It was Sid and Ananya’s last day of school. Ananya kept ringing the doorbell continuously.

“My God, how many times, Ananya? Did your hand get stuck to the doorbell?” exclaimed Amma angrily as she opened the door.

Ananya ran inside, put her bag away and plonked onto the sofa while Sid went inside to change his uniform.

“For 6 weeks, no more getting up early, no studies, no classes.. Ahhhhh lovely!” exclaimed Ananya.

She was staring into oblivion as her mother snapped her fingers before her eyes.

“Stop dreaming. Go change your uniform and keep your bags inside. Sid has already changed. Please go, Anu.”

“So shall we pack our bags to go to Tatha’s house for the vacation? Did you speak to him, Ma?” asked Sid.

“Yes, of course. Whenever you both want to,” said Amma.

“ Yey, let’s go right away!” screamed Ananya excitedly from inside.

It was a routine for Sid and Ananya to spend their vacations with their Tatha and Tathi (grandparents). They lived on the outskirts of the city in an individual rowhouse. Sometimes, their cousins Riya and Diya would also come.

They all loved the time at their grandparents, Tathi would take them to the farm and they would handpick the vegetables. She would then whip up delicacies for her grandchildren.

Tatha would tell them stories of kings and queens, Gods and Goddesses, Prince and Princesses, stories from which they could learn something, stories with morals. Tatha was a master storyteller and the way he would describe and narrate them with vivid detailing, these kids would listen with rapt attention and forget all about television, mobile phones or any electronic gadgets.

As the car halted at their place, Ananya rushed out screaming, “We are here!”

“Welcome home, children. You must be famished. Let’s all sit to have dinner,” said Tatha. He laid the plates for all and they all sat together to have dinner.