Room of nightmares
Tarun was excited for results. He knew that he would get good marks. He studied so much. He admired each part of subject in details. He was confident that he did everything in perfect way. He sat before computer and started searching for results and suddenly internet vanished. He shivered. He felt from soul that it was bad omen. He needed to get good marks otherwise he couldn't able to get that course he desired. He shivered. Then finally internet started. He searched for results. He was so happy to get marks as per his wants. He ran in kitchen to tell his grandmother. His Mom was in office and his Dad was in his firm. Both were busy so his grandmother was only person who could listen to him. He smiled and started singing. His grandmother started laughing too. She knew that he got perfect marks. He was so sure that now everything would become perfect. He could get admission and he would become what he wanted. He knew finding job was not easy but if he loved his work then he could manage to progress more and more on his professional level. He wanted to study as per his choice but he was so scared that he might not get course of his desire but it didn't happen. He got course which he wanted. He was so happy. That day his grandmother cooked what he wanted. They told cook to do special dinner. Grandmother paid her extra for that dinner and even paid extra money as gift since her grandson got good marks. It was special to him since he was so sure that everything would turn out perfect now. He knew that he was studying different chapters for hours. But finally his efforts paid with reward. He could get admission in course. That day was best day of his life. He enjoyed it's every moment. He even started TV and forced his grandmother to dance with him. She was such sweet lady. She was not confident not it wouldn't harm her back. She knew that it might increase her back pain but still she danced with him. He wanted to see happiness on his face. He thought that everything would be perfect now. He was so sure and confident. He was no longer confused about anything. He knew what he wanted and he was getting it. Then he called his friends. He invited them to movie. But they were not so happy with results. He knew that few even failed. It was horrible since he knew that it was mistake his friends wouldn't fail. He was so shocked. But he took breath of relief that he was not one of them. He got what he wanted. He decided to move ahead. On that night he sat with his parents. He didn't hate his parents. They were nice people. They were working hard to give him perfect and luxurious lifestyle. He always appreciated their efforts from heart. He couldn't express his gratitude towards them in words. Actually he felt too much respect but he never loved to chat with them. He was never that close to anyone in family. In fact he was never that close to anyone in world. It was his style of life. He loved his privacy and he wanted it. His parents never objected it so it felt just perfect thing for all. It was perfect life for him. He was so happy. He told his parents that he wanted to join one course. They discussed it between each other. He knew that it was about budget. He knew that they had money but they created this drama just to make him understand value of money. He knew that he wouldn't get money without that drama. He supposed to look guilty. He supposed to tell that he would value every rupee they spent. He did all. Then they managed to give cheque for that course. He never understood why did they needed to do so much drama. They could give it to him without that nonsense but they never did it. They wanted him to feel inferior before them. He hated it but he agreed since he needed money and in return he must boost their superiority complex then it was okay. When he finally got his cheque on that day he felt that his entire trouble was over. He was so sure that his life was set. He took that cheque and took his favourite course. He felt all was going to be nice. His parents asked him about gift for nice results. But he didn't insist about any thing special. His Mom smiled and said "What about car?..now you are old enough to drive car?!!" Mom was laughing happily in assumption that he would love this idea. But he didn't. He didn't want to drive. He always hated driving. He was scared of it. He said loudly " I don't want car!!" He didn't sense that he screamed until his parents didn't share an angry look towards him. Dad " Fine. We were offering what normal kids want but we forgot you are not normal." Tarun didn't expected this from his father. He always faced such a statements from outsiders but not from family. He didn't understand since when they started consider him odd. But he knew that no one considered him normal for long time. They always called him loner etc. But it really hurt him when his Dad said it. Dad didn't sense it he just continued " Why don't you appreciate whatever we do?" He didn't say anything. He just turned his attention towards his shoes. He started to go away from that scene with his imagination. In his thought he was in different world. He was independent. He saw that he was moving ahead as per his wishes. His parents were no longer bossing on him. In his dream all was just perfect. He hated that it was not truth. He didn't understand until when he needed to suffer like this. They kept irritating him. He just wanted to finish his education and get over this. He smiled when he got cheque, he checked for suitable timing for admission in college. He tried hard to keep it light but it was not. He was so excited when he needed to find way to get admission first. He was feeling as if someone might steal away that admission from him and he didn't want it to happen so he found way to submit form on internet immediately. It all worked. He felt that he would feel relaxed and he sensed just one thing that something was wrong. He didn't understand what was wrong but he kept getting feel that something was totally wrong. He confirmed form was submitted then he closed internet.
Soon Tarun understood that he was getting tense without cause. He was trying so hard to feel relaxed. He knew that he would get admission. He didn't need to get tense but something was wrong with his thinking. He kept getting tense. He couldn't relax himself. He kept telling himself that it was night. His results were wonderful so he needed to sleep peacefully while dreaming about future. He kept telling himself that he must feel positive. But on that night he was so tense. This time feeling of examination kept hurting his mind. He kept getting irritated on each step. He began to feel tense again before in past he used to feel relaxed after exams. But this time he didn't. He felt that he would relax after results but still it was not happening. He didn't feel happy about entire thing. He felt sad and suffocated. He went to sleep on that night. But he couldn't sleep. He kept feeling restless. He was so upset. He wanted to feel happy and normal. But he was not feeling any thing out of it. He was so unhappy. He was so unhappy. He never felt this way. He felt as if he failed in examination. He kept telling himself that everything was fine but in really he was not feeling that way. He was feeling scared and hurt. Today he was even scared to look under his bed. This was shocking. He never slept scared of such a nonsense things. He never believed in supernatural but today he was scared. He felt some monster might truly staying under his bed and that monster might attack him. He shivered by these thoughts. Until now he always joked on this concept. He was not even scared of it as child but today he felt that everything was changed. He was truly scared of all. He shivered with fear when he sensed that cold wind was coming. He began to feel that it must be coming from some sinister place. He knew that such evil places didn't exist but still he believed that this place was truly there. He shivered with fear. He wanted to be normal. But he kept feeling sick. He didn't understand why this was happening to him. He closed his eyes and started to pray to God but nothing seemed to work. He felt so scared that he did that thing which he had never done before. He took his pillow and blanket. Then he ran towards his grandmother's room. He started knocking it. He was shivering. Suddenly he began to feel more scared. He started to think worst things that might had happened. His grandmother was so old. He tried to tell himself to stop being stupid but he already started imagining that she might be lying dead on that moment. He began to think about her room. It was so pretty. He wanted to be owner of it one day. But he didn't desire his grandmother to be dead for it. He knew that he could wait. He didn't want to get it so soon. He kept shivering when he sensed that his parent's bedroom door opened. His Mom looked at him with shock. Mom " What are you doing like this outside your grandmother's room in middle of night?" He was so confused. He decided that he needed to lie. " I just came to check on grandma. She was not looking okay at dinner time." His Mom smiled. Mom " She is fine now. Before going to sleep she chatted with me. She was tense for your results but now she is perfect. Let her sleep. Don't disturb her." He nodded. He knew that he didn't have much option so he turned back to his room. He was so upset. As soon as he returned to his room, he sensed that strange sadness gripped him. He looked around room. He felt as if that room was some gate of evil or waiting room of unhappy spirits. He didn't know what it was but he knew one thing that it was evil that could harm anyone. He knew that he needed to change his room. But he didn't have much option. His room was most small and no one was going to sacrifice big room. They all needed them. His grandmother had her room full of old memories and also ancient jewelry. His parents tried to convince her to keep them in bank locker. But she never had time. One day she told his Dad to do it by himself but he didn't agree. He didn't want to go. After that she didn't ask so it never happened. So Grandmother was totally possessive about that room. She didn't want to change it. His room was small. But every one felt that it was perfect. He didn't needed big room. He knew truthfully he was not that happy with it. But it was not about place. It was about view. His room didn't give beautiful view of sunrise or sunset. Other rooms had it. His room just showed another building. He used imagine wonderful friend out of that building but it didn't happen. He never met anyone of his age. It was so disappointing. Slowly he began to desire change of scene. It was so frustrating. He hoped that he would find light but he never did. He thought that his friend would be light of his life. He began to feel it after reading many books of teenagers. So this room was never hopeful dream room to him. Actually this house was old house owned by his grandparents. But his room was added version. He knew that it was illegal construction but every flat did it so no one was particularly interested in demolition. His parents created that room just to keep him out of their room. They didn't want his trouble while working but they pretended whole time it was for his good. He nodded to everything. After all he didn't have much option. They were not planning to listen to him. Now he felt worst in that room. It was horrible room. This room had become worst for him. He started to sense that his room was cage for him. He began to feel it's every corner was horrible. He looked around. He started to shiver. He put himself inside blanket. He covered his entire body. He was so scared. He didn't understand why did he decided to live in this room. He knew answer very well because his parents forced him to do so. He was so tense and upset. He didn't understand what his mind was trying to do. He was just sure of one thing that he wanted to be safe. He kept shivering under blanket for long time. He couldn't see watch so he couldn't tell when did he finally fall asleep but he knew one thing that he was so scared. He didn't want to come out of blanket.
When Tarun didn't came out at decided time, his grandmother got tense. She went to his room. She was shocked when she saw him sleeping under blanket in strange way. It was so strange. In such a heat he was under blanket. She was so scared. She began to feel that she might call his parents. But then she decided that she was panicking without cause. She started to remove blanket. Tarun was sleeping under it in fetus position. He seemed so different. She never saw him that scared in her life before. He was totally wet due to sweat but still he didn't remove blanket since something scared him. His grandmother looked around but she couldn't find any clue about it. Room was perfect. She didn't observe anything scary in it. She didn't understand what happened. She was so upset and tense. Her heart was telling her that she must alarm Tarun's parents but she knew that it would upset Tarun. They would get angry on him. They would start questioning him in strange way. Grandmother knew that it was not his mistake. Tarun didn't do it with intention. She decided that she would wait for few days but then she felt confused. This was happening since long time. She sensed his fear immediately after examination date. She thought that it was about exam. It would be reduced after exam. But now she noticed that it was not happening. His fear was not reducing. His fear was increasing step by step which was clearly not good news. He was upset every day. Then his grandmother called him. She told him to wake up. He didn't at first moment. Then he looked around with scared expression. Grandmother asked with concern " What happened?" He gave one sad smile and said " Nothing just another bad dream." " Tarun I don't understand why did you keep becoming so upset even after results. I mean.." " I will be fine after admission." Grandmother nodded and said " I hope so." Tarun smiled and ran to get ready. He got dressed. He knew that after admission he would be fine. He was confident that everything would be perfect. He took deep breath and convinced himself that he didn't need to worry. But in his heart he was tense. He got there. He confirmed his admission and came home. But he was still scared. He didn't understand why. His grandmother was started looking tense too. Grandmother " Something is wrong with you." Tarun looked at her with anger. Tarun " I am okay. " Grandmother sat there. He was so upset. He wanted to tell her to go away. But it was not right. He took deep breath and he kept controlling his anger. He said "Grandmother nothing is wrong with me. Stop your madness." His Grandmother looked at him with concern and went away. He knew that now she would inform his parents which was not good news for him. He didn't want to appear abnormal before his parents. He hated it when they came those face like stone statue and started telling him not to worry. He always felt that they considered him nothing but just burden. He didn't like it but still he needed to accept it. Now if grandmother told them anything then they would be forced to interfere. He didn't like these things. He smiled and told grandmother. " Nothing. Just tense about future." " But you got admission. You are not looking relaxed even after it. I don't like this. Can I talk with your parents?" " No..no I am fine." He started to smile. He wanted to be normal so on that night he just slept in his room. He didn't go out. But soon he started to shiver with fear. He was scared of something. He didn't understand what. He couldn't accept that it was some ghost. He never felt that fear. Next morning when his grandmother came in room, he was once again under blanket. She sensed that this time he was still looking tense in sleep. She felt that she couldn't handle it further. She decided to tell his parents. His grandmother turned towards their room. She heard their loud voices. They were once again arguing regarding who would take responsibility of taking out money from bank. Grandmother sensed one thing that they didn't have time to do something about their son. They were working so hard. She felt so sad. She didn't understand when did education become so expensive that parents didn't have time for child since they wanted to give him best education and good lifestyle? But it was truth. They were doing everything just for their son. They never wasted their money on anything else. Their marriage was totally surrounded just around Tarun. As if their marriage just existed for Tarun. Grandmother never saw them discussing anything else except Tarun. Sometimes she felt that they didn't have any personal life. She didn't understand what kind of relationship did her daughter-in-law and son had which never had anything between them except their son. But still they were not including their son in anything. They didn't let him stay in their room since they didn't want him to hear their arguments about his future. They always discussed about his future while totally forgetting his present. Grandmother turned away from their room. She sensed that she needed to do all by herself. She didn't feel that they could help her that much. They didn't understand Tarun's troubles since they were lost in their own troubles. She was so confused. She needed to find someone who could help. On that point she remembered her distant cousin. He was Doctor. He could surely help. She smiled happily. Then she started searching for his number. She worked hard then she finally found it. She called him. He was sounded exhausted on phone. It was clear that he was too busy. She didn't understand how could he sounded so tired even in morning. But then he explained. There was emergency in night. But still he listened to her quietly. He said peacefully " This is big mental problem. He could have any trouble. Don't interfere. Let your son handle it." " But how could I sit quietly he is my grandson!!" " Then I just tell you one thing you are inviting troubles. Any way I can't help you more." " Can't you suggest someone?" " And what if it all went wrong? Your son will blame me!! Talk to his parents first." Grandmother agreed unwillingly. " If they don't show interest?" " Then I will help you." " Thank you." Then grandmother disconnected call and went inside her son's bedroom.
When Tarun's grandmother was doing that call, Tarun was feeling already restless. He kept looking at that knife he just wanted to cut his wrist and end this matter. But he knew that it wouldn't help. His grandmother surely came back to meet him soon. He didn't understand what was inside him. He knew one thing that it was upsetting. He was getting restless on every second. It was killing him. He wanted to feel normal but he was not feeling it. He went out. He saw that grandmother was going towards his parent's room. He knew what she was going to discuss and he didn't want her to discuss. He ran towards her and took hold of her hand and said "Grandmother please don't tell them. I will do whatever you say." " But you need Doctor?!!" "Then you can take me to one?!! I don't want them to know." His grandmother looked confused. But then she nodded. Grandmother decided that she would take risk of doing this by herself. She knew that her son couldn't handle it. She knew whom she supposed to contact. Her family Doctor seemed like best option. She was taking Tarun to him since childhood and he never insisted on his parents. Family Doctor considered her parent of Tarun. He would surely give her number of Doctor. She smiled and turned to Tarun. " Let's go to our family Doctor." Tarun felt so confused and scared. But he looked at door of parent's room and decided going to family Doctor was better than discussing problem with them. So they went to him. They are waited in line and finally they went inside. Doctor first checked Tarun physically. Then Doctor sat in his chair thinking. Doctor " He seemed physically fit. But still I suggest few tests.." Grandmother felt so happy when Doctor suggested physical trouble. But Tarun was tense. He didn't believe that he was dreaming because he was sick. It was about restless in his mind. He knew and he could understand it. He took deep breath. He tried to convince himself to relax but it didn't work. When they came out Grandmother said worst thing. Grandmother " We must call your Mom and Dad. We need money for tests." He wanted to deny but he was more tense now so he just nodded. Then his grandmother called his parents. They both sounded concerned. Then they started making all tests. It was so irritating. But Tarun didn't complain. He wanted it to be over before starting his course. They did all but he didn't look sick. He was healthy person. After that his parents got tense. He was still upset. He kept shivering in nights. He started to get tense on every second. He was scared of every voice and every person. He didn't understand why. Finally he decided to go to psychiatrist. He knew that his parents never did it. Once he overheard them in hospital. His father said " Psychiatrist is useless. Just give him those pills which make him sleep for entire day!! I don't want anything like that for my son." " I heard that psychiatrist make person mad." Tarun was so shocked. He thought his parents were modern and educated but education seemed like useless thing for them. He knew on that point that they would never took him to psychiatrist. They would just keep taking him one specialist after other to prove his trouble was physical. He was so tired. He knew that it was mental. He could sense uneasiness of his mind. He didn't feel anything wrong with his body. He was feeling tired because he was not sleeping properly. He knew that he needed to change his room. He suggested this to his parents. They started laughing on him. His Mom " Honey room can't make you sick. You are watching too much of horror series." " No Mom I don't watch TV any more." His Mom looked towards him with confused expression and asked "Why you don't watch TV?" " Because we have just one TV and someone keep watching it." He said truthfully. His Mom immediately changed subject so it became clear that she was not planning to give her show time. He knew that he was not going to get anything out of those people. He decided that he needed to convince his grandmother to give him her room. When he started to convince her, his grandmother said " I think you need psychiatrist and I take you to one on my responsibility. Don't tell your parents." He nodded. He knew that he needed one. Then his grandmother called same counsin. She explained him situation. This time he agreed to help. " I will give you number but don't mention my name to your son." " I am not planning even to mention my visit to Tarun's parents." Cousin laughed and said " How could educated people act like that?" Then grandmother took down number. They called Doctor. They took appointment. They managed to find time when his parents would be in office. In Doctor's waiting room he felt just worst. He decided that he must ran away. But he looked at his grandmother and stayed on his seat. Finally they went inside. He told everything to psychiatrist. He smiled nicely and said "He developed Generalized Anxiety disorder. Don't worry this disorder is common. It can be cured." "What is cause of it?" " Well! Surrounding atmosphere. Anything might be cause. I feel we must concentrate on curing." Then suddenly Tarun said " Is it possible this is due to argument between my parents?" Psychiatrist laughed. Psychiatrist " Stop getting tense. Let me do my job. You are paying me so I will find it." Then treatment started. Biggest success of treatment was that by it's end Tarun was no longer interested in finding cause and he was not tense. He was enjoying life. He didn't get restless nights. He was sleeping like innocent child with peace in same room which was once his nightmare chamber.
The End
