Chapter 1
This is the story of Chintu, a 4th standard boy. This was the 1st day of school after this exam holidays. He was not at all in the mood to go back to school after a lenghty holiday gap. His father started preparing him for this day a week before it actually commenced as he'll touch the notebooks only if the need arises which was now. In the last week of his holidays, he sat and wrote all the homework which were supposed to be completed over a span of 2 months. It was the last day of his holidays. In english, he was asked to write an essay about any topic of his choice in around 200 words. Not able to decide upon the topic, Chintu asked his father " pa my english teacher has asked me to write an essay, could you just tell me a good topic?" Chintu's father was busy with some office work of his'. As he didnt pay attention to what Chintu said, Chintu raised his voice and called out loudly " Paaaaaa". Then he responded with a "hmmmm tell me". Chintu repeated whatever he said before. Chintu's father responded saying " Write about Republic day". Chintu thought for sometime and again started asking questions like what is republic day? Why celebrated on 26th of Jan??. As and when his father gave answers he came up with plenty more questions like who were the Britishers?? Why they came here?? etc.. not having time and patience to respond to his questions and also anticipating more questions to fly his way, he told "you better write about something which you know already and that you don't need any help from me as Im very busy and I have an important meeting tomorrow" saying this he went back to his presentation. Chintu came close and pulled his shirt to ask something again, he shouted back saying " I've told you once will not repeat again, always the same problem. Million times I've told you to complete your homework well in advance and then play how much ever you want to. But no, every single time trying to complete everything on the last day. Write some nonsense and go, get scoldings from your teacher then only you'll understand. Your mother left this world happily, putting your responsibility on my head and Im here to suffer with you by my side. I have a meeting tomorrow don't bother me."
Chintu's eyes were filled with tears. Weeping softly, he took his notebook and left the room.He went to the terrace. It was half past 7 in the evening and pretty dark, he just laid down and was looking at the stars. He came down at around 9pm. His father was still busy with his work. He asked his father "pa shall we have dinner?" There was no response. Chintu, not wanting to get shouted at again. Went to the kitchen took some food in his plate and had dinner. Before going to bed he tried one last time to speak to his father saying "Good night pa". No response to that as well. He then went to his room arranged all his new notebooks in his school bag. His father had already covered all his new notebooks with brown sheet and labelled them. He saw the new pencil box with all new eraser, pencil and pen. There was a smile on his face. He kept everything inside his school bag and went to bed.
The next day, his father woke him up, asking him to get ready for school. Chintu got ready and was having breakfast. His father asked him whether he took everything needed. Chintu nodded "Yes pa". They both started from home, after dropping him at his school, his father went for work. All that was running in his father's head was the big presentation that he had to give. He cared less about everything else.
It was 9pm, Chintu's father reached home. Chintu, usually after school gets the house key from his neighbouring aunty, comes home and stays there all by himself. So by the time his father comes he is there watching cartoons and there was nothing new that day. Chintu's father freshened up and sat next to Chintu as he was engrossed in watching TV. " Full day cartoons!!! All homework done??" asked his father while scanning Chintu's school bag "Yes pa, I completed as soon as I came home". "Not bad Chintu. Good good". He found a new colouring box in Chintu's bag. Saying, "Chintu, I dont remember buying you this" he showed the same to Chintu.
" No pa, my English teacher gave me."
"Oh as it was the 1st day of school everybody got this is it?"
" No pa she gave only to me. She told my essay was the best"
"Essay??? Oh yeah you were supposed to write an essay na. I totally forgot."
His father was pleasantly surprised. He was very eager to read it now. Without his help Chintu had written an essay for which he got appreciated as well, that was something difficult to process as Chintu has always been an average student.
Chintu picked up his notebook and showed it to his father.
"Blanket" was the title, looking at the title his father thought to himself, with so many things to write about why did he write about a blanket and that got him accolades as well. Now he was even more curious.
My Blanket
My blanket is in blue and white colour. It is very soft. It smells great as well. I always hug it and sleep. It is the best blanket in the world. Papa remains busy with work and finds hard to spend time with me so I speak a lot with my blanket though it never replies. The time I spend with my blanket before sleeping is my favourite time of the day. When i go to bed I cover myself with it and start telling it, stories about my whole day. Though it does not say a word I get the feel that it is listening to everything I say. I tell my blanket everything, coming 1st in running race, class fight, the good the bad, everything. As I know it will love me for both. I feel as if Im hugging mama when Im with my blanket, as it was her favourite saree I still can feel her presence and smell her in it. Though at times I wish it responds when I say "I miss you mama" but I guess its ok when free from office work papa talks to me a lot and we have good fun. I miss my mama a lot but Im glad papa is there with me to take care of me. He gets angry at times but its ok, for those times I have my blanket with me. This was my small essay about my favourite blanket.
His father's eyes were filled with tears and had to wipe it away as his vision got completely blurred. He went to the bedroom and found Chintu sleeping on the bed covered in his favourite blanket. He laid next to him, kissed him on his forehead, hugged him tight and started weeping uncontrollably.
