“I think its final Rimjhim” declared
Gabroo.
Gabroo was a name that Rashmi loved to
call him and Rimjhim was something that Gaobroo overheard once near a panshop.
“How are you so sure Gabroo?” questioned
Rimjhim. She was just a few weeks older to Gabroo but she loved being the boss.
“I know they wont do this to you. My mother tells me how much they love you.
She continued.
“Yes that’s true, but today they covered
my room and sealed it as if no one would use it in a very long time. Mother has
also started packing my bag. Maybe father is out buying stuff for me needed in
Panchgani. Maybe I am leaving today itself! What if we do not meet again
Rimjhim?! I swear, that as I did here, I will let no one call me by the name
Gabroo. If anyone does, I will hit them hard.”
This was when Rimjhim actually started
to realize that Gabroo was actually going to Panchgani. They both hated calling
it a hostel, as it reminded them of all the cruel things about it that the
elders scared them with. As yet Panchgani seemed a distant beautiful place. But
suddenly today, Rimjhim became aware of the fact that if Gabroo moves to the
hostel, she wouldn’t be able to see him for a whole year.
“Rimjhim, my mother is calling, I need
to go.” Said Gabroo distracting Rimjhim from her self-talk.
“Yes but wait in your house for some
time before you go for me.” Rimjhim said still thinking of something.
Gabroo goes to his house to see that all
his cupboards and drawers are completely vacated. All his material was packed
in small bags, ready to go.
Even though he did not want this to
happen, finally his long feared nightmare was forced into a reality. His
parents had scared him with this hostel thing for many years. But never did he
think that they would do this, and today suddenly without even talking about
it, he was posted to the Panchganis now. After all these years of hard work and
achievements in swimming, academics, drawing, scholarship, piano, his parents
still felt that he needed to go to Panchganis to become a better son. ‘But then
they are parents. They are always like this. ‘ He thought.
Rimjhim came in with a small bowl of
cake in her hand, which she said, was a remaining piece from a birthday party
in her house yesterday.
“When you go there you will have to pack
your own bags” Rimjhim laughed with a few tears in her eyes and suddenly she
moved closer to Gabroo and whispered in his ear, “I have made a mechanism to
delay your departure.” And she giggled.
The door bell rang and Gabroo’s mother went
to open the door. As she opened the door, a black kitten sprang away from the
door towards Gabroo’s father on the other side.
It crossed the door and ran away.
Rimjhim suddenly started laughing suddenly.
“Fifteen feet backwards and then stay where
you are for fifteen minutes. Then we leave in more half an hour. Not a minute
less than that.” Exclaimed Gabroo’s mother suddenly as she saw the cat cross
the door.
“Common Ratna, don’t be so
superstitious. It was just a kitten. I don’t even think it was a black one.
Common, don’t be ridiculous.” Tried Gabroo’s father, but his mother had all
attention to hew watch and towards the door.
“Well Rashi, atleast you ty to persuade
your auntie…” he tried again… but all he got in response was giggles…
“Common people, there is no point in
waiting here for half an hour when all we have to do is shift this baggage to
Rashmi’s house on the opposite side of this very building.”
Stated Gabroo’s father.
“Erm, uncle, why my place?” asked a
startled Rimjhim.
“Oh, your mother did not tell you? We
have to paint our house dear and we are starting with Gaurav’s room. So we are
shifting Gaurav;s stuff and Gaurav to your house for a few days. I hope he wont
be much of a trouble eh??” Smiled Gabroo’s father.
