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| Raj the Brave |
Little Raj was only nine. He was sitting nervously in the bus, his Daddy next to him. They were headed to the railway station after which they would embark on a two-day train journey. Raj was being taken to a very good school far, far away in the city of Bangalore.
Raj knew that his Daddy and Amma were sending him there to have him study at the best school available to them. He had been spared the actual ground realities. Money was tight and education at the Military school was free since he was an ex-soldier's son. His sister Latha and brother Venu were still too little and would continue to live with Daddy and Amma in Mumbai in their small apartment. Raj looked at the suitcase that Daddy had by his side. He had some clothes, some books and a small statue of Ganesha in there. There was another bag which Daddy was carrying with some food for the journey. Raj looked down at the front of his shirt, still damp from all the tears he had shed earlier at the doorstep during the goodbyes.
Saying goodbye to Amma had been the hardest. Holding her hand for the last few seconds, he had forgotten that he, the oldest son, had decided to act his role as the brave one and had started to cry bitterly.
Amma gave him a big hug with wet eyes and was forced to go back in quickly because his younger brother was running around the inner room. His sister Latha who was also crying now gave him a book that they had brought back with them from London less than six months ago.
The children had spent four years in London. Now back in India, at nine Raj was to go to the other end of the country far away from his family. He had never stayed away from them before. Thinking about this and trying to hold back the new tears in his eyes, Raj was turning to look outside the bus window when he caught Daddy looking at him.
"You will make many friends in your new school. Don't worry", he said to Raj. Raj squinted because the Sun was shining bright in his direction and gave a half smile - half scowl to his Daddy. The bus pulled into the railway station and it was time.
Like this story? You may like all on my Mother here too
Ammini Amma - Chapter 1 - The Chronicles of the Youngest Child
Ammini Amma - Chapter 3 - The Chronicles of the Youngest Child
Ammini Amma - Chapter 4 - The Chronicles of the Youngest Child
#olderbrother #thechroniclesoftheyoungestchild
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