The Secret Diary

Pratyush Pandey

John woke up to realize that his summer vacation had begun. He got off his bed and went for breakfast. He was wondering how to spend his holidays when his mother reminded him to finish his breakfast fast!! Soon the doorbell rang and yes!! His friends were there. They all proceeded towards the playground to play football. It was an awesome match and had never finishing rounds. It stretched till evening. The sun was about to set.

“Hey friends, let's end the match!!” Said John. Mom must be furious today, he thought. While going home they passed a rubble house. Quite strange and eerie, but John wanted to explore the house before anyone stops. Few steps and he would be near to a house where he smelt a kind of adventure. OMG!! The house was completely in bad shape and nothing was visible. ”I am a fool to expect anything from this.” he grumbled. “Let me go out or I will have to face the adventure at my home!!!” he said to himself. But God had some other plan for him, while moving out from broken floor and fallenthings his legs got tangled in something and a HUGE sound of his falling flat on the floor was echoed.

He got up frowning on his foolish thought to leave friends and stay behind as he was now scared, too. But his eye caught up into a big black leather thing. It was not a leather but a big diary. He picked it up curiously and looked here and there, “Well I think it's not wrong to pick something which has no owner,” he thought and without any guilt came out of the house and rushed to his home.

“Mom, I am back. I will not watch TV as I have wasted my time today…am going to my room to study, would you please call me for dinner when ready?"

He went inside and locked the door. And he was imagining so many things as he expected the Diary to be useful for something interesting. The first page of the diary said about the owner of the diary. It was Steve, studying in GD Goenka school. The boy had written something like this “I am Steve. My mother died in an air crash and father married another woman soon. She does not love me. Today she hurt me and abused me when my father was not there. I am staying here like a prisoner. I wish my mother would send an angel to save me from my step mom. My father doesn’t like me anymore, either.”

John felt sad and decided to help this boy. Next morning John shared with his friends and they planned for locating Steve and helping him out.

Day 1: John and gang went to the rubble house once more and tried to find any other clues. Then they tried to talk to the neighbors about the family. After talking to a few, finally one family shared the new address of Steve.

Day2: At 5PM John and gang went to the park near to the house of Steve expecting him in the park . It was going to be 6:30 and they couldn’t identify anyone as Steve. “Friends, lets go back…seems he is not allowed to play we will make some other plan for tomorrow,“.said John.

Suddenly a boy called “Steve, Steve, your ball is with me, please take it.” And all turned to the left to face Steve, a small, fair, sweet boy. He looked pale and sad. John winked at his friends and slowly moved towards Steve. As Steve was about to go back, John whispered “Steve we are your friends, don't get scared just sit with me for a few minutes, we need to talk to you.”

Steve reluctantly sat on the bench and was scared to even raise his head. John calmed him down and said ”Look somehow I came across your diary in your old house.” Steve was shocked and he said…”Please don’t say this to my step mom. I have been searching for that diary for so long.”
“Steve, don’t worry. We're here to help you out. Do you think our parents can speak to your father and explain to him your situation?” John asked.

Steve agreed. John hugged him and said don’t worry for anything. John and friends went to their parents and asked them to meet at a common point and scheduled time. After listening to the whole story, the Parents praised their children for their concern, bravery and prompt action. Everyone planned for a face to face meeting with Steve’s father. And thankfully, he agreed to meet everyone.

They had a long talk and John and His friends could hear fresh arguments leading to some discussions and finally a very sentimental ending where Steve's father realized his mistake.

The next day, John and his friends were in the Park where Steve stayed. “John,” As John turned his back he saw Steve with his father. John got serious. “Thank you, son“ said Steve’s father. “Oh No, Uncle!!! There is no need to thank. It all happened only because of Steve," John replied.

Everyone was amused .

John smiled and said that maybe not only Steve but the credit goes to the 'Secret Diary' Uncle.

The End