Same old roads

              Short Story             

Adamya Bhanot, AIS Gurugram 46, XII E

The afternoon sun seemed to have melted the image of all surrounding buildings in the vicinity, with the hot air rising and falling as if in tandem with the rhythm of a still breathing chest. Rohit and Veer had been driving for hours, the hum of the engine dissolving the silence as the sand and the road became one. It was one fateful summer some eight years ago, Rohit and Veer found themselves sorted in the same class. Ever since then, their lives had never quite managed to detangle from one another’s - like a pair of wired earphones inside a stuffed backpack.
Today, that same entangled wire was unfolding into this unwinding path of gravel and dust. Veer had unexpectedly rung Rohit last week and asked, “How does a trip round home sound like? It’s spring break soon anyways.” Rohit responded just as casually, “Sure. For old times’ sake.” Distance and time had frayed the wire that once connected the two, leaving behind a fragile thread. Back on the road, Veer quietened the car’s metallic hiss as the pair headed towards the town’s age-old breakfast joint. They took their usual booth - a habit unshakable - and placed their usual order: chocolate pancakes. Everyone knew that these pancakes were the country’s finest.
The pancakes’ arrival filled the air with a sweet, warm aroma that magically transformed the pace of those who had come to relish them. It was as if the sweetness, texture, and flavour of the pancakes froze time. The sun hung low on the horizon when Veer and Rohit first stumbled upon the diner years ago. Recalling it all, Rohit commented, “This place still has that special radiance to it, as if the sun rents some of its glow to it.” Veer smiled. Over pancakes, the two friends shared stories about their adventures of new college days.
They thanked the elderly man at the counter and left, swinging the door shut once more. Inside, the old man smiled to himself with the satisfaction of a man having perfected the recipe of his family’s magical pancakes. You may ask what’s magical about them? Nothing much, except that they effortlessly unlock the mind’s vault, pulling memories forward so vividly it feels like yesterday.
The old man returns to the griddle, proud to have given two old friends their favourite moment once again.

So, what did you learn today?
A new word: Frayed
Meaning: Worn or shredded at the ends or edges

Fear no aim

                  POEM                  

Ruqqaya Rubina Rahman, AIS Mayur Vihar, X B

My heart’s filled with fear
Begging strength to steer
Dreams have been put to test
Tired eyes craving some rest

Between panic and doubt
Lies a dream, set to sprout
So, when the bell is rung
A silent prayer is sung

Holding the mind adrift
Maybe the stress is a gift
Why focus on the blame
When the aim is the game.

Riddle Fiddle

Unnat Vohra, AIS Saket, V E
 
1. What bird do you associate with lifting weights?

2. I sometimes run, but I can’t walk. What am I?

3. What loses a head in the morning but gets it back at night?

4. What kind of tree can you carry in your hand?

5. They come out at night without being called, and are lost in the day without being stolen. What are they?

6. What has words in various languages but can never speak?

Answers: 1. Cranes 2. Nose 3. Pillow 4. Palm  5. Stars 6. Book

It's me

KNOW ME
My name: Pradyut Raj Gupta
My Class: III C
My school: AIS Pushp Vihar
My birthday: February 21

MY FAVOURITES
Teacher: Nikita ma’am
Subject: Mathematics
Friend: Devansh
Game: Football
Cartoon: Diana and Roma
Food: Poori and paneer sabzi
Mall: DLF Avenue Saket
Book: Mental math book

MY DREAMS AND GOALS
Hobby: Art
I like: Exploring cars
I dislike: Junk food
My role model: My mother
I want to become: A car engineer
I want to feature in GT because: It’s one step towards a brighter tomorrow.