Another David Copperfield (Part 1)

=== It all Started ===

It was the spring of 1998. Everyone had the anticipation that after last year, this one would be better, and compared to the tumultous weather of the region, which can be referred to as the worst weather condition in over 100 years. But to a developing mind, the year would none the less be challenging. The annual examination was just round the corner for Shyamal, our developing mind. It was around 1AM (IST), he was deep into his revisions when his mother came upto to him and asked him to put on some clothes. Within fifteen minutes, Shyamal found himself amidst all the confusion, sitting anxiously in a cab, which was driving them to a nursing home. His mind, which was trading across the Doldrum Belts of Atlantic Ocean, half an hour ago, found itself gazing through the desolate lanes of Kolkata. All were asleep, except the dogs and the occassional bats! He looked over his shoulders, aghast to see his dad panting, grasping for air and his mother anxiously flapping the hand-fan over his head.
The RMO attended his dad and decided for a 95% oxygen administration. He was admitted to Bed No 10 and came to be known as a new patient in Bed Nos 10. Number 10? Interesting. Shyamal was revising Chapter No 10 for his Geography examination tomorrow. He was reading as to how the Doldrum Belts also came to be known as Horse Latitudes, as the traders used to throw over board their horses, just to lighten the their ship and move faster across the Atlantic!
Shymal's uncles came in the dead of the night. They never intended to do anything good, still for the socio-economic image, they had to come. It was their compulsion! Afterall, 80% of their company's infrastructure was built on the money once provided by Shyamal's granny, 25 years ago! That money was never returned! Shyamal's mom, Mrs. Bera ensured that they get returned this time, as the treatment of her husband depends on them!
The clock struck 4AM, Shyamal and his mom heard that Mr. Bera is out of danger and was sleeping. They headed back home. The only thing Shyamal knew was that it was a condition of acute anoxia, due to excessive cough culminated in the pneumothoracic region. They came back home. The book, was open at his desk. Shyamal had only one option, close it!
The morning breakfast was served cold, as his mom had gone to the nursing home! There was a mall chit, on which this was written: "Baba, tomar roti r dim poach table e kora ache. Ami nursing home e jacchi. Chole asbo. Tumi tala diye chole jao, ami chabi niye gechi. Chinta korona, baba bhalo ache. Ki korte hobe, seta jante jacchi!" (Son, your meal of toast and egg is kept on the dinning table. I am going to the nursing home, will come back in time. You go to school, locking the gates, as I have taken the keys. Dad is ok, I am just going to get information as what to do next!)
Shyamal, like the obedient child did what he was told to. His geography paper bore the name Shyamal Bera, and he managed to give the perfect exam, with one thing in his mind. The heat of the February Sun was too strong overhead! It shouldn't be so, yet the people said that it was cooler than last year! It failed his young mind...his developing mind!
All through S. N. Banerjee there was renovation taking place of the drainage systems. So it had less wheels on it. By there was unexpected silence in the locality, more he advanced towards his residence. Then suddenly he could hear some shoutings! Were they cries? Where was it coming from! "Oh God, please maintain everything upto track! (Saab Bhalo thake thakur!) Please!", cried Shyamal's heart!
He turned round the corner of his ally, and saw a clutch of people infront of residence... His mind faded, his breaths vanished... there were so many people at his house?



Why?