Grandma hits a sixer

No birthday party, no pet, no music…the list of ‘No’s was long. Would things ever get better for Rohan?

November 13, 2014 03:55 pm | Updated November 14, 2014 03:56 pm IST

Illus: forYW

Illus: forYW

Rohan got down from his school bus and started walking towards his house. It was Saturday — a half-day at school. Rohan didn’t look forward to returning home as both his parents would be at work. Things had been going badly for him ever since his grandmother had come to stay with them two months ago.

First, his tenth birthday party was cancelled as his grandmother had fallen sick just two days before his birthday. Then, his father refused to get him a dog because his grandmother was allergic to fur. A cancelled birthday party and no pet for birthday had put Rohan in a bad mood which affected his weekly test. Rohan had failed his Hindi test which he normally just managed to pass. He was scared to show his test results to his father. Not only would his father scold him, he would most probably ground him for a month or so. He would not be able to play cricket with his friends. His father was strict where marks were concerned.

Too many rules Adding to his woes, he had to share his room with his grandmother. This put a whole lot of restrictions in Rohan’s life. No loud music, no lights after 9:30 p.m. His mother had stopped preparing his favourite dishes. She cooked only what his grandmother liked to eat. Rohan hardly spoke to his grandmother, as his cousins had told him that she was a grouchy woman who always criticised people. Initially, his grandmother had tried to speak to him, but his single word replies had put her off. One rainy day, she had even offered to teach him a few card games, as he could not play cricket with his friends. But, Rohan had brushed aside her offer.

Rohan rang the doorbell. He heard his grandmother’s footsteps as she walked down the passage towards the door. The moment she opened the door, Rohan rushed into his room and flung himself and his school bag on the bed. The bag burst open and a few books fell out of the bag on the floor.

Grandmother entered the room. She picked up the books and put them back into the bag. Rohan pretended to be asleep. The moment she left the room, he sat up in bed.

Fifteen minutes later, a delicious aroma spread through the house. Rohan’s stomach growled. But, he didn’t leave the room. He heard grandmother enter the room.

“You must be hungry, let’s eat,” she said. Holding his hand, she dragged him to the dining-room.

Rohan’s eyes widened. Grandmother had cooked his favourite dishes: fried rice, noodles and gobi manchurian. The food was delicious. Better than what his mother cooked. They ate silently.

“It’s yummy,” Rohan said, taking second helpings of everything.

“Would you like me to help you with your Hindi portions?” his grandmother asked him suddenly.

“How do you know?” Rohan stammered.

“The test paper fell out of your bag,” she said softly.

Rohan stared at his grandmother. There was a look of genuine concern in her eyes. Grandmother was nothing like what his elder cousins had told him. Though she hadn’t been keeping well, she had even cooked for him.

“Dad will get angry,” Rohan said, lowering his head.

“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him,” grandmother smiled. Patting his back, she said, “You eat without worrying. I’ll take care of it.”

HIDDEN CLUE : Look for these words in the story. They have been broken in two. The clues are in the pictures.

Change of heart In the evening when his father returned from office, Rohan saw his dad and grandmother talking softly. Expecting a lecture from his father, Rohan was surprised when his dad let him off with a gentle warning. “Ma has assured me that your Hindi marks will improve. Don’t trouble my mother, study hard,” his father said.

Rohan returned to his room. A large gift wrapped package sat on his side of the bed.

“Your belated birthday present,” grandmother’s eyes twinkled.

Rohan eagerly tore the wrapping.

It was a laptop.

Hugging his grandmother tightly, Rohan said, “Thanks grandma, you are the best. You are my grandma plus tuition teacher plus new friend.”

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