Heisenberg

"Hey, you're back!" exclaimed Mr. Heisenberg, with a warm smile.

Heisenberg, a middle-aged widower with wise wrinkles over his forehead, typically wore an ochre dusty jacket and a pair of brown pants – overall, an amiable fellow.

"Mr. Berg, is that you?" Priya replied, with a faint glimmer of joy in her eyes as her vision cleared up.

Heinz Ketchup offered her his hand. She grabbed it, and he pulled her up.

They strolled out together, with smiles and laughter, exchanging jokes with each other. The sun was blasting right over their heads. Mr. Heisenberg led the way, carrying her school bag over his shoulder, while Priya squinted her eyes and used one of her notebooks as a shield against the angry mid-July sun.

A carefree, lighthearted banter filled the air.

Throughout their walk, Mr. Heisenberg took the lead in conversation, playfully poking fun at Priya. Her responses ranged from silly comebacks to a meek crooked smile, which seemed odd against her bald head and pale, anemic skin. Yet, Mr. Berg saw her as a smiling infant – innocent, immature, and endearing – much like his own daughter.

He saw beyond the surface, connecting with Priya in a way that made her feel at home.

"So did you start attending school again?" Heisenberg asked, his voice filled with care and interest for the girl.

"Did your hair start to grow back again?" Priya replied playfully, trying to divert the topic she didn't want to burden him with her troubles, but a part of her longed to confide in him.

Mr. Heisenberg laughed it off.

Priya pouted and said, "I came for the exams."

"Today was the result, and they made me stay till the lunch period for some reason."

"Oh, you should play with this time, playing with your pals," Mr. Heisenberg replied, with a laughter that was cut short by a quick, mildly infuriated glare from Priya.

As they walked under the wrath of the sun , they passed by kids playing and teens chatting, their carefree spirits and laughter filling the air. Priya couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia.

For the first time in three months, Priya's heart flickered with joy.

When they reached the main gate, Priya started panting heavily. Partly due to the moments of happiness she shared with Mr. Heisenberg, and partly due to her illness.

Mr Berg and Priya rested under the tree shade bench for a while ..

As Priya and Mr. Heisenberg rested under the shade of the tree, the afternoon sun & the tall rows of trees casted long shadows across the ground. The playful banter they shared had eased the weight of the day's events, but it couldn't erase the persistent feeling of emptiness thanks to her disease , if anything it fueled her longing for the past

"I should get going," Priya said softly, breaking the comfortable silence as she tried to put a facade of strength to hide away her seperation from present

Mr Heisenberg too realised the few fun moments they had after such a long period were over .

"Would you like a ride to the orphanage?"

He said out of concern and compassion for the girl he had tried level best to look after ever since she was 10.

Priya hesitated for a moment, her emotions tangled like a web she couldn't escape. After thinking for a while

"That would be nice," Priya finally replied