What is more important

Some Letters (II)

Rajveer opens and another letter and starts reading it. As he progresses, he smiles. He is both happy and sad for the guy in it.

To,

My dearest Amma Jee

1972

Hello!

I am doing great here and believe that you are fine as well. Life has taken a new turn now and I have started a new chapter. Things are odd and overwhelming, and I am a little confused, excited and tense. You know that I share everything with you. I do not want to change that; therefore, I am writing this letter to tell you that I will be writing to you daily. After a few days when things get on track, you will receive my letter every day. I know you will be very happy after hearing this and I also know that you will get tense if you do not receive my letter one day. I just want to let you know in advance that sometimes things get delayed due to snow and bad weather, so, I hope you will understand and will not worry much. Moreover, dad is here to protect me all the time; hence, nothing will happen to me ever.

Amma you are my friend, and I am happy about that. I respect you and I love you. Do you know what happened today? Sorry, how would you know? I will tell you. Today, Dad and I went to my school. It is a very big and old building with red bricks. The ceilings are very high, and it has big windows. If I am honest, it really gives off cold vibes. I was really nervous when I entered the building. It was drizzling and I was glad that the weather was not very bad. Otherwise, I would be more tense, worried and nervous. You know that the weather affects my mood very much. Dad held my hand while we entered, and he did not leave it throughout our visit there until he dropped me off in my classroom. We went to the principal's office straight away. However, I was stunned when I saw that the guard, who was at the main gate, greeted my dad by his name and a big smile. He did mention that it was not professional when he hugged my dad. I was confused that how he knew my dad. The school had a big ground with lush green grass and the weather added to its beauty. It helped me calm down a bit, but my heart kept racing. We then entered the principal’s office. He too stood up to greet my dad. They talked to each other discussing a lot of things about which I had zero knowledge. I am not sure if I knew about that stuff or not, but I know one thing: I was unable to hear anything. Everything they were saying was a sound in the background which I ignored completely. I was looking around and out of the window, thinking about the new life I was about to start. Suddenly, my eyes fell on a board hanging on the wall. The board had two very familiar names on it. It had the names of dad and uncle Luthra on it. My lips curled into a smile on their own. I was so proud to find their names on the board of the valedictorians. Both of them were valedictorians of their batch and they were only batch in which there were two of them. All other batches had only one. I am still unable to contain my happiness. However, at that moment a certain pang of tension hit my hard. I was worried that what if I was unable to keep up their name and I did not fit that place or that I was an odd man out. I was engulfed with the fear when dad called me. He asked me was I ready to see my class and all I did was nod. We went to the class, and I was surprised to see a few familiar faces. It is not that I knew them, but they were from our country. I was a bit at ease by looking at them. It was the first day of most of us, so I felt a bit at ease. The rest of the day went by pretty fast. Many teachers came and introduced themselves. They also asked me to introduce myself and I think I was good at that. I also met a boy named Kartik. He was a nice guy and I want to be friends with him. I do not know if he wants to be my friend or not, but I think I will give it a shot. I hope I will find a friend like my dad found uncle Luthra. He did mention that I should not be worried about making friends since what is meant for me would come to me and those who are good for and for whom I am good would enter my life like a cool breeze. I believe in that, but there is some worry in the deepest corners of my heart. I do not want to let it rule me. After the school ended, I went out and was overjoyed to see dad there. He opened his arms, and I ran into them. I feel so good and so happy with dad. He has become more expressive after coming here and he gives me his full-time attention. Then we went to an old coffee house to have something. Dad told me that it was the place where he and uncle Luthra used to come after college. I think dad misses him very much as he is having nostalgia very often here. He loves London, he has a lot here and he feels so at ease here. I have never seen him to be this calm. I am happy for him. I also talked to him about my fear, and he said that he was already proud of me and that everyone is different, and the beauty is to enjoy and understand one’s individuality. He said: “I am I and you are you and that is what makes everyone special. I love you as who you are, and I think you should try to know yourself too. Just continue to grow and make sure that every day you try to be your best version. Do not stop learning and growing.” My fears faded at his words. They did not vanish completely, but I am sure that as soon as I start doing what he said, I will no longer be afraid of anything. I want to make him proud, and I will do that no matter what happens.

I want to tell you one more thing. Dad said Sameen is my Luthra. She is uncle Luthra’s daughter and I think you have met her. He said that she would be there for me, and she knew very well how to make a friend and how to retain a friendship. I think that too. I met her when we went to meet them before I came here. It was a good experience. She has something really different. Her smile is contagious. She radiates very good vibes. I feel shy around her. I do not know why. I want to tell you something and I do not want to tell you that either. Ok, I will tell you, but do not tell anyone else. I felt butterflies in my stomach when I met her. It was really weird. I do not know what that feeling was, as I had never experienced that before. However, it was really weird. I hope to see her again. I told her that I would write to her daily, but now I do not know what to write. I think it all will depend on her reply. I did write a letter to her before writing this one but have not posted it yet. I am not sure about posting it. I will tell dad about everything once I complete writing this letter. He will have something to say as he always has. I tried to make small talk in the letter as I told her about my new school and London. I also told her about the places we visited and about dad and uncle Luthra’s names on the board and the places they used to visit. If she replies, I think I will also have to say something more next time and slowly this awkwardness will end. Dad says she is a warrior princess with a gold heart, and I think the same thing. I want to be her friend. A really good one. I actually want to continue the friendship that dad started, and I think I will be a good friend too, as it is in my blood. Dad said that too.

I know it is a really big letter, but I wanted to share everything. I am very happy for dad as seeing him happy makes me smile. However, I am worried about mom. I did not want to leave her alone, but I had to go with dad. I feel incomplete without her. I wish she had been there too. Please take care of her and do not leave her alone. Play games with her or read to her. Just do not leave her alone. Also, I want to know about everything that is happening back home. About all the kids, helpers, friends and my people. Amma, take care of yourself and do write back to me. I will wait.

With lots of love,

Ranvijy Gujrial

There is also a smile at the end of the letter which I think is a way to copy his role models’ stamps. Rajveer smiles as he is reading more letters. It makes him feel as if he is there.