The Monster Who Wasn't a Monster

It was one of those bright afternoons when I, Gunda (yes, that was my nickname), was running around with my friends—Manu, Govind, Rama, Rukmini, Manjunatha, and Pooja—enjoying the simplicity of life. That day, however, something... or should I say someone... was bothering me in a way I couldn’t quite explain.

Every single day, this giant man with a big mustache, long beard, and long hair would come up to me, smile like he was Santa Claus on steroids, and say, "Hi, how are you?" in the most cheerful way possible. And every time he said it, I was like, “What the hell is going on?”

It was as if he had nothing better to do than to stalk little me. To make matters worse, he wasn’t just a normal guy—no, no, no. This guy had a presence. You know, the kind that makes you feel like you’re being watched by a mountain.

One day, as I was playing with my friends, Manu, the inquisitive one, looked at me with a raised eyebrow and asked, “Hey, Gunda, who’s that guy you’re always hanging out with? He was holding your hand and walking around with you all day yesterday. He looks like... like a monster!”

I froze. Not again. “Oh, for God’s sake, Manu,” I muttered, “Let’s just play, okay? I don’t have time for your nonsense.”

But then, Rukmini, the troublemaker, piped up. “Gunda! Come on, tell us! Who’s this monster? He’s huge! Like, he could probably crush us all with one hand!”

Govind joined in, “Yeah, Gunda! He looks like an awesome guy! Is he your superhero or something?”

I threw my hands in the air, exasperated. “Awesome? Are you all blind or something? He’s not a superhero, okay? He’s just... ugh!”

But before I could go on, Pooja, sweet as she was, added, “Aww, come on, tell us. Your hero must be super cool! Gunda, you have to introduce us to him!”

I groaned. “Fine! You all want to know? He’s my... uncle!”

There. Problem solved. Except it wasn’t.

The teasing never stopped. “Your uncle? Seriously, Gunda?” Rukmini asked, as she twirled her hair. “He’s more like a giant monster than an uncle!”

As the banter continued, I couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed. I just wanted to play, okay? So, we finally decided on a game of ‘Lock and Key.’

I was so determined to chase everyone down, but honestly? I was so distracted by all the teasing that I didn’t catch a single soul.

Rukmini, being the drama queen she was, taunted me, “Hey cutie, catch me if you can!”

Rama followed, “Oh baby, you’ll never catch me!”

I was sweating bullets, running around like a maniac, but no one was in my grasp. It was like I was invisible. I could feel the frustration building up. “I’m done! I can’t do this anymore!” I screamed.

And just when I was about to give up, about to collapse from exhaustion, I heard it.

A voice, booming and loud, calling from the distance: “Devayya! Devayya! Come, it’s time for lunch!”

The monster had arrived. The guy—no, my grandfather—was calling me.

And just like that, my friends screamed in unison, “The monster is coming! RUN!” They scattered, leaving me alone with my ‘giant monster.’

I walked over to him, defeated, and with the whole game lost. “You made me lose, Grandpa!” I complained, pouting.

But he just chuckled and scooped me up in his massive arms. “You’ll get ‘em next time, Devayya. Come on, let’s eat.”

We walked home together, and for the first time in a long time, I realized just how much I missed this giant man with the big beard and even bigger heart. My friends thought he was a monster, but to me? He was my hero. The one who’d always be there, no matter what. He played with me, told me stories, taught me about our traditions, and even let me win a few games, just to make me feel good.

Days went by, and the "monster" was no longer around. I woke up one morning, searching for him, only to find that he had gone back to his place. The house felt empty. Quiet. Like a part of me had vanished. I searched everywhere—looking under the bed, behind the doors, even in the garden. But he wasn’t there.

I missed him more than I could put into words. The giant man who’d always take me on adventures, laugh with me, and teach me everything I needed to know.

That day, I realized something. That "monster" was my grandfather.

And even though he wasn’t around anymore, the memories we made, the lessons he taught me, would stay with me forever.

I love you, Grandpa. I miss you.