Roni tossed about in his bed, his eyelids fluttering. ~~~ He was a child of six once again, in his family farm. It was a winter morning. The sun warmed his runny nose as he padded through the field, his grandfather in hot pursuit. ~~~ He was twenty three again, in Mumbai once again. He stood still, though his eyes betrayed his restlessness. The monsoon had been pummeling Munbai for over a week. The grey sky was occasionally lit by a sudden, terrifying streak of lightning. He sniffed occasionally, perhaps because of his cold. ~~~ His grandfather caught him from behind and picked him up in his arms, laughing. Dadu, give me your ring! he said, tugging at the huge emerald in his grandfathers finger. ~~~ She walked up behind him suddenly, preceded by that faint waft of Eteenity she always wore. I can never surprise you, can I? She caught a look of his face and looked down at her feet, clearing her throat. ~~~ Roni, look at that! Aeropilayn! his grandafther said, to distract him. Roni squealed in delight and ran once more across the field, till the airplane disappeared. Dadu, I LOVE airplanes! he said, his face red with laughing and running. ~~~ I have kept something on the table for you. Pick it up when youre home. He could not get the airplane taking off out of his mind. Just a few years, just a few years... he kept repeating like a mantra. ~~~ Here, Roni, his grandfather shouted. Try this - does this fit you? he put his ring on.Ronis small fingers, sliding it over his thin fingers a few times. No, right? Its okay, Dadu, I will keep it in my pocket, Roni laughed again and ran off with the ring shining in his hands. ~~~ Roni opened the door and slowly closed it behind him. He walked to the table, where a small shape caught his attention. A box with a ribbon. He was shivering as he opened the box. It had a small note wrapped over his ring. I am sorry. Take care of yourself. ~~~ ~~~ Roni did not wake up from his dream as he used to a few years ago. The tears in his sleep no longer jolted him awake. They blended with the cold of the farm and the Mumbai rains in his dream. ~ Suneil
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:02:47 +0000