1.1: The time when it started.

It was sometime when I was happy rather said we were happy. My bunch of friends and me. The happy phase came a little later from where the actual story started and the current phase was little bye-bye kind of and emotional.

Emotional for my mother and sisters. But I was excited. First time stepping out of my city, no parents, no lectures, I can play Delta force the whole time on my laptop. I can hang out with friends after playing cricket. Above all I will have more money in my account what I used to have now. Oh yes I was about to become king of my small magical world.

Finally the day came. My mom woke me up.

“Mom its my last day in home, let me sleep” I said and went back to sleep.

“I know but your train is at 7 am so you have to wake up now.” She replied crying.

“Why are you crying mom? “ I asked her rubbing my eyes and yawning.

“You won’t understand stupid. You were so small when your dad and I brought you from hospital. Now see you have to leave house for higher studies and….” she was controlling her tears but that was it. The Dam broke down.

Ohh shoot!! She started crying. Soon she will get company from my sisters. Everyone will then come and hug me. Then hold me and cry again. I have to pee also. I have to do something before her voice goes out of the room. Something quickly. I have been crushed hundreds of times this way this week. Think genius think, I said to myself. I went into my thinking posture. Eyebrows tilted, head turned towards ceiling. I have to make her laugh.When you feel cold you switch on the heater. When your mom cries make her laugh.

“Pushpa, I hate tears” I went upto her in Rajesh Khanna style and delivered the dialogue.

“Ouuchh!” I screamed. Someone hit me on head from back.

“Nalayak!! You are taking you Mothers name. See his behaviour. God knows what he will do when goes to hostel” My dad scolded me while talking to mom.

“Leave him. Don’t know when I will see him again.” she pulled me towards her and hugged.

“Mumma, I am going college not to Iraq. I will be fine and come home on deepawali”I said her in a flat voice.

“Shut up!!  Deepawali was the time when you first said anything” mom said getting more emotional.

“What was my first word?” I asked her.

“Boo ba boo” she told with a grin on her face while tears were coming out like kids on roller coaster.

“What? That’s not even a word” I said.

“Shut and get ready. Then your dad will again tell you how to use ATM and how to keep your money safely.” I said pushing me towards bathroom.

“But I already know mom. This is the tenth time Dad will tell. I remember everything.

Step one: while standing in Queue keep your wallet in front pocket of trousers.

Step two: While in ATM room. Always ensure no one else is there. He/she can see your pin and misuse it.

Step three: Grab the cash as it comes or it will go back inside.

Step four: Count your money twice.

Step five: Always check you balance in the slip popped out.

Step six: Tear and throw that slip in dustbin.

Step seven: Keep your money safely in wallet. You should not keep all money at same place. Distribute the amount. Some in under pockets some in shirt pocket and blah blah.

See Dad, I remember everything.” I turned towards my dad and said.

“Good. That very good. Then I will teach you how to use your new phone” He patted my back and pushed me towards bathroom.”Now go and get ready.”

“Chai-Chai” A tea wala was shouting. His words “Chai-Chai” would be just Chai or tea for others. But for me it was more than just tea. It meant that I arrived railway station. I just have to walk two platforms and sit on a train. The wheels would move and then I would be FREE!! FREE!! FREE!!

I kept staring  at chai wala chanting my freedom anthem”Chai-Chai”.

“You want tea?” Dad asked.

“No. I was just searching for newspaper. I will start reading from today. Reading English newspaper will improve my English.” I replied innocently.

“Good beta. Remember this is your first step.After engineering you have to go to IIM also. Improve your English.” His face glowed with pride.

“Yes Dad.” I replied pretending to be very serious.

“Take this and go get the paper. I will meet you on platform.” He said taking out a 20 rupees note from his pocket.

I took the note and moved slowly. I saw once he went inside the station. I rushed towards a beetal shop.

“Bhaiya!! Two small gold flake,chloromint and one times of india.” I said in one go.

“You see that tunnel. This was built during mugal times.Very old.” As train started my Dad started telling me all the all the stuffs that could make a good conversation between us. Which is a next to impossible thing when your teenager son just got wing to fly. Dad usually don’t accept the fact that his son is grown and son never accepts that, if I am what I am then he is my dad.

“Dad I have to go to bathroom. I’ll come in sometime.” I told him.

“Ok. But after that don’t stand on the gate.” He said to me while scanning his newspaper.

“Thak-Thak” Open the gate. Someone knocked on the bathroom door.

“what the hell?” I screamed inside my head. I just went in and lighted my cigarette. Only two drags and some son of biscuit is knocking my door.

“Go to other bathroom. I am in.” I yelled.

“Its CRPF. Jharkhand police.Come out or we wil break the door.”He yelled too.

“Yes sir. No one is smoking inside. “ I opened the door before which I threw my cigarette with a heavy heart.

“Beta…chacha ko ullu na bana… chal thane” the guy grabbed my collar.

“Sir. Please .Cant we settle here something.Dad is with me.He will kill me.” I begged.

“Ok. Give me thousand buks.” He said.

“What? Sir I am student. I don’t have that much money.” I replied.

“OK then your Dad will pay. Come.” He grabbed my collar and pulled again.

“Sir I have 500. Please take this and leave. Maa kasam I won’t smoke again”

He looked at me and thought for a while and said.

“Do you have extra cigarettes” He looked at me and thought for a while and said.

“Yes I have one” I replied.

He took all my money and my cigarette and walked off. I with a heavy heart walked back to my seat.

“What happened son? Your face looks dull.”Dad asked me after seeing my face.

“Nothing my stomach is not well.” I said.

“Oh god! I will get bananas on the next station” He said caressing my hair.

“Wake up son. Dehradun came.” Dad woke me up. Exactly at the same time when yesterday my mom woke me up. Wow!! I never thought I would ever say. I really was missing my mom.

“son get down. Its your new home.” Dad said patting my back. And put all my luggage in the cab. Soon my hostel arrived.

The Cab guy stopped near a 2 storey building. I got down with all my luggage.A guy opened the door.

“Welcome sir! Welcome to Sharma Hostel” he greeted us with a broad smile on his face.

I stood in middle of the lawn. Looking all around. This is my new home for next four years. I don’t  know anyone here. I have to make new friends. Take care of myself by own. Make believe my mom,dad and sisters that I am doing great and everything is fine.

I was deep in my thoughts unaware of the fact that life has lot more surprises for me. Sharma hostel will become a big part of my life. Many happy moments and many sad ones will also come.