Chapter-22

Chapter 22

She must've been excited to have me over after so many days. I could tell by what she said, that we were going to have a lot of fun, and also that she had a lot planned for me here in Chennai.

I was even excited to see what classes my mother had thought for me. I loved doing activities and I knew that whatever she had in mind would be something related to either art or maths, both of which, I loved. 

I was a part of the gifted and talented program back in America, because of how quickly I could do maths. It was not that I was a genius, it   was that my mother used to teach me everything in maths logically. It was the only subject where I didn't have to ask her millions of questions. That's why I enjoyed it.

"I'm thinking of putting her in Art, handwriting, dance and advanced math class, by the time she's out she will know 20 tables and perform calculations more easily." replied my mother.

I knew about the art and maths, but dance and handwriting? I didn't mind having bad handwriting or be unable to cha-cha. It was just unnecessary, or so I thought. 

Just then I caught a fragrance lurking in the air. 

Was it, yes it was, it was pizzzaaaaa!

I had, have and always will have a fancy for pizza. Only god knows why. 

If you had me choose between a million bucks and pizza, I would've eaten the pizza already by then. 

"Pizzzzaaaa!!!!" I shouted, bursting everybody's ears.

I was like a dog, I could sniff my way to the pizza. I went to the table and searched for a box, I spotted one at the corner, I immediately went there and burst it open.

It was the pizza. I ripped off a slice and took a large bite.

It was delicious. The best, but a little different

from what I had in America.

Still pizza, was pizza.

So I went to the kitchen and grabbed a plate, a large one, back then I could eat only two slices, now I've upgraded to three, it was just too good to resist, but somehow I keep my weight balanced, even though I eat so much pizza. 

Probably because I had other problems eating. I just wouldn't get hungry, sometimes for a whole day  I wouldn't eat anything because I wasn't hungry. 

Nobody could understand the way I felt. It was as if I had too much food and I was stuffed. I just couldn't swallow a piece of food, even pizza.

This made me look thin and undernourished. My parents got worried and started giving me vitamin tablets because I had vitamin and dietary deficiency. 

One day my grandma suggested a medicine. It made me get hungry and eat like a normal person, but even today even though I have no 'nutrition' problems, I have trouble having dinner and anything between breakfast and lunch.

"Aneesha!" my mother yelled. "You haven't taken a bath yet." she said.

It was a 26 hour flight, I had to take a bath.

"Okay, but first let me finish these slices." I said taking another bite out of my pizza.

"You better eat fast, we have to do a lot of things today, but it's better to take rest. You must be tired." she said.

She was right, I was pretty tired. I couldn't wait to take a warm bath and go to sleep.

Chapter-21

Chapter-21

The weather was cooler in America. So it was weird for me, getting on a plane cool and getting off, boiling hot.

As I struggled to fan myself, I started to analyse my surroundings. 

I didn't find the airport as great as the one in America, especially because people had to wait outside in the hot sun, I just couldn't wait any longer, if I did, I was pretty sure I would turn into Aneesha-fries. 

Just then I heard a noise behind me, I turned to see a blue, alto car, which in those days was pretty neat.

"Driver, get these bags into the trunk." said my grandmother.

You'd think that if someone had a driver
they'd be very rich. But here in India it is very common for even a mediocre family to have a driver. It's just another normal thing and hence, the salary for these men is very low.

In India everybody also has a maid. I am not kidding, literally, EVERYBODY.

And these ladies also have a very low salary.

After the man put our suitcases inside the trunk, we got in. It was great that the car had A/C, because otherwise instead of Aneesha-fries I would become Aneesha-the boiled potato.

"So, Aswini, what's the plan for this month? Planning to see Chennai?" my grandmother questioned my mother.

"Yeah mom, that and I'm thinking of joining Aneesha in a few classes, to keep her busy." replied my mother. A lot of times adults just assumed I wasn't listening to them because sometimes, I wasn't. I would be dreaming, in my own world, paying no intention to their conversation. That was basically how I spent most of my time fighting boredom.

"We're here! Get down Aneesha, your uncle, aunt and grandpa are waiting for you." as my grandmother spoken these words, I immidiately got down and ran inside the house, I knew which one was my grandmas because every year we would come here, to India for my holidays. It was a light blue coloured, independent house in which the top half was my grandmothers familys and the bottom belonged to someone else.

As I stepped inside, I immidiately heard "Hi Aneesha!".

I turned up to see my Uncle, aunt and grandfather.

"Hi Kishore Mama, Hi thatha, Hi Durga Athaaaaaa!" I immidiately shouted.

"How are you doing?" asked my aunt, whom I called 'Atha', mostly 'Durga Atha' (her name with aunt)

"I'm fine, how are you all doing?" I asked her.
"Oh we are doing fine. We are so excited to have you here, there are so many places to see in Chennai, I'm planning to show you them, just you and me, while amma and ammuma are busy. Hey by the way Aswini, what classes are you planning to join Aneesha in?"

Chapter-20

Chapter 20

I immediately froze. Tears filled my eyes.

The feeling was very unpleasant, it was as if I was going to lose something that I would never get back. I just wanted to cry it all out.

My mother heckled my thoughts as usual and dragged me repeatedly stating that we were late.

I slowly got into the taxi dragging my bag with me.

The airport was pretty near from our house, I was surprised that we didn't take any of the cars.

We had two cars, both Toyota. I felt the necessity to say that because of my interest in cars.

We reached the airport in no time. My mother dragged me around and checked in while I was still thinking about why we didn't take the cars.

After a few minutes of waiting it was finally boarding time, which meant I was going to be dragged again.

We got onto the plane and I made myself comfortable in my seat.

Back then not much was there to do in a flight especially one that lasted 26 hours.

Everything seemed so quick, probably because my thoughts kept me entertained.

I had the most vivid imagination. My father suspected that I had developed ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) because I watched a lot of TV.

In actuality I didn't need TV to entertain me as I would create and imagine my own stories.

Whatever I thought was a good story I would make up the dialogue, screenplay and characters in my head. I did this so often that it became almost a daily or hourly habit.

For most of the flight though I did nothing but sleep, eat and as usual, think.

"Aneesha! Get up Aneesha!" I heard my mothers voice as I drowsily rubbed my eyes.

"Come, we're here. Ammuma is waiting at the gate." she said.

So soon! But it seemed like just yesterday I was in America playing with Amy.

I lazily got up with pain in my head, arms and legs.

I took my bag as my mother rushed me through the airport.

She must have been excited to see her mother.

We quickly collected our baggage and proceeded to the gate where I could see a familiar face.

A lady waited right there with cheerful eyes and a wide smile, waving and greeting us.

Her smile was extremely contagious I smiled back, immediately running towards her and into her arms. "Hello grandma!" I said cheerfully.

"Hello Aneesha, hope you're doing well!" she said back.

"Yeah I am doing well!" I said not completely sure whether I was.

"You must be so excited that you're going to have a baby brother or sister in a few months."

"Yup, I'm pretty excited." I replied.
"Hello Amma!" my mother said to my grandma.
"Hi Aswini, how are you doing, is everything going well?" my grandmother questioned my mother, as I fanned myself with my hand.

It was early May. As we all know India is near the equator, Chennai, even closer to the equator, so naturally the weather was boiling hot.

Chapter-19

Chapter 19

"Yes, but I bet you will have a lot of fun with your grandma there until he or she is born."

he replied.

"Okay." I said.

I felt a little weird, at least it would be something new. A new experience. But as long as we came back here, I had no problem going to India. In fact it would be more like a vacation.

I just hoped that we came back.

"Okay Aneesha, you've had your dinner. Now it's time to sleep. Remember, we have a whole day of packing tomorrow." my mother said.

I guess I was sleepy too. It had been a long day for me. Too many surprises, too much inquisitivity. Too many questions.

"Good night." I said drowsily.

"Good night." both of my parents carolled.

I walked towards my room and finally reached the stairs. I took one step by one and climbed to the top.

I entered my room and fell on the bed.

I don't remember falling asleep, but I do remember getting up the next morning.

It wasn't exactly pleasant.

"Aneesha! Get up! We have to pack! Our flight is at 8AM!" yelled my mother.

"I'm up!" I said excited.

It was going to be a wild day, a 26 hour flight.

But it would probably be worth it.

I went to bathroom, brushed my teeth, combed my hair and took a nice warm shower.

I scurried downstairs and saw my breakfast piping hot and served on the table.

Pancakes with maple syrup, I wondered if they would have pancakes in India, especially because whenever I went to India I had tasty food my grandma made me.

'Dosas' 'Idlis' and 'Upma' were what I usually had.

As soon as I finished my breakfast I heard a voice.
"Aneesha! Come here!" said my mother calling me from the hall.
I washed my plate and put it in the dishes.

As soon as I left the kitchen I was shocked to see that things were, gone!
The carpet was packed up, the sofas were at the corner of the hall.
The hall mostly consisted of my mother, my father and the suitcases we would take.
Thankfully they didn't take down the clock as I was curious as to what time it was.
I looked at the clock and immidiately froze.
The time was 6:03 and our flight was at 8'o clock!
That meant that we were supposed to leave for the airport, well, now!
As soon as I thought that through, interrupting my thoughts I heard a honk at the door.

"Lets go!" shouted my mother as the taxi crawled up outside.

My mother had my cinderella bag all packed and ready to go.

I grabbed it and looked at my father as my mother grabbed me by the arm and rushed me to leave.

"Bye nana, come soon." I yelled as I left him.

"Bye, I'll be there next month, have fun!" he shouted back.

I took a small step outside my house and a little shiver greeted me.

Chapter-18

Chapter 18

I slowly closed the cupboard doors, letting out a little grin at my genius plan.

Now nobody would know where I was.

Once the cupboard doors were shut, my little space in the first rack started to seem eerie.

Nothing surrounded me on all four corners but uncut darkness, that gave a way to my fear.

I was getting extremely creeped out when suddenly, I heard a shout.

"Aneesha?!", "Where are you!?".

I immediately knew who the voice belonged to, it was my mother, probably calling me for dinner.

Completely dropping my plan to be the most awesome daughter in the world I shouted back,

"Amma, I'm up here, I'll be there in a jiffy."

I rapidly opened the cupboard doors and got down.

I ran down the stairs as fast as I could and went into the kitchen.

As I had thought, my mother had called me for dinner.

I usually had dinner early and went to bed before my father came home.

So forgetting all about what had happened I ate my dinner and went to bed straight away.

Interrupting my memories (now) I heard a voice.

"Aneesha! Did you find anything there?" shouted my mother.

"No amma, nothing here. Just my teddy bears and toys." I shouted back.

"Okay, we'll have plenty of time to pack tomorrow. Come downstairs, dinner is ready!"

Just then I remembered, this happened to me very often. 

I would just dive into my land of memories for god knows how long and forget completely about the world around me.

I had supper but didn't have dinner yet.

Still it seemed like not long ago I was sitting with my dad and talking about the chinese.

I ran downstairs and went into the kitchen, I saw all the plates and spoons put out already, so I decided to sit and just enjoy the meal.

"Nana (dad)?" I asked.

"Yes Aneesha.." he replied in a tired tone.

"When we go to India...can we go somewhere..like on a holiday?"

"Yeah sure. But first you will be going to your grandmothers house, in Chennai. Until the baby gets delivered. Then I will come a few days before the delivery, I have some work here in America." he said.

"So I'll be staying with Ammuma (my maternal grandmother)?" I asked.

"Yes.." he answered.

"So the baby will be born in.....Chennai?"

Chapter-17

Chapter 17

"Aneesha....calm down" he said calmly.

"We will not be going to India forever...it will only be for a few months.." he concluded.

"But amma said that I was joining a new school?" I asked.

"Yes Aneesha, its not like you will miss months of school!" He said surprised.

"So we'll be back?" I asked.

"Yes" he answered.

"Really?" I confirmed.

"Yes!" he restated.

As I had mentioned before, I didn't want to think about it too much. So I just decided to take my fathers sanction and move on.

"So when are we going to India, nana?" I asked my father.

"Day-after tomorrow, Aneesha." he replied.

"What! But we have to pack! How will I say goodbye to all my friends? Will we meet them? When are we meeting them?" I said, scared that I won't even get a chance to say adios to my amigos.

"Aneesha...let's start packing first...after we finish if we get time we'll meet them. Okay?" he said.

"Okay.." I replied pretty sure that now I wouldn't even get a chance to say goodbye.

As we started packing my mother and father grew tenser.

There were two groups to segregate; the things we would take with us on the plane and the ones my dad would bring on a ship, basically all the big stuff and the small stuff.

While my mother and father started doing all the 'big people packing' my job was to search in the tiny corners of the house for the things they would miss.

I started with my room, I knew lots of tiny places there, mostly because I used to hide in them.

Under my bed, in the cupboard, in the closet, behind the door, and the little tiny space in between the cupboard and the wall.

As I searched, I found more memories than articles.

All the places I used to hide in had a purpose.

Once my mother had scolded me because I didn't do my homework and I wasn't listening to her.

"You always do what you want, it's like I'm telling the walls to clean their room." she berated.

"Whenever I clean it, you make it filthy again.

Then what's the point of cleaning, Aneesha!"

"Go clean it yourself." she screamed.

This made me feel sad, bad and mad.

I got so angry that I decided to hide and never show up again, then when she misses me she would come searching for me, and eventually realise how awesome her daughter was.

I went to my room and scanned for places to hide, I immediately noticed the cupboard- and got an idea.

I could fit inside the cupboard, couldn't I?

So I climbed into the very first rack and made myself at home.

Chapter-16

Chapter 16

Until he came home, I had no choice but to wait.

I looked at my room and immediately got emotional.

All I could think of is how this wouldn't last for long.

Nothing would, not my room, not our garden, not even the apple tree my mother and I had planted in our backyard when I was four, I still couldn't believe it grew to be so big and gave us so many plump, scrumptious, red apples that still decorate the tree even today.

Slowly pushing myself, I managed to climb up the stairs all the way up to my room.

As I saw through my window I could see a few of my colony mates and friends playing tag, running around in the lush green grass, laughing and having a whale of time without me.

I suddenly realized that from the day I leave to India, I wouldn't be able to play with them ever again, in fact I may not even see them ever again.

I jumped on to my bed and immediately closed my eyes thinking of all the good things about life.
The moments of joy, happiness and laughter I had spent in my life filled my thoughts and slowly put me asleep.

I woke up startled, I had so many questions,
Where did my pony go? Am I not dreaming? How long was I asleep? Where was my mother? But most important of all, didn't my father come home yet?

I scurried downstairs to see my father who was all freshened up and ready on the dining table to have supper.

I rushed up to him agitated, confused and grief-stricken.
I had so many questions that tenanted my mind that I didn't know what I was going to ask him when I spoke.

"But what if they're chinese?" I blurted out all of a sudden.

"What?" my father asked fuddled by my question.

"When we go to India, amma said we were giving this house for rent and if we are giving it for rent to some people who don't know English like-chinese people then how will we talk to them and ask it back, does that mean that we're not gonna get our house back? But I love this house! What about our garden and the apple tree? And my friends? Nana I don't want to leave nana, please nana, I don't want to go!" 
I remember saying all of it so fast and apparently thinking that the chinese did not know English, completely forgetting that half of my friends were chinese. I must've thought they were considered to be more 'American'.

My father let out a grin.

Chapter-15

Chapter 15

"Calm down, Aneesha!" my mother said hushing me down.

"We're going to India for some time, you'll be attending school there too, it's going to be fine, you'll get used to it." she said in a satisfying tone.

"Some time?" I asked, wanting her to 
elaborate further.

"Look, your grandfather is not doing well.

He and your grandma are in that massive house alone, they need help and it is our duty to be with them when they need us." she explained further, without answering my question.

She probably assumed I was smart enough to know the answer, which I did.

But I just didn't, I couldn't think of even how leaving America would be, especially forever.

Here I didn't even want to question anything.

Questioning meant thinking, thinking about leaving everything, everyone, leaving my childhood as nothing, nothing but faded memories of a place.

So I decided not to think about it at all.

But I decided, not my marvelous, incredible, sensational and of course inquisitive brain.

It kept getting emotional and making me emotional too, with thoughts such as-

"But what about Amy, Eric and Ellen? And remember that tree in the backyard? And the rock near the lake you used to stroll? What about the flowers and the bushes? What about this house? What about him/her?"
Just then I remembered about him/her, what would he/she do?
Would the baby have the same childhood as me, in...India?
What is the plane trip going to cause harm to the little one?

How would my mom travel when she was...pregnant?

"Amma? But how will you come with 'it'?"
I asked my mother concerned with the health of my brother/sister (who irritates me A LOT today and is absolutely healthy).

"I don't know but I will have to come...I have no other choice." she said worried.

Right now there was only one person who could solve this, the person to whom my mom was talking to on the phone, the person who told me nothing about leaving, the person who I was going to irritate sooooooooooo much by asking soooooo many questions when he got home, that's right-my father.

Chapter-14

Chapter 14

As I called her, Amy turned towards me completely unknown of what had happened until now.

"Aneesha ?" She asked me in a questioning tone as

to why I was holding a two-foot gift card in my arms. I explained Amy what has happened until now.

She was shocked for sure.

She looked at Ellen and Eric with her mouth wide open and then turned to me immediately blurting out,

"So.......instead of researching about dinosaurs we should be probably researching about visions".

I let out a grin.

I was relieved that Amy coped up with the whole situation, because now, we could go to the gift store and buy as many things as possible, as fast as we could.

"Let's go to the gift store!" I said as I pointed towards a store that said 'The memories of The Memorial Museum of New Jersey'.

"Okay." she replied as we walked towards it.

We entered the gift shop and immediately bought everything we found amusing.

A bobble head of the first US president, A shirt that said 'I LOVE HISTORY' and many snow globes, one for my mom, one for Amy, one for my dad and one for Amy's dad.

As soon as we bought all the stuff we needed, we left the store, and luckily, caught the bus.

The bus ride was full of people touching and flittering the things that we bought at the store.

"Look at how his head wiggles!" said Eric, dangling it for the 23rd time.

"I know, its sooo cooool!" said Tim.

"I don't know how you like it that much, his head is clearly too big for his body." interrupted Ellen.

"Thats what makes him.....FUNNY!!!" screamed Eric.

"Oops gotta go!" I said, as my stop approached.

"Byeee!!!" I shouted out to everyone, and hurriedly went inside to tell my mom what happened today.

"Yes....but I don't think she will be able to take it in...I mean leaving her friends...going to...India."

said a voice as I opened the door.

"India?" I exclaimed while entering.

My mother, who was talking on the phone, turned back, and looked at me.

"Are we going to India? For how long? Why? What did nana say about this? Were you talking to him? When were you going to tell me?" I stuttered out.

Chapter-13

Chapter 13

Then, I pointed towards the put up.

Aditya's eyes widened, his mouth sprang open in awe, he couldn't believe what he was reading.

At the same time, I felt that they were a little wider than they should've been, he was a little more surprised.

I looked at the put up again, and this time I noticed something else, something more.

Written in letters smaller than the words in capitals and bold, was something else, waiting to be read.

"A surprise officer may come for this sole purpose only on a random day. The person- child or adult who reports him shall be honored a gift card of 100 dollars at the museum store and also a certificate to prove their alertness and courage. Along with that, a picture of them will also be hung up in the museum recognising their exceptional deed."

A hundred dollar gift card! A certificate! A picture to be viewed by every single person who visits here!

But all I did was shout...I shouldn't gain so much for this?

"Smile wide!" said a voice interrupting my thoughts for the 3rd time in one day.

I had a peculiar smile, still have it today, I show all my teeth and open my mouth as wide as I can.

So this time was no exception, I'm not photogenic, and never will be.

This made me look like a complete goof, wearing glasses, holding a certificate and showing off all my teeth.

That was definately not a picture of me that I would want thousands of people to see.

After the photo session was over, I was handed my gift card.

I was so excited to see it, I could already imagine all the things I could buy with 100 dollars.

The man, the photographer and all the other people who had come to see me, congratulated me and dispersed.

But that was not it, as soon as they left, another crowd formed soon.

"Cooooool" said Eric.
"Hey show me your certificate" said Stella.
Soon a bunch of people started asking me a lot of questions. 

There was only one person who just stood intact, open mouthed still in shock of what happened. 

You guessed it. It was Aditya.

After this crowd dispersed too, I realized that the trip was almost over. 
I scanned the crowd for Amy and as usual, she sat in a corner reading a book in which she was completely engrossed.
"Amy!", I called out.