There was just one more day for Avurudu. Rajan and Umesh were going back home after school. Umesh was overjoyed since his father who was overseas had come home to be together for Avurudu.
“You know my father has come home to celebrate Avurudu this time”, Umesh went on telling with happiness to Rajan.
“Oh! Really? It sounds great” I wish I had my Dad too, Umesh”, Rajan said with a heavy heart. He knew that his father would not be allowed to be at home because he was imprisoned.
“Don’t worry, Rajan. He’ll be there for you. trust me”, Umesh consoled him while holding his hand.
“No, Umesh. He won’t. My Mom always says that he’ll have to be there for a long time”, Rajan added.
“No worries, my brother. I’ll be there for you”
Umesh hugged Rajan and made a move to his house. Rajan had to walk along the road for another one mile. Of course, he strolled towards his place.
Umesh rushed to his father who was waiting for his son at the gate. His father hugged him with love.
“Come on. Go and see what I’ve got for you, Umesh”, his father said. Umesh rushed to his room. It was full of gifts. A big teddy bear was on his bed.
“I just can’t believe it, Dad”
“They’re all for you”
“Can’t I share some of these with a friend of mine?”
“Are you crazy, Umesh? Your Dad has got them all for you. So why do you want to share them with your naughty friend?”, his Mom asked him with anger.
“But, Mom …”, he was not allowed to finish.
“No sharing. You must keep them all with you”, Mom said and left the place. Umesh and his Dad were helpless. Umesh was so sad. His tears gushed out.
“To whom do you want to give?”, his father asked him tenderly. Umesh said nothing. He was full of tears.
“Come on, my son. I’ll help you”
“Rajan whose father’s imprisoned, Dad. He’s a poor boy who stays at home alongside his Mom who works in the tea estate over there”, Umesh went…
“I can imagine his situation. He deserves your gifts badly. Let’s go and see him tomorrow”, his Dad said while patting his head.
“Really, Dad?”
“Hmmmm”
Umesh was so overjoyed that he was impatient till the dawn of the following day. Of course, it was a long sleepless night. Just before the sun set in, he woke up and got dressed.
“Dad, I’m ready. Come on. Let’s go”, Umesh shouted with no patience. Dad had already wrapped almost all his gifts for Rajan the previous night. Umesh was overjoyed to see the wrapped gifts.
“Wow! Dad. You’re great”, he said while giving him a big hug.
He worshipped his Mom and Dad. He left home alongside his Dad with happiness. When they reached Rajan’s place, Rajan was on the bench which was kept right next to the front door. Rajan was overjoyed to see him.
“Umesh, is this a dream?”, he asked him while giving him a hug.
“Happy New Year, my friend. All these are for you, Rajan”
Rajan could not believe his eyes. His tears gushed out.
“Thanks, my little friend”, Rajan said.
“Where’s your Mom?”, Umesh’s father asked him.
“She just left now to pluck tea because she would be paid more today, Sir”, Rajan said.
Umesh’s father gave him a new T-shirt and a pair of trousers as well. Rajan was happy to have them as well.
“Go and get dressed and come, Rajan. We must hurry to catch the bus to go to the town right now”, Dad said.
“Town? Why should we go there?”
“To see your Dad, Rajan”
Both Umesh and Rajan could not believe it.
