Nomad Scholar

  If you haven't read the previous parts, click on the links below, Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI It was 8 pm of 2 nd January 2019. Swastik was sitting at the police station with Alisha and Aman. “Sir will see you now”, said a rather obese policeman to Swastik. He nodded and walked into the office. Inside, Swastik found the constable pacing around the room. There was a man in a tuxedo on the other side of the desk. “Close the door behind you, boy”, said the constable in a welcoming tone. “Take a seat”, he said. As Swastik sat, the man in the tuxedo turned to him. He had a fair complexion and was wearing shades. He checked his watch and cleared his throat. “Swastik, we know how hard these times have been for you.” “Do you-” “Don’t interrupt me. So, I’ll try my best to tell you about your parents. They have served a noble purpose and I owe them my life.” “What? They were-” “Do. Not. Interrupt.” “I’m sorry, Sir.” “As a show of gratitude for thei...

  To read the previous parts, Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Two days later... Aman had registered a missing complaint for Amar and Esha. Swastik and Elsa were living with Aman's family for now. He shared a room with his cousin, Alisha. She was cool about having him there. He found compassion in his aunt and his cousin but lived in a constant void. Though the others had hope that his parents would return, he didn't. One day, Alisha happened to stumble into an old notebook while cleaning the room. On turning the first page, she saw that it was Swastik's diary. She didn't want to invade his privacy but she wanted to know her cousin better. So, she turned over to the latest entry. "30th December 2018 Hey, Elsa. Remember that video we saw? No one believes us. Ma and Papa are not coming back. Aman mama registered a complaint but I wish the police doesn't find them. They don't want me. Maybe I have been a bad kid. That's why I don't have f...

  Links to the previous parts: Part I Part II Part III Part IV "You got the gift?" "Yes, Ma! What is in it?" Swastik heard his mom taking a deep, trembling breath. "I'm sorry, beta. Know that Ma and Baba will always love you. No matter what, they're with you", she said in a shaky voice and hung up. Swastik ran to the hall room and tore through the packaging, unable to hold his excitement. There was a brand-new iPhone inside complete with its packaging. He let out a squeal and carefully opened it. Elsa made her way to his side and sniffed the box. Swastik switched on the phone and found a recording on it. Curious, he pressed "Play". He saw his parents holding hands, sitting upright next to each other and "25th December 2018 15:32" was written at the bottom of the screen. The wall behind them seemed oddly familiar to Swastik though he couldn't recall exactly where he had seen it. "Hello, Swastik. Hope you're...

  If you haven't read the previous parts, click below: Part I Part II Part III A couple days passed. Swastik was having trouble holding on his own. It was 9 pm. It was drizzing outside and he sat on his bed. He looked at the city lights outside and drifted into his own world held captive by the incessant pattering of raindrops on the window. It wasn't until an hour later that he was pulled back into reality. Elsa barked loudly and looked at him. "What now?", he said and blew raspberry. She did a little spin and looked at the clock. It was 10 pm now. "Don't you think you get hungry more often than me?", he sighed. Elsa barked in affirmation and started pulling his sleeve. Swastik got up and walked to the kitchen. He poured kibble for Elsa and warmed his dinner in the microwave. While taking it out, he burnt his finger. He didn't flinch and took out cold water from the fridge. His lips pursed as he dipped his hand in the water. Elsa stopped eat...

  If you haven't read the previous parts, here are the links: Part I- click here Part II- click here It was Monday evening. "Are you sure you don't wanna tell me your name? It's weird talking to a nameless person.", Swastik texted. "I'll. Tonight." "As you like..." "So, wassup, strangah?" "My parents had an accident.", texted Swastik, a tear finding its way down his cheek. "Oh...I'm sorry." "Idk what to do." "I can't imagine what you're going through. I wish I could help." "Well, talking to you is helping." "Glad that it is." "Yup, it's tough. I can't even visit them in the hospital. The accident was in Bangalore. They're admitted there." "Oh, shit. Do you have relatives there?" "No. My uncle took the flight to Bangalore as soon as he heard. So, he's taking care of them. I'm really worried....

  If you haven't read the first part, click to read: Part I 5 am the next morning. Swastik woke up to his dog licking his face. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Elsa! How's my girl?" Elsa snuggled up to him in excitement. "Aww! You're too excited for your walk, aren't you?" Elsa barked loudly and did a spin in affirmation. "Shh! You'll wake Mrs Roy. You know how much she scolds me, right?" Elsa cooed softly and walked out of the room. Swastik smiled and checked his phone. Neither Mom nor Dad had checked his texts. "Strange", he thought to himself and jumped out of bed. He shivered a little in the December cold. It was still dark outside. He put on his sweater and trod to the bathroom slowly. He used his brush to squeeze toothpaste out of the tube. "Will buy a new tube on the way back. This one's done for." He put on some soft jazz and took out cereal from the overhead cupboard in the kitchen. A...

  The final bell went off. It was the last day before the school closed for winter vacation. Swastik walked out the school gates and looked back. Students were wishing each other Merry Christmas but no one seemed to notice him. He didn't care much either. Unlike other students, he wasn't very happy with the school closing down. Though he didn't have any friends, he felt a little less lonely here. Just outside the school gates was an oak which had been there since his first day. He felt a deep bond with the tree and used to spend a large part of the day talking to the giant. He sat on a rusty seat in the shade of the oak and set his bag down gently. Cupping his face in his hands, he looked at the school reminiscing. He was in no hurry to go home as his parents were outstation. Soon, all the students had left. There was an eerie silence in the air occasionally interrupted by vehicles honking in the distance. Swastik pulled out his water bottle and drank whatever was left. H...

If you haven't read the previous parts, here are the links: Part I: https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-i.html Part II: https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-ii.html Part III: https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-iii.html   It was 3 am. Shreya couldn't sleep. Her head was swirling with thoughts the implications of which she couldn't perceive. She got up and arched her back. Switching on the night lamp, she walked to the sea facing balcony. She checked her phone and found a text. "Still up, ma'am?" "Yes, cabbie. Up for a call?" After a minute... "How long will you call me that? Gimme a minute." A few minutes later, Shreya was on call. "I'm not feeling well, cabbie. Any suggestions?" "Hmm....lemme think. Tell me about that day at the hotel." "The day Srikant hugged me for the first time?", asked Shreya with a smil...

  If you haven't read the previous parts, here are the links: Part I- https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-i.html Part II- https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-ii.html It was 8 in the morning. Madgaon station was bustling with people. There were hawkers selling local snacks. Choris Pao was the bestseller. Shreya trod slowly with her luggage to the waiting room and took a seat. She promised to herself that she won't carry so many cosmetics next time she goes somewhere. A person walked up to her and said something in Konkani. She looked up to him and pretended to be deaf and mute. Soon enough, he lost interest and walked away. Shreya thought to herself, "Should've treated Srikant that way. I was naive enough to think that I would become friends with a stranger on train!" She pulled out her phone and opted for cab service from her hotel in Tiswadi. 10 odd minutes later, she received a call. It was the cab driv...