A GRANDPA'S ODYSSEY

A GRANDPA'S ODYSSEY (part 1 of 2)

Robin ,a high school going teenager ,just woke up from bed, walking around, brushing his teeth. Grandpa asked him to bring the newspaper from the newspaper box, in the gate. Having brushed his teeth, Robin quickly delivered the newspaper to this grandfather who was having his morning tea. Grandpa asked Robin to read it out aloud for him. So Robin started to read the headlines aloud meticulously.                                                   While reading, grandpa suddenly asked him to stop, and to repeat what he had just read. Taken aback, Robin read again ,"A car accident in Hyderabad yesterday night, an old woman killed and another injured. "Grandpa frowned and at once asked Robin to find the name of the dead woman from the report. Confused, Robin read the whole report and found out that the woman's name was "Rubina" .On hearing this, Grandpa sat still for sometime. Then he removed his specs, his eyes teary, and exclaimed, "So this is how you go. Rest In Peace, Ruby.".  Robin quickly asked ,"Do you know this person Grandpa?" Grandpa nodded and replied, "Do you want to know, who she was?" Robin nodded without blinking an eye. Grandpa started, "If i remember correctly, it was spring, mid-april , flowers in full bloom everywhere. Once I entered the main gate, my Army School in Srinagar, would greet me with colorful  trees bearing colorful flowers, on both sides of the passage  leading to the main school building. This little walk from the gate to the main building used to be my most favorite task of the day. As I was walking through on the passage way, on that fortunate day, I noticed a girl standing still, confused in front of the main building. I thought of minding my own business and moving on, but since I thought, I had never seen her before, and she most probably must be a new student, I went out to her and asked her if she was a new student indeed. She turned towards me and replied yes, chuckling, almost bursting into laughter on seeing me. Although at that instant, I was concentrating on her deep expressive eyes and bright smile that made her look gorgeous. At that moment,a teacher passing by asked her to follow him,before i could ask if she needed help.I continued walking through the hallway, smiling the entire time, wondering how bright her face looked like, hoping her to be in the same class.Although i did notice that everyone passing by me burst into laughter too, i didn't mind and continued on my way. On reaching my classroom, i had barely settled down when one of my friend, Shehzaad, grabbed me by my collar and said,"Where is your mind idiot,why the hell are you sitting here with bird poop in your head?"

I was shocked, embarrassed and at once ran to the washroom. Looking into the mirror and washing my hair, i thought that this was the reason why she and everyone else were laughing at me. Being hugely embarrassed, i now hoped that she didn't end up in my class. But as fate would have it, she entered, followed by the class teacher into our classroom.I was doomed. The teacher introduced her to our class and that's when i knew her name,'Rubina'. That whole day,i avoided her like crazy, sometimes i would cover my face with a book when she passed by,at other times,i would avoid making eye-contact with her."

'Can you pass me a glass of water Robin?" said grandpa,chuckling, himself, but with tears in his eyes about to come out.

Robin quickly brought a glass of water and asked him,"So did you get to become friends with her afterwards?"

Grandpa replied,"Yes, i did, although it did take some more embarrassment on my part and teasing on her part.
(To be continued)