Play this background music for an enhanced reading experience.
If you want to read without music, feel free to do so.
But just for once, try the audio, and then the rest is your decision. I hope you like the audio included, just for a better experience.
A classroom scene depicts the usual buzz of students and pencils dancing in rhythm against the pages while the teacher introduces them to new lessons and concepts. A few students sigh with annoyance, some are eager to learn and understand new things, and the remaining are neutral towards learning.
Amidst this, some students are more focused on running their mouths rather than their hands. A student raised his hand, waiting for the teacher to notice. The teacher allows him to speak when she notices a student has raised his hand.
The student complains, masking obvious innocent fake tone, “ Lehrerin ( female teacher), Elms hat nichts geschrieben, was Sie diktiert haben. Er stört uns auch. Sie sollten sein Notizbuch überprüfen.” ( Elms hasn’t written anything that you dictated. He is disturbing us as well. You shall check his notebook.)
That student points at a boy slowly writing down the points which the teacher just dictated.
Elms stood up and apologized for being unable to complete notes in time. The teacher understood his situation and advised the student who complained with a slight hint of strictness in her tone, “ Otto, thank you for informing me, but I believe this can happen to anybody sometimes. And instead of just observing his incomplete work and pointing out his faults, you could have helped him.”
Otto felt embarrassed by the teacher’s words, so he sat down and resumed his writing. And Elms is still completing the current subject’s notes by remembering the teacher’s words.
The teacher resumes her class; she is again interrupted by Elms himself this time. The teacher questions in a calm tone, “ Is there any doubt about this topic, Elms? If there is, then tell me; I will explain.”
Elms clarifies, “No, ma’am, I have no doubt. But I have a request: could you repeat these definitions? I wasn’t able to write.”
The teacher suggests in a guilty tone, wanting to help but can’t be helped, “ Elms, if I repeat, then I won’t be able to complete today’s topic. If it remains incomplete, then all students would have more doubts than clarity.
Elms, could you ask your friends? They would gladly help you with this. Is that alright with you?”
Elms agreed even though he disagreed with the teacher’s suggestion. During lunch break time, Elms sits alone at his go-to table and opens his lunchbox, causing a small smile to brighten his fair, rosy face. His mother always prepares her lunchbox along with small happy treats filled inside.
Elms mumbles under his breath, “This is my favourite part of my school period. I love it. I wonder how Mom’s meeting went today?
She was excited and serious about this meeting, but strangely this time she sounded nervous, which usually isn’t her nature. Alary mentioned that this new project will be set up in a foreign country.
What was that country’s name, again? Hmmm. Yes. It is the In-cred- Incredible India.
I am curious how it will be?”
His thoughts get interrupted by a loud rumble of laughter and students’ loud chatter noises. He scans his surroundings and notices that every table has someone and something to share except him. His lips curve down a little, and his eyes lose the spark, getting lost behind his deep blue iris. Suddenly, his thoughts are dismissed when the image of his mom cooking a meal for him pops up in his mind, and he finishes his lunch in a good mood.
After school, Elms is waiting outside the school for someone. 20 minutes passed; someone showed up at the school entrance and found Elms at the school park by the swing ride. That person is dressed in a bodyguard uniform while holding a small gift box in his hands. The bodyguard nears Elms and greets him respectfully with a hint of an affectionate tone, “Mr. Elms. How was your school today? Do you like this school?”
Elms nods half-heartedly, “Maybe………The school is okay. Here, take back my lunchbox and please inform my mom that I really enjoyed lunch just like every day. And, yes, I almost forgot to ask you.
Did Mom give you any letter for me in response to my yesterday’s letter?”
The bodyguard answers in a polite and respectful tone, “ No, Mr. Elms. And today, I won’t take your lunchbox like every day because you are coming with me. Ma’am told me to bring you home for 2 days because of some important matter.
She has already talked with the principal and requested leave of absence for 2 days from the hostel and school. And here is something prepared especially for you. ” The bodyguard forwards the gift box to him with a tender expression.
Elms accepts the gift and thanks him by speaking a few English sentences, “ Mr. Elke, thank you for this gift. I app- appceia, I appreciate. I appreciate.”
The bodyguard hides his chuckle and encourages him, “ You have been improving in English slowly, little by little. Now, shall we go, Mr. Elms ?”
Elms nods cutely, and the bodyguard escorts him into a beautiful black car while Elms is engrossed in unwrapping the gift. Elms gasps with eyes twinkling with joy,
“A watch. It is so beautiful. Did Mom buy this or did Alary buy this for me?” The bodyguard confesses in a low tone, “Actually, I bought this gift for you. I thought that you would need this. My son also demanded a brand-new watch because he wanted to improve his time management skills and also expand his learning capabilities during classes.
I know, Mr Elms, your mother can buy you not only one, but more than 100 watches, and that too high-quality ones. But I thought of giving you a gift for being promoted to 6th grade.
If you don’t like the watch, then you can be honest with me; I won’t mind.”
Elms shakes his head and expresses his happiness with his deep blue eyes sparkling like that of a night sky, and a huge smile plays on his lips, “ No, Mr. Elke, I don’t intend to return my gift. I will keep it and use tomorrow onwards.
But I can’t guarantee my mom’s response. You know her.
Mom will be mad at you for spending your salary on me, and for that, be prepared. Although my mom is well-disciplined, she is also quite sweet at heart; she may be less mad at you.”
Mr. Elke laughs, remembering his madam’s light scolding with a hint of respect for his madam, “ I am well aware. THANK YOU.”
Mr. Elke wakes Elm up, “ Mr.Elm, wake up. The flight has reached its destination, your home, Trier. Mr. Elm! Mr.Elm.” Mr Elke tries to wake him up, but he stops as he sees a relaxed expression and a cute smile on his lips as he is mumbling gibberish words in deep sleep. Mr. Elke’s eyes softened with a fond look spread all over his face as he carried him into the car and finally drove back to Elm’s house.
Elms woke up after an hour, and as soon as his eyes opened, he could see the ceiling he always loved, which was painted basic blue and disco lights fitted at the corner of the walls. Elms rose from his bed, sat down, his eyes darting everywhere around the room, finding everything the same except for him. Elms’ eyes widen upon the sight of his computer, which seems new, recently bought. Elms sprints to his comfortable rotating chair and immediately switches on the computer. The computer looks new, but the Windows software is still running in its old version. Elms pulls his drawer open, grabs the old video game CDs, and inserts one of them into the CPU.
Elms’s hands are running like cheetahs on the keyboard and mouse, defeating the enemies and gaining victory in every game round. After playing an hour or so, someone enters with light footsteps, pacing in Elm’s direction. Someone towers over Elm’s chair, leans his head near his ear level, and shouts in his ear, “ ELMS.” Elms almost lost the game, but somehow he managed to win himself a victory. Elms turns around with a glare focused on the person standing in front of him, “ Alary. That was unfair. I almost lost the game because of your prank.
You act like a perfectly disciplined and elegant person among others but tend to act childishly when family is present.”
Alary explains with a comical voice, “ My sweet little bro, I need to behave maturely and be responsible for the efficiency and maintenance of the company. In the case of family times, I feel my childish trait resurfaces. What do I do? It has been a long time since I saw you 2 weeks ago; I just missed my little brother, that’s all.
So, Elms, tell me, how did your 2 weeks go in school? How are your roommates and classmates? Do you like this school?”
Elms sighs, “Yeah, it’s okay. I took a single-room dorm for myself, and my classmates were fine. Some of them are annoying and nothing else.”
Alary cheers him up, “Elms, it’s been only 2 weeks; you will get more time to make friends and adjust to the learning process.”
Elms nods, “I think so. At least it is 1 % better than the rest of my school progress. After changing schools for the 6th time, this should be normal for me now.
I know our country ranks in the top position in terms of education, but still, I fail to take advantage of it.
I just feel nothing, and I think no school can open me up and help me learn with ease. I try so hard, but I just feel that I am too slow and ill-fit for normal learning speed schools. Despite all this, I will continue my learning for up to 4-5 years in this same current school because this is the only better option left for me.”
Alary feels sad and happy both because his little determined brother is persistent about trying to evolve, develop new changes, and wants to expand his comfort zone.
Alary knows that this can’t be done alone. The reason comfort is the only way to expand his comfort zone further. Alary hopes for a comfortable way to expand his little brother’s comfort zone and expand his wings rather than hiding it.
Elms has been calling out his brother’s name, but he isn’t responding at all. Elms turns on the disco lights, which brings Alary back from his wandering mind. Alary asks with a curious gaze, “ Why are the disco lights on? Do you have a party in your mind, little Elms? ”
Elms ignores his comment and walks out of his bedroom and straight barges into his mom’s bedroom. Elms hugs her with affection and whispers in a slow, rhythmic tone, “ I missed you a lot. Whenever I am in my dorm, I always miss your stories, cooking, and your scolding too.
And before you ask how my school was, let me answer that this school is probably a tiny bit of a match to my comfort. So, it will probably be fine for 4-5 years.”
His mother responds in her deep voice, affection dripping through her tone as she caresses his cheeks and presses a kiss on his hair, “ I missed you too, Elms. I feel a little relieved that this school feels a little comfortable for you and has a chance to open you up in the next few years. I am happy for you.”
His mom ruffles his hair and makes him sit next to her. Elms enquires, “Mom, how is your new project doing? I am curious. Can you tell me something about that place? ”
His mom softly giggles, “I feel thankful that my son cares about our company and my work. Yes, your brother and other colleagues are working well together on this project.
I have heard about this country named India. India is an-“ Elms interrupts her, “Mom, it is not just India. It is named the Incredible India.”
His mom playfully sighs, “Sorry for my mistake. The Incredible India is a diverse country, having a beautiful mixture of diverse communities, cultures, and languages. I am curious about this country too, my dear.
Within the next week, I will gather all the information regarding this place. And I will share the interesting facts through our letters, okay?
I am thinking of sending your brother to the place where our new company branch was set up almost a month ago. Your brother will gain new experiences, and he is also well-versed in English.
And lastly, our team would do a thorough inspection of the company’s appointed employees, and supervision will also be done via Alary.”
Elms understood, his eyes glowing with fascination, and curiosity highlighted in his tone as he expressed his excitement, “WOW. Mom, it sounds way more interesting than my computer. I wish good luck to my elder brother. He is so lucky to travel and experience the perspective and working method of Indian natives.”
His mother smiles, playfully playing with her son’s hair, her eyes brimming with warmth as she promises, “ Elms, someday you will be able to travel for sure. Till then, we all will do our best.”
Elms excitedly nods. Alary also enters the room and playfully brags in a charming tone, “Mom, were you praising me to him? Like giving an example of me to learn the best from me, isn’t it?”
Elms replies on behalf of their mom with innocence, “ No, she was sharing details about her new project in which you are also involved. Mom told me that you will be travelling soon somewhere far. How fortunate. “
Elms stomach grumbles in hunger, “ I am hungry. I am going down to eat something. Alary, later at night, you will play badminton with me.”
Alary asks his mom; his brows raise in confusion as he asks his mom in a curious tone, “What did he mean?” He pauses for a while, then assumes something on his own and asks for confirmation, “ Wait, you mean I am getting a vacation to travel to a foreign country? Thank you, Mom.
When am I getting my holiday? Is it soon? Or after a month? Mom, can I choose the country for the trip? Mom, say something. Why-“,
Mother silenced him with a single gesture of her finger; “You talk so much, unlike Elms. One speaks calmly like the sea waves, and another one speaks like fast breezes.
Alary, this would not be a vacation entirely, but partially it can be counted as a trip and not just any trip because it is a business trip.” Alary’s face dulls a little hearing the word ‘business’.
His mom continues speaking, despite his slight disappointment, “Alary, don’t be sad. I am sure you will like that place even if it is a business trip. You will get a leave of 1 month for inspection and supervision of our new branch established in Incredible India.”
Alary shares his view, his eyes gleaming with the spark, lighting up like a bulb, “India, I have heard a lot about this place through my friends who have travelled there. They found that country full of diverse colours, which is alluring and unique in its own way.
I am excited now that I know that I am getting a month to do my duty and also enjoy the rest of the days in that new place. I will gather all the information about India tonight only.
Woohoo, I am finally getting a partial break from work. Yes.”
His mother reminds him, “ Son, don’t be over-excited; we have an important meeting the day after tomorrow. This meeting is about this particular project, so prepare a smooth presentation with concise information, and every intricate detail about this project must be mentioned by tomorrow.
But don’t overwork yourself. I have appointed our manager to collect data and prepare a well-researched note about this project to be carried out in India. I will share the note with you tonight.
Now, go and have your dinner. I will come down to eat within a few minutes. Go.”
Alary dramatically bows and runs downstairs and waits along with his brother by the dining table for their mother. After a few minutes, they all ate dinner together and had fun conversations with each other.