5th Feb 2050
"FOR THE LAST TIME,I DON'T NEED TO PACK A SUN LOTION!" I shouted at top of my lungs to which my mother simply ignored my disapproval and packed it,
"Oh you never know when you may need one!" she said continuing with the packing,
"I am going to a military camp,why would I ever need a sun lo......is that lip a gloss?" I said in a confused voice to which my mother finally stopped and looked towards me,
"Look kid,you told me to pack your stuff and that's what I am doing so either help or do you work on your own next time onwards",
"I asked you to pack them one day ago",
"I am just going through it one more time",
"That's what you said last two times....each time the number of bags increased by one",
"Well I forgot to put some necessary stuff",
"Define "necessary"?" I asked staring at the lip gloss,
"Well stuff you may need but don't have and think why didn't I listen to my wiseful mother" she said as she once again began packing "And some other stuff for your sister,make sure to give it to her once you meet her",
"Yes I will" I said finally giving up "I will going out for a while,will be back by 7",
"Ok",
"and please for the love of god,don't put that lip gloss in their! "I said while walking out of the room,
"...Ok" she said,YES!
After moving out of the apartment,I was walking by the streets to the meeting place I was suppose to reach 10 mins ago but mom had to "Go Through" my bags one more time.Once I told everyone that I have been selected for the Army,the old gang wanted to meet one last time before I move out.What was the name of that restaurant again?.Well it is the only one around in these parts,
As I was walking by the streets,I saw some places which brought old memories.At the other side of the street there used to be a park.Shaurya,my sister and I used to go there every day.Few blocks from here was our father's office.Shaurya would make us wait till his work was over so that we can go home together.There was this ice cream parlor we use to visit on our way home.Now there is just a scorched land where there useed to be the park,the ice cream parlar is still intact but closed as it seems uncle Ali is looking for more paying jobs.And from all that wreckage,I cant even remember what fathers work place used to look like...
I finally reached the place."Howling Cat"....yes that's the name!,even after being the only restaurant around it is still less crowded,
not only because of its strange name but it's strange owner.A bald old man probably in his 70 and her daughter runs the place.Both of them are "Outsiders",since year 2048 "Outsiders" signed some treaties with our people about some of their guys settling in here and opening business at places still in ruins as sign of friendship.Stuff is really cheap in their stores and they seem quite nice but still people can't get over the whole "Otherworldly neighbours" part that easily,
As I entered I could saw my friends waiting,
"What took you so long" Ronav shouted,damn doesn't he know how loud his voice is?,
"Sorry,got held by something at the last moment" I said while settling myself in one of the chairs,
"Your mother still going over and over stuff?" Ishana asked in her usual "I know it all" tone,
"Yes...she has been going at it since noon" I said as I looked at the group,it seems almost all are here except Dhruv and Nayana,
"Oh he had a day shift so he could not make it,told me to apologise in advance!" said Ronav.Man even after all these years I still can't make it to his shoulder,he should be already be past 7 feet!,
"Wait why is he here?" I said pointing at Ritesh who was sitting there drinking his coffee as if not even here,
"Why you got a problem with me being here?" he said irritated,
"Yes" I replied,
"You...." as he was about to start our never ending quarrel,Ishana interrupted,
"Guys do you have to go at every single time you meet",
"Yes" we both shouted in chorus,
"Dear customers, can you guys be a little sutile in your conversation?" a familiar voice came from behind,
"Nayana?" I said looking at the waitress standing near our table "You....left your old job?" I asked....is that a maid costume?,
"Stop staring" she said in a low but threatening voice,
"My shift will be over in half an hour so save me a seat ok!" she said then turned her look over to Ritesh,
"Why is he here?" she said to which Ronav and I were unable to hold our chuckle,
"Guys siriusly?" Ritesh said while looking at his cup.
After that we went on about what everyone has been up to,it turns out Ronav and his father's construction company is flourishing at quite some pace.Ritesh still can't find any job so he is working as a part time mechanic.Ishana is working as a accountant in Ronav's company.Dhruv seems to be working there too.
"So I am guessing your mother must have been freaked out when she got the news?" Nanaya asked,finally joining us,I kinda miss her maid outfit!
"Well she went all nuts about the interview as soon as I reached home going on and on about how it went" I said sipping in my drink "Or so I expected...."You better inform Mr.Singh about this" is the first thing she told me",
"Well she got a point though!" Ritesh said,
You see after the war most of the places were destroyed.hospitals,Banks,Airports and so on.Government had their hands tied with strengthening of the defence at borders as our country was way too close to the portal,until last year all government expenditure went into defence.
Now when reconstruction began,places such as hospitals,Banks got first preference and places which were necessary in certain parts such as airports were well still put on hold.But one of these was almost completely neglected,SCHOOLS!.As in such times it was very hard to find teachers as many were dead and others were looking for jobs with more pay.Parents prefered their children should get a roof and some food first before education.Due to which anyone who had at least the basic education was made to teach the students....at least the small ones.
So yeah I was a teacher.19 years old,studied till 9th standard and teached children!.
"Mr.Singh will need to find someone else now huh?" Ishana said while making a depressed face.
"Don't worry he will manage somehow!" Ronav said to cheer her up,
Mr.Singh tried to get her to teach as she was once the brightest among all his students but since the salary wasn't even enough to pay ones own expenses and she had a little brother to take care of so she refused.
Even on the day I told him I would be leaving,all though he was not so happy to hear the news he wished me luck and began to search through his draws and picked out some cash handing it over to me,I turned down the money telling him to cut it off as fine for dropping such news on him so suddenly.At first he was about to refurse such logic but then he thought for a momment and took his extended hand back slowly.
"Well if only a part time mechanic who thinks he is too good for simple construction would be willing but alas" I said said to which Ritesh just grumbled,
"Bullies",
After that we kept talking till 6,they all insisted on walking till my home except Ritesh who had some urgent work so he ran off,literally ran off!.
On our way back Nanaya asked me about what was the kids reaction about me leaving,
"Savage!" is all I could answer,remember I told that anyone with some basic knowledge was allowed to teach,it was after a test to see their skills as most people no longer had their degrees.After the test I was informed that I have been allowed to teach children from kindergarten up to class 10th.Yes I have only studied till 9th,last year there were some people who wanted my test to be taken again as it seemed suspicious to them.I now have license to teach children up to the class 12th.It dint made any sense to me until Claire told me about how psyhcic minds are stronger than normal humans.
So the bigger kids were kind of sad as if their friend was going away,middle schoolers were sad as they liked my teaching methods as it seemed fun!.Kindergarten ones won't stop crying and tried to hold me hostage in the classroom!.
When I told Nanaya and others about that they started laughing but trust me it was no laughing matter when they tried to tie me up and plane to hide me in the old basement.
As we reached my home they insisted on meeting mom as it has been long time,once we reached my floor I went to our apartment to find the door open and complete darkness inside.I rushed in sacred,that's when the lights opened and I saw what was going on!,
"Surprise" shouted everyone,Yes I meant everyone!.I could see Mr.Singh,Dhruv and my students and yeah Ritesh too!,
"I had to run 4 blocks to get here as fast as" he said trying to gasp his breath "And when I got here Aunty told me ONE OF YOU ALREADY CALLED AND TOLD HER WE WERE LEAVING!" he said shouting and then again gasping for air.
"Well I thought just to be sure......" Nayana said holding her laughter back,
"Bullies!" Ritesh shouted!
"That's rich coming from you!" Dhruv said while coming near me for a hug,
"Long time no see budd!",
"Yes it has been a long time,so that's why you weren't at the restaurant ",
"Well I hope I didn't missed anything?",
"Well you may have missed somehting" I said slightly looking towards Nanaya,
"Oh don't worry I haven't " he said and walked towards and wait am I seeing right?,did he just kiss her on cheeks?,
" Well how did you like the surprise?" my mother asked,
"Well surprise is the right word alright!" I said still confused when did this happen!,
"Well Mr.Singh said that the students wanted to give you a farewell party and next day your friends came up with same idea so!",
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Thanks mom!".
I finally got over that "surprise" and greeted others,Mr.Singh was their telling my mother how much he appreciated me working for him,there were kids with greeting cards and farewell gifts, nothing too expensive just something to remember by.The kids from kindergarden were a little quiet at first after that whole "hostage" incident but once I told them that the janitor office might have been a better place,some of them started crying while others were telling how they will remember me.
If you may be wondering how come all of us can even fit in here,our school only has 56 students and our house is a little...ok it is big! thanks to my sister of course.
After that the party went on.I went near Dhruv asking him just how in the hell did he manage to get close to Nanaya,he simply replied they started talking and well things went well!.She used to be the most popular girl in our school and he is saying they became a couple just like that!,
"Traitor!" I grumbled,
"Hey,should you not be happy for your friend here.You still didnt have a crush on her did you?",
"Backstabber",
"Ok you did.....well this is bad then!",
"Congrats" I said in a low voice,
"Huh?",
"I just needed get that out once to be done with it",
"So we cool now?",
"Let me see...DOUBLE CROSSES,PLAYBOY,BETRAYER,FLIRT!....Yes I am done",
"Great!",
"CHEATER,ok now I am done!" I said breathing in relief as Dhruv looked at me amused,
After that nothing special happened we just played,drink,eat and well once it got late everyone started leaving.
"Aaryan" someone called me from behind as I turned and looked,
"Shirina" I said looking at the girl,she is a student of mine.yes I have told my students of class 12th to call me by name as I am only one year older.
"It seems my brother won't be able to come pick me up so can you please drop me by my house?" she said while looking back at her friends in distance,
"Ok it won't be a problem" as my friends were already gone and everyone else was also leaving I thought it wouldn't be a problem.
"Mother,I would be dropping one of my students home!",
"Alright,try to make it back by 12"she said as she was greeting the ones leaving,
After walking some distance from our house she told me where she lives and trust me if I knew before I may not have come along,her house is 3 km away,it will take me almost an hour to walk to her house and then go back home!.
"So you will be leaving tomorrow?" she asked as we were walking slowly walking by the streets.Why walk so slowly I need to get home too you know?
"Yea,I will be leaving around 8 in morning",
"You know the first day you came to our class,we all thought it must be a prank played by teachers.My mother almost made me drop out saying the school was trying to trick us!",
"ReallY?" ok I can see there point!
"But you turned out to a be some genius" she said looking towards,
""Genius might be too much" ok she does know I am no longer a teacher,no use butering me up?
"You always kept talking about stuff about how things used to be which at first used to irritate me and others a bit as it brought memories",
"...",
"But then we understood that it wasn't you just blabbing on and on about how past used to be but how our future should be!",
"...",
"How to correct past mistakes and avoid making new one....",
"Ritu lives next to you house right?" I asked,
"Huh?",
"So does Arpit and Mihir?",
"They...",
"Your Brother works at a factory right,you should not have called him to pick you up since they always work in night shift.",
"He....",
"and here I used to think you never missed extra classes as you had interest in algebra" I said shrugging my shoulder,
for quite a while we walked with complete silence,sorry but I am really bad at playing a dense idiot who can't even read his surrounding.ok you are a student and I am a teacher card won't do me any good as age difference isn't that big,I love someone else might work but that will create a lot of trouble latter and is not my style!.
I really don't want to let this situation turn out bad,she is a good kid and well actually one of my favourite "student" in school too,there is also the fact that her father is a karate and judo teacher and I heard she is a black belt but that's one situation I know I can avoid and knowing her won't arise in the first place.
We kept walking until we were a few blocks away from her home.I was thinking of letting it end like this with me going on my way back home after dropping her home and going away next morning.But that will for sure create problem for her in long term,she is that type,you know "My one and only" at least from what I can see.
"Shirina" Ok here it goes"Remember what I told you about presentation?",
"Huh?" she was confused about what the hell did I started blabbering about?
"To get the other to look at things your way you need to make sure you know how you see it yourself",
"...",
"Once you know what exactly you are trying convey,Tell them what you want to say straight to their face!",
"...",
"See their reaction and try making out how they look at things as well and then what you need to do is...NOTHING",
"...",
" Just let them figure it out themselves whether what you said is right or wrong,if they disagree you would know why.If the matter is worth fighting for,keep trying to tell them your point and if it doesn't seem worth it.Let it be,it's their loss!",
"What if...." she said in a low voice,her eyes may have teared up a little"I was the wrong one from the very start",
"Let the other guy make you look at things his way,if he manages to prove that's the right one that is!",
"One more chance!" she said wiping her tears,
"Next time I will make sure to say out loud what I wanted",
"Thats better!",
"And Aaryan",
"Yea?",
"Being straight is good but it is good to be a little dense sometimes,for other's sake",
"Message conveyed!",
After that I we went straight to her house after which I ran my way back straight home.
"Easy there son!" my mother said shocked by my sudden entrance all tired and sweating,
"Sorry for making you clean after party all alone!" i said going towards my room,
"Who said all the work was done,get back here" Dang!.
We started cleaning up the dishes while mother went on and on about how my friends have all grown up,the big crybaby Ronav is now standing shoulder to shoulder working with his father in rebuilding the town while also looking out for others such as Ishana and Dhruv and a lot others.Yes he is always trying to look out for others in his own way.Unlike in the past when he used to be a delinquent, well until he was made to quit by my sister also known as the Menace of the Xavier.Even I was shocked on how he helped out those in need back in those days.Ishana still can't believe that a guy like him came to her rescue after her parents died and is still helping today as yes she may used to be the "True Prodigy" back in the day but seriously an accountant for his company is not a job needed but rather created to aid her!.
"Dhruv case may be a bit different" my mother argued to which I completely agree as he can be useful in his own way,you can never tell what the hell is going on in his mind and well Ritesh....A 13 year old who managed to crack engineering exam is now a jobless part time mechanic.And if you think about it,Nanya who used to be one of the hottest of our school and dreamed of becoming a singer and had skills too is now working as a waitress.....sorry Dhruv if I have not so decent dreams tonight but that maid dress was really something.
"That girl used to dream a lot,who knows she might could have even made it!"my mother said while smiling,
"Yes who knows?" she might could have made it or not,Ishana might would have been studying in some top notch college,maybe Rovan would have still turned out helpful as he is or maybe not?,Dhruv would have definitely made it out there somehow and Ritesh...he would have been somewhere we could not have even imagined.all these may,If,should have,could have are something which just can't be answered can they?
After cleaning the dishes we went to near the study table where fathers photo was kept,said our prayers after which my mother kissed my forehead and told me to have a nice sleep,
"Tomorrow is a big day!".
that night I went to bed all tired as it was a tiring day,there were some surprises some both sore and bitter and some well hard to explain.At first I thought I would not be able to even sleep.What could have been our future if not for that war,would shirina still feel same way,would we had even met if not for this war,not that it matters.Mother would be ala alone once I would be gone,those places I went by today,wil they be rebuild just the way they were or how we remembered them?,
God knows when but my eyes closed and I was asleep,when I woke up it was 5 in the morning,
6 Feb,the day I leave my house for the Army.
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(Just like the chapter authors note is also long so you can skip if you like!)
Author's note-I didn't posted anything for days as when I wrote the chapter,I was thinking of writing when he was already in the army going straight for those strange power sand stuff but then a thought came about what one may feel when leaving ones house and tada here is your chapter!,plus my adblock doesn't seem to be working as whenever I click on post or save as draft a new window open while everything thing i have written vanishes......that is something very painful!