An evening without phone

                                       

                                                                                                

It was a pleasant evening. Slow breeze was flowing. I and dad were excitedly coming out of the school from the swimming class. We got a bit late as it was the last day of Luke sir and he was giving useful tips to improve my swimming. It was getting dark slowly. All the cars that had been parked outside the school were gone. I was getting into the back seat of the car, but dad asked me to sit in the front, so I closed the door. Before I could get to the front side, thinking I am sitting in back only, dad started the car and left.

I was standing still on the footpath all by myself. I shouted madly after daddy but in no vain. I was not sure of what had happened. How could he leave me?  It was a lonely dark road. Was it some kind of punishment for me? I wondered. Shivers went down my spine. My face was going white. What on the earth could I do? I felt like crying. Despite the nervousness inside, I collected my courage and looked around. In the darkness of cloudy sky, I saw a light little far away on the other side of the road.

        I crossed the road and went to the room from where the light was coming. The room was small and looked dull. It had three iron chairs, one huge table with lots of registers scattered on it, and an old ceiling fan. The man in that room had an oval face, flat nose, black eyes, and flat cheeks. He had a lanky built. He was thin and tall and wearing a guard uniform. He was talking on phone. “Excuse me, can I make a call through your phone” I asked humbly. He stared at me and said shockingly, “Don’t you have your own phone?”

          I told him my story and explained him that since I am only nine, I do not yet have a phone. He said rudely, “The age of 9 is enough for having a phone.” However, he let me use his phone. I called daddy. He picked up the phone, and as soon as he heard my voice he was shocked and could not believe I was not in the car. I told him to quickly come back. He rushed back and picked me. I sat in the car, this time in the front seat.

          Daddy was delighted and relieved to see me safe. I was happy too, to see him at comfort. He told me that all the time he thought I was in the car he was speaking to me about the interesting things of other schools. Although, it was a nerve wrecking experience for both of us, we laughed at the end. He eventually promised me to get me a phone very soon. 

Writer: Fionaa Thawani (IV Grade, NMS)