Novel | The Bird Returning Home | Chapter : The Sweet Home Town

       The Sweet Home Town

 

It was midnight, and in front of the school old building the full moon had appeared extremely close like the unrevealed world was waking up as the human world had gone unconscious .The cool breeze was little faster reminding sea waves running toward the shore. In moonlight the dancing shadows of the trees and rustling leaves were sounding like black shadows had whispered something, and barking deer seemed had come around the old temple.

Pathankot Photograph

In dark there someone was groaning with pain, and then the shadow appeared in moonlight. It was Varun who had come to his consciousness. He slowly started walking down the road, and then he noticed his shadow. He looked around, and found the Ghorakhal was glowing in magical full moon light. His feet stopped there, and looked at the sky, full of stars, and the Moon was so big and close that he could jump and touch it. Suddenly Varun heard like someone whispers at a little distance near the trees, and then his feet got frozen when he saw there was someone in black dress or it was a tree looking like a woman. When he reached near the old school building; he heard tapping on first floor. He turned his eyes, looked there, and saw two shadows. He stepped little faster down the road, and never turned behind.

He unlocked the main door, and turned on the lights, and then latched it. He double checked; the main door was properly locked. He lay on the bed, closed his eyes, and took long breaths. For a moment, he had forgotten his pain.

‘What’s going on here at this time? Or it is just in my head. I wish I would be at home.’

Varun closed his eyes thinking about his mother.

‘Varun wake up; it’s 7o’clock. Sunday doesn’t mean sleeping whole day.’ Varun’s mother turned down the speed of the ceiling fan.

‘Maa only half hour more, please.’ Varun tossed on his bed, his hands were feeling the cool cotton bed sheet.

With a clang the main gate opened. A tall lady, fair color, wearing flower printed salwar-kameez got inside. She was the wife of the house owner, who had recently moved in their new house.

‘Look gurpreet’s mother coming.’

‘What’s going on?’

‘He isn’t waking up.’

‘Let him sleep. He is just 8.’

‘Where is my Angel?’

‘My eyes are thirsty for her. You know I start my day after seeing her.’

Gurpreet mother saw Varun’s sister three year old sleeping in her bed, who had fair color, silky hair, and face like wide peaceful ocean. She had two sons but no daughter. Sitting beside Varun’s sister on bed her eyes got overwhelmed with motherhood and then she kissed her forehead, holding her delicate hands in her hands. She felt peace and a king of spiritual healing that she never got anywhere.

In neighbor chirpings of sparrow had animated the buildings while cawing crow was searching meal while sitting on the TV antenna. At center of the town the Gurdwara flag was flying with pride while the morning kirtan was waking up the town. The small town was glowing in yellowish color as the sun was rising behind the buildings. The whole town was a concrete beehive.

Varun got out of the bed, and on tip-toes went into another room. He joined his father tuning radio for news while the kitchen was alive with utensils’ clattering. The running cold tap water was reminding the hot summer had gone. It was two story building and all buildings in narrow street were standing in rows on either side of it connected with road, which was joining to an intersect – a national highway where one road was leading to Jammu and Amritsar and other Shimla and Delhi. It was Pathankot.

‘Varun let’s go to sweet shop.’ A boy of Varun’s age speaking in Punjabi tching people in street.

‘Ok Shubash.’

Both of same heights in Kurta-Pajamas like two brothers were walking in street toward the road. They crossed the road many trucks were parked in an open space. It was a small market, where all shopkeepers were the local people. Varun’s hair was flying as morning cool breeze was blowing on road, and a small plastic bag was rolling on the road while people were strolling in pair on the pavement, taking with each other. Both crossed the road, and went into a shop -the Ratan sweet house. The fragrance of sweets was everywhere, and people were enjoying milk with Galabi.

‘Uncle half liter milk.’ Shubash gave the long-steel glass to Mr Ratan. Mr Ratan returned the glass filled with mikl.

‘Shubhas what happened?’

‘It’s too hot.

‘Let me try.’ Varun lifted the glass and held for a moment. The moment it got unbearable Varun thought to keep on the table, but unfortunately it slipped through his fingers, and in a fraction of second the shop floor got white with spilled milk.

‘Sorry Shubhas it was too hot.’

‘You know my mother. Don’t want to be scolded.’

‘Don’t worry. I have some coins.’

‘I also have some.’ Shubhas took the glass lying on the floor.

‘Let’s go and bring coins.’

Both little afraid crossed the road, without talking anything they went to their houses. After five minutes both met again in the street. Without exchanging any word, Varun opened his fist, and showed one rupee’s three coins. Shubhas slipped his right hand in shirt’s pocket, showed two one rupee’s coins. Both smiled and rushed to the market. They crossed the road, and went into the sweet shop.

This time Shubhas did no mistake. He gripped the steel glass tight with a paper, and both came out of the shop. Shubhas was happy to have been escaped from the punishment. Shubhas went his house and Varun own.  0000

‘Where’ve you been ?’ Varun’s mother came out of the kitchen.

‘Maa I was with Shubhas.’

‘Come have breakfast.’ Mother passed his plate.

‘For God’s sake give some food.’ A voice full of pity came from street. There, an old man with white hair and long beard, wearing old white kurta, and same color tahmat was standing out. He seemed shivering with cold.

Varun’s mother got up, went into the kitchen, took five roties and sabji at top of it and stepped outside.

‘Finish breakfast. We’ll go up stairs for fresh air.’ Varun’s father got up, took his plates, and went into the kitchen.

After breakfast Varun went upstairs on roof with his father. Under sky it was felt like someone had released the throat after tight grip. Far away above horizon small mountains range was visible; it was Himachal Pradesh. Across the road a large piece of land was coved with wild plants even thousands stacks of bricks were getting moss like they were discovered from Shindu valley civilization. Roaring buses engine could be seen anytime as it was the national highway connecting Jammu, Shimla, and Delhi, while the old Palm trees on either side of the road were like the historical land mark of the Pathankot.

Varun was looking at chirping sparrow sitting on wall while his father was looking at train running on track like it reminded him his village.

‘Varun look train. You remember last year went village by train?’

‘No Papa, don’t like train. It’s a machine. I love living things, and train is nonliving.’

‘But son you know it connects people, and you remember we went village by train last year.’

‘Papa look flock of Egrets flying.’ Varun pointed finger in the sky.

‘Papa where they going?’ Varun said in Punjab.

‘Varun always speak in Hindi at home. Anyway let’s go downstairs, and see what your mother doing.’ Varun’s father went downstairs.

In blue sky the sun had got brighter, and chillness was slowly dying while the Pathnkot had come out of the beehives, and it had started buzzing around.

After lunch Varun’s mother had gone upstairs, and there was silence in house. However, Varun and his father were there telling incidents of his childhood that Varun always loved hear it like visiting in a fairy tale.

‘One day in evening on a steep mountain I was cutting long green grass near Peach garden. On the trees the yellowish Peaches were hanging down in the green garden, and sweet aroma was in the air. There was no one near. Actually that mountain area was little away from our houses. Still the Sun was shining in sky. Probably I was 15 year.

I was ascending the mountains, cutting long grass. Even now I can see those long huge Pines trees, and brown needles everywhere, and small Pine cones were so inspiring.

Finally I had made a big grass heap. As it was enough for cattle, I descended the mountain, and came near the grass to make a bundle. I felt something weird as it was looking like a volcano mountain triangle shape hole at center. Then I ran away, climbed on a tree, and threw a stone at grass bundle. I was almost fallen from the tree to see the hood of big snake out of the grass hole. It was the king cobra.’

Outside the main gate clanged opened. Varun’s father paused for a moment, looked through the window, and went outside.

‘Mr Karam chand please come in.’

‘Mr Nand lal, I’m happy to see you. I’d come in neighbor then thought to drop by.’

‘It’s my pleasure sir.’

‘Hello son, how are you?’ Varun just gave a friendly smile, and then both settled on chairs around wooden table.

‘You know a piece of land is for sale in our neighbor. Better you buy it, and if you need financial help, I’ll give you.’ Mr Karam chand put hand in his pocket, and gave a chocolate to Varun.

‘You know I have no plan to stay here after retirement. I’ll go my village.’

‘Well, after retirement you can sale it. Mr Karam Chand took Panama cigarette pack out of his shirt pocket.

‘Think about children. When they grow up, they wouldn’t like to go Nainital rather they would love this place like you do to Nainital. Visualize your life after 20 or 30 years. See you are expert in our field, getting many electrical-work contracts, your market growing, and after 20 years, I don’t see anyone competing you. Your son can run your business. After retirement you want to do farming in Nainital in forest or want to use your skills in this town. One side you have to replant yourself in forest, and other side you will enjoy the fruits of your orchard here. Nand lal rethink and tell me. I’m not your enemy.’

‘I’ve applied for staff quarter. This building is a small box, no Sunlight even it gets difficult to live in winter.’

‘Then, in two months you will get quarter, Mr Karam Chand took a cigarette puff.

‘Varun let’s go to gurpreet and play.’ Suddenly a boy rushed in the house like black bull was chasing him.

‘Papa may I go with Shubhas.’

‘Ok and come soon.’

Both Varun and Shubhas smiled and went outside. Outside they went into a connected narrow street like both expanded hands, could touch the walls of the buildings. After two houses, the street connected with wide Street. There was Gurupreet’s new house painted with light grey color while door with dark grey. The main gate was open, so they went inside. Gurpreet’s mother was shouting at someone.

‘Tony, told you 100 times, don’t fight with Gurpreet. You are 15 year young man. Let your Dad come from Kolkata. I’ll tell, take you with him in Truck next time.’

‘Mama he started fight.’

‘Tony you go and clean shed, I don’t want to see dunk anywhere.’

‘Gurpreet you sweep all floors with broom.’

‘Oh God, you would’ve given me a daughter in place of this Tony.’

When Varun and Shubhas heard shouting, they didn’t dare to show up, waiting to cool down his mother. The aroma of Sarso ka sage was coming from inside while smell of burning cow dunk cake was also present there as if Sargo ka sage was being cocked on cow dunk stove. When going outside to shed, Tony, in Kurta-Pajama, a bun at top covered with white hanky, saw Varun and Shubas standing near the gate, and then without any reason he lifted his eyebrows and started staring at them. On the other side Pots were cluttering in kitchen as Gurpreet’s mother was inside.

'Gurpreet come here.' He turned behind, but there was no one.

‘Gurpreet come here.’ This time heard little louder, so he tip-toes, holding broom in one hand, went near the gate. When he found Varun and Shubas, the three started smiling.

'What you doing here.'

'We'd come to play with you.'

'You know mom being angle, wouldn't allow going.'

'Anyway ask your mom.’ Varun and Shubhas came close to him. Gurpreep afterthought took a long breath, went slowly into the kitchen.

'Mom look Varun and Shubhas have come to play. May I play with them please?'

'You’ve swept all rooms.'

‘No mama.’

‘First sweep all rooms then go.’ Gurpreet’s mother came close to him. Varun and Shubhas were making distorted faces when overheard. Gurpreet with handing face came outside.

‘Gurpreet don’t worry we’ll work as team. You clean this room; Shubhas will do that and I’ll do there. This way it’ll finish before time.’

Shubhas eyes were at the ticking wall clock striking at 3.00 pm while Gurpreet was cleaning with full enthusiasm. Varun had kept eyes at kitchen door as Gurpreet’s mother could come anytime. There was no one else in the house. For a moment Varun was fascinated by that big house.

‘Why don’t we have such a beautiful house even my classmates tell their grandparents had migrated from Pakistan then from where my grandparents had migrated?’

After half hour the cleaning was over. The three were excited to go. Gurpreet went into the kitchen.

‘Mama cleaning is done. Now may I go?’

‘Where you going to play?’

‘Where uncle’s new house being built.’

‘Don’t stay long there.’

The three smiled like they had won the trophy, and ran outside like wind. The road was alive with pedestrians; even running bicycle with clinking bell could be seen there while coughing scoter engine standing aside seemed unhappy with his master as it was unwilling to move a step.

They crossed the road; Tony was sitting in a truck, and on left side of truck was written Preetam Transport All India Permit, and on five trucks same thing was written. Varun and his friends walking beside the Ratan sweet house entered into a wide street. After three houses, sand truck was unloaded. They rushed to see the truck, and no one was there, so they went upstairs.

‘No one here to stop us. Let’s play hide-and-seek.’ Gurpreet turned toward Shubhas.

‘Yesterday Varun was the seeker when game was undone, so it’s his turn.’ Shubhas came close to Varun.

‘Ok, you hide while I counting ten.’

Both rushed downstairs while Varun was counting, closed eyes. Shubhas ran into kitchen, shrank under the sink. However, Gurpreet was little confused as last time he was found first, so didn’t want to take any chance. Scratching head with right hand his face sparked with smile, but Varun’s counting was over then he heard footsteps of Varun coming down. He rushed into the store room and disappeared behind the cement bags.

Standing in front of house, beside truck something was going on in Varun’s head like a detective.

‘Shubhas and Gurpreet were upstairs with me then came down. I can trace their footsteps, but shoe prints aren’t left on floor. Now for a moment I put myself in their shoes and think where could I hide? There are five empty rooms not good for hiding and now kitchen and store room are left. Let’s see there.’

‘Gurpreet come out hiding behind cement bag.’ Varun tip-toes went into the store room.

‘You always seek me first; I’m not playing.’ Gurpreet came out behind the cement bag, and went upstairs.

‘Shubhas I have located you under kitchen sink.’ Shubhas smiling emerged from the kitchen.

‘Let’s go upstairs; Gurpreet is there.’ Varun ascended the upstairs.

‘I’m not playing; you always catch me first.’ Gurpreet turned his face, watching small mountain of unloaded sand behind the truck.

‘Let’s jump on that big pile of sand.’ Gurpreet turned with lighted face.

‘All right, but who will jump first.’ Shubhas face got red to see the height.

‘I’ll dive first.’ Gurpreet was dancing on his toes. After that Gurpreet took three steps back, ran swiftly forward, and dived on the mountain of sand. It was a successful landing. He looked at roof standing Varun and Shubhas like he was the first climber over the Everest. Next Varun took long breath and stepped back like Gurpreet, and looked in his mind many thought were ready to stop him, but before that he ran like a tiger and jumped for the roof. For a moment he felt like a flying bird, and landed safely on the big pile of sand while his feet got thrust in the sand.

‘Come on Shubhas; it’s easy.’ Gurpreet looked at Shubhas standing on the roof. He sighed, took three steps back, heart beat was audible to him, and jumped with fear. He landed at top of the pile, fell forward, and his forehead banged against truck tailboard. Varun and Gurpreet ran up to him, tried to lift his forehead up. The tear drops were rolling on his checks while the forehead was covered with both hands.

‘Shubhas let’s see your forehead.’ Gurpreet pulled his hand, and uncovered the forehead. A bump had appeared on his forehead.

‘Let me press it. It’ll go away.’ Varun pressed bump with thumb.

‘It’s paining; I can’t go home until it disappears.’ Shubhas was groaning, so again covered the forehead.

‘Let’s go upstairs. Otherwise someone would see us.’ Gurpreet looked around if anyone was coming.

After two hours, on roof the three were lying in a cot, watching sky. With thundering sound two Indian fighters jet was flying in Pathankot sky while their eyes were following the jets. Although the bump had got little smaller yet Shubhas was pressing with thumb. Nobody had visited there as it was Sunday. The sun was going to set, and cool breeze was blowing now.

‘Let’s go home.’ Varun tapped on Gurpreet’s shoulder. Gurpreet nodded his head. The three got up from the cot, got downstairs slowly, and left the house. Little afraid they were walking in street as if thinking what was going to happen with them at home. Shubhas was imagining to be beaten by his mother while Varun was thinking his father would save him. On the other hand Gurpreet was sure would have to clean the house for one week.

When reached near road, the milk boiling aroma was coming from the Ratan sweet house. The market was crowded with people while cars engine were buzzing on the road. The three crossed the road carefully, and went into the street.

‘Tell tomorrow, what happens with you Shubhas.’ Gurpreet giggled and turned into another street.

‘And you clean your house –sweeper.’ Shubhas stared at him while without saying anything Varun got into his house.

The lights in all buildings were on while people were shopping in market. The sky was turned black and millions of starts were twinkling together while roaring Indian fighter jet’s engines were taking off into the dark sky, and the trails of ignition ‘s fire was following behind. In a moment the trails were disappearing in black sky, and only the drumming sound was left in the sky. Now the sky was appearing more silent than ever.

Next morning Varun got up early in morning as it was school where he never liked to go. Outside on the porch floor a flock of sparrows were chirping while ear could notice a faint caw-caw of crows on the roof. In street few people were talking with each other.

‘Varun let’s go for walk.’ Varun’s father, sitting on chair, tied his shoes.

‘I’m ready Papa.’ Varun came out of the bed room. Both left the house, and walk swiftly in the street. Heavy truck engines were still sleeping in the open ground while few people were strolling along the roadside, and talking in Punjabi tongue. Little cool breeze was blowing as sky looked dull that day. Expect the Rathan Sweet House and the old bakery, other shops were still close. Varun’s father turned right that way they hadn’t gone before.

‘Papa, where are we going?’ Varun lifted up his face, and looked at his father.

‘I want to show you something.’ Varun’s father smiled.

‘Papa, it’ll rain?’ Varun looked at overcast sky.

‘Do you like rain?’

‘Yes papa, I love it.’ Varun grinned, and his eyes got wider.

In front of the railway crossing at the Y-junction road they stopped, and an Iron Bridge was as close as his father. Across the bridge a wall of Small Mountains rang was standing, and a river was flowing under the bridge as it was the natural border of Punjab and Himachal.

‘Look at there, building having red cross sign. It is 31 October today. By 15 November we’ll shift there in MES quarters’ Varun father pointed index finger at Military Hospital. In response Varun lifted his eyebrows, and frowned at his father as he didn’t want to leave his friends.

Varun was looking across the bridge when he heard train engine horn. Now the roaring engine was running toward the bridge like a big snake whiles all bogies were following behind. As the train was moving through the arch bridge, it sounded like the iron bridge was vibrating as a drum. When it crossed the railway crossing, the wind started blowing, carrying dust in air.

‘Let’s Varun; return back. You have to go school.’ Varun father held his hand.

The sky was getting dense with dark clouds like it was near dusk. On the other hand the cold puff of air was blowing like it had rained in Shimla. A complete silence was buzzing aloud. Suddenly the big raindrops started fall on the road.

‘Varun run fast. It may downpour.’ Mr Nand lal holding his left hand was taking long steps while Varun was running to catch up his father. Finally they got near Rathan Sweet House and turned into their street.

‘Papa I won’t go school. It may rain.’ Varun entered in their house.

‘No son you have to go.’ His father was tuning the radio while the Potato Paratha smell was coming from the kitchen.

‘Please Papa I’ll study at home.’

‘Ask to your mother. If she says, you can.’

‘Weather is terrible. Let him stay.’ Ms Dhanu came out of the kitchen.

Outside the rain was pattering in street, and rain-water pipes were vomiting in the street therefore it was flooding like small stream while some people were moving in street drenched in rain. The Pathankot had seen the rain after long time.

In afternoon the rain had stopped but the sky was overcast. Varun was writing in his school Notebook besides his sister sitting with him drawing lines on a paper. Varun was playing with his sister Dolly, who always enjoyed her brother company. Dolly’s eyes ran to door. Shubhas was getting inside.

‘Shubhas you didn’t go to school.’

‘Yah, I went, but it ended early today.’

‘You have written wrong date. It is 31 October 1984.’ Shubhas pointed at the school notebook.

‘Why did School end too early?’

‘You don’t know; today in Delhi someone has killed Ms Indira Gandhi, and teachers were talking about curfew.’

‘Where is your mother Varun?’ Shubhas looked around in the room.

‘Oh Mama went Gurpreet’s house. You know I saw Gurpreet’s mother weeping.’

‘Children today don’t go outside, stay home. There is curfew.’ Ms Dhanu little worried entered in the room. Varun hadn’t seen his mother upset before.

‘You know what is curfew?’ Varun put Notebooks aside.

‘No I don’t know, but I have heard that people stay in home, shops remain closed, and roads get abandoned.’

In evening Mr Nand lal had got back early. The streets were silent outside as curfew wasn’t a new for Pathankot. As being the near Pakistan border, this small town had seen many ups and downs. Varun was getting bored in home.

‘Papa shall we go upstairs?’ Varun touched his father’s arm who was tuning the radio.

‘Let’s go.’ His father turned off the radio. Varun’s face lighted up with joy, and ran upstairs like wind while his father followed behind him.

On roof due to morning rain cold breeze was blowing while the sky was still dark, so window panes of the buildings had started glaring early. There Gurpreet’s house looked covered under dark grief that evening as there was dead silence. On other hand people were jealous of birds to see enjoying more freedom while some had come out of their holes on roofs. The life line road and market were silent which Varun hadn’t seen in his life. To see the road Varun went the roof facing the road, and there the Punjab police were patrolling on the roads.

‘Varun let’s go downstairs.’ Mr Nand lal walked downstairs.

‘Papa wait.’ Varun ran up to his father.

The darkness had covered the whole town as the night was searching the moon in the sky. People sitting in front of TV were analyzing the news. It was going to be the longest night.

Next morning Varun got up late as there was no school. It was going to be the boring day as Varun was thinking. Since morning his father ear had stuck in the Radio listening news. In Delhi situation was tense as many Sikhs were killed. According to the news the killer of Ms Indira Gandhi was her Sikha bodyguard.

In evening Varun felt little relaxed after Shubhas showed up. Bothe felt like meeting after many years, but they missed Gurpreet.

‘Mama Can we go Gurpreet’s house, please?’ Varun and Shubhas holding each other’s hand were standing outside near the gate.

‘No children. You can’t.’ Ms Dhanu came out of the house.

‘Since morning I have not gone anywhere. Only for 10 minutes.’

‘Ok I’ll come with you.’ Ms Dhanu latched the gate. Varun and Shubhas standing beside her started walking. Both were feeling butterflies in their stomachs.

When they reached near Gurpreet’s house, they overheard laughing; seemed guest would have come last night. The house gate was unlatched, so Varun pushed the gate, and it opened with creaking sound. The voice was coming from living room like all had gathered there, and the aroma of frying Chess Pakoda was coming from the kitchen. To hear the gate sound Gurpreet’s mother came outside from the kitchen. Her face was sparking with happiness while eyes were leaving a trail of good news.

‘Gurpreet’s father and uncle have arrived.’ She held Ms Dhanu’s right hand. Gurpreet came outside from the room when he saw his friends standing outside.

‘I’ll help you in kitchen.’ Both got inside the kitchen.

On other side Gurpreet took them in his playing room where a door was opened to living room, and Tony, his father and uncle could be overheard easily.

‘Look this is my Truck.’ Gurpreet drove a toy truck in front of them. On other room the chuckle of laugh caught their attention.

‘You know my father’s truck was parked somewhere. Then a mob of angry people came there carrying guns and knives. And then they attached on my Dad and uncle. Even they were trying to set fire on our truck. Luckily my uncle drove the truck like a stork and saved their lives.’

‘Your uncle is a brave man.’ Shubhas took the truck from Gurpreet.

‘Yes he is.’

‘And you know my uncle was telling he’ll have his long hair cut like you.’

‘Varun come. Let’s go home now.’ Ms Dhanu came inside the room.

It was dark outside, and light cold wind was blowing, and occasionally lightning was flashing in sky. It might rain. In bed Varun was lying beside her sister, thinking about the toy truck that he had seen, and slowly drifted in thought he shut his eyes. The Pathankot had never seen the deafening- silent night before.

Next morning everything was fresh. Outside a cold breeze was blowing like winter was approaching while fog was getting inside the room though the windows. Varun lying in bed opened his eyes though he was surprised as his mother hadn’t woken him. He turned his head and found in another world. Surprised he got up his shoulder was paining then the temple big bell rang loudly. Now he realized it was a dream, and last night had been fallen into a ditch. He looked his phone. It was 1:00 am

Sitting on the bed Varun was watching though the window, but this place was little meaningless for him. He was totally overwhelmed by the last night dream a kind of longing to see his birth place again, and the loneliness was biting like a snake. The hooter howled for lunch in campus. This sound always reminded him the curfew days in Pathankot. He was feeling hungry, since yesterday’s lunch he hadn’t taken anything, so he got up for lunch.

In mess students were in colorful dresses even there were a few students. As some had gone with parents and others perfected canteen’s smell. Varun was sitting alone at his table, taking rice and pulse. Students were eating slowly, and talking more. With a bam the wooden gavel struck on a table then students started leaving the mess.

Near school gate on small stone wall, Varun was sitting observing people like a detective and looking down at the brick stairs going to the small market. This was the right place to divert their mind. Near him two taxis were standing with patience waiting for passengers while there was no sign of drivers. Growling with pride a black color Tata safari stopped near the school gate seemed tourist as Delhi number was hanging in its neck. Then the safari went near to the taxis like asking, ‘where does this road lead?’ And then one taxi came swiftly behind the safari and spinning wheels stopped with a scream. Its door opened, and Aayush and his sister got out of it.

‘Good evening sir.’ Aayush walked up to Varun while his sister was talking to the driver.

‘Good evening Aayush. Coming from Bhowali.’

‘He had to buy some books.’ Aayushi gave a magnetic smile.

‘Ok Aayush go hostel, and I’m going home.’ Aayushi held Aayush hand.

‘Bye sir.’ She turned toward stairs.’

‘Let’s we also go.’ Varun and Aayush walked toward the school gate. As they got near the luv-Kush hostel gate, Aayush opened his mouth with shocked like forgotten something.

‘Sir may I use your phone please?’

‘Yah take it.’ Varun pulled phone out of his pocket and gave to Aayush.

‘Aayushi sis, my Physics notes book is left at home. Please bring it tomorrow evening at five. I’ll wait near the gate.’

‘Oh this number, Varun sir?’

‘Bye sis.’

‘Thank you sir.’ Aayush gave back the phone, and then moved to his hostel and Varun turned to his house, feeling lighter after meeting with them.