Eastern Zilla
"I would have preferred getting flogged in a class rather than come look at these dunes. Just by seeing them, my mind is imagining how comfortable would it be to sleep on them," Vandit whispered plaintively in Mriga's ear only to be pinched hard by her.
"Just because it was torturing you, you had to go ahead and put that image in my head as well? I have enough of my own sufferings to handle. Keep yours to yourself, understood?" she grumbled back.
The task of making polite conversation with Lata had fallen on the shoulders of Chiranjeev and ofcourse, Abhirath. The three laggards were sullenly following them, droopy heads on lethargic bodies.
Thankfully, they finally sat down for early dinner at one of the joints. Lata excused herself to go and freshen up and Abhirath turned accusing eyes at the trio right at that moment.
"Do you know what were you resembling all through this evening? Stumbling boulders, ready to topple any minute. How can a little sleep deprivation reduce you to such pathetic states? Is this how you plan to serve your country?" he asked caustically.
Now it was too much for Mriga. Big fat tears welled up in her eyes and she stood up.
"This boulder requests permission to go back and crash into something. I will see you at 12 tonight," even though she said that she was seeking permission, she didn't bother waiting for it and walked off on a huff.
Abhirath got up to run after her but was held back by Chiranjeev.
"Let her walk it off. It is just a combination of tiredness and nerves. Anyways, she can't forego food, no matter the situation. Just give her sometime alone. She will come back," he said confidently.
Abhirath sat back reluctantly but kept an eye out in the direction where she had walked towards. Just as Chiranjeev had predicted, Mriga cooled down after sometime, especially as her stomach grumbled loudly.
She had come to the beach which was across the road from where they had sat down for dinner. She looked around at the near empty surroundings and turned to go back.
BAM!
Her foot fell in a hole which someone may have dug earlier. Stumbling, she went face down on the sand.
"Ouchhhhh, my foot!" she hissed in pain as she tried to get up.
"Miss, are you alright?" a polite voice next to her, asked.
Mriga twisted her neck and peered at the person in darkness but couldn't see his face properly.
"My foot, I seem to have twisted it," she spoke through clenched teeth.
"I am a Vaidya. If you permit, can I have a look at it?" the person asked.
She was in too much pain to object, even if she wished to. With much difficulty, she turned her body around on the ground and sat up. At her nod, the guy extracted her foot out of the sandal and probed it gently.
The moment his fingers touched the ankle, she let out a yelp, and he smiled apologetically.
"I am afraid it looks like a bad fall. There is nothing nearby. I can only ask you to lean on me while we make our way across to a place across the path where I can get some basic medication," he offered in a hesitant way.
"My, uh… my batchmates are at a short distance from here. If you could help me go to them, it would be much appreciated," she said, instead.
Even though the person seemed nice enough, she didn't want to be stuck with him on a near empty beach or a strange place.
He nodded and hoisted her up. Placing his arm under her shoulder, he tilted sideways, making her put her weight on him. Painfully, Mriga retraced her steps to the eatery, cursing her impulsive behavior for landing into such a soup. She could imagine Abhirath's scowling face already.
"Mriga!" It was as if her thoughts had pulled him here, she heard his frantic shout.
"I am doomed!" she mumbled.
"Did you say something?" the guy next to her asked.
"Uh, that person… he is calling for me. I guess my friends were looking for me," she replied, holding back the rest of the statement.
By the time Abhirath spotted them from far, Mriga found a bench to rest her foot. She sat down on a sigh, she lifted her face to look at her saviour, now that they were under lamps' illumination. He was a good-looking guy, slightly older and possessing a charming air around him, she thought.
"Oh my God! It's you," Vidyut exclaimed.
Mriga looked around to see if the guy was referring to someone else apart from her. Realizing that he was staring at her, she frowned and tried to recollect if they had crossed paths ever before. Puzzled, she looked at him for explanation as a wide grin spread on his face.
"What happened to you? Where are you hurt?" Abhirath reached them, panting.
She moved her questioning stare from the stranger towards him and explained briefly about the incident.
Abhirath crouched down to look at her foot, which was already swelling up.
"This is not good. Should we look for a Vaidya?" he said, sounding more and more worried by the minute.
"Ah... as I already mentioned to your friend, I am a Vaidya. It is good that you are here. I need you to find me some vinegar and a cloth to tie her foot with" Vidyut introduced himself and instructed.
Abhirath nodded and went running towards the eatery which was flanked by few shops on both sides.
"I never imagined that we would meet again. Looking at you, I don't think you remember me, right?" Vidyut asked Mriga when they were alone again.
*Vinegar was first discovered in 5000 B.C. in Egypt and was known as the poor man's wine.