Deven noticed a very unusual silence in the house. Silence was always welcome in this house to allow the sound of the birds and squirrels outside to spread throughout the house; but it felt different now. This was the house of Deven’s grandparents.
This house was a treasure trove of memories for Deven. He couldn’t wait for the school holidays to arrive so that he could come here, run around the garden, feed the squirrel and birds, draw water from the well, have meals cooked by his grandmother, go to market with his grandfather. But today there was something missing in the house, and it could be seen in form of a framed photograph on the wall of Deven’s grandfather.
Deven’s grandfather had passed away the previous year, but this realisation came with all its might in Deven’s heart this year when he visited the house again. His grandfather was no longer watering the garden, or reading the newspaper in the morning or waiting for Deven to go to the market with him, or telling him many of his tales which were mostly inspired from the shows of Animal Planet.
“You know…. anything you give time and attention to on daily basis becomes a part of your life, just like the chirping of the birds and the squeaking of the squirrels we wait to listen to every morning in this house,” Deven’s grandfather had told Deven once while Deven’s grandmother was looking for the stray cat which came every day to have milk. Deven has always remembered that moment, it was something he would never forget.
His grandfather was a man of very few words and he spoke only when it was required, but with Deven he had a special bond. As Deven’s father would tell him, “You might be the only person with whom he actually smiles and talks fondly.” Deven had in fact never realised the inner thoughts of his grandfather until he came across his grandfather’s sketch book, after he had passed away. The sketchbook had various sketches depicting the social issues of the society. Deven could only imagine now how discussions with his grandfather regarding these issues could have been.
Death is very common in the world and this was the first time Deven had experienced the loss of someone close. Deven stared at the sunlight coming through the window…. realising the inevitability of end.
Early Morning Memories 
6 responses to “Silence In the House 🏠”
Nice reading it. Could relate to some parts. I nave saw my grandfather, he passed away before my birth. But I was very close to my uncle, (tainu)my jetha. He has big influence on me as I lost my father too very early, I was just 22.
The part where Deven went through his Dadu’s sketchbook was a good addition to the story.
Well as I have been encouraged by you to be honest…Hence a query:
The last part:
Deven stared at the sunlight coming through the window….Realising the inevitability of end.
How do we relate these..Sunlight and End? 🤔😊
Can you share what was in your mind as you wrote this?
You may totally ignore my queries any time you feel I am exceeding my brief and with no hard feelings at my end.
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Thank you so much sir for reading effectively and having doubt and we are extremely happy and overwhelmed.
The reason is that the relation is that.. that at the end of the day the light will fade away and one has to deal with the darkness just like the end of a life.
That’s it sir , hope it clarifies.
And please send doubts or honest feedback 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 thank you so much
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Exactly my thought and what came to my mind was a slight change in your wording would have done the trick…Something like : Deven stared at the setting sun through the window…
Or at the waning, fading sunlight…
Something to specify that it’s the end of the day…. 😊
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Accha yes this is something good .. writing is all about experimenting
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Hello, Recently my granddaughter sent me a video link of a YT video, about some websites that pay for your poem and even fiction non fictions.
Do have a look if interested. I would suggest that with your knack for storytelling and writing, no harm in trying.. I did go through the video in FF mode. Will see again. Here is the link:
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Also thank you so much sir for being so open and honest with us 🙏🏽 and narrating your own story this beautiful!
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