The Scorpish g**g

Chapter 6

When they reach at Uncle Rick’s they discover that he has prepared a small piece of land in front of his house. He has dug the land in a row and it seems that he is going to plant some plants and start gardening. Uncle Rick is not seen anywhere nearby. Robin is wandering around that land, smelling the ground, chasing insects and playing in his own mood.

The gate of the house is open. They directly enter into the house and see Uncle Rick sitting in the corridor with his prosthetic leg in one hand. It can be understood that he might have faced some discomfort while working on the land. But Uncle Rick is a man of huge dedication. He does not have one leg, but on the contrary he has a willpower which is very rare to match by anyone else. He still carries out many impossible task with the help of this willpower.

Ross says, “Oh my God! What happened to you now?”

Uncle Rick says, “Holy moly! My wicked fellows are here in this morning! I thought you’ll all be asleep and take a rest in the off day.”

Elliott says, “How did you get to know that?”

Uncle Rick says, “I met with Ross yesterday evening. He told me all these. Hey Peter how’s your granny now?”

Peter says, “Her maid said that she is improving. We’re gonna visit her today, in the noon.”

Uncle Rick says, “I pray for her speedy recovery.”

Peter says, “What has happened to this leg of yours?”

Uncle Rick says, “Nothing much. You saw that dug up land there? I was working and somehow my leg got damaged. I thought that the screw is loose again, but after checking I realized there is some grass, soil, straw type of things in it. Now it’s fine.”

Saying this he wears the leg again, takes his crutch and moves on again. He is such an inspiration for all of us. So many problems, still he manages to live his life his way.

Uncle Rick says, “Let’s go to the land and show you guys.”

They come out and stand beside the rectangular piece of land. There are many plastic bags at one side, two shovels and a small cart.

Peter says, “So you’re gonna start gardening now.”

Uncle Rick says, “You won’t get it my boy. The amount of peace you’ll get from a garden is priceless.”

Ross says, “I can understand this uncle. I also have some plants at my balcony. It’s a huge way to spend some quality leisure. By the way what are you gonna plant here?”

Uncle Rick says, “I have some pansies and snowdrops. Also I will plant some r****h. Fresh vegetables you know haha.”

Ross says, “You’ll plant seeds?”

Uncle Rick says, “Yes boss. I don’t have any shortage of time. So let it be seeds.”

Ross says, “You got all the insecticides and fertilizers?”

Uncle Rick says, “Sarah has gone to the city to buy those. She’ll be here in an hour.”

Ross says, “We can share some then.”

Uncle Rick says, “Obviously. Feel free to come here any time. And advices are open too.”

Peter says, “Here one is planting trees and there a group of them are destroying a whole forest!”

Uncle Rick says, “What do you mean?”

Peter says, “In the morning we went to see the renovation of our school. And we planned to take some pictures in the woods. But when we reached there, it was turned into a desert. Trees have vanished literally. A lot of people are working there on some project, the clerk of our school said.”

Uncle Rick says, “What are you saying?! Who are they?”

Elliott says, "There are a bunch of people there who are working in some kind of improvement project."

Uncle Rick says, "Those idiots are calling this s**t improvements?"

Peter says, "Exactly. This is nothing but destruction."

Uncle Rick says, "Your school's authority is silent is usual, aren’t they?"

Peter says, "They are getting many new furniture for the office and teachers' room."

Uncle Rick says, "Who are giving them those?"

Peter says, "The clerk Mr. Chris said that there's company named something like The Unique Company or maybe something else. They are running the project."

Uncle Rick says, "It's The Unique Group Of Industries. They are pretty new in the town. I heard that they are planning to make this town like an urban area, large buildings, huge shopping malls and so on. The destruction and making it hell is their work, now I understand."

Elliott says, "Exactly, this was the name."

Uncle Rick says, “And the locals aren’t liking their work. But it’s understandable that they have powerful men behind them. So they’re gonna continue their hell making at any cost.”

Peter says, “I took some shots there. Wanna see?”

Uncle Rick says, “Show me.”

Peter says, ‘There you go.”

Uncle Rick is watching the photos calmly and carefully. He is obviously feeling very bad of the situation. He was also very familiar with the forest there. He grew up in this particular area. His childhood had a huge part spent in the woods.

Uncle Rick says, “You don’t need to go there anymore. Let them do whatever they want.”

Peter says, “Okay, uncle. Whatever you say. Anyways we don’t wanna see that desert again. It looks like tortured literally.”

Uncle Rick says, “I can understand. Where evils are making the hell, let’s try to plant some heaven here. Help me with the seeds kids.”

They have found something interesting all of a sudden. It triggers their mood quite well. Everyone gets busy with the garden now. Works are divided among them.

Uncle Rick says, “Get me a chair, Ross. I’m gonna disturb you guys now. Be ready.”

Ross says, “Chair coming uncle!”

Then Uncle Rick takes a seat. Robin comes near his feet and makes a comfortable seat. Uncle rick throws a biscuit at him and starts to order the lads. He tells Jonas to bring some water from the tap. Then asks Elliott to make small holes with 6 inches of gaps around each other. And the holes need to be in rows. He gets busy with that immediately. He is using a shovel to make holes.

At first he was doing pretty swiftly as the soil was already dug up fully. But now his waist is aching a bit and he is taking rest after making each holes. Peter is mocking at him after seeing his condition. Jonas is busy to pour water into the buckets and bring them here.

Uncle Rick is telling Peter and Ross something.

Uncle Rick says, “The packet on your hands, Peter, is snowdrops and Ross has the pansies. You’ll target one row each and plant the same seeds only in that row. And keep 4 rows from the right side empty for radishes. You got it?”

Peter says, “Ok, you’re boss. Your wish is my command.”

Ross says, “When you’re gonna plant the r****h seeds?”

Uncle Rick says, “When Sarah will come. I didn’t get those when I went to the market. I hope she won’t disappoint me today.”

Ross says, “Then it’s fine. Do you have any work with insecticides and fertilizers today?”

Uncle Rick says, “Obviously. They are must after sowing the seeds. And I’m dependent on Sarah, I can’t use fertilizers unless she comes.”

Elliott says, “I’m done, uncle! Oh, that was a hell of a job. Not easy at all what I thought at first.”

Peter says, “I’m very sad for you dear old man, I think you need to contact the old age home very soon. Or should we drop you there when we get back?”

Elliott says, “Haha. Not funny. Stop bluffing and get on the field young man. You’ll get to learn how easy and funny it is.”

Peter says, “Ok, ok grandpa! C’mon Ross. Let’s show ‘em!!”

They start to work with huge confidence and excitement. They are doing great, just like what Elliott was doing at the very beginning. But soon their hands are getting pumped up, bending down again and again is making the waist hurt. Now they are imitating what Elliott was doing a few moments earlier. They are filling one hole and standing for a minute to give the waist a bit rest. Clearly it is never easy to work on the fields, especially for whom who never did it before in their lives.

Elliott says, “C’mon grandpa, you can do it. Go on, make us proud grandpa!!”

Elliott is having his revenge quite harshly. Uncle Rick is having all the fun watching them over.

Elliott says, “What happened to you Ross? You have plants in your balcony right? Then you should’ve done better my friend.”

Ross says, “I have plants in pots, not on the garden you dumb.”

Elliott says, “Oops! My bad!”

After hustling and getting a lot of insults from Elliott finally they have finished their work.

Uncle Rick says, “Now Jonas it’s your queue. Go on with the water and burn some calories dear. And don’t create a flood in there please. Try to pour a descent amount only in the canals.”

Jonas says, “I got it uncle. You don’t worry.”

Sarah returns when Jonas is working. She becomes very happy to see some familiar faces working on the land.

Uncle Rick says, “Hey madam. Give me the bags. And serve the snacks for the kids.”

Sarah says, “Yes, sir! Looks like I don’t need to use my hand on the garden, do I?”

Uncle Rick says, “Not at all! Boys are enough here.”

After finishing all the work they move up to wash their hands and legs and be fresh. They sit peacefully in the living room. Snacks are served, everyone enjoys them.

Sarah says, “How is your granny now, Peter?”

Peter says, “Ms. Catherine, her maid, said that she is on the state of improvement now. The doctor has said to keep her under watch for 72 hours at least. Today at 3 pm we’re going to visit her.”

Sarah says, “I hope she gets well very very soon.”

Peter says, “Thank you aunty.”

After finishing the eating Elliott proposes that they should apply the fertilizers and complete the whole work. But Sarah disagrees.

Uncle Rick says, “C’mon! Let them do. Working habit is a good one.”

As soon as he agrees, everyone again starts working and finishes the job quite neatly. Then they take leave from Uncle Rick and go their own way to home.

On the way…

Jonas says, “So Peter and Elliott, when will you start for the hospital?”

Peter says, “Be at my house at just before 3. We’ll just call Erik and hop in the car.”

Elliott says, “Ok, I’ll be there.”

Ross says, “And when will we meet again?”

Peter says, “Tomorrow morning would be fine. Same place, same time.”

Ross says, “We’ll be there.”

Peter says, “Goodbye for now then.”

Jonas says, “Tata.”

Everybody heads for their homes. Peter is quite happy because he will be able to talk with his grandmother. But he does not have much more time. So he gets home fast and finishes a shower. Then Erik knocks on the door for lunch. They have their lunch together. Erik takes the car out. Elliott is on the door at a perfect time. They start for the hospital.

The hospital is quite busy today than other days. Erik has to face much difficulties to find a proper parking. However he gets a fine place and they get to the cardiac ward and enters his grandmother’s cabin.

Peter says, “Surprise granny!!” Peter literally shouts there. At first his grandmother gives a look of shock and then smiles with her heart’s content. She is very happy to see Peter.

Grandmother says, “How are you my dear?”

Peter says, “I should ask you this, how are you?”

Grandmother says, “I’m a bit fine. But I don’t like staying here at all.”

Peter says, “But you have to. Only two more days. Then mom and dad will be here and will take you home. So you don’t worry.”

Grandmother says, “Where are you having your meals?”

Peter says, “You haven’t forgot about my meals! I’m having at Erik’s. I came here yesterday too but you were asleep. Erik took me here by his father’s car like today.”

They are having these kinds of normal, casual conversation. It shows their love towards each other. They stay there for two hours and then go to home. The boys are busy in their own works in the afternoon.