The Gap

15 year old kissed his mother , took blessings from his late father who died in 2006's Vadodara riots and went to school.
Udbhav !
Present miss.
Usman!
Present miss.
"Ma'am , is it necessary to sit according to roll no. wise?"
"Any problem with Usman?"
Udbhav saw Usman and said
"Actually I'm not well that's why I wanted the seat near the window".
"Okay then you can shift your place."
"Thankyou miss" Udbhav smiled and started to pack his books.
"Udbhav your water bottle , let me help you!".
" Don't touch it !! I'll take it myself"
"You are forgetting your pencil box."
Udbhav turned back and saw Usman holding his box. He snatched it from his hand and went to his seat.
"Students! It's a reminder from the principal's office that the new water connection is being laid infront of your building so kindly stay away from the ditches".

We can easily jump across this gap what's the big deal? A question of every random kid of the school.

Later that day
Maasi?
Udbhav saw some of his relatives waiting for him in his house all tensed .
"Beta your mother met with an accident today , she was hit by a car

How's she? He fumbled
"She's in the ICU but she'll be back don't worry".
"I want to meet her now!!" He pleaded.
" Not possible beta, no one is allowed to do so. We can meet her as soon as she'll be out from ICU" maasi said with a fake smile.

Udbhav!
Udbhav!
Present miss.
You are fine today?
Better, he answered.

"No lunchbox today? " Usman asked Udbhav sitting near a tree all alone.
"Can I sit here ? My buddies are absent today?"
"I guess it's a yes otherwise you would have shouted on me lol.
You want some fried rice ? Don't worry it's vegetarian."
"Something's wrong buddy?"
"Leave me alone damn'it , go away" he yelled at Usman.
"Atleast you said something "Usman smiled " You can share with me till my fried rice finishes".

"Sorry to hear about your mother Udbhav " another boy of his class said while going to the washroom.
" What's the matter?" Usman asked in a serious tone.
"She's in ICU , met with an accident yesterday".
"She'll be fine don't worry" Usman tried to break the silence.
"That's the 50th time I'm listening to this" udbhav became irritated.

There was an awkward silence once again .
" You know my brother was once in ICU too! He was injured after some goons attacked him while he was heading back to home after work".

Udbhav was listening to him keenly now.
" He was there for a week but "
But? Udbhav asked
" Doctors couldn't save him , he went to coma ".
I'm sorry for your brother.
Usman smiled and said " Life must continue, and you will grow from the loss and learn to live with it. My dad told me this .
And one more thing buddy, hope begins from dark and you can only see stars in darkness . So take a deep breath and let the rest come easy auntie would be fine"he smiled.
Udbhav gave a smile and said " Your fried rice is finished or something is left?"

The bell rang and everybody saw the gap was filled .