Anette Gill by Meghnaa Sonkar (readict .TXT) 📖

Chapter 1

Fall

Smiling yellow leaves fell all over Cheruber, the beautiful town a few miles away from the Janet River.People in Cheruber lived so happily one could never imagine. Beyond the Brenny Bridge was a simple little house.The house where Anette lived. She lived with her parents and her little brother and sisters.

One day, a letter came to Anette Gill’s house. It was a letter from her mother’s old friend, Mrs Onyx.

“Dear Bella(Anette’s mother),
I hope you’re doing better now . The pain caused by tonsillitis is indeed severe and I wish that it never returns to you.
I also want to ask a favor of you. I would like one of your daughters to spend the holidays with us. My own daughter is married and far away and I really miss all of you. I cannot visit you this year because I am constantly required here for signing of important papers related to a court case, but I was just wondering if you could send your daughters to me. You know how I love your polite, kind and soft-spoken children.
I will often be out due to the court proceedings, but , my husband’s nephews and niece will be there and, maybe, your daughter can make new friends. This might also help your children get accustomed to city life.
I wish you all good luck and good health…
Your friend,
Sarah”

As Bella looked up from the letter she frowned. Now which one of the girls could she send? Not all of them of course! So, she decided that Anette should go. She was the eldest and needed to have a vacation. She'd been helping her take care of the family for a very long time and Bella wanted her to learn some new things in the city. "Maybe the younger ones can follow her later. They have school anyway" thought she.

Chapter 2

Pretty young Anette, well-mannered and graceful, but not very well-clad, got into the car her aunt had arranged for her. It was a beautiful blue vehicle and she loved how it had swerved along the road as she watched the doorway.

There were many tears as her sisters and brothers couldn't imagine being without her. Who would do the running around and the teaching and the cleaning when she was away? They thought.

Mother's advice followed. Anette didn't know what to say so she said " Goodbye mother. I will be back soon. I will write to you"

The car soon disappeared along the way and Anette's face could no longer be seen through the car's frosted brown back window.

The car advanced through dusty fields and climbed through a high bridge over a long leafy lake. Anette peeped to see if she could see her reflection in the waters, but no she couldn't. She was in a car.

She cuddled in the soft seats and buried her nose in a book a friend had given her on her birthday. It was full of poems and pictures. She loved it.

Chapter 3

Anette reached aunt Sarah's apartment in about three long hours of tedious journey. But, once she reached there she was happy to see her aunt. Aunt Sarah was always well-dressed, always calm, always condescending. How Anette loved that her family had people who cared for them, friends like aunt Sarah ready to help. Being from a not-so-well-to-do family, Anette found the ways of modern urban life awe-inspiring, but she knew nothing of computers and the internet which absolutely amazed everyone. At such demeanour she would sweetly reply "Well in the country, all that matters is how well you are with others" Her gorgeous summer-like smile was enough to melt hearts. She was not too plain, but not too beautiful either, and her old shabby light yellow dress made her look like a little rustic goddess. She always look short quick steps , and people were often surprised by her energy and brightness, her good attitude and her sharp , clear mind.It lent a pristine glow to her face.

"Well, well, well! Now that we have Anette with us" said uncle Bill's niece looking at Anette from the corner of her eye "We are sure to have some fun. She doesn't know anything about the virtual world , if I am not mistaken"

"So what" said George, who was a year younger to Anette "She is very well-read when it comes to books. Beauty is not only about makeup or candidness.I like her. She's so gentle. Almost like in an old movie"

"Who watches old movies anyway?" cut in Nina's voice. The very refined-looking cousin started aping Anette's gait and hopped across the room like a little bird. The others laughed. Little did they know that Anette had heard all that had been said about her as she was in the very next room waiting for aunt Sarah to come out of her room and give her some instructions.

Anette was used to being laughed at. She was scorned at in school as well, as a bunch of richer girls ridiculed her painlessly for her very sombre attire.

When Aunt Sarah emerged from her room , she took Anette around the house showing her the rooms that were tucked into bigger ones, mantelpieces that were old but shone to show her chubby rosy face. Her eyes were almost full of tears.

"What's happened to you? Are you missing your family? Your eyes look watery. Are you crying" asked aunt Sarah.

"No, not at all" replied Anette in a muffled voice "Your house is very beautiful. It's overwhelming. Thank you for giving me this opportunity"

Aunt Sarah took her across hallways and coridoors and the hallways. Anette followed obediently wondering what she would do in such a big house. Looking out of the window only showed her yet another window and that was all. She could barely see the sky. But she'd seen small and big pieces of the sky all the time back in the countryside.

The next day Sarah got up with eyes red like fire. Incessant crying had made her really numb and she knew she wouldn't be able to go for the picnic her aunt and uncle had arranged for her.

In came a serving lady and said "Madame asks if you're going to be ready in an hour's time for the picnic. You're going to Porcele Manor today, if I heard right. Would you please...."

"Oh Yes...I will be ready as soon as possible. Thank you so much" she was not used to such hospitality and servants and found this rather embarrassing.

Mrs Gerland set the plate of omelette and bread on the table and shut the door behind her. Anette got up and got ready for a bath. What was this manor they were going to?

Text: Meghnaa Sonkar
Images: Meghnaa Sonkar
Editing: Meghnaa Sonkar
Translation: Meghnaa Sonkar
Publication Date: 03-01-2013

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