D for Daddy

17. Rebel

Large dining hall was busy feeding happy kids.

Maan stood at the threshold and took a moment to look at the scene in front of him. Long red and black curtains were a stark contrast to pale yellow walls that had quotes scribbled about how healthy food leads to healthy mind and healthy body.

The didning hall proudly sported wooden tables and red and green comfortable chairs. It was a colourful and vibrant setup.

Rohit looked at the boy and found him observing the setup with admiration. A tender smile played on Maan's lips, momentarily bringing him out of thoughts of his mother.

Rohit assumed that the boy was a foodie. He wished he made a correct assumption as he did not want another version of Naina, who hardly ate anything willingly.

"Liked it?" Rohit asked with a smile and Maan just gave a clipped smile.

"Come, let's eat. I am famished." Rohit said as he placed a friendly hand on Maan's shoulder, sending a sense of warmth and belonging within the boy's heart.

Rohit could sense how strong Maan's body was. His shoulders were firm for his age. He must have been on a good diet and heavy physical activity. The confidence in his voice and eyes showed it all.

Maan was silent as he took a small portion of cooked food and helped himself with another plate of fresh diced fruits. Rohit was glad that the boy did not need encouragement or motivation to eat. He was easy with food and did not shy away from replishing his plate with fruits.

Maan quietly followed Rohit to his cabin to retrive his luggage. Rohit just handed him over the hamper, and asked a helper boy to carry the bags and guide Maan to his room.

While on the way to his room, Maan's eyes were roaming in the premises to get another small glimpse of a certain someone. He could not help but feel a deep longing in his heart.

The dormitory room was something maan had never seen before. Five bunk-beds were neatly placed at regular distance and kids had already occupied their own. His alloted was was on the top and was still empty. The helper boy placed his luggage near his bed and walked away.

Maan looked around. The kids had already made friends. They were happily chatting away, not caring about the new boy that came late. End of the room had five bathrooms and five toilets.

Maan was suddenly enveloped by a lonely feeling. He regretted coming here for a mere moment, before he reminded hiself of the motto.

He was here with a mission. He would see his mother from far. If possible, he would share a few words in these twenty days and would walk away silently, without making himself known, never to come back again.

He did not wish to disturb her peaceful life, yet he would gather a few memories that would last a life time. His father was enough for him He did not need anyone else, not even his mother. He had convinced himself all the way to Dehradoon.

A child in him however, found himself vulnerable. Like all other kids, he too, wanted to talk to his mother. He wanted to be held by her. He wanted to have food cooked by her. But he was not just any other kids. He was Armaan Kian Goenka. Being a son of Kian, came with sacrifices.

Maan sighed as he placed the luggage in the cupboard alloted to him, before he pulled out a more comfortable pair of clothes. He placed the hamper on his bed and waked away to the batroom to freshen up. He came back and climbed the small stairs to get up on his bed. He felt refreshed after a wash.

With a curios mind, he opened the package of the hamper. There were packets of dried fruits along with a few packets of fruit juices. There was also a set of coloring books and a puzzle game. What caught Maan's attention was a diary and a crystal pen. He picked up the diary and turned the pages. A smile appeared on his lips and his eyes glinted with determination.