Feature

It was August, when this happened. Since morning everything had been going fine when at about ten-fifteen at night, I received an unexpected call. I received it and unpredictably, it was him. I never imagined that he would ever call, especially at this hour! When he started talking; which was non-stop, I froze. I stood there with awe, surprised by every word he said. I was totally numb. It felt as if the entire proportion of blood in my body was rushing three times faster than usual. I thought my heart would be unable to take such pressure and that I would pretty soon get a cardiac arrest! In spite of being speechless, overjoyed and immobile, I had an enormous smile running over my face. I bet I looked like one of those clowns seen in the circuses. When he asked me about my opinion, I could say nothing. It was just too much of happiness coming at once! Every word he said gave me all the possible joy in the entire world. It was like the feeling of a child being gifted a land full of variety-chocolates and ice cream with a huge swimming pool of liquid caramel. His one question felt as if the world was handing me over all its happiness. I was unable to talk at all. The second time he repeated his query, I simply mumbled and answered, “Yeah, sure, yeah…yes…”

It was all I could come up with; well, it was the only few words I spoke to him in the entire five minutes' conversation. I guess, he was somewhat satisfied with my lame reply, but he was quite intelligent to understand what I actually wanted to say. When there was not much to chat about, we said the usual-“Bye”, and were about to disconnect the line when at the very last moment, he said the three simplest but world's priceless words. Right then, the parts of me that were thawing by time, were frozen instantly once again. Yet, I responded, and kept the phone in its place.

After all these days, the thought of it manufactures a smile on my face, even in my darkest days. I never knew that life could be so beautiful unless and until my brother called up to inform me about his leaving for Australia in thirty minutes and that he wanted to talk to me for the very last moments before his departure.

[NOTE: What readers? Shocked or confused? Well, I guess I'm a person full of surprises (!) I just wanted to twist things a bit…I'd like to know your opinion]

(Student of Class-9, Sir John Wilson School)

She put on her robe and went downstairs.

He was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in front of him. He appeared to be deep in thought, just staring at the wall. She saw him wipe a tear from his eye and take a sip of his coffee.

'What's the matter dear? Why are you down here at this time of night?' she asked.
'Do you remember 20 years ago when we were dating and you were only 18?' he asked.

'Yes I do.' she replied.

'Do you remember when your father caught us in the back seat of my car?'

'Yes I remember.'

'Do you remember your father when he shoved that shotgun in my face and said. 'Either you marry my daughter or spend twenty years in jail'?'

'Yes I do', she replied.

He wiped another tear from his cheek and said, ' You know I would have gotten out today.'

(Contributed by Sadia)