© Sangeeta Bhargava 2010
This short story was awarded second prize by the bestselling Writers' Forum magazine.
Original post @ http://sangeetabhargava.blogspot.com/2010/11/see-you-online.html
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1st MAY
Hey, saw you online so wanted to ask you about your opinion on the debate going on in the chat room right now. Do you also feel what I said was wrong?
By the way, my name is Tina. Come to MSN if you want to be my friend.
Love Tina.
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2nd MAY
Neel read the personal message over and over again. It was past midnight but he was still awake. This was the first time in weeks that it was not pain but excitement that had kept him up. He could not wait for Tina to come online. She would be his first online friend.
Okay, she was online now.
Tina: Hey dude.
Neel: Hey.
Tina: Thanks for supporting me in the chat room yesterday. I didn't mean to hurt or insult anyone but just had to say what I felt. It was not my fault that people got so defensive. Anyways…
Neel: You know, people get defensive when they know that they are in the wrong but don't want to admit it. By the way, how come you're up so late?
Tina: I'm studying. My A levels are going on.
Neel: You are in school?
Tina: Yup, 6th form.
Neel: I see. Got to go. Bye.
Tina: Bye.
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3rd MAY
Tina: Hey Neel. Why did you leave so abruptly yesterday?
Neel: You want the truth?
Tina: Yes.
Neel: Umm…….I'm 28.
Tina: Oh!
Neel: Well?
Tina: Well what?
Neel: Does it matter that I am 11 years older than you?
Tina: Nah.
Neel: So – still friends?
Tina: Of course.
Neel: Okay, got to go now. The old hag is here to give me my sponge.
Tina: Hag? Sponge?
Neel: Will tell you tomorrow.
Tina: Bye. Catch you tomorrow.
Neel: Yup.
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4th MAY
Tina: So what do you do apart from chatting?
Neel: I was a pilot.
Tina: OMG! You're a pilot?
Neel: I said I WAS.
Tina: ?????
Neel: I met with an accident about three months back.
Tina: Oh, I'm sorry.
Neel: Don't be.
Tina: Now I get it – the old hag and the sponge….
Neel: Yup. Now you know why I'm always online – I have no life, no future.
Tina: Why this pessimism? Are you bedridden?
Neel: No, I will be able to walk eventually, but I cannot fly an aircraft again. Can't even play football ever again. You see, my knee was completely smashed in the accident.
Tina: At least you are not handicapped. There are so many things you can still do.
Neel: You don't understand. Flying was my life.
Tina: So? It's best to accept what life throws at you, with a smile.
Neel: What do YOU know about life? You are still in school. You haven't even seen life. You have no idea what it is like to be in so much pain that you pass out. Do you know what it is like to be in constant pain 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? And no amount of painkillers can dull that pain. Do you know what it is to lie in bed all day when previously you had spent every single waking moment on the move?
Neel angrily logs out.
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5th MAY
Tina: Are you still mad at me?
Neel: No. My temper comes down even faster than it goes up.
Tina: Well, you were right. After all I'm just 17. I have yet to see the world. In my entire life of 17 years, 4 months and 26 days, I have never been depressed. All my problems are taken care of by my parents. I have a wonderful supportive family with no deaths or divorces. So who am I…?
Neel: Hey, stop this emotional nonsense. You know you're far more mature than your years.
Tina: Am I?
Neel: Aren't you?
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6th MAY
Tina: Yippee, exams are finally over.
Neel: Cool! So now you're free to party all day.
Tina: No, now I have to work doubly hard to win the Jane Austen scholarship. I hope to become a scribe one day. Then I wouldn't have to live on my parents' money. It feels terrible. I'm 17.5, yet have not earned a penny in my life.
Neel: So you want to be a writer? Interesting.
Tina: Yes. I want to create a character that will outlive me.
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7th MAY
Tina: It must have been something flying a plane! I've never even driven a car.
Neel: It was mind-blowing. Absolutely exhilarating. Flying through those clouds – touching the very gates of heaven. I felt as though I was God Himself, looking down on his creation.
Tina: Tell me something, but first promise me that you won't get upset this time.
Neel: I promise.
Tina: Got any passion other than flying?
Neel: Nope.
Tina: No, seriously?
Neel: Well, now and then I do enjoy playing computer games.
Tina: There you go. Why don't you do a computer course? Become an IT professional or something?
Neel: You mean go back to school at this age? You got to be kidding.
Tina: There is no age for learning. I would rather be dead than stop learni
Neel: Yes, my guru.
Tina: So will you at least think about it?
Neel: Yes guru.
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8th MAY
Tina: So what have you decided?
Neel: That Twilight is way better than Madagascar 2.
Tina: Not that stupid. I am talking about the course.
Neel: I've decided not to. I left college seven years ago. It's impossible to go back.
Tina: Join an adult or home study programme.
Neel: Nope, it won't work.
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10th MAY
Neel: Where were you yesterday? Angry with me?
Tina: No. What you do with your life is none of my business. I'd gone to the cinema to see Assassination of Jesse James. You can't imagine how GOOD Brad Pitt looked! I had an idiotic grin plastered on my face throughout the movie. Oh my God, I'm still reeling under the effect. Don't I sound like a gone case?
Neel: Tell me, are you pretty?
Tina: Well, I guess, umm, that's what people say.
Neel: What do you look like? Is your hair short or long?
Tina: Does it matter?
Neel: Nope.
Tina: Have you seen Black?
Neel: Nope, I'm not a movie buff.
Tina: Go and see it. If the heroine of that movie, who is deaf, dumb and blind, can do her graduation, I don't see why you can't.
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11th MAY
Neel: I have some news.
Tina: You've decided to do the course.
Neel: Gosh, you can even read my mind now. Yup, I've decided to give it a shot and all because of you.
Tina: I'm flattered.
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12th MAY
Neel: Hey, where have you been all day? I wanted to tell you that my plaster's being cut tomorrow. We're gonna party all night.
Tina: Oh cool, have fun.
Neel: Won't you dance with me?
Tina: Silly, don't you know I can't dance?
Neel: Why not? I'll teach you. Seriously, if we meet one day, I'll take you to the most happening disco in town.
Tina: That can never happen, Neel. I am paralysed waist down.
Neel stared at the screen. It was past midnight. The only sound he could hear was the tap - DRIP DRIP DRIP….as the words slowly sunk in.
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© Sangeeta Bhargava 2010
Most of the work posted on this blog is the work of the author and therefore remains the writer's copyright.
remains the writer's copyright. cyright.
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