Written by Anuran Chatterji
Two feet wearing slippers moved down the steps in rapid movement. As the feet reached down the stairs and halted, the right hand moved ahead to move down the bolt and push open the wooden door.
The feet stepped out and the vision wandered over the road in front, first to the left and then to the right. It did notice a familiar presence on the right but it chose to pay more attention to its present concern. It focused upon the empty stainless steel milk container which the left hand held.
“The milkman is late again today it seems”
The eyes focused upon the familiar presence which they had ignored before but the trail of the words spoken led them back there. It was Mr Batulla, the school headmaster of the only Government school in the small town in this particular expanse of hilly region.
The headmaster stood near, waiting a while looking at the road, maybe expecting a stroke of luck now that two people were waiting.
“His father was very particular about milk deliveries. You may blame it on my older age if you want to, but I can’t remember him ever being late. His son however is a different matter. The other day my wife was complaining about the quality of milk becoming inferior as well.”
The vision remained on the headmaster, trying to understand the meaning behind the spoken words through a world of imagination, then it turned to look at the road once more to find traces of the awaited arrival.
“You know what..” the headmaster spoke once again as the vision returned to him, “why don’t you run down to the dairy and find out what’s the matter. Tell the boy I wish to meet him and if I am not at home then he better come by the school or he might just have to hear more unpleasant words than the ones I mean to speak right now.”
The feet turned behind and the right hand extended to pull the door close. The vision focused upon the road which led to the destination and the feet started moving.
“Wait..!” said the headmaster, extending his hand holding his own milk container. It was well understood that he wanted the milk to be brought to him one way or another.
“You better hurry. You don’t want to be late for school,” the headmaster said as the eyes of the listener almost exposed itself forming an expression of finding the words a bit out of normalcy.
The feet continued on the journey they had almost started before; the two hands held the milk containers. The walk changed into a light run as the road began to descend. The right hand waved at the neighbours whose houses passed, it gave claps to some young children running by and it even patted the dog who stopped to wag its tail in happiness.
The feet stopped as the eyes wanted to relax upon the wave of clouds rushing down the distant mountains. The only thought sad here was that of parting, parting from the ascending and descending roads, parting from the distant mountains, parting from the playful dogs, the curious cats and every busy hens and most importantly parting from the ever helpful and smiling people of the town and the loving family.
But everyone knew it might happen at some point. Education beyond school was only possible in a faraway town and from there most went away even farther, a few returned, some young, some in their old.
The mind became aware of a song being sung and the eyes focussed upon the approaching milkman on his motor bike with bigger containers containing milk. The bike stopped near and the milkman noticed the headmaster’s container and gave a guilty smile.
“I thought I had caught cold, but it was nothing a cup of tea couldn’t fix I guess” the milkman spoke
Both the hands raised with the container in each and the milkman took them.
“I will deliver the milk to your home and the headmasters. Would you like me to drop you home?”
The head moved to refuse. The milkman smiled and was off on his way.
The eyes showed signs of happiness knowing even if little, there was time to be spent in solace watching the distant mountains.
Early Morning Memories 
2 responses to “Ephemeral Moment”
Interesting piece!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting.
LikeLiked by 2 people