Another Morning

The dining table was dressed with food items for a Sunday breakfast.
13 years old Darika sat with a sandwich in her hand looking outside
the window, lost in a world of her own.

Mr Garg, Darika’s grandfather sat opposite to her. The majority of his
face was covered by the newspaper he held in his two hands and an
empty white teacup on a white saucer sat on the table in front of him.
Mr Garg had completed his breakfast; he followed a schedule which
aligned with the timings of his medication.

One side of the newspaper folded inwards and Mr Garg peeked at Darika
who was still lost in her imagination.

“If your mother returns to see that sandwich still in your hand, then
the words that will pursue the sight will be out of your control and
as well as mine” Mr Garg spoke.

Darika unwillingly pulled her consciousness out of her thoughts to
focus on what her grandfather said, and then she took a bite of the
sandwich. It was clearly not her favourite sandwich. But it had to be
eaten nonetheless.

Darika’s mother passed by, carrying a packet of tissue paper, feeling
a bit confused by Darika and Mr Garg following her movement.

“I hope you both are not up to something,” said Darika’s mother as she
disappeared into another room.

Mr Garg looked back at Darika, “Well, let’s go to the park in the
evening, you will get your time and more space to continue on with
your thoughts there.” Darika smiled at her grandfather, while taking
the last bite of the sandwich in hand, the second half of the sandwich
remained on the plate.

Mr Garg handed Darika a page from the newspaper, “read the headlines
of the news, you should be updated with what is happening around”.

A while later, an empty chair of the table was pulled back and Anvay
sat down. He was Darika’s cousin who lived next door.

“Good morning,” Anvay said to Mr Garg.

“Good morning. Have you eaten breakfast?” asked Mr Garg

“Yes, I have eaten. How are you?” said Anvay

“I am fine. So, how is your bank clerk job going? It is a new
experience for you.” said Mr Garg, folding the newspaper in his hand.

“It am getting used to it, the work pressure is massive,” Anvay spoke
as he turned his attention to Darika, “Well.. good morning, somebody
is busy reading the newspaper today. Shouldn’t you be busy with your
studies? Hurry up.”

Darika looked at her cousin trying her best to hide a frown which very
much wanted to come out and then she covered it up with a smile, “Good
morning. Here, please have this sandwich. It’s so good, you must try.”

Darika pushed her plate towards Anvay as he picked the sandwich with a
smile. Grandfather quietly observed what was happening.

“So, Anvay, did you read something interesting in the newspaper
today?” asked Mr Garg

Anvay smiled in a guilty manner, “Well I haven’t read the newspaper
today. The habit of reading the newspaper has gone since I got my new
job.”

Mr Garg looked at Darika and then back at Anvay, “I know it is a
tiring job, but that is not a good excuse to let go of an important
reading habit. When you go back home, start reading the newspaper from
today onwards and I will ask you about news every time I meet you, so
keep that in mind.”

Anvay continued with his guilty smile, “Yes, I will start reading the
newspaper from today.”

Darika got up, picked up the empty plate and headed towards the
kitchen, and when she was right behind Anvay, she passed a smile to
her grandfather, who pretended to cough to hide his own smile.

Written by Anuran Chatterji

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