is the best in training shin."
Om said, "So what if he is a good teacher? I said no! And I told you to shut up or I'll break your neck!"
They both kept saying "please, please," but Om was not agreeing.
Then Vishu offered him a deal.
Vishu said, "Okay, Om. If you agree, I will give you my Todo."
Om stood up from Vishu and sat on the bed. He thought for some time, then agreed.
They both were happy. Vishu said to Saahi, "I knew it. This trick would definitely work. But Saahi… the place we are going to is not safe. It has a zone number of 2.5. It's a mountain place known as Masaniamman Parvat."
Saahi said, "Okay. But when are we going?"
Om said, "Tomorrow. We will leave for that place. No one should be late."
Saahi said, "Thank you, Om! You are a god!"
Om replied, "Shut up. You both forced me to let you go there."
The next morning, they all reached the station with their bags. When they were about to enter the station, a girl suddenly came, shouting Vishu's name.
They all turned toward her. Om asked with a confused face, "What are you doing here, Ridhima? Are you going somewhere?"
Ridhima replied, "Vishu told me you're going to meet your father. And you're Saahi, right? Hey, nice to meet you."
Saahi said, "Hey, Ridhima."
Then Om kept his hand on Vishu's shoulder and asked with controlled anger, "My friend… how many people did you tell that I'm going to meet my dad?"
Vishu got scared and replied, "I swear she is the last person! Oh, look—the train came! Let's go or we'll miss it!"
They all got on the train. After a long journey, they reached the mountain. Ridhima and Saahi were shocked seeing the height—it was above the clouds.
Saahi said with excitement, "This is the mountain where he lives?"
Vishu said, "Yes. Do you see that road going up? Om's dad made it alone. He is very strong."
Saahi said, "This mountain is huge… but no problem. We will reach the top no matter what."
[AFTER 3 HOURS OF CLIMBING]
Ridhima was sitting on a kandi on Vishu's back, and Om carried Saahi on his shoulder because he had fainted from tiredness.
Vishu asked Ridhima, "Why do you want to meet Om's dad?"
Ridhima replied, "Because I also want to learn shin and also botany from his father."
Vishu asked, "But why doesn't Om like his father?"
Vishu said, "I know why, because—" Then he looked at Om. Om was staring at Vishu and Ridhima with anger. Vishu got scared and changed his words. "No, I don't know why he doesn't like his father."
Ridhima also saw Om's face and said fearfully, "Yeah, yeah, I don't want to know. Maybe Saahi is interested."
While talking, they all reached the top of the mountain. Vishu, Ridhima, and Om saw Om's dad farming with heavy tools weighing around 100 kg.
Vishu said, "Master, do you need help?"
Om's dad turned around and saw Vishu. He said happily, "Oh my dear! How are you? Come inside! I made rock stew for you. Want to taste?"
Vishu replied, "No, master. I'm here for some work."
Om's dad asked, "What?"
Vishu said, "Someone wants to learn shin. Please don't say no."
Ridhima walked toward him and said, "Good morning, sir. I've heard about you many times. One of the strongest guards in existence."
Om's dad said, "Oh? A girl wants to learn? Okay, in five years I will teach you. Your work is done, Vishu. You may leave."
"No, master," Vishu said. "There is one more person who wants to learn."
Om's dad said, "More girls? Bring everyone. I will teach them all."
Vishu said, "Not a girl. He is a boy."
Om came near and dropped Saahi's body near his father.
Om's dad saw him and looked disappointed. "Who is this paper bag? He wants to learn shin? Take him away or the wind will take him."
Saahi woke up, stood, and asked, "Vishu, have we reached the top?"
Vishu replied, "Yes. He is the one who is going to teach you."
Om's dad said, "When did I say I am going to train him? Take him away. I can only teach one person at a time. Your name is Saahi, right? Listen, kid. Go back from where you came. Gain some mass and never come back. Do you understand? I am not going to train you."
Saahi requested, "Sir, please train me. I know you think I am weak. I will train hard. If I die, it will be my fault."
Om's dad said, "I said no. No means no."
Om got frustrated, went to his dad, and said, "Hey old man, train him."
Om's dad said, "Oh? Kid, you're showing me ego? Fine. I will train him—if Om requests me."
Om said, "Fuck off. I am not going to request him."
Vishu said to Om, "Bhai, please. If you request, he will train him!"
Om said, "Okay, fine. Listen old man, please train him."
Om's dad said, "You forgot to say 'dad.'"
Om tried again. "Okay. Hey Dad… please train him."
Om's dad said, "You should request with a low pitch and politely. Om, this is your last try."
Om sighed. "Okay… Dad, please train my friend. I am requesting you."
Om's dad said, "Okay, fine. Boy, you have three months to learn shin. Now everyone go back. And by the way, I recorded your request on my mobile."
Om shouted angrily, "Delete that, you old bastard!"
Saahi said happily, "Thank you, my friends. You helped me a lot."
Om said calmly, "Don't forget we are your friends. We will help you whenever you need."
Then they went back to the city, and Saahi and Ridhima started training under Om's dad.
THE END
CHAPTER 3 CONTINUES…