Chereads / The Conductor / Chapter 2 - Old Way to School

Chapter 2 - Old Way to School

While Getting Ready Vineeth was still confused about the situation because it felt so real and at the same time he was in denial of what was happening to him. Even though he always wanted a redo at life he didn't expect it to happen.

"What is Happening? I was Sure that I was dead. The Last Thing I remember getting out for Food and Lying on the ground." Vineeth trying to grasp the situation while taking shower.

"Time will reveal whether this is an Elaborate dream or a Second Chance. For Now I don't care if it is a dream." With a Grin on his face.

After Getting Ready to School. He saw his Kid Brother who is 3 Years younger than him.

"Oh I Forgot! He is still in first grade."

"Oye! Come Here." Vineeth waves at his brother. His brother approaches.

"What? Cheta." In an Obedient voice. (Cheta is a Malayalam word for Big Brother)

Vineeth was surprised by his obedience.

"Do You Know what's in the lunch box today?"

"No Cheta. Let's Open and check."

"No Need to check we will anyway find out during lunch time." Vineeth to himself.

"I don't remember when I last talked to him. I guess this time I won't Screw up things."

The daily route of school bus of the school was a little away in the main highway but it was a walk-able distance. Father of both Vineeth and Virul( Vineeth's younger Brother) acompanied both of them till the highway and waited for the pickup.

After reaching the pickup point.

"I remember this place where I used to wait for the bus." Under a Bill board near a local bar which only opens after 7 PM.

"Yavatmal is so Green. I always missed this view after city development." Vineeth Wondered with Nostalgia. (Yavatmal is a city in Maharashtra state of India)

On the way he saw an old man waving at them and he recalled the Old man as Mr.Rao. Vineeth himself didn't Know what was his full name or the profession but it was a familiar face whom his father had known for years.

"Uncle! How Are You? I hope you are doing good." Vineeth says with joy of seeing him.

Mr. Rao is a person who keeps to himself. He was baffled by this gesture because for him it was unusual from a boy who feared him.

While Vineeth was waiting for his bus which was a old dark blue van, two other of his schoolmates joined him. Both of them were children of a nearby restaurant (Food Shack) owner Praveen and Paru. Praveen is one year younger to Vineeth and Paru is One year Older than Vineeth.

It was always a deal when all of them promoted to higher grades because the books which Vineeth used to study would be passed down to Praveen and all of the Paru's books to Vineeth. So for a Long time only Paru and Virul Needed to Buy Books Vineeth and Praveen would get used books.

The Bus Always Started early in the morning picking up the children starting from the farthest area in MIDC which is an industrial area but the to and fro route of the van always passes from the pickup point where Vineeth and his companions used to wait.

The Bus came and they are boarded and as Vineeth expected it was over crowded with children.

"Nostalgic but over crowded. Not as bad as when I go to office using public transport in future." Apparently that day he was late and he got the van while it picked up all children and was going back to school for the drop.

"Hello! Uncle. How are you Today?" Vineeth did know the conductor of the bus since everyone referred to him as Uncle so he never bothered to know his name. For Vineeth he was an Uncle in the van who used to help children board the van and leave it.

After hearing this question he smiled and answered.

" I am good. Vineeth." But he realized it was an unusual question because for him he just saw Vineeth yesterday. For him Vineeth was just a goofy playful boy.

"I am Looking forward to reach my old School with a new mind." While looking out the window. Vineeth didn't talk much because he didn't fully grasped the situation.

Same Paths, Same School, Same Ride, Same People and a new perspective. Here Goes Vineeth to find newness in his old life which was supposed to be passed.