Page 103 - FATE & DESTINY

FATE & DESTINY

“What just happened?” blurted Darjay.
“The chicken! It just got away.”
“Grandpa’s gonna kill us now,” he said. “What should we do?”
“Quick, let’s get it before he finds out,” I said and rushed into the cornfield.
But Grandpa was watching through the window. “What happened?”
“Nothing, grandpa,” I said.
He erupted like a volcano. “Drat! I saw it. Better get it or I am gonna whip your ass!”
“Okay, grandpa,” I said and paved the way into thick plants.
The blades of the leaves sliced our faces and arms. We searched for it all around under the scorching
summer sun.
“What should we do now?” I said.
“Let’s run away,” he said.
“Yeah, let’s run away. But where?”
“Just follow me. Nobody would find us.”
When I returned after three days, Grandpa said, “Where were you?”
“Um,” I said, scratching my head. “I was with Darjay.”
“Dad wants you there. Get ready. You’re going tomorrow.”
“Oh, really?” I said, grinning. “Phew, that was pretty close!”
Grandpa’s reminiscences were countless, and they brought tears to my eyes. I had to hide it from Mr.
Kaka and his wife.
Mr. Kaka stopped the car beside his quarter and said, “Finally, home.”
“Thank you for the lift, sir.”
“Mention not la,” he said. “How far should you travel from here?”
“There is a shortcut from here, sir.” I pointed at the well-trodden path going to my village. “Half an
hour at the most.”
“Safe journey.”
Darkness fell before I was home. From a distance, I could see silhouettes of people moving around.
Butter lamps flickered instead of my grandpa smiling at me. Unable to bear the paroxysm, I sneaked out
into the darkness and sobbed. The more I remembered him, the more I missed him.

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