Final story-Chitra

During the time of the riots,Ken and his parents moved to his grandmothers house which was situated on a hilltop in the forest as it ensured safety. Ken had a wonderful time over there,bounded with the love and care of his grand mother.They did not have to know anything about the turmoil in the city. Owing to financial difficulties, his parents had to move back to the city, also,the riots were over by then. That day he told his grandmother 'I will come back to you and I will stay here'.
Holding a tear in her eye,she said' I hope that is a promise.' Now that he was big enough,16, to travel on his own,he decided to go and meet his grandmother. He knew she would be so happy to meet him after two years.He got into the morning bus.

The bus rolled on in the failing evening light and the weather got chillier as it went on to high altitude. Long winding roads and the dust had made him feel so clogged and sick.The bus snorted its way uphill until it came to a halt under the 'enchanted' banyan tree. A lot of memories gushed into his mind about the times he had spent with his grandmother. It bridged the gap of time they had been apart,it seemed like it all happened yesterday.He looked up through the trees and saw the old house,centrally aligned on the hill,like a cherry on a christmas cake. He felt a refreshing energy surge into his tired legs ,carrying him to the lane leading to her house.Two rows of trees bordered the lane. Nature had rolled out its carpet of purple flowers and yellow leaves to welcome him into the house. The house looked no different from the surrounding as it did not even have any fencing. He walked towards the house ,his heart throbbing with joy.He stopped for a while and looked at the house with nostalgia.The bricks of the house had cracked here and there and mini rivulets were emerging from some of them.Obviously,it had been raining.The green colour of the thick moss contrasted the reddish brown colour giving the house a natural look.The tiled roof was almost dark succumbing to the harsh weather at times.As he stepped on to the porch to knock,he noticed splinters of wood chipped off from the the door.As he was about to knock,the door opened and grand mom came out.
She gasped and hugged him close.'Oh dear! there! I knew you would come...! This was the only thing left to be fulfilled and am so happy to see you.Look,you have become such a big boy!!!.She kissed his forehead
' Oh my god,I thought I must have changed over the years,you knew it was me.I have kept my word and I travelled all the way just to see you.You look cuter than ever grandma,I don't remember such a radiant smile on our face,but you look a little pale and weak....'Ken said
'Nah,you just look at me,I am going to be perfect when you are around'.The room smelt like it had not been dusted for ages. Her arm chair looked like it will crumble any moment. He almost felt like his family abandoned her in this place,to survive all on her own.Though they had asked her to move to the city, she said that this is where her heart is ,so she would love to live all her life here.
'Come here. I have something for you!'She called out from the kitchen.
He went in smiling.
The table was set with all the things he loved.He was struck with awe. 'How did you know I was coming?'
' The wind told me' she smiled.
A cool breeze blew in carrying the sweet smell of flowers , along with the music of the heavens spraying rain.
They sat down at the table .' I hope you like it'
'Sure I will,you have a magic touch,but I can't belive you sensed that I'd come.Telepathy I must say'
'Yes,I've been waiting for you'
He started his food relishing each and every bit.
' This is so yummy, I love it'
'Im glad.eat.eat.eat....'she smiled.
She stroked his hands lovingly.
He talked a lot about his family and their life in the city. She too shared many things about the village with him.
After food,they sat on the bed and talked about this and that.He did not know when he dozed off to sleep.
In the morning,he woke up sneezing because of dust allergy.He rubbed his nose and his itchy watering eyes. The room was well lit by the light flowing in through the window and creaks on the wall. He stood up and stretched his long hands.A house lizard entered from the cracks and moved into a slightly open drawer.He noticed that and opened the drawer.He shook the papers and a small cloud of dust rose up making him sneeze even more.He looked inside to see if the lizard had gone off when his eyes noticed something intriguing,a newspaper cutout with his grandmas photo. He carefully took it out and read.

Rosa Philip,74,passed away due to a minor heart attack in her house .She was recovering from a stroke.But unfortunately,this had to happen.She had been such a loving ,helpful and strong woman .She died a day before her birthday.We hope her soul rests in peace...May god.."

He could read no more. He could not believe it or understand it.He frantically searched for her all around the house,but he could not find her.
He rushed out of the house when he saw a man walking towards the house .
'Who are you?And why are you here?'he inquired
'Im her grandson...I came to meet her..'Ken said,pointing at the house.
'I am sorry.She passed away in this house an year ago, a peaceful death'
'What?'
'Yes, thats true,we could not inform you all because we didn't have any means to contact you.'
'She was buried near the banyan tree.She rests in peace there'
'Okay...'
Ken rolled his eyes,looked down and walked away in silence, his mind caught in a web of thoughts.