The Five Stars of Life

The Departure

         Staring out of the car, looking at scenic mountains, would have been a much easier option. But, my mom gave me her phone saying, "Abhi, don't you want to text your friends? Don't you want to say good bye a final time?"

    Without replying I took her phone doing the hardest job, I felt at that moment. Biding your friends goodbye.

     My parents were leaving for Florida in USA in less than month due to father's job transfer. They were expected to stay there for a year at least and felt taking a 9th grade student such as me there could have adverse effects on their education. Instead it was decided I would be staying at my uncle Prodosh Ray's house. Uncle Prodosh was particularly concerned about my education. In fact it was he who suggested my parents regarding this idea. So here was I sitting in my dad's car, leaving Pune along with all the childhood memories of the place and my friends.

    After texting I quickly returned the phone to my mom. Reading their replies would have made my eyes water, something I was trying to control for a long time. As using mobile phones were seen as a sign of distraction by my uncle, my parents had allowed me to make an email id, so that I could communicate with my parents through mail. Without anyone's knowledge I had passed my email id to my friends and was expecting a whole lot of mails once I opened it. This thought slightly cheered my mood.

      When sky's colour had at last turned into a pinkish shade, my dad spoke, "We have reached Mumbai, though it might take two more hours to reach your uncle's house." Typical Mumbai!!! Duration of travel from Pune to Mumbai is just three and a half hour. But getting into the city along with Mumbai traffic makes it quite tiresome. As we entered the city, I witnessed glimpses of the city. Though I had been to Mumbai before, it felt strange looking at the city. Its tall buildings, hustle-bustle, wide roads made me feel it was a city wonderful for sightseeing but not for staying.

      It was not before two and a half hours, that I found myself in front of a familiar looking two-storied house. As I got down from the car, I couldn't help noticing at the nameplate which proudly displayed that the house belonged to the rays. A tall, balding man with stern face appeared as the door of the house opened. He wore big round spectacles which gave my uncle, Prodosh Ray an intellectual look.

 "You guys are quite late. I was starting to wonder." He said.

"We faced huge traffic once we hit Mumbai." My dad replied giving a weak smile.

"Welcome to Mumbai!" Then facing me he said, "Ah! Abhinav Roy there you are. You've grown into a young man." He then broke into a warm smile with a mischievous glint in his eyes, displaying the other side of his character. Uncle Prodosh was a very jovial person with a great sense of humour. He and my dad had a lot in common, except that he was very short-tempered. My uncle had a huge concern over our career. He not only wanted his own kids to do well, but also all other kids in the family.

    My dad had two siblings, Sreemoyee Bagchi, and uncle Prodosh. Aunt Soma who married Rudra Bagchi, had two kids Pranjal and Panchali, while uncle Prodosh who married Rupa Sen, was the father of twins Roma and Rahul. I was the only child of my mother Indrani and my father Raghav Roy. I, Roma, Rahul and Pranjal were of the same age. Panchali was three years younger to us.

     Pranjal and Panchali were sent to uncle Prodosh, as there weren't any good educational facilities available at their place. With me joining them, all the cousins would be growing up under the same roof. This would not be a burden for uncle as now he could now personally look into our upbringing. Also all the three siblings were owners of quite a lot of wealth, so financially there was no problem.

       As we entered the house, I found myself in front of the decently decorated living cum dining room. Lying on the sofa, was a tall, lean boy with wheatish complexion. A wide grin appeared on his freckly face, as soon as he saw us. His rectangular spectacles gave Pranjal a nerdy look.

        He approached me saying, "So we are going to stay together!" Not knowing what to reply I smiled.

"Panchali! Come down fast, they are here."

     As I turned my head towards the stairs, I noticed a girl with a rather round jolly face with hair upto shoulder length, appeared.

"Hello!" She said giving a warm smile.

"Hi!" I replied rather lamely. She then went on to talk with the elders. Panchali had no resemblance to Pranjal. She was better built than him, who was too thin for his height. She was fairer and did not have freckles on her face like her brother.

      I looked at Pranjal who was still smiling, and immediately turned away feeling awkward. I couldn't understand why was I feeling so tense. After all, I was in the presence of my family members. Feeling stupid, I spoke, " Where are Rahul and Roma?"

" Oh! They are still playing in the club...", said uncle Prodosh "I told them to return home early." Just then, I noticed a dark but beautiful woman appear from the kitchen carrying a tray.

"You guys go freshen up quickly", said Aunt Rupa, uncle Prodosh's wife. Then turning to my parents she said, "Better let's have an early dinner so that you'll can get into the bed early. After all, you both will have to leave early morning tomorrow. I'd still prefer you'll take rest for a day."

"No dear" replied my mother, "There's a lot of work to be done. We can't spare a moment."

       I grabbed cleaner clothes from my bag, and quickly went to the bathroom and freshened myself. When I came out, Pranjal accompanied me to the dining table. Pranjal, Panchali, mom, dad and me started our dinner, while uncle and aunt waited for their twins. As we were half way through the dinner, the doorbell rang and aunt Rupa rushed to open the door. Roma and Rahul had finally returned after playing. Both were of the same height and their faces were surprisingly similar. They looked quite tired and were drenched in sweat.

"Go fast and clean up your selves.", Ordered their father. Rahul gave a quick smile looking at us before proceeding. Roma did not bother to do so.

       By the time, they returned I, Pranjal and my parents were done with our dinner. The rest went on to occupy the vacated seats. After watching our hands, Pranjal and I went on to sit next to each other on the sofa. While my parents watched news on television, we both pretended to be interested in it.

     Soon my eyes diverted towards the dining table. Roma was talking to Panchali while, Rahul was eating silently. Now that I noticed properly, both Roma and Rahul had an athletic body with broad shoulders. Despite being dark, they had sharp facial features, which gave them quite an attractive look.

    When finally everyone was done with dinner, aunt Rupa said, "Rahul and Pranjal, go and help Abhinav carry his luggage to your room." As I was about to get up, my mom said, "Abhi come down once you keep your luggage, we'd like to have a word with you.

     As I my luggage comprised of only a trolley and a backpack, it wasn't quite a problem carrying them up the stairs. While Rahul and Pranjal carried the trolley, I took the backpack. As soon as we dropped the luggage, I said, "I'll be right back", and rushed out of the room without waiting for their reply.

     I ran down the stairs to find myself alone with my parents. My mom had tears in her eyes. My dad spoke first, "Son, maybe this is the last time we are meeting, at least for a year. We might leave even before you wake up tomorrow." There was a pause. Dad continued, "While your uncle and aunt have been kind enough to accept you, I want you to behave yourself and not create any further trouble for them. So until the next time we meet..." His voice faltered.

"I'm going to miss you both." I said. It was the first time that I realised how hard this is going to be.

"I know dear. Just promise me you're going to prove that our decision was right." My mom said. I hugged her and said, "I promise!"

     After a few painful moments, I returned to our bedroom. Pranjal and Rahul were talking and abruptly stopped as they noticed me entering. They were sitting on what looked like three beds combined.

"So Abhinav..." said Rahul, "I'm going to sleep on the side near the window, Pranju in the middle and you on the other. Now, let's not waste time and get onto our beds." I nodded and looked at them. While Pranjal gave me a smile, Rahul's face was expressionless.

    As soon as I lied on the bed, my eyelids grew heavy and I was fast sleep.