The metal lid of the hot pot made a crackling sound, Turning the stove off I served breakfast for grandma
Taking water and her medicine with breakfast I went to the grandmother's room
"Grandma I am entering"
Waiting for a bit with no response
I opened the door to her room and saw her still sleeping
"Grandma" I gently moved her
Cough, cough
"Grandma" I called her
She slowly opened her eyes
"Ashwin? Why haven't you gone to school" She said as I helped her get up
"There's still some time for school grandma, here, you should eat your breakfast first," I told her as I took a spoonful of soup
"Sorry Ashwin that you have to take care of an old woman like me," she said in an apologetic tone
"How many times have I told you to not talk like that, you are my family who took care of me and raised me all this time its only natural that It's my turn to take care of you"
I told her as I feed her the breakfast
After she finished eating I gave her medicine and picked up my bag preparing to leave
"Ashwin can you bring me this stuff on your way back" She handed me a list
“Sure” I took the list and went to the entrance put on my school shoes
"Bye Mom, Dad, Grandpa," I said my bye's to the pictures of my family and left
***
The bell rang marking the end of school
“Don't forget to do your homework class”
"Then we will meet tomorrow” "Yes let's go to that new café" students chattering
I packed my stuff checked my bag and prepared to go back home
"Hey Ashwin" My friends called me
"Yes" Turning my head I asked
"Hey wanna swing by the internet café" They asked
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"Sorry but my grandma asked me to buy some stuff, so I will be going to the convenience store," I told them as I got up
"Thats too bad, then next time"
"Next time" and so they left the classroom
The class was getting more or less empty with only a few students so I exited the classroom
2:36
'Let's see what I have to buy first' Taking the list out of my pocket I take another look at the things that need to be bought '1,6,8,9 can be bought at the convenience store and the others are medicines I have to go the other way for them sigh
2:42
'This, this, and these two should be all the things I need from this store'
2:53
"Please come again," the shopkeeper said as I left the store 'now I need to buy the medicines'
2:58
'There's still a minute left for the light to turn red'
2:59
There didn't seem to be any vehicles coming so I started crossing the road
2:59:32
"Wu" "Ouch" "Seriously" my laces undone tripping me and the stuff I bought is on the road
2:59:46
Collecting all the stuff and tying my laces I got up hearing a vehicle horn
2:59:51
A truck was approaching at a fast pace towards me I threw the bag there trying to run away
2:59:55
"Ahhhh"
***
The truck hits Ashwin sending him flying and rolling on the ground, twisted limbs, torn flesh exposing bones, twitching muscles, whole body dyed in blood
The passersby rushing towards his dying body
"Someone call an ambulance" A man shouted
Kyaaa Scream’s of young and old resounded
People gathered forming a crowd around the dying boy
'It....hurtssss'........'what happened'...'I cant feel my body'....whose shadows are those...my eyes ..... I can't see..... everything is blurry...... There's something in my mouth filling it up.....it tastes like blood .....whose blood......what happened my whole body is....burning.....dark......cold.....I...my body..... everything is... fading..away.....am...I...dying..I... don't.... want.....to...die....Mom....Dad....I.am...scared................Mom.........Dad
***
*Maaaaaa* crying of a newborn
A nostalgic voice, the familiar hands full of warmth, the air full of joy and happiness brushed past my eyes, I opened, the bright light blinding my vision, the silhouette of someone, bringing an ache in my heart, is this a dream, is this reality or a cruel play of destiny
***
"Look dear our son opened his eyes," Mom says with squinted eyes and a warm faint smile She looks young, younger than I remember, and dad "Look his eyes are like mine" Dad looks the same
They both look so happy looking at me, but it's hard to believe this is real Am I reliving my life before dying I got hit by that truck, and now I am looking at my parents all happy
"It's a miracle that the child was born so healthy with how critical the condition of the mother was," The doctor said wiping the sweat from his forehead taking a sign of relief
My dad hugged the doctor "Thank you, doctor, really, really thank you"
My mother brought me close to her face just looking at me warmly "You really scared me when you didn't open your eyes" her kind voice carried relief as she cradled me with tears in her eyes
I extended my tiny arms to rub her tears but couldn't reach, She startled for a second but brought her face closer to my hands , they felt warm, the warmth telling me this is real
I…*sob*… I really got a second chance at life