It's finally happening. I'll be out of this hellhole in 10 days. College is finally going to start. Now I just have to pack my bags and wait. From the conversation I had with mom, it seems that the college seems to be a little far from this village, so I need to rent a room near college and live all by myself. I never lived alone ever in my life, not even in the real world, so I'm a little worried about it. Maybe I could get a roommate? It gives me more courage to endure than living all alone. Even though she gave me loads of work to do every day, I can't complain that she taught me how to cook. It's going to come in handy, as I am now going to live all by myself. I got these two enormous suitcases, in which I'll fill it with my clothes and other stuff. Only I know how I spend these 2 months. It's pure torture to my brain and health. I'm so glad that I can finally get out of here. Nature is the only thing that keeps me alive here and those little children who play every day in this lane. Whenever I get time from all the work, I would go outside and sit on the stairs outside the building and watch them play till the evening. That pure joy in their eyes and their innocent laughs just warms my heart. They're maybe not more than 3 years old. Whenever they come to play here, it's always covered with dirt on their faces, but they just don't care and continue to play with their cycle tire. Most of the time, they spend their time around the fields. Never in my life have I experienced going to fields, and I want to do it now.
I don't have any work to do, so I went to my room, changed into a simple half sari to gain some points from mom. Carefully draped the sari into my skirt and on my shoulders and secured them with safety pins. I went to my mom's room to ask her permission to go out. She's folding the dried clothes and didn't notice me. I knocked on the door to grab her attention. It gave her a surprise to see me in a half sari. I revised my Oscar level acting in my mind and quickly changed my expression into a pitiful one of my mom's.
"I want to go and explore the fields. It's been a long time since I went out. Can I please go?" I tried to keep my voice low and keep my face as pitiful as I could.
Please let me go, please let me go. She didn't say anything for a few seconds, but after that she let me go and told me to return early.
I gave her a small thank you and walked outside. Just when I asked outside, I saw those children going somewhere.
"Hey kids, where are you heading to?"
One gave me a suspicious look and said that he was going to explore the fields. So I immediately conveyed my desire to accompany them.
They looked at each other for a few seconds and then agreed. Why are these kids giving me an attitude?
I walked carefully while watching the path, because it's muddy, and I might trip if I'm not careful.
While paying attention to my feet, I started looking at my surroundings.
Every house has trees covered, making them look whole.
After like 20 mins of walking, we finally came close to the fields. These kids are acting like adults. They're discussing stuff like they're the president of the country.
I suppressed my laugh looking at them. These kids are so funny, they are looking so innocent that I want to squeeze their cheeks and pamper them. But I felt that if I told them this, then they'd throw me out of the group, so I kept shut.
With these kids, I'm not at all feeling bored. I feel like all my depression from all these days is slowly disappearing. Now I'm actually feeling good.
Maybe it's because of this air. I'm feeling really calm. I'm getting this serene feeling that everything is going to be alright now. Leaving this place was exciting to me. Finally, I can get out of this hell. I can't help but smile out loud. I've never been this excited before.
The children were giving weird looks at her.
"Do you think she's crazy?"
"Yes, maybe we should run away."
"It's alright, we're 4 of us, and she can't fight us".
One of them looked at her and asked, "Why are you laughing like a fool? Are you crazy?"
That's when she came to her senses and heard their question. She let out a chuckle and replied,"I'm just happy that I feel like I'm about to go crazy."
"What is it?" they asked curiously
We reached the start of the paddy field, the wind around the field felt like ocean waves.
I gently touched the grass, it was cold and tickled. I never get to see a field with my own eyes in my real world. I'm so happy I have the chance to have this experience in life.
"Akka, tell us," kids insisted her
She let out a sigh and replied without looking at them and slowly started walking around the field without damaging the crop.
"My college is about to start in a few days, and I'm leaving this village to study in the city,"
They all made an understanding look, and I laughed at their cuteness.
We made our way to the banyan tree, which is at the end of the field, and rested for a while.
The kids sat with me beside and took their marbles to play with. I used to play them in my childhood too, so I just looked at them playing.
The trees were so big that it gave enough shade for us to relax from the scorching sun.
I need sunscreen. Where are the sunscreens during this time?
I have to go to the market and check it out myself.
I relaxed for a few more minutes under the tree, looking at the fields and people passing by. The kids played by themselves. That's when I heard two kids arguing over something.
I looked over and saw that both of them were holding a swing. My eyes lit up looking at that. Why haven't I noticed it till now?
I went and took the swing from them. The swing was tied with a strong rope and looks like it can support double my weight.
"Akka, Akka, please return the swing to us," the two kids were trying to catch the swing, but failed as I raised my hands high.
"You have to allow me to play first, then I will give it to you next?" They frowned at my response and tried to catch it, but I'm stubborner than them and didn't let them catch it
After a few tries, they gave up and let me sit on the swing. I constantly climbed the swing, and the kids started to push the swing, and it started moving.
It's so fun, I want to sit forever. I don't want to get off, but I know they'll be disappointed.
After a few pushes, I got off and let them play. I felt so joyful today. My inner child would be so happy. I didn't get to do all this when I was a child, as mom and dad go to work, and I didn't have any friends to play with. But I had my TV with me to watch cartoons. That were enough to fill the void.
After playing for a bit, I returned home when the sun was almost set.
To be continued…