The New House

Priya waited with bated breath for her vacations to begin. They would be visiting her grandmother in Coimbatore. It was such a contrast to their own flat - a large hall, a large dining room and two small all-purpose rooms with an inner courtyard made up the house. An extension had been created in the backyard where her uncle and aunt retired at night. Their children rolled freely on the floor with the grandparents most of the times, when they managed to rebel against being cooped up in their parent's room.

With Priya and her parents will come the other uncle's children too. They would spend the day playing hopscotch, skipping, climbing trees, being naughty.

Priya clapped her hands in glee just thinking of the summer vacation.

*

It turned out to be just as she had imagined! The five cousins had a whale of a time, playing, fighting, listening to stories. Only the adults seemed tense! As they always were. Heavy discussions that were so boring! Why couldn't they play for a change, too!

The cousins promised - pledged in fact, on their favourite toys - that they would be back next summer and continue playing four corners.

*

A year now, Priya waited with bated breath for the vacations to come. For she would be going to her grandmother's house.

"No, we are not going this year," her mother told her as she busied herself in the kitchen.

"But why!"

"Construction work. The house is being converted to four flats." Her mother turned to look at her and smile. "Next time we go, we will have our own house to live in. Would you like that?"

Priya frowned. "But we already do that here."

"Yes," her mother said patiently, "and uncle wants to do the same too. Have a flat of his own for his children, aunty and himself. Grandparents will use another flat. The other uncle and we will have a flat each.

"Oh! But will we all play together?"

Her mother shrugged. "You can play in one of the houses, I am sure. But the courtyard won't be there."

*

The new house was a dream house - lovely coloured walls, matching pictures and hangings, a showcase full of curios. The sofa set was a pleasure to bounce on - till aunt ticked everyone off. Priya loved this house the best.

"Priya, come to bed," her mother called as she lingered near the gates with her cousins later in the evening.

"Ma, can I please stay with them?" she asked, pointing to her cousins playing near the gate.

Her mother whispered, "See, your aunts are calling their children home. You can play with them in the morning."

Priya frowned, "But I want to hear grandma tell a story!"

Her mother looked at her mother doubtfully.

"Send them to me. Come, come," she gathered her grandchildren around her and took them in.

One aunt came in. "When they finish listening to the story, please send them home."

"Let them sleep here," grandma said smiling.

The aunt frowned. "No ma, my son has to go for cricket coaching in the morning, and daughter is in swimming class."

*

"Ma, are we going to grandma's house this year?"

"Why? I am not sure."

"I want to stay back. All my friends are here," pouted Priya.

"But your cousins will be there!"

"They will be busy. Also, I want to go swimming with my friends. Please take me to one of these classes."

Her mother stood undecided. Priya was old enough for these classes. She called her neighbour and took down a number.

That night she called her mother. "This year, Priya has joined two summer camps, ma. One is for art and craft. The other has some fun activities. Plus, I have to take her for swimming. She is very keen. Let me see if I can manage a weekend."

Priya hesitated, wanting to go to her grandmother for a story. But she realised that in the second camp, there was a storyteller who would tell them interesting stories.

She clapped her hands in glee as she thought of the fun she would have.