Sunday Shorts

Family Reunion

The shrill ring of a phone disrupted the quiet of the morning. Dhruv stirred and grabbed his phone. He picked up the call and a loud voice responded, "Hi bhaiyya!"(Translation: Elder brother)

"Shweta, now is really not the time! It's not even two in the morning here! I was having a nice sleep before you woke me!"

Shweta giggled and replied, "Sorry, I'm not sorry about it at all! Just hear what I have to say and then enjoy your beauty sleep, Sleeping Beauty!"

"Ugh! Shweta hurry up or I'm going to cut the call and block you! And you won't be receiving a rakhi gift for the next five years!"

"Alright alright, shanti! It's actually past eleven in the morning here, I actually forgot you would still be sleeping. Sorry, actually sorry this time!"

"It's alright, ab toh waise bhi neend ud gayi hai. Ab bol, phone kyu kiya tha?" ("It's alright, my sleep's been ruined anyway. Now tell me, why did you call?")

"Achha, you remember this year, 27th of May, marks Maa and Papa's 25th anniversary na? I'm planning something and I want you here by the 20th, ok? Aapko meri madad karni padegi." ("You'll have to help me out.")

"But..."

"No buts! Today is he 17th, be here by the 20th! Wait, main hi tickets bhej dungi. (I will only send you the tickets.) Then you won't have any excuse not to come. I know you and papa are not on the best of terms at the moment, but you will be here. They aren't going to be around for long, and as your dear, beloved little sister I must prevent you from making any potential mistakes you will regret lifelong, musn't I? Ab bye. Enjoy your beauty sleep, Sleeping Beauty!"

"Bye-- ugh! Why does she cut the call like this! Now I wont be able to sleep and she knows it very well. Why are little sisters so annoying?! Uffo!"

Just then the phone pinged. His sister had sent him his flight details, which said that his flight would be leaving from Toronto Pearson International Airport at 8:30 pm Canada time on 19th of May. It would land at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi at around 4:30 pm India time the following day. Dhruv got up to pack, seeing as Shweta had robbed him of all semblance of sleep for the rest of the night (or morning). But he could not pack away the harsh words he and his father had exchanged the last time he was home and they weighed on his mind all through the day.

*

The flight took off from Terminal 1 as Dhruv settled in and put on his headphones. the words he and his father had exchanged the last time he had been home twisting and turning in his mind. When he finally fell asleep it was uncomfortable, partly due to the flight seat and partly because the words he had said were invading his dreams.

When he finally landed, Shweta was there to receive him. Grabbing his bags, she started talking, "Come on, bhaiyya! Maa and Papa don't even know you're coming! What a surprise it will be for them!"

As Shweta pulled up in front of their house some forty-five minutes later, Dhruv instantly got out. "Nothing's changed here. Just as it was when I left it." As he was looking at his childhood home, a male voice called out.

"Dhruv? Beta? Is that you?" (Translation: Son?)

"Papa."

In that instance everything was forgotten. Dhruv dropped his backpack-- Shweta could carry it for ruining his sleep that night-- and ran to his father. His father quickly got down the few steps and approached his son, wrapping him up in a hug. All was well.

A/N:

Hi! Sorry I'm irresponsible and forgot to post! Plus the lack of drafts means I won't be able to update Scholarship Girl today! If anybody out there is reading my work and waiting for an update, I'm really sorry! Hopefully I can make it up to you later.

Till then, much love.

Sam