A Journey Far From My Home

This story by Shravya is one of the two winning entries of a writing contest conducted for Blogchatter’s Junior Writers Group.

“Hurry up, or you’ll be late for school!” Mom yelled at me.

“I smell something burning. Is it your tea?” I asked her in a rush, as I put on my shoes and ran — as if I were talking to the breeze.

I made it to the bus, breathing heavily. I pulled out my water bottle, filled to the brim, and gulped down half of it.

“You look tired,” said a soft voice from the back of the bus. “Are you new? I didn’t see you yesterday, did I?”

I sat beside her and replied, “I live far, but I usually don’t take the bus. Just today, since I woke up late.”

I could tell she was confused. She asked, “How do you make it to school on time then? I’d love to hear your routine. Mind telling me?”

I began narrating with a grin on my face.
“Alright then, here I go. I wake up early and get ready for school. I hop on my bicycle, wear my bag, which is always heavy and check if I’ve packed my books properly and kept my extra water bottle ready. Then I make my way through the narrow walkway surrounded by forest-like trees. I always have to slow down in the middle of my ride because there are puddles along the path.

“Later, when I hear the birds chirping, I know it’s time. So I drop my bag and get off my cycle to buy red cherries from a stall near the huge lane of pink and orange bougainvillea. The sweet and sour taste of the cherries always makes my day. I continue the rest of my journey, making sure I reach school on time but also enjoy every bite of the cherries, delightfully.”

“Well, if you hadn’t overslept, you’d be enjoying your last cherry right now,” she exclaimed, looking at her watch.

I looked out the window and realized I’d already reached school.

I hope Mom’s tea is okay, I thought, as I began yet another exciting day at school.