The library was eerily silent. Friends hid their faces behind books, all eagerly waiting for the new episode of John and Neela’s story. Neela’s friends were waiting anxiously because if John touched Neela, she would lose and have to treat all her friends to a dinner worth fifteen hundred dollars, as per her challenge. On the other hand, John’s friends were on edge because nothing was happening as expected. This time, John did pick up a girl in his car, but unlike other times, he did nothing inappropriate with her. Even more surprising, he showed no signs of frustration about it. Instead, he seemed to be in an unusually good mood, engaging in a discussion about academic topics with Neela while driving back to campus. Something was definitely off! It felt like a storm was brewing, like the air just before a thunderstorm—thick and heavy with anticipation.
John slowly walked towards Neela’s table and politely asked, “May I sit here?” Despite Abraham’s repeated warnings, Audrey couldn’t resist the urge to whistle at the excessive dramatics. Normally, John would have slapped him playfully, but today, John didn’t even seem to notice. He was lost in Neela’s eyes. This John was unfamiliar to everyone. Seeing John actually come to the library made Neela feel slightly unsettled. Suddenly, her throat went dry, and as she tried to take a sip of water from her bag, she started coughing uncontrollably. John immediately rushed to get her a napkin. The scene was so out of character for John that his friends were left with their mouths hanging open, unable to believe what they were witnessing.
Eventually, the situation took an unexpected turn—John truly transformed into a different person. He began to find joy in studying. Initially, he only wanted to impress Neela, but as he kept trying to do so, he genuinely started enjoying academics. He challenged himself in his studies, became curious about new subjects, and actively engaged in academic activities. Meanwhile, John also encouraged Neela in different areas of journalism. Together, they participated in various projects, and success followed them swiftly. Their joint ventures received widespread acclaim across the city, and they quickly became favorites among professors and students alike.
But happiness is rarely everlasting. Just as the journey of joy begins, so does the journey of sorrow. And at some point, these two opposing paths collide, leaving only despair behind.
John’s friends found it increasingly difficult to find him anywhere but in class or the library. It seemed as if his entire life revolved around studying. He and Neela spent hours together in the library, ordered food via Uber Eats when hungry, and dined out together at night before he dropped her home. Days passed like this. John no longer visited bars, pubs, or discos. He no longer handed out his credit card for reckless spending. He didn’t need anyone to complete his assignments anymore—he did them himself and even helped Neela at times. They moved forward side by side, perfectly in sync.
However, no happiness lasts forever. No matter how much John tried to keep himself in check, at the end of the day, he was still a man with desires. One day, he touched Neela in the car, and an electric spark ran through her body. She took him to her apartment, giving herself to him completely. Their love became intense and passionate, carrying them away in a whirlwind of emotions. But their happiness didn’t last. A fierce storm ripped through their lives, tearing them apart. Lost in their reckless love, Neela didn’t even realize when she became pregnant.
That was when the real problems began. The day Neela informed John, his first reaction was to blame her for being so careless. Soon, he became increasingly irritated—irritated by her lack of enthusiasm, her frequent nausea, and sudden vomiting spells. As time passed, John grew distant, avoiding her more and more.
For Neela, this should have been the happiest time of her life, the beginning of her dream of a perfect family. Instead, she faced John’s indifference, neglect, accusations, and avoidance. She gradually broke down. Meanwhile, back home, her parents began to sense that something was off. Though they were unaware of John’s presence in her life, their concern grew as Neela’s brother, Nabil, returned home without her and refused to talk about her situation. The family started whispering amongst themselves. Eventually, her mother called and insisted that she return home immediately. No matter how much Neela tried to make excuses about exams or work, her mother remained adamant. With no other option, Neela severed all ties with her family.
Her parents were overcome with anxiety, suspecting she had simply quarreled with her husband and was refusing to communicate. But as the days passed, Neela endured her struggles alone. And then, one day, her little girl, Naira, came into the world, bringing a light into her darkness.
Seeing Naira gave Neela newfound strength. With the help of a social worker, she arranged for Naira’s care and managed to balance work and motherhood. Half of her day was spent working, while the other half was dedicated to laughing, playing, and cherishing every moment with her daughter. In Naira, she found a piece of heaven on earth. As the years passed, Naira grew, but something wasn’t right. She wasn’t speaking.
Two years passed, and Naira neither spoke nor developed like other children her age. After several tests, the family doctor diagnosed her with developmental delays. Neela couldn’t afford private treatment, so she applied for government funding—only to discover that approval could take up to four years. After everything she had fought through, this new battle felt insurmountable. She made up her mind—she would return home to her father’s house with Naira. That was her reality.
Scarborough, Canada
