Toward the Museum

The joy of exams being over is known to none better than a student, for being a student is a mystery in itself. If one were to see the University College Dublin during exam time, they might not believe that these are all humans or if these are humans disguised as robots, hunched over laptops and books.

Those who toil day and night in preparation for the future may never know if they will be a part of the future they are preparing for.

As the tension of exams eases, everyone

returns to their own stories when the call from Grandpa comes at 6 pm on the evening of the final paper.

"How were my daughter's exams?" asked Grandpa with concern.

Even though Lisa was the topper of the school and college, Grandpa remained very concerned about her educational career.

"As long as my grandfather's prayers are with me, every exam of my life will be very good. I love you very much, Grandpa," Lisa said with great affection.

She wished she could hug her Grandpa and shower him with heaps of love. But geographical distances had confined them.

"My daughter, my life! Grandpa also loves you immensely. Just complete your studies soon and come back," said Grandpa.

"Yes, Grandpa, I will come soon," Lisa wished to fly and reach her Grandpa.

"Really, Lisa! When are you coming? The overwhelming emotions prevented her from speaking to her Grandpa. Lisa lowered her head.

"I am getting holidays for three weeks and I will try to come soon," Lisa said.

"Admirable, admirable," Grandpa cheered."

"When everyone began to gather for dinner at dusk, Lisa, drawing everyone's attention, said, "I am going to the village."

"Why?" Smith asked as they walked.

"I miss Grandpa a lot and I want to spend some days with him," Lisa said.

"That's good," Smith said.

They all sat at the table; the weather was very beautiful. Tourists were on every street, capturing their different attire, reflecting their personalities. Beautiful smiles, searching faces for new experiences.

"How is your village?" Izy asked.

Before Izy could speak, Max said, "Don't say that, Izy, you don't know how beautiful villages are."

"I really don't know," Izy quickly said.

"Then you haven't seen much. Look at how innocent she is," Max's words made everyone laugh.

"I want all of you to come to the village with me. Believe me, our village is very beautiful. My grandfather has a huge orchard. People from the entire area come to our orchard to take fruits," Lisa said, and everyone listened with interest.

"We have a big house. My uncle liked British-style designed houses, so Papa built the house according to their preference," Lisa's eyes were lost somewhere, everyone felt the pain hidden in her voice.

"Grandfather says when my mother's wedding took place, my father fed the entire village for seven days. They were like Romeo and Juliet,"

Max interrupted.

"Your parents were so romantic, and you left, so serious and boring," with a wink, everyone laughed.

"It's not like that," Kathie said. "It's very nice."

"Why are you both silent?" Izy held Lisa's hand. "Tell me more, I feel very good listening to you."

Lisa smiled. Everyone paid attention to her.

"I was saying, our house is very lovely, big, and my grandfather is also very good."

During our childhood, Jake and I troubled Grandpa a lot during the days of summer and winter.

On hot afternoons, we used to go to the riverside to catch fish. Grandpa would scold us a lot for that. I remember one time, Lisa said with a laugh

, "Grandpa forbade us, saying it would rain today, so you both should not go outside, and yet he went to the market himself." In the afternoon, the rain began; it was light at first.

I and Jake left the house and started walking. As we were walking, we got lost, and then the rain started.

Lisa paused to catch her breath.

"Then?" Smith asked with interest.

"Then what... we got lost and the rain drenched us," Lisa continued.

"Grandpa searched for us in the pouring rain throughout the village, and finally, we met Grandpa at one place."

Lisa's eyes were moist.

"Will you both fall sick then?" Max asked.

"No! Grandpa caught a fever and was ill for the whole week. After that incident, we always listened to everything Grandpa said."

"I will go," Max raised his hand.

"When Max goes, I will go too," Kathie quickly held his hand.

"I am also going anyway,"Izy said carelessly, looking at their hands.

"You don't know," Lisa said, " when you are not with them, they will not note your name."

Max joked mischievously,

"Have you said something like that?"

Izy asked in surprise,

"No, Max is joking. We will all go," Lisa said lovingly.

"But there is a problem."

"What?" Izy asked quickly.

"There, I have a brother who is very mischievous, but he is so good that perhaps everything there is so good that you may not want to come back," Lisa said mischievously.

Smith looked into Lisa's smiling eyes. It felt very bad to lose something. Eyes

Eyes soaked in tears

Eyes lost in silence

Eyes laughing

Jake's mind began to wander. Kathie called Smith.

"Will you go too?"

"No, I can't go," Smith replied, bowing his head.

This always happened; he was never included in their plans.

But why was Lisa surprised?

"You should go, Izy said stubbornly.

"I don't feel like it," he said helplessly.

Everyone fell silent; they knew he was like that.

Yes, but you are leaving," Lisa said firmly.

Smith looked surprised, "But why?"

"It's my wish, but smith you will go with us," each word emphasized, Lisa said.

smith smiled. For some unknown reason, he liked Lisa saying this.

"Okay, I will go," he said, looking at Lisa.

Everyone cheered with happiness.

After returning, Lisa called her grandfather first.

"You know, I'm not coming alone," Lisa said.

Grandfather was surprised. "Then?"

Lisa laughed. "We are all coming as friends."

"Oh! I'm so happy, Lisa, that you have made friends. This is very good. Friends give courage to live, keep the pace of life in the right direction, but my child, be cautious in matters of friends."

"Yes, Grandfather," Lisa listened carefully to her grandfather's words.

Grandfather called Jake.

"You know, all of Lisa's friends are coming."

"Wow!" he smiled. "That's great. Lisa, it's very good. You all should come soon."

After two days of preparation, everyone will head towards the village.

"We will also do bonfire"

"And

We will also go hunting."

More

We will stay together."

Holding each other's hands, they were getting farther from the setting sun with the cool evening breeze.

With that assurance, they turned the next page.