Nomad Scholar

  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...

 She's here. She'll sing me a song. She's here. She'll make me feel Like I belong. We'll hold hands. She'll smile occasionally.  I'll talk And she'll listen patiently. Heaven's last mouthpiece  She'll sit next to me In solitude. She'll teach me To enjoy my recluse. Sad if I feel She'll comfort me. And if I cry, She'll wipe my tears. If I feel lonely, She'll snuggle into my arms. And my heart will skip a beat, As she rests her head on my chest. She's here But she'll leave When I turn the lights on. She'll leave  And ask me to hang on Till the next night.

  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...

  A kid in his school uniform looked back. He had a small bag with Mario's picture on it. "Bye, Ma!" "Love you, beta! Be a good boy at school!" He has returned now. He has traced his way back home. He is wearing a nice blazer and has a suitcase with him. The garden is overgrown with weeds and wild flowers have grown at the doorstep. People from all of the neighborhood have gathered to just catch a glimpse of him.  He rings the doorbell. "Ma!" There's no response. He knocks on the wooden door. "Papa! I'm home!" Again, there's no response. "Ma! Papa! I'm here! I've done it! I'm home!" There's no response. He sits down with his back to the door and lets out a primal scream. It starts pouring. All the people rush for shelter. He sits there, hands on his head and starts crying.

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...