"What!?" screamed Sameer, the glint of his eyes signifying of the accumulated intrigue.

"Hmm, Arvind Dada's enchantments had perhaps, worked out upon Baba!For the vestige of the unprecedented words uttered by Baba, had been the sole expression of delight lingering upon Dadabhai's enlightened face.

"Slowly, under the leaking shed, a rationalist Dada asserted his rational plans of putting together the expenses to run the household.

"Baba listened, even the chilly water cascading from the shed failing to perturb his concentration. He listened to the words of his, acknowledging the wisdom of Dadabhai.

"'Baba, there was something else I wished to say!' Arvind Dada worded out the declaration.

"'Some more rice? I'll give one more fish!-Shikha, you need some veggies?' Maa interrupted.

"'No maa.' declared he, while me, my siblings and dad shook our heads in assertion.

"They began talking through the stuff-and I don't remember much!-he talked bout the statistics and his strategies and Baba played the silent role of an obedient listener."

***

"'Get up Arnav!-c'mon get up!-Won't you go to school!?'

"''Who?' Oh, Maa! What time is it!?' I said rubbing my eyes.

"'Ten my dear, and if you don't get up now I'll bring the hot ladle and hit you with it.' threatened she.

"'Okay.' replied I.

"'Okay?-I want you up.'

"'I am up.'

"'Up.'

"I gave up. In the next thirty minutes, I hustled through the morning chores.

"While hustling out through the doorway, I spotted Arvind Dada and Baba engrossed in a conversation, a couple of glasses of the hot morning brew held in their hands.

"Baba had not yet journeyed towards his workplace! But he never would report late!

"Dada had spotted me and waved out at me in delight.

"I reciprocated his action."

***

"School was fifteen minutes afar from our dwelling. It was a fine little place made out of bamboo, tin, and a few true, allegiant teachers. Although situated amid the most notoriously rigid residencies, the daily prejudices failed to touch the mansion.

"It was our test that day as far as I remember. I scored great marks in Physics. A fifty outta fifty.

"Wowww! Congo bro! So, what next!?" interrogated Sameer, his voice shrill with excitement.

"Oh! After all these years!?-I at times, do pity this elapsed memory and the futility it holds! Anyway, our school used to end at bout five those days. So, after that, accompanied by the inclined summer sun and the remaining heat emanating from it, I journeyed back to my abode.

"I was ushered in by Shikha, signs of unperturbed glee lingering within her wide smile and gleaming pupils.

"Handing over the bag to her, I exclaimed, 'What is it maniac!?-what makes you so elated after scoring such unabashed score in Mathematics!?-didn't Dada scold you!?'

"'You stop!-You know!!!???-our-wait, I shall have some treat from you first before revealing it!' demanded Shikha.

"'What is it!?-don't you dare be an imbecile now!' exclaimed I, strolling through the doorway situated upon the porch.

"'No, you always tease me!-I need a treat first or...'

"'Fine you idiot, c'mon here' said I. I drew her cheeks near my lips and kiss them.

"Mere tactics of mine!

"'No Dada, these hoaxes won't work!' exclaimed she, freeing herself away from my grasp.

"'Fine, I will give you something.'

"'What!?' questioned she out of utmost disinterest.

"I put my hand inside my pocket, and fetched out...

"'Dada!?-Candies!!!' Shikha squealed in excitement, her eyes glinting in a bewildered stun.

"'Yes, but first...' I put forth my demands.

"'Okay Baba, fine!-we are to open a new store shortly! Of groceries and mundane goods!!!-Ooff, I am so damn excited!!' said Shikha, the shrillness of her sound still remaining.

"'You serious!?' I exclaimed.

"'Baba and Dada solved a few sums in my copy in the morning! And after that, they gradually let us know!' exemplified Shikha.

"Sums, I believed, did mean figures and statistics of finance as far as I had known! They were planning of investments, and tactics to maximize profitability!

"I was awed by the events."

***

"'Here Arvind! Won't you join us for football?' Arvind Dada suddenly appeared at the porch.

"'But!'

"'But you first get rid of your sweaty shirt!' replied he.

"'Dada!'

"'I am waiting.' said he, disappearing out of the doorway.

"Shikha glanced at him and she too did disappear into the house.

"Following her path, I too, did abandon the porch and journeyed inside."

***

"I went in and was met with a solemn Arjun Dada.

"'Dada, you heard?-our own grocery shop!' exclaimed I, almost pirouetting with excitement.

"'Hmmm, you here?-won't you join Arvind?' questioned he, the solemnity still not obliterating from his face.

"'Umm yes, I'll just go...'

"'You go please!-they have called for you!-oh, and your shirt!-it stinks!' asserted he.

"'Umm, fine, eh, won't you?' stammered I.

"To this, Arjun Dada looked up, his gaze blank still.

"He stated, 'No.'

"Although confused, I could not summon the courage to question him any father. I put on my shirt in silence and exited the room.

"Arjun Dada remained unperturbed, in his own thoughts.

"The continuous noise of the ladle was heard from the kitchen. But this time, it was not agitative!-But it carried a heavenly fragrance, ambrosial, carrying me away to my fantasies.

"Something special was to be prepared for supper today! An enormous smile tore my lips joining my ears at the thought.

"I rushed out into the field. A many other boys were there-all of the same caste though! We played, our senses in oblivion of time and its limits which the heavens had bestowed. The adversaries of the slum had broken us at times, but only to make the most invincible metal out of us. Our metabolism prevented any harm to us except the dark tans upon the skin after the great, strenous hours of play. We played, merried, shouted.

"A little goalpost had been in one nook of the field. As soon as the ball would touch its boundaries, cheers would resound in the air.

"'Goal!!!'

"Me and Arvind Dada played in seperate teams.

"Why!?" questioned Robin.

"Oh, Arvind Dada was eccentric!-all geniuses are!" replied Arnav.

"At the suggestion of the idea, I had first shaken my head in utmost disagreement. But he finally did persuade me into it. He did it provocatively though!

"'Oh, you too scared to play without me, eh?'

"'Well, not at all!'

"'Then don't be a coward! C'mon prove yourself.'"

***

"The match ended merely at about six. Well, we were fatigued, all of us, our bods drained, only except-

"'Oye you sluggards!-Tired already?' cried Arvind Dada.

"''Yes, I think, I think it is late!-my tummy agrees!!' replied I, trying my best to use the last bit of energy to fuel the words.

"But I stammered.

"'Okay, off for now. Back tomorrow, yeah!?'

"'Yes' we tried to answer.

"The spry sun had now melted into a secret nook of the sky, the vestiges of its gay vesture still lingering though.

"Carrying our mud-drabbled physiques to home, we spotted something queer!

"Arjun Dada strolled in the front porch, deluding pensively in his own universe.

"We greeted him upon reaching the porch but-

"But?" interrogated Robin.

"But he simply walked away."

"Eh?" Robin uttered a sound of confusion.

***

Arnav continued, the memories retreating their lives and livelihood within the continually moving, agile pupils of Arnav.

He narrated:

"'Shikha, get the bowl kept on the stove.' commanded Maa.

"'Yes, Maa.' replied Shikha, enthusiastically.

"'Here, give it to me. Now, boys, I have something for you? You wanna know what?' announced Maa.

"'What?' questioned the latter.

"With a mischievous grin, Maa lifted up the little cloche of the bowl.

"As soon as so-

"'Samosas!!!!' A shriek in the air.

"Among us, the one who fancied them the most was Arjun Dada.

"He, however, casting a careless, mediocre glance at it, merely left his seat, our awed faces, the room, and the samosas.

"He left behind but an ambience of discomfort, now, surpassing the fragrance in the air."

****