Mrs Doshi lived a peaceful retired life with her husband, her daughter and son-in-law. She had feared loneliness when her daughter married and shifted to another state but that changed when her son-in-law had to transfer here as part of promotion and Mrs Doshi took the opportunity to convince them to live together.
Mrs Doshi was a school teacher. Taught Math, had a good career, was still in contact with her colleagues, some of whom had become good friends.
At home after retirement, she had gone through a lot of books and movies and conversations and slowly life was shifting her focus to other things which she was too busy to notice before like what was happening around, even the gossip which seemed irrelevant before were turning out to be something of an interest.
Among the various things Mrs Doshi was noticing around, she noticed something about Vikram, a boy in high school, who lived in the apartment a floor above Mrs Doshi’s.
Mrs Doshi had seen the boy pass by so many times since the time he was much younger and each time he greeted her and he continued to do so but something was changing in him, he seemed a little different.
“He is growing up, one day all boys and girls grow up and they change. You know it better than anyone,” said Mr Doshi one evening while he was having tea while conversing with Mrs Doshi.
“I know that, but this change it feels oddly familiar,” said Mrs Doshi
“You have taught many children, it would be a surprise if now and then there wasn’t this feeling of familiarity,” said Mr Doshi and Mrs Doshi was convinced for a while about it.
But Mrs Doshi never stopped observing Vikram. His father Mr Godara owned a store which sold bathroom fittings and accessories. He was very professional and was quite respected by people around. Mr Godara never let go of any opportunity to strike a conversation and impress upon people and was thus known by many around.
Time passed and one day there was a wedding reception of the son of another resident of the apartments. The Doshis were invited as well and at the reception Mrs Doshi spotted the change in Vikram quite clearly. As he stood next to his father, he looked exactly like a much younger version of his own father. Similar clothing style, even hairstyle and anyone his father met he would introduce Vikram whether it was needed or not and Vikram would suddenly erupt with a smile and speak a few lines just like his father and people were quite impressed.
“Do you think this is rehearsed?” Mrs Doshi asked her husband
“Clearly the boy would continue his father’s business and certainly efforts have been made so that he does not stray from that path,” said Mr Doshi
Mrs Doshi nodded as she noticed Mr Godara looking at her and then asking Vikram to accompany him to exchange a word or two.
Written by Anuran Chatterji
Early Morning Memories 
One response to “The Unfamiliar Change”
Don’t know why, could not identify the reason but something vital missing from the story.
The story seems to have ended abruptly.
Just my 2 cents.
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