The help at the shop

 

It was Deepavali/ Diwali only on the next day. Even then, the air was thick with smoke but full of fun and revelry and the atmosphere echoed with the laughter of children. The apartments in the posh complex were all decorated in multi-coloured serial lights. There were festoons and glittering lights in the pathways and common areas added magic to the cheerful ambiance. The children were seen running hither and thither bursting crackers and lighting sparklers. The smell of elachi, kesar and other spices wafted from the kitchens that were preparing scrumptious sweets and namkeens. One could see the well-dressed and well-heeled men and women hurrying in cars to make last-minute purchases of dry fruits, gift boxes, sweets and clothes.

Rangaraj just had tea with his wife in the balcony. When he was enjoying the scenery around from their third floor, he found his wife Malti morose with a vacant look. He knew the reason. Though fortunate with wealth, personal attainments and all the comforts, the couple had not been blessed with a child even after ten years of marriage. Doctors had explained that there was nothing medically wrong with them and that in some cases it took inexplicably a long time to conceive. 

Both of them when newly married were fond of buying various varieties of crackers and sparklers and spent a lot of money. He liked long Lars that would bring to a stop the entire neighbourhood with its noise and dazzle. She had a fancy for the multi-coloured fountains and flower pots and rockets. Since some years, the complex association has restricted the use of loud bombs and rockets. To cheer her up he said, “Let us go to the bazaar, buy some crackers and sparklers and pick up some sweets. Why should we be moody when we can join the others in the celebrations? Come on, I will be ready in five minutes after a wash.”

“Sorry, Ranga, I am having a dull headache and would prefer to lie down for a while. Please go and get the things. Buy some namkeens and sweets for the maid. Do not forget to get some harmless crackers,” said Malti.

When he went to the crackers shop, he found it heavily crowded with buyers jostling for space near the long counter with many sales men. It took considerable time and maneuvering for Rangaraj to reach the front row. There were mind boggling varieties and it was hot and sultry to stand there with bright lights. He asked the owner who was seated prominently near him to give him two big packets of assorted crackers.

He then heard a squeaky voice of a young boy of 10 years telling, “Sir, if you buy gift boxes you will be paying more than if you buy item wise in smaller boxes of better sound and quality. I know the prices of all and can help you.”

He looked at the boy, in ordinary clothes with unkempt and curly hair but with an innocent and charming face. He took an instant liking for the boy when he thought of his younger days in poor circumstances when he would hover around cracker shops and derive joy by merely looking at them.

He bent down and said, “Yes, I need your help in buying some more besides these two big boxes. What are your suggestions for a boy of your age? My budget is Rs 500 and it can be Rs 100 or 200 more. No bombs or rockets. Now tell the sales boy to put them in a separate box. I will be watching you and you do not have to seek my approval for your choice. Go ahead and finish quickly.”

“Give me 10 minutes, I will finish buying the stuff,” the boy said with enthusiasm as he started choosing the items.

“Ask them to pack separately. We must hurry as I have to buy some sweets and namkeen too. You must help me there also and help me taking the boxes to my car. Will you?” asked Rangaraj

When the shop owner produced the bill for all the purchases, Rangaraj put his hand on the back pocket. To his shock, it was empty with the purse missing. Shocked, he tapped all the other pockets in vain In anger, he held the collar of the young boy and shouted, “You little rascal, I should have suspected you when you snuggled close to me and had my pocket within your reach all the time. Tell me where is the purse, I will beat you blue if you do not hand it over.”

Baffled the boy said, “No Sir, I have not taken your purse. I was only trying to help you,”

Rangaraj slapped him in anger and screamed “There is no way the purse can mysteriously disappear, you scoundrel.” 

The shop owner intervened to say,” I know this boy. He has been coming daily for the last 10 days and helping the clients. In fact, on a few occasions, he had drawn the attention of customers to the things or bags dropped inadvertently. You must calmly think before you accuse the boy.”

Rangaraj rang his wife only to be told, “You in your usual hurry left your purse on the table in the balcony. I rang up immediately and your phone was busy.” Sincerely regretting his mistake, Rangaraj was on his knees rubbing the boy’s cheeks softly and cursing himself for his rashness.

When the boy kept quiet, Rangaraj lifted the boy in his arms and asked the boy his name and whether he had any crackers for himself.

“No sir, my name is Satyan.We are poor. I have only my mom and a sister. My dad had deserted us.”

At the sweet shop, Rangaraj bought many sweets and namkeens for himself and ordered one big box assorted sweets and namkeens to be packed separately.

When things were kept in car, the boy standing outside the car said,” Thank you sir for giving me an opportunity to help. I derived immense joy in handling several crackers and by their smell.”

“Is your house nearby. Hop in and I will drop you there and then proceed. Sorry for being rough. I should learn to be patient.”

When he saw a dimly lit old tiled house, where the boy resided in a single room with mom and sister, Rangaraj was choked with regret.

He came out of the car with the packet of crackers the boy had selected and the packets of assorted sweets and namkeens. He walked to the bewilderment of the boy to the side door where his mom was standing.

“Namaskaram. Nothing can make amend for my rashness in slapping your son on mistaken suspicion. He was only helping me in buying crackers with no expectation at all. I wish to help him. We have no children and doubt whether we can ever have one. I am wealthy enough to take care of the education of your children. Our house is not far and you can work in our home. Come the day after tomorrow with the children to meet my wife. These packets are a small token of my affection for Satyan. Kindly accept, “said Rangaraj as he gave the packets of crackers, sweets and namkeen. I had forgotten my purse at home and will give you some money for buying new clothes when we meet next.”

The bewildered lady hugged her boy with flowing tears at the prospect of a good turn in her life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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