Abhigya FF: It lasts a lifetime - On Hold

It started off like any other day. He was woken up by the heat and humidity that started early in the morning, that was normal in the narrow streets of Mumbai. It would only get worse he reasoned and got ready for school. He helped Dadi bring water from the hand pump at the end of the narrow lane in which they had their two bedroom house. Taiji was putting breakfast on the floor ready for all the kids and had already started complaining about how much work she had done, when in reality he knew Dadi had been up before everyone and done all the preparations. Tayaji had already left for the day to work. As the sole earner he often worked long hours and barely had time to spend with his family. Raj was reserved, very unlike his mother and being older than Abhi, he never spoke much to any of his siblings, and instead keeping to himself with his head buried in a book or any newspaper he could get his hands on.

"Bhai! Hurry up!! We'll be late for school if we don't leave in the next fifteen minutes" he shouted from the window at the front of the house.

"Purab, come in... I'll be right out. I'm just helping Aliyah do her hair." "That's all done now you're ready for school. Go have your breakfast, I'm coming as well."

Dadi came out the kitchen as Purab walked into the living cum dining area. She asked him to sit down and have breakfast. She knew his Chacha- chachi both left for work early in the morning and he wouldn't have eaten anything. Purab filled food in a plate and went into the room where Abhi was getting ready. Dadi looked on and shook her head. Those two boys were inseparable, she thought, how many times had she told Purab that he could just sit on the table and eat; and that Abhi wouldn't mind, but he never listened. She prayed to God that they would always remain together as brothers-in-arm through thick and thin by each other's side.

They left for school, Aliyah with the girls from their Chawl who were her friends and in her class. Abhi and Purab walked a few metres behind, watching to make sure none of them got into trouble. As they passed a billboard, Abhi told Purab that one day his face would be on those billboards and everyone would know who he was. Purab knew his friend would accomplish what he said and nodded his head in agreement.

They reached their school and went to their classes. Purab was a year younger than Abhi so they weren't in the same class. Abhi sat through his morning classes; he'd gone through all that the previous night and now looked out the window. He loved studying and luckily he has the brains so he didn't have to work too hard. Recess came soon, a favourite time for Abhi as he could play football with the Purab and the boys.Abhi loved the sport and looked forward to this time in the day the most. As they played there was a crowd at the edge of the playground. He got distracted and wondered what was happening. None of the teachers who were meant to be minding the playground were around; he stopped his foot halfway and quickly walked off towards the crowd and what he saw was a sight he would never forget.