Bringing Sunshine to the needy lives (882 words)

Amrutha Joseph was on her way home after her usual grocery routine. She preferred shopping daily for three simple reasons: she couldn’t carry heavy loads, she liked buying fresh produce, and most importantly, she combined it with her afternoon walk. A smart and independent woman in her fifties, Amrutha lived alone and enjoyed her quiet routines.

As she strolled under the soft afternoon sun, a sudden jolt broke her rhythm. A boy, no older than nine, dashed into her, nearly knocking her over. She stumbled, but quickly regained her balance. In that split second of chaos, the boy snatched her grocery bag and tried to run away. But Amrutha, alert and quick, caught him by the collar before he could escape.

The boy immediately broke down, his defiance crumbling into desperation. Dirty, thin, and clad in an oversized, torn shirt, he looked like he hadn’t bathed in days. His matted hair had never seen scissors. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he pleaded, “Please, forgive me. My mom and little sister haven’t eaten for two days. I couldn’t watch them starve. I know it’s wrong, but I didn’t know what else to do. This is the first time I’ve done anything like this.”

A few passersby had begun to gather, curious about the commotion. One of them asked, “Did he do something to you, madam?”

Amrutha looked around and said firmly, “No, he’s a relative of mine. Everything is fine.” Then, without waiting for more questions, she took the reluctant boy by the hand and led him to her home.

Once there, she directed him to wash up at the backyard tap. When he returned, cleaner but still visibly shaken, she served him a hot, hearty lunch, whatever she had cooked for herself.

As the boy ate, she asked gently, “What is your name? Why can’t your mother or sister work? And honestly, you don’t seem like someone starving the way you ran from me. What’s your real story?”

The boy wiped his mouth and said, “My name is Rajni. What I said is true.

“Wow! A great name," Amrutha laughed.

“My mom is too sick to work, and my sister is just five. Dad has deserted us. I try to survive by picking up scraps from roadside stalls. Sometimes, people give me leftovers or biscuits. I know what I did was not right, but hunger makes you do things you never imagined.”

Amrutha looked at him, her heart softening. “From tomorrow, come here early in the morning. You can help me with the chores. I’ll enrol you in school and pay you a small salary for your help. You can go home by six every evening. Agreed?”

The boy’s eyes widened in disbelief. He nodded silently, his mouth still full.

That night, Amrutha felt a sense of purpose she hadn’t felt in years. She had perhaps saved someone from a path of darkness.

True to his word, Rajni arrived at 7 a.m. sharp the next morning. Amrutha had a barber give him a haircut and gave him new clothes to wear. She enrolled him in a nearby school, and Rajni helped her with the chores before heading to class. Everything seemed to be falling into place.

But on the third day, a commotion stirred outside her home. A few people stood arguing, and a police constable knocked on her door. “Ma’am,” he said respectfully, “this woman claims you’ve kept her neighbour’s son here forcibly and aren’t letting him come home.”

Amrutha was stunned. “What nonsense is this? The boy leaves every evening at six. Ask him yourself.”

The constable turned to the boy, who stood beside her. “Is that true? Do you go home every evening?”

Rajni looked down and replied quietly, “I leave here at six, but I don’t go home. I sleep in the marketplace.”

Amrutha’s face tightened with confusion. “Why didn’t you go home like I told you? Have you lied to me all along?”

“No, ma’am,” Rajni said, trembling. “If I go home without money, I’ll be forced to steal, snatch, or worse. I can’t bear to see my mom and sister hungry. But I promised you I wouldn’t do those things again. So, I didn’t go home. I thought… maybe when you give me my salary, I can take it to them. Then I’ll go back.”

Tears welled up in Amrutha’s eyes. She cupped his cheek and said, “You sweet boy. You kept your promise at such a young age. I have failed in overlooking this problem.” She turned to the police and the woman and told them, “He’s been helping me, studying in school, and eating here. No force. Only kindness.”

She handed Rajni his wages in advance. “Go give this to your mother. Go home with pride that you are honest, earning and studying too.”

On second thought, she chose to accompany Rajni. His mother broke down in tears upon seeing him, hugging him tightly. When Rajni narrated the happenings, Amrutha saw the relief and gratitude in her eyes and the sparkle of hope kindled again.

As Rajni and his mom embraced, the church bell rang loud and clear across the town, as if its chimes echoed a divine approval.

“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”

 

 

Whose baby is Neeraja carrying? (236 words)

“Vinitha, are you aware that Neeraja eloped with her lover last evening?” asked Mohana, eyes wide with excitement. Both were in their early thirties, living in the same apartment complex.

“What? How come?” Vinitha gasped. “She seemed like such a decent girl. Barely married a year! And her husband looked like a nice guy, too.”

“How would I know?” Mohana shrugged. “Maybe she was forced into the marriage. Parents push these things.”

Vinitha frowned. “Still, once you’re married, shouldn’t you cut ties with your past, especially an old lover?”

Mohana sighed. “Who cares about all that now? I’ve seen him visiting her a few times. Old values are turning completely upside down.”

Vinitha leaned closer and whispered, “Between us, I must admit—her lover was incredibly handsome. Like a desi Tom Cruise! Her husband, on the other hand… ugh, he looked awfully ugly. If I were in her place, I might’ve run too!”

Mohana burst out laughing. “Wait till you hear this. Neeraja, I heard  she is pregnant!”

“What?” Vinitha almost dropped her teacup. “Whose child could it be?”

Just then, the sound of a car horn blared outside.

“Oh my god, that’s my husband,” Vinitha said, jumping up. “I’ve got to make his coffee, otherwise he would get upset. I’m dying to hear the rest, though! Ever since that financial scam arose, I’ve missed my serials. He’s always glued to the only TV we have!”

 

Storm Within and Storm Without (910 words)

 It was raining cats and dogs. I was stranded in a bus stop. There was no sign of rain abating. It was getting dark. I was waiting for any bus as I did not know where I was bound for.

 A storm was raging in me, too. I had told my hubby before I left the house in a huff that I would have nothing to do with him anymore and that he could forget me. I did not take the car as it was a gift from my hubby and not my own. There was no sight of the bus for more than 30 minutes. The road was getting flooded. There was no one else in the bus stand. I hated to go back to the house that I had left just an hour ago.

It was then I saw at a distance a figure slowly wading through the knee-deep waters with an umbrella and another in its hand. For a moment, I thought it could be Rajan, my hubby, coming to persuade me to return. As it was dark, I could not see clearly, but it was not the tall Rajan. I was nervous who this could be. The wretched bus was not coming, I cursed. 

The figure was making slow progress towards the bus stop. I could see now that it was a man, but could not make out distinctly. When he neared, he called, “Vinita, come home. Why are you out in this bad weather? What happened? I asked Rajan whether you had returned from the office, as it is raining heavily. He said rather indifferently that you had and left home by foot without telling where you were bound for. He would not tell me more but refused to go in search of you. Any quarrel between you two? Please come home. This is not the weather to venture out. I got worried about you and could not stay in the house. Please have this umbrella and accompany me home.”

He was nearing 75 and not very strong. Yet he chose to come out when my hubby showed no concern. I was touched by this old man’s concern for me little knowing that he was the reason for my quarrel with my hubby.

I had told Rajan that he had broken his promise by bringing his old man to live with us. I had told him even during our courting days that I hated cooking, especially after a tiresome day in the office. He had promised that he would put him in a senior citizen’s home. 

Nevertheless, he brought him home immediately after the honeymoon. All my oblique hints and direct requests that he be sent away did not yield any result. Instead, he was telling that he, being the only offspring, was duty-bound to take care of his dad in his twilight years. 

The old man never ate any ready-mix food, Pizza, noodles and things that were easy to prepare or buy. I had neither the time nor the inclination to make traditional food that this man relished. 

To be blunt, the real reason was that I didn’t want anyone besides me and my hubby at my home. Hence, the frequent quarrels that reached a crescendo today culminated in my walkout. Otherwise, the old man was non-interfering and minded his own business. He never asked for anything and was unobtrusive. He was self-effacing.

When the old man virtually begged me to return home in the torrential rain, I could feel a parental concern and genuine affection that was lacking from the hubby. There was a stab of pain when I looked at the emaciated and bent figure, half drenched, pleading with me to come home. I did not have the heart to disappoint the man.

” Papa, why did you have to come in this downpour? Do not worry, I will come with you. Hold my hand, as otherwise you may fall. There could be open manholes,” I said as I took my father-in-law towards the house.

Slowly as we treaded a few steps, I saw another figure coming towards us in the downpour with no umbrella. It was Rajan. He did not utter one word but held my hand as all three of us trudged. But his clasp spoke more words than he would have uttered.

When we reached home, my father-in-law said,” I do not know why you both quarrelled. But I could not bear your going out alone in the night in heavy rain, and was upset that Rajan was doing nothing about it. I do not wish to get involved in quarrels between couples. But I must thank you for heeding my words. Let me rest. I am tired”

When I was sitting in the living room, Rajan came silently to me and said,” I have since decided to send my dad to a senior citizen home. I will break the news to him in the morning. You do not have to go away.”

“There is no need for that. I regret my insensitive behaviour. I will keep him with us till the end. I will employ a lady cook to assist me. He is my father, too,” I said with a sheepish smile

Surprised at the pleasant turn, he hugged me tightly and said,” I am sorry too for my heartlessness,” as he took me to the bedroom in the first floor.