ODYSSEY-The Journey Ahead

Tussi ja rahe ho? Tussi... rok lo toh nahi jaunga.

Evening lights dawned on the city when Medhansh and Prithvi came back from work.

Entering the house both of them found eerie silence in the house, a kind of silence that the walls of this Mansion had very rarely been blessed in the evening hours.

Ashmita was sitting on the sofa silently knitting a sweater while Maanvi sat on the floor doing her project work. Seeing them, Maanvi silently served them a glass of water.

Ashmita, however, did not bait either of them a glance.

Experience had taught them that they need not ask for an explanation,no, if they sit silently for long enough, an explanation will itself come to them.

So they got down with removing their shoes and ties.

And not more than a minute later did they find Mitansh walking down the stairs. With a suitcase in one hand and a backpack in the other.

As he descended down the stairs louder than anyone would care, he grabbed the attention of all except his mother, who had by now been immune to his shenanigans.

He dramatically and unusually loudly dropped the luggage on the ground.

In a worse dramatic manner, he pulled a sheet of paper out of his back pocket and opened it.

Clearing his throat he started,

"Ahem, ahem. Papa, bhaiya, Mumma. With great regret I am informing you that I, Mitansh Prithvi Sharma, have decided to leave behind all worldly desires and goodies, from my family to my fake sister, from my chole bhature to kurkure, from my life, my everything and now I am going to achieve eternal wisdom. Hence forth I will live like holy man, in jungle, eating lemon chus and coca cola ONLY. Thanks for the life. No need to shed tears. Bella Ciao."

He slipped back the paper in his pocket and stood silently. Ofcourse expecting words of stopping him, and tussi na jao, only to actually receive utter and according to him, unexpectedly odd silence.

Sunai nahi diya kya inlogon ko?

A moment later Prithvi got up from his place. He picked up his tie and bag and walked towards Mitansh, who smirked internally.

Vahi toh mai sochu, mere jaise honhaar bete ko jaane kaise de sakte hain yeh bechare log.

Prithvi walked up to Mitansh, gently cupped his face with his free hand and placed a kiss on it.

"Khoob mann laga kar jungle mein rehna. Suna hai jungle mein sher, saanp, bhediya, bhoot voot bhi hote hain, hmm, dosti kar lena unse ok? Papa loves you. I wish to see you back in 14 years." He ruffles his hair and walks on the stairs.

Maanvi snickered deviously watching the scene unfold.

Mitansh, who was dumb struck by his fathers word, flung the backpack on his shoulder as he blew up his cheeks with anger.

"Ja raha hu iss ghar ko chod kar. Akhbaar mein khabar chapwa dijiye. Sharma pariwaar ka chota beta, ghar pariwaar ka tyaag kar jungle ko gaya. Alvida!"

And he strolled towards the main door.

"Tillu sunn" he heard Maanvi and smirked.

Continuing his facade of drama and attitude, he stopped yet did not turn back.

"Ji boliye." he tried to sound deep and filled with pride but vaisa kuch ho nahi paya reality mein.

"Voh sneakers bhaiya ke hain. Vanvaas mein vaise bhi wood ki slippers pehenni hogi, toh usse rakh do rack mein."

And that was the final blow for Mitansh who burst into the most childish tears, wailing out loud, bringing back life to the walls of the mansion, which had been waiting desperately for the evening dose of Mitansh-y noises.