Quantum Entanglement

prolouge

15 YEARS AGO:

"Derek. Rise and shine sweety." I heard the sweet voice of my mom as she called out for me. "Five more minutes ma." I grumbled. "Wake up now or you'll be late for your flight. You're spending your summer at your aunt Tia's place in India. Did you forget that?"

I woke up with a jerk of excitement. How can I forget that? Two whole months with Tia mausi in India! I always look forward to summer holidays as my parents send me to live with her. India is so different from Australia in many regards. I especially like the

change in the scenery. The bustling, wild roads of Mumbai are nothing compared to the roads of Sydney. The food sold on road-side stalls in Mumbai has more tastes bursting on your tongue than any five-star restaurant. My particular favourite is the change of language. In Mumbai, people speak Hindi, Marathi and English. Whenever I’m there, Tia mausi teaches me Hindi. I can speak Hindi

almost as fluently as English. I tried to learn Marathi but that was too tough for me, so right now I can only speak two languages. I can’t wait to go there and show her the new sentences I learnt while I was away.

I hop off my bed and run to my bathroom. I brush my teeth, do my business and hop in the shower. I’m out in record time and wear the clothes my mother has laid out on bed for me. It’s a simple blue elephant underwear- my favourite-white t shirt and khakhi shorts with blue socks. I wear them in a hurry and run outside the room, “Mom! I’m ready! When are we leaving?” she is in the kitchen, eating breakfast with dad. “good morning kiddo. First eat your breakfast. The flight will not leave for the next two hours.” My dad says, looking away from mom. “Sure thing dad.” I say and sit on the stool. Dad had prepared my favourite blueberry pancakes with orange juice. “Eat slowly love. You don’t want to choke on your food and puke all that out, do you?” my mom says with a light chuckle. I love her voice when she is laughing. It brightens her features even more and is as soft and sweet as the rest of her is. I shake my head in a no and start to eat at a normal pace. The breakfast then turns to normal, talking and laughing.

After finishing the breakfast and cleaning the table, we gathered in the living room to watch one of my favourite shows. My bag and luggage are already in the car trunk so we only have to go once everything is ready. My parents come along with me the whole way to Mumbai and then leave me with aunt Tia. I neither know what they do next nor when they leave. As a rule, they leave me with aunt Tia and enjoy themselves, exploring the city, and doing whatever adults do. During my stay, it’s me who calls them whenever I want. After the vacation is over, we tell each other everything we do there. Though mom and dad don’t share all the details and go back within a week, they clearly enjoy their time as much as I enjoy mine.

Every time I go to India, I always experience some new adventure. I wonder what it will be this time.

“Come on little guy. Time to go.” My dad says as he switches off the television and ruffles my hair. We switch off the electric appliances and check the doors and windows of the house one last time before locking the house. Mom takes the driver's seat, my father is riding shotgun and I'm in the backseat. "India, here I come." I thought to myself as mom started the engine and drove out of the driveway.