Chapter 1
14 years ago, Munich
The gleaming light of the morning sun sparsely peppered over the willow . The wind was in sync with the dawn chorus of the birds .The indifferent weather was dismal of summer and rather paid its due regards to swift drizzle .
The indifference of weather was also ardently shared by enthusiastic gossip mongers.
"It's a pity, they were so young" said a stout powdered lady to her known acquiescence.
" How terrible it is for Mr Daniel "whispered the other lady.
"Terrible indeed! The age at which he should have been the one to mark his own heavenly abode , he has to arrange for his only son's and daughter-in law's funeral "callously replied the plump lady .
"Do you know, they a have son? He is barely ten " another one added her two cents to the unbefitting conversation
"A son "the trio gasped.
"Yes indeed, but he is not the real grandson of Mr Daniel " another gabby one hushed the latter part.
"Oh yes! I remember the vicious talks going around the town when the couple secretly eloped and got married.I think she was already pregnant before the elopement and I speculate that the child was an outcome of his mother's outrageous adventures. "an enthusiastic mother added while trying to balance a crying baby in her arms .
"He is a bas***d " all the catty ladies readily gave their consent to the obnoxious statement .
In their long winded tittle -tattle the chatty ladies missed the looming shadow of a ten year boy , for whom the world stopped at the word bas***d. The little eavesdropper somehow knew that it wasn't a word anyone would want to associate with. As he continued with his new rumination over the possibilities of the elusive word ,he heard a gruff voice of his grandfather.
"Maan, what are you doing over there lad, come with me and pay last respects to your parents " the boy turned around to look up to his grandfather with glassy eyes which held so many unanswered questions, looking at doleful face of his grandfather who suddenly seemed aged overnight he abandoned his obnoxious curiosity and obediently started walking beside his old man.
The duo grandson and grandfather plodded towards the church where the committal services were yet to be performed. As soon as they entered the barn ,Maan reached out for his grandfather's hand .
The priest proceeded to offer Mass for the benefit of the soul of his deceased parents , Maan's evasive mind wandered over the few realities about his life of which he blissfully was unaware .
His loving parents were dead.
He was bas***dized by the society .
He was alone.
The officiant concluded the ceremony and asked the pall bearers to escort the coffin to the burial ground .The reality of his loss sank deep in his heart , he started to weep bitterly in his grandfather's arms and read the words engraved on his parents gravestone.
"Dust thou art, to dust returnest, was not spoken of the soul."
In loving Memory Of
beloved parents,
son and daughter .
After attending the funeral ceremony ,Maan walked beside his grandfather to their once joyous home which was now doomed to despair .
As soon as they reached home, he dashed towards his room only to the utter dismay of his grandfather who as usual reprimanded him to slow down and reminded him .
"Maan ,pack your things properly .We are now going to stay in Frankfurt ."
To which Maan didn't object ,as for him nothing was left here.
Nothing.Except a peculiar title,
Bas***d.
A/N - over to you readers. Share your views with me.
The quotes is famous saying by Longfellow from A pslam of life .
Arjun
Cricket
