Priyanka Raj

Classics Drama Romance

3.7  

Priyanka Raj

Classics Drama Romance

Summer Begins Here

Summer Begins Here

17 mins
594


Children were saying goodbye to their school buddies and brochures for summer camps were distributed. Kids chatting about the coolest summer fun and tons of parties coming to blast.

Listening to them, I got coupled to my school memories; a reason why I am here to pick my honey from the school.

California is full of nature's loveliness and maple trees were swinging in breezy love. Summer breeze is hitting my veins like anything. I have been trying to resist myself from the wind whiffing my hair. Charlie's father was about to come and spend the summer holidays with us. He had been planning for summer outings with Charlie ever since Christmas.


Ryan Royce, my husband who is fighter pilot, and he is posted at USA Air force base, at Colorado, designated with Wing- commander.

Mr. Patrick, the Air force chief, gave Ryan and his commandos to deal with the situations within 72 hours as thereafter, the President ordered for airstrike at the war-ravaged region without any delay. You are leading the team of 30 best officers with the anti-terrorist squad to rescue them.

Syria had a bombarding. US military troops were sent at tackle the situation. Children were losing their families and got orphaned each day. Women were tortured by militants. Hunger, brutal killings, bloodshed, blasts were common scenarios in the region. Ryan got hold of rescuing the civilians, few of them immigrants, including 20 nurses from all over the world France, India, UK, Germany. Time was running with utmost speed and nobody knew what will happen next?


We are settled in San Diego in the heart of South California. It is the "America's Finest City", famous for its miles and miles of white-sand beaches and amazing weather, the city offers an abundance of soothing scenic views.

 Across the coast of Pacific oceans, we have built Mountain & Marine cottage, our cherished home seven years back and ever since Charlie is born, we have been spending all our beautiful days at Mountain & Marine cottage. Ryan is a mountain lover and loves trekking. He loves flying jets and he is crazy about planes and wants to buy a seaplane after his retirement. And I love the refreshing, relishing and reviving the culture of California and plenty of islands where I like investigating and researching about new sea species.

Charlie is seven, but he is very intelligent. He is expertise with aeronautical technologies and full of the knowledge of artificial intelligence, just like his father; little handsome has chubby cheeks and spark in his eyes. Like every child, he is very special to me, and my all life. Oh! he is very smart, can take care of his laundry, sometimes he like baking cookies with me. He does shop with me and the wise part he has a fair knowledge of money and savings. I am so proud of being his mother.


Robbie: Wake up, sweetheart! Wake up! It's morning.

We must go and visit the summer camp.

Charlie is desperately waiting for you at the table

Ryan: Oh! I forget it completely. Give me some time, I will get ready.

Ryan recently came home from the Syria operation. Ever since he is back, he is completely gripped in war-phobia; fear of tragedy which has tragically hit his heart and brain. The children who got orphaned, the calamity which gripped Syria is not yet over and the incident at war is making him fall for furious dreams. It's almost three months of the operation but he is absorbed with bloodshed and battle.

Charlie: Daddy, Daddy! Good morning. He hugged him

 We missed you a lot. You have been long away this time, said little Ryan.

 Oh! Honey. I was occupied with some operations. But see, I am back, and we will have lots of fun this summer, Ryan assured him with a smile on his face.

Charlie: Finish your breakfast sweetheart! We got to go, Mountain Meadow, Ranch summer camp.

This time summer camp is at the best spot. Mr. Langston was speaking about a lot of new activities. Children love the variety of activities and the best part is Ryan and we met at Summer camp when we were 15. We fell for each other at a very early age, but we decided to pursue our dreams first. We didn't see each other for six years yet we remain connected in our hearts. We do write to each other's, still whenever he is away from home.

 I wanted to be an ocean conservatism since I was more enthusiastic about marine scientific research, so I thought of being Marine biologist and Ryan loves to fly planes and he got his training in the Airforce Academy. 

I belong to North Carolina from a small coastal village. Being a countrywoman, I have never got the feeling of being traditional. After getting a degree from Stanford, I am working as a Mariner Biologist in California. Oh! I love watching beautiful moves of sea-creatures while walking on the beach or sometimes at Santa Catalina Isle. Although I miss the beauty of Carolina, which speaks tales of my childhood with my marine friends. I feel like home underwater and spend some time in water makes my nerves more verve. My mother who is literally romantic and sea-lover; was an Ocean Conservatism. She was an admirer of corals, turtles, tunas, starfish and a super diver just like supermom. In the east coast of Carolina, we have Karen Beasley Sea turtle and Rehabilitation Centre mainly run by volunteers and gift turtle T-shirts who loves rescue, care and save injured sea turtles. I got too.

Hundreds of sea turtles come to ashore to nest on North Carolina. These loggerheads, riddles and green sea turtles lay eggs by the hundred to two hundred, then return to the sea. Near my house at the beach we have a home for sea turtles, I used to build nests for them and watching hatchings gives me immense pleasure. I have two sea turtles like a pet which I named them Diana and David. They were my life, once upon a time. Ever since I lost my mother and my home in fierce hurricanes, I never returned. But now, everything is here, my life, my sweetheart, my cute child and pacific home which I admire with all my heart.


Summers are simply lovely at Ranch. Oh! Mountain meadow will spell nostalgic effect on us, but mostly relax Ryan's lost soul and get some peace. What a lush green view. One of the nicest things about being at the Mountain Meadow Ranch on a hot summer day is about the feeling of the gentle breeze coming from the mountains. The air that blows my hair around and rustles of the trees' leaves fetch me to our summer reminiscences. The nature surrounding the ranch beckons exploration and adventure.

 We used to write and compose the summer breeze song together.

The bridge, horse riding, and the green lake…. It's all the same. 

I can't believe, I am here again. What a joy of coming back here, Ryan, sighed Robbie.

Ryan: Indeed! We got to catch a lot of memories. Those happy days.

Charlie: Come on! Mama, Daddy we need to have a tour.

Ryan: Yes! Lil Champ. Let's meet the director first.

Ryan was feeling a little better here. He was trying to reconnect our sweet memories. He could see happy children having fun at lake, boating, some were fishing, some were playing basketball. It was making him smile again. Seeing children having fun is making him relax.

Ryan: Oh! Hold on, child. You need to keep light and maintain balance while water skiing. A little girl was trying her effort to ski on the chilled water lake.

Mountain Meadow Ranch is family-owned summer camp and had a long tradition of bringing best campers and is the most successful in connecting children's dreams; trained them with most basic life skills and creativity and disconnecting them with technologies. I wanted my little Charlie to have some creative skills for he lacks in it. I love how the camp allows the kids to unplug and experience life in a way they don't at home during the school year.

Robbie: I have enrolled for 15 days of summer camp for Charlie. And from next week I can drop him here.

Ryan: Yes, it's apt.

Charlie: Oh! Daddy, we must visit Summer fair at Dallas, this week. It is so exciting. I want to be your co-pilot.

Ryan: oh! we will champ.

Robbie: Shall we go home, and I must do some shopping also.


It was 5: am. Ryan was murmuring something in his sleep. He was having again some horror hallucinations. He was sweating and shivering. He was holding me tight as if he is being afraid of losing me. I patted him softly to calm down.

I thought of making him wake after an hour.

I got packed the stuff in a suitcase and Charlie was ready with his cool small luggage.

Did you had a good sleep, I asked him?

 I did. said, Ryan. You need to get ready darling. We have a morning flight to catch. I packed your bag

Ryan: give me ten minutes sweetheart!

What was he hiding? Why isn't he speaking about his problems?

What is it, what is killing him from inside? This certainly needs to fix this.

Charlie got into the cab and pulled the seat belts. And we headed to the airport.

Perhaps, the summer fair might have a solution to his problems.

Dallas was at the peak of Summer Fair 2019; the biggest state fair of Texas, organized every year. The opening day ceremonies are highlighted by the annual Friday parade rolling through downtown Dallas. Traditionally, the centerpiece of the fair has been the annual college football game between Oklahoma and Texas, nicknamed the Red River Rivalry.

It always had a special effect on children minds. Ryan loves to play football, sing, and dance in a musical fair and make a merry round on giant wheels when he was a young boy. This way he gets away from his fears and worries. Perhaps he figures out his purpose for his life. And all the bad things disappear.

I came here to reconnect the father-son and his lost love with me. Charlie hardly gets time to reconnect with his father. And ever since Ryan is back, he is very much silent and talks hardly with me. I was more scared of his unspoken trauma. And this is a perfect place, he can breathe open air with no pressure.

It was evening. Colorful lighting and creative decoration at the ground was the center of attraction. It was beautiful, magnificent and full of temperaments.

The ground was packed with the folks. Children were cheering at the football pitch; girls were trying new fashion style dress and artists were juggling in the open auditorium. A magic show was organized at the fair.

Texas Star, one of the most famous biggest Ferris wheels in the US and is now open for a thrilling ride. In that very moment, Ryan was lost. Perhaps he was into his childhood memories. He used to come for Dallas summer fair with his father. Now he is no more.

Charlie insisted to have around over the wheels but somehow Ryan was pushing it hard. I asked Charlie that we will go for the next day, not now.

Let's try some fun.

How about shooting balloons, Honey?

With a long face, Charlie questioned, Daddy! What happened to you?

Aren't you happy? Are you fine?

He hugged him and said I am good honey.

Let's have the ride on the Ferris.

Hurray! cheered Charlie.

Robbie: It's okay if you are not willing to go. I will go with Charlie.

Ryan; No darling! I am fine. I will love to have some quests of fun with my champ.

Let's make it electrifying Daddy!


And roar noise of two was loud enough to make me feel over the clouds. The father and son are having an exciting time on the wheels. At the height of 216 feet, it was like they were touching the sky and waving me from there. It was only Charlie who can bring him back from his world of thoughts. After a while, we had dinner together and checked in to the hotel. We are staying for tonight and tomorrow morning we are going to meet Ryan's aunt. She has invited us this summer to spend some time and wanted to see little Charlie.

                                

We were at Aunt Jenny's house. We had our dinner and discussed a few things about our life. Charlie slept early, and Aunt Jenny too was sleepy enough. Though she knew something was wrong with Ryan, she thought of speaking to him tomorrow morning. But I had no more patience. I wanted to know the inside story of his heart and things which were bothering him enough to bond with us.


What is it? Ryan

What's bothering you?

It seems like you are falling apart each day.


Ryan took a deep breath. He was quietly leaning by a wall looking through the window and attempting to frame his mind.

Robbie, three months back I was posted at Syria border in the conflicting area covered with ISIS militants and people were migrating from the region. However, we got the news that few nurses along with civilians were hosted and were abducted in one of the camps at Syria -Iraq border. The mission was to rescue them and if not, we must launch an airstrike. When I got there with my commandos, I was shocked to see the bloodshed and children were shot down, orphaned and girls being raped by the Islamic militants at the gulf. I had no idea how to conduct the rescue operations in a situation like this. We decided to divide into two groups, one group tried to help civilians to migrate from the region, supplying medicine, food, and shelter with the help of UN organizations. On the other hand, I and with my left, 15 military soldiers planned rescue operations. Somehow, I was successful to do operations, I was able to save only 10 nurses and rest were brutally killed by the militants. Civilians included mostly women and children and were rescued and safely deported to their respective countries.

I targeted at the camp where all the militants were hiding. The Air-strike was successful. We have cleared the region, left in destruction and devastation. But the saddest part of the entire mission was I lost my men and my three best buddies who put their lives into death caves to save them. We have no time left. Mr. Patrick ordered for Airstrike if I couldn't complete my mission within 72 hours. They were butchering the people with guns and blasting. It was like I am in the graveyard; dead bodies were piled like bricks and mortar. I couldn't even bring back my twelve men, they were real soldiers fought for humanity and fought for the nation. I couldn't save my most precious childhood friends.

All these have put me under mental shock. I wanted to come back home and be with you. But my soul is still grieving, and I am not yet over from the operation. I miss them, and I miss my Dad too.

You are the reason I am alive. The only thing I wanted …. to spend my whole life with you, with Charlie. Somehow, I lost my part of life and I could feel it.

Oh! darling. I have no idea you were going through with all this. You are not alone. I will be with you in your every sorrow, in your happiness. Don't worry everything will be fine. Everything happens for a reason. Losing friends isn't easy, I understand.

I know it hurts you a lot. This is a nasty world, but we have a few beautiful pieces left in the world.

Trying console my hubby but inside that, I know that he is shaken and need few more times to get over all of this. He holds me tightly and was almost weeping bitterly. When a soldier fights, he is brave enough to get through the bullets pains but when he is emotionally broken, only caring family and sweetness of home can heal his wounds.

Nothing is more curable other than loving support and a good understanding of the rushing noise of his heart at this stage. I must fix this at any price. I don't know-how. I was broken after seeing the conditions of my beloved.

 I will not his life foiled by an invisible challenge. I will get back my Ryan, I promised to myself.

The next day when we were back at summer fair again. Ryan had a smile at his face and was feeling good. As long he is smiling, he gives me the power to fight for his happiness.

Charlie did some shootings on balloons and have some water pool adventures.

I got tickets for Musical fair. Music is the best therapy, my mother once told me. For the very first time, Ryan was listening to the bands. I thought what if I bring back the music. This is an enchanting musical fair. Oh! he is a very good singer. During his high school, he used to sing with his best buddies and won Inter-college competitions. I got into stages and requested the host to call Ryan for a song. And she agreed.

Welcome the Soldier! Let's cheer for him. Ryan Royce.

 Ryan, go sweetheart. Share your goodbye song to your friends. They are listening to you tonight. He struck the guitar and Charlie cheered for him, Daddy rock it! rock it!

This is for my dear school buddies who are now with me. But I pray for peace and rest.

And he sang the famous song dedicated to friends "Goodbye to you my trusted friends…together we have climbed the trees," We have joy, we have fun, we have seasons in the sun", but the wine and the songs have seasons gone"

"Goodbye papa, please pray for him".

And this is for my beautiful wife and little champ "My Love" 

'Where the sky is blue, and see you once again world together, my love"; overseas from coast to coast…. we are holding on forever. So, I say a little prayer.

He was so emotional while singing. I had eyes full of tears. He taught me to play the guitar and we sang together this song on the boat ride across California isles.

And he folk's applause for his heartfelt song.

I got my heart melt and he rushed to me with all the love and hugged me!

Thank you! Thank you so much, my love, for bringing me back.

The summer fair is always magical. I got my life again. I promise to be with you all forever and make a happy home.

 I was listening. Because I wanted to. He was clear about things. He is overcoming from fears and uncertainties. I will not lose this chance.

 We bid goodbye to Aunt Jenny and now we are moving back home. She was happy that Ryan is bonding again with us and his grief is not dominating over his present.

Goodbye Aunt! Ryan hugged her. Thank you so much for inviting us.

Bye Grandma! waving Charlie from the cab.


Come back again! said, Aunt Jenny. Have a safe journey darling.


Wherever we go, whatever it takes, it is always important to have a feeling of home and family. Turtles are laying their eggs in the nest. It's hatching time and it is so exciting watching little turtles moving to shore. Ryan and I are together again with our beloved Charlie in our Mountain and Marine Cottage. Ryan has got his voluntary retirement from US Airforce and now he is planning to open an Institute to train young one to become Pilot. He got his seaplanes and he flies it when he is full of energy across the islands from South California. He found his true peace in the home where he belongs to….to us.

He overcomes with fears and phobia of losing dear ones. And now when he awoke again, it was to the feeling of a warm breeze across his face.

He begins his day with a long run with my little Charlie and I get back to Marine research work. Oh! yes, we also build a little home for sea turtles and Charlie is taking care of it; playing with his new friends. Ryan joined an organization for the clean and green ocean. I recreate the garden in the backyard of our cottage; planted yellow rose shrubs dedicated to our grace and glorious moments.

 Now Charlie gets more time to play football with his Daddy and he is not alone with his robot. I am closer to my sweet hubby, and we are planning to hike mountains and have a beach walk at the shore, sit for a while watching sunsets; playing the guitar.

Time flies! A week ago, we are struggling to set our emotions. Ryan and I got time to reunite and recall our memories at Mountain Meadow and drop our little champ and I am sure he will create many new stories here at Ranch, a legacy for our family will continue.

And we smiled. He holds my hands and said I can deal with anything if you are with me. When I am with you make feel I am only yours and making me feel a real soldier. I can deal with all the challenges if you are in my long arms.

I can see the spark again in his words and eyes, and he beautifully whispered: "Te Amo"! 

Baby, "Would you like to be my co-captain"? And I said, "Why not"?

But before that let's have a strawberry shake.

Oh! sure, darling. And we toasted to new summer dawn.

We got into the boat and begin our adventurous journey across the blue islands and oceans, coast to coast. A cool breeze touched the warmth of my cheeks.

It is whispered that every summer has one great story and we need to find it. It gives birth to new tales which inspires us, passionate us, to create history, immerse in the new era of the world. Perhaps which is why in each of our lives, Summer begins here…. here at our sweet home within our families and this is a noble reason for getting summer holidays to reconnect our lost emotions and resuscitate our life stories. Summers are always special, make it worth!


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