A SLICE OF LIFE AND TIME(PART-1)

It was the best time of her life. She had a lucrative job offer, a holiday and above all, a loving family. What more can a 21 year old ask for? Her dad was transferred to the same place where she had started her schooling. It was Jeypore, the small, hilly town where she had spent three delightful years of her childhood. At heart, she was still a child, only she had left her playful antiques. She went to her alma-mater yesterday and surprisingly, almost every teacher remembered her face. She still had the look of the seven year old, her mom said so. What a beautiful place! The small market seemed so friendly and inviting, unlike the malls which transformed into a fish-market during festive season. Malls meant pure commerce,at least she thought so. It was so convenient here to order a dosa in her favourite ‘Lokesh Hotel’ and drink steaming hot coffee while waiting. The dinner at “Prince” was an experience in itself.The gentle midnight breeze was a delight in itself. No nightclub or holiday resort was equal to it. She wished if this time could stop forever.
But little did she know what lay ahead. The phone rang at 2:38 am that night. It was a call from her cousin. Her dad said with a beaming smile, ”There’s good news..Nethra just had a baby girl. We must go next morning.” She jumped at the idea, ”Yes,Dad. I’ll start packing right now.” Her mom said,”No,darling!
You aren’t going. You have your online tests in 2 days ,remember ?” ”Oh! I almost forgot . Once I clear them, I’ll rush to my niece. But Mom, you can stay back, can’t you? “Before she could say anything, Dad said , ” Sweety, its high time you must take care of yourself. Mom will go this time. Don’t worry about cooking. I’ll tell ‘Prince’ to deliver your meals at home itself. Happy? ” Happy!She was on cloud nine. The nightly meeting came to an end and the next morning, her parents were off to Bhubaneswar,450 miles away. She savoured her breakfast and went back to books to prepare for her tests. It was a door-bell ring that took her out of her quest of knowledge. It was her lunch parcel from ‘Prince’. Taking her own time,she enjoyed every bit of it. Reading the day’s newspaper, she listened to soothing ghazals and off went the afternoon. The domestic help came in the evening but she told her there was nothing to do. Cooking was her biggest problem and Dad had solved it. So she was relaxed.
She lit the lamp in the courtyard in front of the ‘tulsi’ plant and prayed for her success for the next day.
That evening she marveled at her home. How high were the roofs, plenty of fresh air in. No need of air-conditioner. The large courtyard was a boon to her. Here she could experience the old-world charm she had long forgotten.The high walls were impregnable-with bits of broken glass embedded in them. The feeling of security was very much there. Soon, she went back to her last minute exam brush-up and dinner too arrived in time. She got a call from her mom that they had just reached Bhubaneswar. She slept soon after that, after a short online chat with her friend. She had her exam at seven next morning. Though it was just a mock test, she wanted to give her best. She had promised herself to excel in whatever she did, be it professional or personal.
The day began and she completed her test in due time. She was in the top 1 percentile and that made her elated. She called her parents and told them that. They were too glad to hear it. Her dad said he had booked train tickets for her for 6 pm train that day. An old family friend will escort her to station.She was glad to hear it. Though the breakfast was delicious as usual, she didn’t quite enjoy it. She was too excited to meet her infant niece !She started her packing and by noon, all was ready. Then all of a sudden came a bolt from the blue.As she switched on the television, the headlines left her dumbfounded-RIOTS IN JEYPORE…Initially, she couldn’t believe her eyes. But seconds later,a phone call settled it all. Her dad said at the other end,”Baby,its true.” He said some other things which she couldn’t listen to. He was desperate.A father’s anxiety when his daughter is in a town of butchers is beyond description. Somehow the call ended. And she tried to absorb the stark reality.