Lime juice with soda, a fizzy drink - a short story

The year - 1971.
The place - a small village in a developing country.
The main characters - Albert, a nine-year-old boy, his eight-year-old sister Mary, their tutor and her brother, a vendor in a small shop.

Albert was bored as the class was beginning to end. The last period of the day was Mathematics and he hated that class. The teacher who taught it did not know how to teach it, well...that was his firm opinion to which all his classmates agreed but strongly disagreed by his parents, and he wondered why she cannot make it interesting like the teacher who teaches his native language. In fact, he could easily remember each and everything by heart in his language textbook and he gets full marks every time for it in the examinations, errr...without any help. He looked around discreetly and found most of the students also bored just like him. But he was the topper in the class. He achieved this because of the help he received from his teachers during examinations and also of the fact that his fellow students came from poor backgrounds. The school was mediocre. His parents had arranged a tutor, a craft teacher in the same school who used to accompany him and his sister on the way back from school to give them private tutoring. His sister was also studying in the same school one grade below him. This tutor used to help him with difficult questions during examinations at school.

They were before in a better school in the northern part of the state. He always missed that school. It was a very good school and they were given excellent coaching there. There he did not need any help from anyone in the examinations and there no one will help out of the way. He stood first in all the subjects in that school. But their parents got transferred to this village that was close to their native place. Parents did not want to live long in the faraway place. So he was forced to study in this small school.

He was relieved when the last bell rang and they all stood up for the national anthem. The moment it finished the children rushed out of the classes. Albert collected his aluminum school box and packed the books inside. He was one of the lucky ones carrying such good school boxes and water bottles to that school. Other children were from poor families who were depending on the free school meals to satisfy hunger. Many boys just did not have money even to get a nice pair of school uniforms. Some did not even bother to stitch a button but just tied the waist ends of their shorts together and sometimes the whole thing will fall down especially when they play in the school ground after lunch. lol! There were many school dropouts too.

“Did you forget something today, Albert ?”

His tutor approached him already picking his sister from her class. Some days he forgets his lunch box at school and they one day had to return to school to collect it midway. Thereafter she will make sure the children have everything safely inside their boxes before starting their long walk to home. There was no school bus. Other vehicles were also a rarity at that time.

The trip to and from school was something they enjoyed very much. Their parents did not want them to get lost or do mischievous things so they arranged the tutor to accompany them to the home where she will tutor them for some time. Both the parents had to work for a better living.

“I feel thirsty...”

His sister whispered to him. He understood what that meant and they both smiled.

On the way back to home at the junction where they leave the main road and enter a steep side road, there was a shop owned by the tutor's brother. It was a wooden cabin, thatched with coconut leaves. The cabin actually stood on four wooden legs. There was a wooden table in front of the shop on top of which many glass jars were placed containing different varieties of sweets with different colors. One of which requires a special mention here. This candy was shaped like a small lemon peel and was in much demand by adults as well as children. Some peanut candies were also there. On one side table, there were many fizzing soda bottles. These bottles were made of very thick glass unlike the small glass bottles that we see nowadays and a rounded blue glass bead inside will prevent the gas from escaping. The vendor will press hard using his middle finger on the blue glass bead and whzzzzzzzz..... the fizzy drink is ready. Possessing a blue glass bead was considered something great by children because it was harder than ordinary glass beads; they used to play with it.

Albert and his sister will become 'thirsty' every time they pass this small shop.

“Teacher...teacher...we are thirsty”.

Albert finally blurted out persuaded by his sister. His sister was very tactful never initiating the request by herself but will encourage Albert to request. In case of some reprimand from the tutor or parents, she will slip away not wanting to take the blame.

“No...not today...just three days ago only I bought you the drinks, remember? Your dad will scold me if I buy all the time such drinks for you.”

The tutor was a soft-hearted lady. When their “thirst” problem has become a regular thing everyday evening the matter somehow reached parents' ears. Kids along with the tutor were questioned. Then only they realized they were being given free drinks by her nice brother. Finally, dad forced this shop vendor to accept some money. He also instructed them not to entertain kids daily like this but only with his permission, that too may be once a week or so on the condition that the vendor must accept money for the same.

Albert was actually feeling very much bored because of the last period of Maths. Moreover, it was a hot day and they were sweating. He was determined to get a drink that day. He dropped his school box on the road in front of the shop and sat on it.

“Teacher...teacher...I am soooooo... tired...I can't walk...my legs are aching”.

“Me too...”, his sister announced her support, both looking at the shopkeeper pleading.

Their tutor helplessly stood there. The shopkeeper and some of his customers who were chewing betel pan were smiling watching the drama that was going on in front of them.

“Ha...ha...ha...Come on....come on...”

He invited them and within seconds both of them ran to the front of the shop sneaking under the thatched front extension enjoying the coolness. Poor tutor collected their boxes and followed them to the shop. She placed the load on a bench nearby and sat on it. They began chitchatting some family matter while the vendor began making the magic drinks.

First, he took three tall and big glasses and washed them thoroughly. Three big lemons were cut and each half placed in a wooden squeezer and squeezed vigorously into the glasses. One big tablespoon full of sugar was added to each glass. Then he placed a big ice chunk on his palm and crushed it into several pieces by thrashing it with a big spoon. He put the ice pieces into the glasses. Children watched all this action enjoying very much the routine.

Now the time they enjoy most has arrived! He has taken three light blue soda bottles.

Tudttt........

He opened one by thrusting his middle finger hard on the blue bead....😊

While stirring fast the mixture using a big spoon he poured soda into the glasses little by little.Children watched with awe gas bubbles rising with a hzzz.....ahhhhhh...one drink is ready and Albert grabbed it quickly.

His tutor helped him hold the big glass tightly.

He began drinking it swiftly amidst the cracking of the second soda bottle. The drink was very sweet and fizzy. He enjoyed the cool wave passing down through his chest. It was really coooooll...............!

His sister was facing him with her drink. The tutor was supporting her glass helping her drink. She was repeatedly telling them to drink slowly and not just downing it. However, they drank as fast as they can enjoying the thrill of the fizzy drink. Finally, the empty glasses were handed over to the vendor and their tutor took her glass and began drinking. Kids wiped off their mouths with the back of their hands, Albert liberating a loud burp. They both giggled.

“Ok...let's go...”

Tutor pushed them out handing over their boxes to them while saying goodbye to the vendor.

The rest of the return journey was pleasant with all the 'tiredness' and 'thirst' fully gone. How they wished every day like this enjoying the fizzy drink always!

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Cone ice cream - a short story

Carol danced her way to the ice cream outlet holding the crisp currency note mom has given her from the open space in the mall, where her mom was sitting at a table reading newspaper sipping espresso. She was followed by Liz, her younger sister, both humming the song they just learned at school. They were in school uniforms, were picked up by mom in the evening from school and en route home via the mall waiting for dad to join them there after his Office work. Some days they plan such a routine directly to the mall after school buying grocery, taking away home some food for dinner and of course mom buying them their favorite ice creams.

“Wait...”.

Carol caught hold of her sister's hand and stopped her as they approached the shop while taking the turn around the passage across.

“Look, its the other man with the mustache in the shop...he gives smaller scoops. Remember last time Liz...what we got? I don't see the chubby man anywhere over there. Let's wait. We will go when he comes there”.

Liz's face fell as they both stood behind a potted plant at the end of the passage overlooking the ice cream shop.

“What if he doesn't show up ?”. Liz was leaning close to her sister, clearly disappointed.

Carol did not know what to tell her so she just stood there silent thinking what to do. The problem was not simple. Last time when they visited the shop the man with the mustache did not give them 'big'scoops of vanilla flavored ice creams. Carol wanted her's in a cone with grated almonds sprinkled and a red cherry on top. Liz wanted her ice cream in a small cup with cream at the top and she was jumping with joy when the “chubby man”, the vendor at the shop who they liked very much, liberally squeezed a mountain of whipped cream on top of the ice cream. Moreover, the chubby man will chit-chat with them, smiling all the time. He knew their preferences by heart and will begin scooping even before they declare their order.

But last time the man with the mustache smiled at mom but didn't pay much attention to them and they felt the scoops were smaller, cherry of smaller size and less sweet and cream at the top just a little. The chubby man was not seen that day; they thought it was his day off or break time for him.

“Hello....good evening...”

They were startled hearing the pleasant, familiar voice. Both of them turned and looked at their favorite chubby man's face with surprise. They felt relieved seeing him and their faces lit up immediately.

“Well...Came for ice cream?”. He asked noting the currency note Carol was holding.

Carol nodded as Liz stood close to her smiling at him.

“Okay...okay...come with me, I will get you the best ice cream today.”

Overjoyed, they danced their steps following him as he walked fast to the shop.

“You came alone today? Where is your mommy ?”

Carol pointed in the direction of mom sitting in the open dining space. Instead of getting to the front of the shop directly Carol climbed the small divider at the side where some potted plants were kept. She always does that, just for fun. Liz, however, went directly to the front of the shop and started jumping up and down in front of the glass-paneled box where ice cream containers were kept to have a better look at the different varieties exhibited there.

The chubby man began scooping all the time smiling at them and humming a song. Both of them scanned the whole range from one end to the other to find out what they should order next time just for a change from their routine. Carol noted a new variety with honey, chocolate, and strawberry. She nodded at Liz who tried to get a better view by jumping high but could not see it properly.

“Oh...well...don't worry...I'll give you a sample to taste”.

The chubby man offered tiny scoops on a small spoon noting their interest in the new variety exhibited. They were delighted and instantly emptied theirs. Finding it delicious they decided to order it next time when they come.

“Ok...so what do you want on top of this”?

He asked Carol who promptly repeated the order stressing Red cherry on top. She said 'in a cone' in the tune of the song they were humming. He laughed and took a very reddish cherry using a forceps and placed it over Carol's scoop in the cone. Next he took a spoonful of grated almonds and looked at Carol.

“This much is ok..?” Carol nodded impressed by the huge quantity.

“Here's yours, enjoy, the best ice cream in the world specially made for you”...He flashed a wonderful smile as he handed it to Carol. She was delighted.

“Now this is your's, the sweetest cream here”. He said squeezing a big chunk of cream on top of Liz's scoop.

“Let me see the cream”. Carol came to the front and said “Woww...!”.

It was a very big heap of cream on the small scoop. Liz clapped her hands jumping up and down to have a better view of the delicacy being prepared and her mouth was already flooding. She said a loud thank you to the man and was bubbling with joy when he carefully handed over her the cup, two spoons, and two tissues.

Carol gave the man the money and collected the change, dropping the coins because her hands were full. She had already licked the ice cream twice by this time. She forgot the calculation she had done with the help of their mom the cost of two ice creams and the change she was expected to get back from the vendor. She just stared at the bill and tried to do mental arithmetic. Both of them were confident at that time about buying on their own and argued with mom that the maths they study in school is much more complicated. After all, they are not small kids, can't mom understand? They have solved much more complicated problems in Maths at school than this simple matter of buying two ice creams. But now she was confused with the bill, the change she got back and she could not find the dropped coin anywhere on the floor. Liz has already started her way back fully absorbed at the delicacy in her hand forgetting helping her sister. She had actually agreed to verify the transaction that Carol will be making when they discussed buying ice cream on their own. Mom specifically told them to be careful with the money. The chubby man was still smiling at them. Noting her confused state he came out of the shop, found the coin she dropped under the counter and explained her the mathematics on the receipt. He counted the change he has given her. Carol put the bill and change in her school uniform's pocket.

“Hmmm...I'll take you to your mom...”

Liz has stopped a few steps away, busy with her ice cream, the heaped cream now almost gone, and was waiting for Carol to join her wondering why she is still at the shop. She was happy when she saw the man coming along with Carol towards them.

“Ahhh...how is the ice cream? Is it tasty ?” ...the man asked her.
“Delicious”! Liz said loudly.
“Well...next time you should try the new one...I will make a special scoop for you...”.

Liz did not waste the opportunity and smartly asked him about his availability and he told them his break time and weekly day off. They made a mental note of this valuable information happily. Their mom was surprised seeing the team marching towards her.

“Hi good evening mam....how are you ?”.
“Good evening, I am fine. They were insisting to buy on their own. Well...did they pay you? Carol...?”
“Ohh...sure, they were just brilliant. It was a pleasure serving them. Well...they told me you were here.”

Carol handed her mom back the change and bill.

“Ohh...very nice of you and thank you for assisting them. I really appreciate this”.
“You are welcome mam...ok...see you next time...Bye...”
“Bye”.

He waved at the children smiling and they also waved back.

“Hmmm...how did it go, Carol ?” Mom quizzed.

Both of them were fully engrossed in the tasty ice cream in their hands and the reply was just an “ok” and nodding. Mom shook her head and returned to the espresso turning a page. While they were rubbing their fingers on tissue with the ice creams finished Carol spotted their dad in front of the fast food outlet a few feet away from them.

“Mom...dad....”.

Mom stood up and put the cups and tissues in the wastebasket. She folded the paper and walked to the shop. Carol and Liz again danced their way performing some of the dance moves they were learning at school humming the song.

“Daddyyy......”.

“Hello...how are my angels today”? He lifted Liz and planted a kiss on her cheek and hugged Carol.

“Hmmmm...ice cream...” He said tasting the remains of the cream on her cheek laughing.

Mom also laughed with him.

Now its debate time about what to buy for dinner as take away. Almost always the debate will last about fifteen minutes or more sometimes browsing other shops as well for some side dishes. Carol and Liz scrutinized the attractive display panels above the shop showing pictures of the dishes and read the description. Actually they know all these by heart being there many times before. They were dedicated TV viewers of the Company's ads as well. Still they spend time always reading everything and searching for something new or will look for the dish of the day. It was all the same like before that day too and they finally settled for their favorite dishes. Carol's order was chicken nuggets, french fries and salad. Liz wanted an apple pie and will taste a small piece of chicken from her mom's or dad's pack. No fizzy drinks for them because they have been taught at school those are bad for health. Moreover they both did not like those much and preferred fruit smoothies. Their mom was an expert in making them smoothies. Mom and dad selected their choices. The salesman packed their food fast and within few minutes they were out of the shop. He smiled at them when they left; they were actually in for a surprise when they will open their packet at home because he has kept some small toys inside as a compliment.

“Ok...hurry up....its too late, let's go home”...Mom guided them to the car park.

On the way, she told him about their kids' first own experience in buying ice cream and both of them laughed. Kids were in their own world dancing and chit-chatting following them. The book shop was on the way to the car park and before mom said no they found themselves in it, dad already browsing the titles in the fiction area and kids immersed in comics. It was already dark when they started their return journey with the kids at the backseat secured in seat belts reading comics, mom driving and dad simply nodding and replying “yeah”, “yeah” to what mom was saying enjoying the book he bought.

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