The Wrong Lane | A short story of a teen girl | Say No to drugs

 

Nadya, an entrepreneur. Her husband left at her early 20s. His dismiss provoked a fire in her soul and it lead to start her own business. She excelled and emerged as an iron lady. Her only love was her nineteen year old daughter, Isha. Isha was pursuing her Bachelors in Business Management. She is a brilliant guitarist. She lives within a small circle of people and often fails to make new people. A silent girl who never express her feelings to other.

That day, Isha waked up and walked to the kitchen. ‘Good morning sweety.’ said the maid and gave her a glass of milk. ‘Where is Mom?’ asked Isha. ‘Ma’am left early today. She said that she is having a client meeting.’ replied the maid. Isha took the glass of milk and had few sips. Then she poured the remaining milk into the kitchen sink. ‘What are you doing?’ yelled the maid. Isha walked to her room without any reply. She took her bath, got ready and left to her music studio.

‘Hey Ishuu!’ yelled Nancy. Nancy was the only best friend of Isha. ‘Hey Nancy.’ replied Isha in apathy. ‘Why is your face looking dull?’ asked Nancy. ‘You know something! Mom came home after three days. She was out of station for a client meeting. Again today, she is rushing back to her work. I really feel frustrated. My days are very lonely. I have no love towards me.’ replied Isha sadly. Nancy hugged, ‘I understand... Isha. But think of your Mom. She is the only one who is taking care of home. And remember she is the only earning person in your home.’ said Nancy. ‘You are also supporting my Mom’ whined Isha. ‘No dear. I’m trying to explain you.’ said Nancy with a smile. ‘Guys.... Assemble’ called Raghav, the leader of the band. Nancy and Isha rushed and got seated. The whole band was seated and Raghav was arranging the mikes and speakers. ‘Is everyone present?’ asked Raghav. ‘Yes sir’ replied one of the musician. ‘Alright! I have a great news for you guys’ said the leader. Everyone’s face got brightened. ‘An Australian band is arriving to our studio today. They are exploring India and conducting many concerts. They are willing to conduct a concert in our city. Our band is collaborating with them and we are gonna arrange for a mega fest.’ said Raghav raising his hands. ‘Hurray’ screamed the artists. ‘I want everyone’s active participation for this fest. Practice hard and rock it guys.’ said Raghav. The artists were on their cloud nine.

It was afternoon, the Australian artists arrived to their studio. Raghav welcomed them and introduced his artists. ‘We would love to listen to a performance’ said the leader of the Australian band. ‘Sure sir. We are blessed to perform in front of you.’ said Raghav and arranged his artists in the auditorium. Raghav and his artists gave a fascinating performance to pleasure the international band. ‘You guys nailed it’ said the Australian leader. ‘Thank you sir’ replied the leader. ‘And that girl...’ said the Australian leader pointing at Isha. Isha walked to him. ‘She is Isha. Our lead guitarist.’ said Raghav. ‘She is extraordinary.’ said the Australian leader. Isha smiled. ‘Thank you sir’ replied Raghav.

The session ended and Isha left back to her home. She refreshed and served the food for herself. She returned back to her room and took a small nap. She spent rest of the day watching her favourite series in Netflix.

Next day, ‘Isha... Isha... Everyday I have to yell your name. Get up sweety!’ yelled Nadya and waked her up. ‘Mom... please..’ replied Isha. ‘Wake up Isha’ replied Nadya. Isha got up and stared at her. ‘I’m on leave to college today.’ said Isha. ‘Why?’ replied Nadya. ‘This Sunday I’m having a mega concert. I have full-day practice sessions till Saturday.’ said Isha. ‘Great. Then better, inform to your tutor in college’ said Nadya. Isha smiled. ‘Get ready fast. I’ll leave you at your studio and go to my office.’ said Nadya. Isha got ready and joined her Mom. She left to her studio and started her practice. ‘Hello Isha. Don’t you know to smile back or give a return comment when a person appreciates you?’ asked Raghav. Isha smiled, ‘Sorry!’ she said. ‘You are a weirdo... Anyway congrats! Practice well and rock in the concert.’ said Raghav with a tap on her shoulder.

After few hours of practice, Isha felt tired. She walked to terrace of the studio. She enjoyed the breeze and chirping sound of the birds. After some moment, a man came there. He was one of the artist in the Australian band. ‘Hello Rock star’ he called. Isha smiled. ‘I loved your play. You are brilliant’ appreciated the man. ‘Thank you’ replied Isha. ‘Why doesn’t your face have the same enthusiasm as in your music?’ asked the man. ‘No love!’ replied Isha with a huge sigh. ‘Alright! I can help you with this.’ said the man. Isha smiled. ‘My name is Fredrick. I will talk to you after our practice sessions,’ said the man and left the terrace. Isha was perplexed. Later she went down and continued her practice.

It was seven, Fredrick came to her. ‘Do you wish to change your vision on this world?’ he asked. Isha gave a perplexed look. ‘Come with me’ he called. Isha followed him. Isha got on his bike and went on a long drive. The clouds drizzled. ‘Do you love this climate?’ asked Fredrick. ‘Yes’ she replied. After their ride, they went to a cafe. They ordered their beverages. Isha noticed Fredrick, he was placing a kind of powder on his palms. He took a long sniff. ‘What are you doing?’ he asked. ‘Talking to god’ he replied. Isha stared at him. ‘I lost my Dad and Mom at my age 10. Later, I had no one to care me. Now he is my companion and love. He gives me the feel of heaven. The world calls him Cocaine. I call him elixir’ said Fredrick. ‘Want to try it?’ he asked. Isha stilled for a moment. ‘Trust me. Take a sniff of this elixir, you’ll love it’ he said and held her hands. Isha went near him and took a long sniff. ‘That’s it’ he replied with a kiss on her cheeks. He gave more drugs to her. Isha lost her mind and loved his company. Later he dropped her at her house. She went to her room and slept deeply.

That day, Nadya was unable to come home. She called Isha for several times to inform that. But Isha was unable to pick her calls. Next day the maid came and woke up Isha. ‘Why are you not picking the calls? Mom is scared.’ she yelled. ‘The phone was on silent mode.’ replied Isha. ‘Okay’ replied the maid and informed to Nadya over call. Nadya said to give the phone to Isha. ‘Mom wants to speak to you.’ said the maid. ‘Don’t disturb me’ yelled Isha and left to the restroom. She got ready and left to the studio. As usual, she performed her practise. While leaving she searched for Fredrick. He was talking to his leader of his band. Isha waved at him. After few minutes, Fredrick came to her. ‘Hey beauty. How can I help you?’ he asked. Isha smiled. ‘I want to get some elixir from you’ she replied. ‘Oh my god. You also loved it’ he said with a hug and gave her a small packet from his pocket. ‘Here you go sweetheart!’ replied Fredrick. ‘Thank you’ she replied with a hug. Isha returned to her home and locked herself in her room. She took that packet of cocaine and put it in her study table. She took long sniffs and licked it. ‘Elixir!’ she called and smiled. This continued on the following days. Isha got packets from Fredrick after her practice sessions. She consumed it everyday.

It was the concert day, Fredrick called Isha back to the stage. ‘Hey Rock Star, Have this elixir now. We are gonna rock today.’ he said and gave a packet of cocaine to her. Isha opened the packed and consumed it. ‘Artists assemble’ called Raghav. Fredrick, Isha and other artists assembled on the stage and performed. They performed great and the audience screamed in delight. The show ended up in huge success. The artists was packing up their instruments, ‘You have a great future. You are a great artist’ said the Australian leader to Isha. ‘Thank you sir’ she replied. He gave her a key-chain which had ‘ROCK STAR’ in words. ‘Thank you sir. It is a cute compliment’ she replied. ‘All the best’ he said and left. After some moments, Fredrick came to her. ‘We made it’ he said with a hug. ‘Yeah’ replied Isha. ‘I’m really sad of my dismiss. I’m leaving this city tonight.’ he said. Her face fell in downcast. ‘I promise to meet you whenever I come here.’ said Fredrick with a hug. ‘I really miss you, Fredy.’ said Isha. ‘Me too...’ he replied. ‘Wait, I have a gift to you.’ he said and gave a big packet of cocaine to her. ‘Elixir’ he screamed in happiness. ‘Yes. You can have this for a month. Later you can buy on your own.’ he said with a smile. ‘How can I get later?’ asked Isha. ‘I’ll share the dealer’s contact to you.’ replied Fredrick texted the contact details her. The Australian band left the city that day.

One month passed, Isha became a typical drug addict. Everyday she consumed cocaine. She lost her mind. Her Mom was very busy on those days. She did not notice Isha’s behaviour. Isha was not regular to her college. She locked herself in her room and enjoyed the trance caused by her elixir.

That day, Nadya was off from her work, ‘I’m on leave today. No more official works today. I wish to spend good time with you sweetheart.’ said Nadya and gave a hug to Isha. Isha pushed her away. ‘What happened?’ asked Nadya. Isha gave no reply. ‘Okay. I will go and make your favourite meal.’ said Nadya and left to the kitchen. Isha felt tensed thinking that she can’t have her drugs that day. She trembled and felt restless. ‘What happened to you?’ asked Nadya looking at Isha. ‘Nothing’ she said and left to her room. After completing the cooking, Nadya left to Isha’s room. She opened the door and that moment Isha got freaked and hid something under her blanket. ‘What is that?’ asked Nadya. ‘Nothing Mom’ stammered Isha. ‘Show me’ said Nadya and went near the bed and pulled her blanket. Nadya was astounded to see her drugs. Her eyes dropped tears. Isha freaked and was caught red handed. Nadya stood still and sobbed, her heart beat fast and she fainted. ‘Mom’ screamed Isha and sprinkled water on her face. Nadya opened her eyes and cried, ‘I never dreamt this is gonna happen for me. I ran everyday to give you a better life. Today, I’m broken. Totally broken...’ she yelled and sobbed. ‘Sorry Mom’ she cried and held her hands. ‘Don’t touch me.’ yelled Nadya. Isha took the packet from her cupboard and rushed to the toilet. And she put the whole cocaine in the toilet sink, ‘I will not do this again.’ cried Isha. ‘Don’t do this again Isha. My whole life is revolving around you. I can’t see you dying and ruining your life.’ cried Nadya. ‘Promise Mom’ replied Isha. ‘Life is not fulfilled for everyone. This is not your solution for your problems. If you are lost in the wrong path, your whole life is lost.’ said Nadya and hugged her. ‘I will not repeat this. Sorry for everything Mom’ cried Isha. ‘Okay come. Lets have food together. I made your favourite Aloo Kulcha and mixed vegetable Sabji.’ said Nadya and too her to the dinning. Nadya served Isha and both started having their lunch. ‘How did you think of leaving this evil habit in just a fraction of second?’ asked Nadya with a smile. ‘I have never seen you crying. You are an iron lady. I’ve seen you as a strong and confident lady. I can’t bear seeing you crying.’ said Isha. Nadya hugged, ‘I love you’ said Nadya. ‘Love you too Mom’ replied Isha. The day ended.

“Drug is always an option. It is not the solution.

Say ‘No’ to drugs.”