Home Sweet Home..

Amit looked anxiously at his watch; it was 3.30 p:m,Nikhil should have been back from school by now.

He looked at all the guests in his house and cursed under his breath.

They had to move today.The third time in the past 2 months, all just because of Nishita;she was always finding faults with whatever house they had been moving in.A number of times he had tried to find out her problem,but she just wasn't ready to speak,as if he didn't even exist for her.Something to do with her job probably,he had seen her upset and crying quite a few times.On top of all that,these guests!Why did her parents force her to organize a havan today?!Guess it was just another bad day in the making.

3.45 p.m.Finally,Nikhil reaches home.Amit can see that Nikhil's day has been equally bad.As soon as he sees his father,the 7 year old runs,hugs him,and starts sobbing,"I missed the school bus again.I was raising my hand on all the questions but Sharma Mam ignored me and when I started crying,she left the class.Is Mamma still angry?".Amit consoles him,"Everything will be fine once we move to some other place.Mamma needs some time alone.When she misses us,she'll call us herself"

"But I don't want to go.We left Mamma alone last month as well!"

Amit gets slightly irritated,"Nikhil,go wash your hands,eat something and pick your bag;we are leaving in 15 minutes.In any case,this place is getting too noisy for me.I don't like your Mother spending time with,of all things,religious type of people now!"

Nikhil timidly obeys.

The noise from inside gets louder.

"Nikhil,hurry!!!"

A gust of wind,sounds of bells clanging,smoke drifting from the holy fire,a chorus of voices chanting,"May peace and salvation be attained by the wandering souls!Peace for everyone!In the world of the living and in the world of the dead!!!"

Nishita starts crying,"No!No!Don't make them go away!Amit,Nikhil!Oh God,why did I have to survive the fire?!Why didn't I die with you?!"

Amit grabs Nikhil's hand and starts running away.Until the next time..