PHOENIX - The Rebirth Of Hope

Chapter 2 : Conversation With Nana Ji

Samarth was bored and by that, he meant the same as always. His legs had gone numb from all the time he had to sit with them folded underneath him.  

Samarth dragged his legs and quickly took the left route. He stopped and looked back to make sure that a ram-shackled hut was hiding him from view. No sign of Madhav and his gang, the bullies. Ha! Sighing with relief, Samarth started down the lane to his home. It was a lane only he frequently used as it was a long cut. All the others mostly took the shortcut, a lane straight to the slum. Taking this route meant Samarth had to go through the fields.

Samarth was currently studying in a Government school. The benefit was that the fees was minimal and the school was close to the slum, within walking distance. The problem was that well.....you know mostly all schools had bullies.

Samarth didn't mind taking a long route as long as it kept him hidden from the bullies. He slid the strap of his bag down his shoulder and took out his lunch. He ate while he walked home from school. The reason he didn't eat in school and instead told the teacher that he had nothing to eat while keeping up with their pitiful glances, was so that the bullies wouldn't take it. He had a good experience of it and didn't want to replay the past. As Samarth walked, he remembered something and soon after a moment's consideration, changed the lane. As he walked along the lane, he saw many people standing in a line in front of the hand pumps with buckets in their hands. Sweat shone on their forehead as if a layer of oil. Samarth kept away from the hand pump during the noon as there was always a long line then and most of the time people could be seen pushing each other and quarreling to get to the water. It all mostly starts with one person trying to fill more than one bucket of water at a time. There was a well near the outskirts of the slum, that was true but.....well, another long line there. There was no use wasting time there. Who would go as far as the outskirts of the city when you could use a hand pump that was just near your house?

Samarth turned left and quickly sidestepped as two people on a bicycle rode by shouting like crazy. Samarth neared a bent which marked the starting of the farms. There was greenery everywhere. Small saplings yearned to grow into something more. Bees buzzed angrily and then somehow contentedly, they cherished the sweet nectar the young flowers provided. Course roots spread inwards as they struggled against their thin bindings. The water seeped into the soil fast. The soil wasn't either too dry and hard or too soft and breakable which made it perfect. Tractors trudged through the soil, the vibrations they made traveling outwards.Samarth's father didn't own a farm but his Nana Ji sure did. Samarth's Nana Ji was one of the best farmers around here and the best he had ever known. It was his field only where Nana Ji and his father worked. He knew he was a disappointment for his family no matter that they refrained from saying it, he had always known. But the only thing his Nana Ji had shown him was kindness, love, an incentive to work harder and a best friend he always knew wouldn't desert him in difficult times.

As Samarth neared his Nana Ji's farm he started running. Samarth stopped and panted when he reached the first step. Despite the exertion of the day, he was feeling quite happy. He rotated the stool on the porch and sat down trying to calm his breathing and his racing heart. Samarth inhaled deeply in the rich aroma that the trees gave out of nutmeg, resin, clove, and pollen. The road was well constructed but today it was deserted which was fine as it conjured a better view for Samarth to enjoy. Samarth could hear the pleasant chirping of birds which was only cut by the faint thundering growl of the tractors working through the field.

Samarth heard the faint creaking of wood beside him which announced the arrival of his Nana Ji.

"Nana Ji", Samarth exclaimed.

"Samarth?", Samarth's Nana Ji seemed surprised even after having him over again and again at his house uninvited.

"Yeah, thought I would pay you a visit.", Samarth said. Then he murmured incoherently. "That is if you would have me for company". Samarth had said it in a low voice so that his Nana Ji wouldn't hear but even at his age, the old man did.