A long road home

There was no use of ringing the bell… he fished out the key and pushed the door open. He switched on the lights and went to his room. There was complete silence and he could hear his stomach rumble. He fetched some bread and butter and had it. Ron’s routines were monotonously the same everyday but he had somehow got used to it though he longed for a change. Ron started working with his homework when he heard a car zoom into the porch. His parents had come. He ran to the door with lots of zeal as he had something to show them- his new painting.

“Huff…. what a tiring day it was!” said Mr. John

“Yeah….right, I really had a tight schedule working out my new building plans,” said Mrs. John joining the conversation.

“Mom…...Dad …I’ve got something to show you.” said Ron.

“Ron, can’t you see, we’re tired. Please don’t disturb us now.” said his mom.

“But…..”

“No ifs and buts, can we go in if you’re done?” said his dad crossly.

“Okay…”said Ron. He held the paper closer as he dragged himself into the room.

They never had time for him. He had no one to share his pressure with. School was not any better. No one understood him there too. One day after the school, he went to the park nearby. There he sat on a bench and buried his face in his hands. He could feel someone sit beside him.

“What happened dear? Why are you so sad?” asked a stranger.

Ron was not sure of how to respond. It was the first time anyone had asked him this and he felt an overwhelming urge of divulging out his feelings to the familiar stranger.

“I’m lonely. I do not know what to do and whom to share my feelings with. I have countless queries and doubts but everyone seems so busy. No one has time for me. Will you listen to me?” asked Ron.

The question struck the stranger.

“Yes dear tell me everything. I will try to solve your queries”

The stranger’s presence seemed to relax Ron. He shared all what he felt. An expression of concern ran through the face of the stranger.

“Um….you seems to have lots of feelings within. Why don’t you paint your imaginations? It will surely bring you out of boredom and solitude.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes I am. Artistic skills always help you depict your emotions through them.”

“Then I’m surely going to try.” replied  Ron with a sweet smile on his face.

Reaching home, Ron started working hard on his paintings. Through paintings, he elucidated himself and each of them portrayed his feelings. Sadly he never met the stranger again. Soon he started looking for subjects to be painted of. Everything excited him. He started spending more time outdoor. The nature, trees, animals all became subjects for him. He started befriending everything he saw and talked endless hours with them be it animal, insects or trees. He no more felt lonely.  Some days later, he nervously went to his dad holding a paper- his mark sheet.

“Dad, are you free?”

“No, I’m not. Can’t you see?                    “But dad this is important. Please would you sign on it?”

“You want me to sign? What exactly is it”       Ron handed him the mark sheet.

“Your result sheet?”    

 “Umm… yeah”

“What is this Ron? Such low marks in science and math. Are you planning to flunk this year? Missy…..do you see this? Look at our son’s result. “

“Ron, how can you be like this? It is all because you waste your time and you rarely do take things seriously. I am so ashamed of you. You are just a useless boy.,” shouted his mother. Ron was very sad. He did not expect such an outburst. He ran to his room and banged the door. He did not turn up for the dinner that day. Early in the morning, he took his bicycle and rode away to the school without breakfast, leaving his parents bewildered.

That day in the morning Ron’s parents were getting ready for work when they received a phone call.

“Hello….”        “Hello is this Mr. John, Ron’s father?”          “Yes…can I know who is speaking?”

“I am Ron’s class teacher. Can both of you drop in to the school for a while? It is important.”“Sure.” replied Ron’s father.   At about 10 am both of them reached the school. They met his class teacher.

“Madam… did Ron create any problem? We will surely talk to him.” said Mr. John.

“No there is nothing like that. Can you please come with me?”

She guided them to the multi purpose hall. There they saw many paintings lined up. They realized that a competition was being held, but wondered why they were brought here. Glancing through the paintings, they saw- five of them had Ron’s name.

Both of them gasped seeing such beautiful creations of their son. However, they noticed something strange in all them. All those paintings symbolized loneliness. Sadly, they realized the reason why.

“Ron participated in this competition and it overwhelms me to say that he won the first prize too.,” said his teacher.

Both his parent’s eyes filled with tears when they heard this. They never knew their son could paint so well.  From the corner of their eye, they could see Ron standing alone holding a cup and a gleaming certificate. Both of them could not hold their emotions that they ran towards him and buried him in the warmth of their hug. He started weeping out of joy as he had always longed for this moment and it had finally come. He hugged them back hardly able to hold back his rolling tears.

“I love you mom, dad” said Ron between his sobs.     “We love you too Ron.” cried both of them.

All of them loved this feeling of togetherness and wished it to last forever and they were sure it would.