THE GOLDEN SPARROW

Another INDEPENDENCE DAY. The day when the flag will be hoisted in the society compounds. Patriotic songs will be played, mostly from manoj kumar’s movies. Uncles will gather in the park and will talk about what all is wrong with system. Some will discuss business. Kids will play around. Aunties will gossip. then it will be time for community lunch. After that INDEPENDENCE DAY is officially over. The flag will be folded by afternoon to be kept in RWA’s office to be taken out on 26^th JANUARY.

It makes me wonder what the true significance of this day to us is. I need not to say what all our fore fathers did to get independence. But do we appreciate it….??? I seriously doubt it. NETAJI SHUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE said, “the people should be kept under military rule for at least 10 years before establishing democracy. Otherwise the coming generation would not know how to behave in a democracy.”  The great man was absolutely true. Because of the fact that the coming generations got the independence for free they could not appreciate its value. Bashing the government and blaming the system has become a common practice. It makes me wonder what should be our role in this independent democracy which we got for free.

Mostly we are content with abusing the government. At most few people will go to India gate with candles in hands and slogans blasting from their mouths. They will make facebook pages supporting ANNA HAZARE or Baba Ramdev. They will put up status claiming they are firmly against corruption and all. All these things are good. They do hold some value. Collective marches, spreading message through social networking sites, supporting a noble cause all these are excellent gestures. But do they hold some real materialistic value..???? if 1000 people go to India Gate with candle, what good does it serves the nation. I agree it sends across a message that the common man is no longer at the mercy of system and government must show accountability, but does it produce any tangible benefit to the nation other than benefiting the shop selling those candles…..????

Many great thinkers offer many great solutions. I am no match for their analytical capability or their vision for our nation. But I have few solutions which I would like to share. At the very first I would like to say, it’s not about generating jobs, or up liftment of poor or long term planning for the country. They are just simple solutions which we can easily implement. And I guess they would be helpful.

1)      first up, the most difficult of them all. Make it compulsory for everyone; apart form those having special physical needs, to serve in military for at least 6 months. Because the problem with the people is they lack discipline. If after 64 years of trying they still can’t implement self discipline then it’s time someone taught them the discipline. Disciplined youth, with the kind of talent which we have, along with the physical fitness which military will inculcate, can do wonders for our nation.

2)    The government schools are mainly plagued by the lack of teachers. Make it compulsory for every graduate to do at least 300 hours of teaching in government schools before they get their degree. Appointment should be done by the MLA of the area, so that no lengthy procedures are invovlved. Finding 300 hours [in 3 years for normal graduation, 4 years for B.Tech and 5 for years for MBBS] is not a big deal. Provide certificate for it and make it mandatory. Teaching basic language and maths should not be a problem for people doing graduation. There are ample breaks during college time and if anyone wants, he can easily find time.

3)     Now some self regulatory rules. As a youth we have tremendous potential. The college in which we are studying may be not as good as MIT, USA. The teachers may not be as good as Prof. EINSTEIN. But because of the very fact that we got a chance to pursue studies, it should be our responsibility to make sure that we gather as much knowledge as possible regarding our field. Someday or the other we will need it and it WILL help our country.

4)     Lets be punctual guys. Its almost a crime nowadays to reach class in time. Although we are seldom late for our dates. But then there are guys who are late for that also. Whatever be the occasion, if anyone is waiting for us it ultimately cuts down the productive time of the nation. There will be odd days when we will be late, but we must make sure they are rare occurrences.

5)     And lastly, let’s be responsible for ourselves. Just because we are from a well to do family and need not worry about our future, it does not mean we should just indulge in enjoying the pleasures of life. We get only one shot at life. It’s not feasible that all of us will be somebody famous. We are common people. Let’s take pleasure in each other’s happiness and share each other’s sorrow. It will make this country and the whole world a better place to live. There’s a quote used by doctors, “ it’s a miracle that human beings are living. Because there are so many ways to die that we don’t even know of”. the world is already a difficult place, lets not make it more difficult by pulling each other down. Share a smile, share a simple hello. It will feel good.

Enough gyaan. If I say anymore I may be sued by babas..!!! that would be a bad thing…! From this Independence Day let’s try to make our country a better in small installments. Beware, that many people will laugh at you if you are punctual. The writer ( yours truly..!) have endure many ridicule for his enthusiasm of attending class that too on time. Most will say whole country is doing it why wont you. I am not asking you to become some sort of torch bearer for moral values. Just don’t succumb to the mal practices that are rampant. Because as Dr.APJ ABUL KALM said,  In the end the question is, how do you want to be remembered in history….

JAI HIND.

the wish

THE WISH

it was about to be 12:30 pm. The sun was hell bent on showing its power. And since for the past 3 days it was cloudy and continuously raining, the radiance and the heat of the sun was somewhat augmented. Also the moisture factor was there. In delhi’s summers clothes clings to the body and the sweat just trickles down.

Chanda was late to work. She worked as a domestic help in many houses in an apartment. The weather was sapping her energy. The weather as it is was bad and to add to it, chanda had a nasty cut in her forehead. It was there because last night her husband had thrown the plate at her after returning home, fully drunk. Whenever the sweat passed over that cut, it gave a hellish burning sensation. And she couldn’t even wipe off the sweat without grimacing. But more than the sweat and the cut, chanda was worried about her 3 year old son, lakhiya whom she was carrying on her lap.

Rain and children are like iron filings and magnets. It was raining since past few days and lakhiya was continuously playing in the rain. Chanda couldn’t take care of him as she was busy pushing domestic chores of others and her husband who worked as a construction worker didn’t cared for home. He used to return late at night, fully drunk. Used to abuse chanda, beat her up. Somedays he even tried to beat up lakhiya, but chanda defended lakhiya and in the process get even more beaten up. So it was useless to expect anything frm the husband. Chanda was pushing her household almost single handedly.

When chanda was off to work, lakhiya played excessively in the rain. And caught cold. Chanda couldn’t get medicines for lakhiya. The month was to end in 2 days and she had money to either buy food or medicine. She had asked for advance from many homes but none of them obliged. Chanda  was hoping that she will buy medicines after she receives her pay. The non treated cold ended up in fever.

So toady chanda couldn’t leave lakhiya at home and had to take him along with herself to work. She had told him amny times not to touch anything in the home while she is doing work. Lakhiya was a small, silent and weak kid. And he had fever too. He just silently nodded.

Chanda went up 4 flights of stairs to reach her first home. The land lady was furious, “ why you are so late..??? you always keep asking for advance. Can’t you come on time..?? who will do all these work..?? tell me..?? and today you bring along your litter with you.. ask him not to touch anything.. if anything breaks I will deduct it from your pay.”

Chanda was silent. She silently removed her slippers and entered. She put down lakhiya. The land lady instatntly shrieked, “ ask the boy to remove the slippers. I don’t want him polluting our home.”

Chanda had carried lakhiya on her lap and hs slippers were not dirty but still she did what the lady asked.

She made lahiya sit against a wall and again repeated her instruction of not touchng anything. Lakhiya was silent. He was curiously watching so many new things around him.

The landlady was in bad mood today. I mean more bad than ususal. It was because of jack. Jack was her pet dog. Jack was unwell today. He was resting on the land lady’s bed. The landlay had given jack few biscuits to eat but jack dint even sniffed at them. And she was supposed to take jack to the vet today and today itself chanda was late.

The lady was very busy, moving from one room to another, getting her make up done, making phone call to the vet. One such time she saw that lakhiya was moving his fingers over the emulsion painted walls with innocent curiosity. The land lady held lakhiya’s hand and jerked the hand away from the wall and shrieked, “ hey you… don’t make scratches on the wall. Keep your hands off it.”

Lakhiya was taken aback. He again sat down silently. Chanda was cleaning up the kitchen.

Jack had not touched the biscuits. The land lady took the plate away from him and put it outside her room. Lakhiya was sitting next to the door of the room.

He saw the biscuits. They were dog biscuits but lakhiya dint know the difference. He wanted to see what are they. But he was scared of the land lady. Also he was scared of his mother. But he was a child after all. He couldn’t control his inquisitiveness. He looked around and saw that no one’s watching. He picked up a biscuit and was seeing the biscuit intently.

Just then the lady appeared out of her room. She was mad.

“ you scoundrel.. you slum dweller.. how dare you touch my jack’s biscuits.”

She held the arm by which lakhiya was holding the biscuit and slapped him tightly on his cheeks. Lakhiya was under fed, weak and down with fever. He couldn’t take the blow and fell down on the floor.

Chanda came running from the kitchen.

The lady turned towards her , “ see what your son was doing. You have taught him to steal. I see.. that why you brought him along today. He was eating my jack’s biscuits. Get out of the house you #$%^. Whatever is your this months salary come and collect it from saab this Sunday. He will show you thieves your real place. get out.. NOW…”

Chanda was speechless and angry on lakhiya too. She picked up lakhiya from the floor. Lakhiya was wailing. She too slapped him, “ I told you not to touch anything.. why did you do it..?? tell me..”

Lakhiya could hardly speak he said amidst sobs, “ I was just seeing it. I was not going to eat.” And continued sobbing.

The lady. “ ya ya.. just seeing it. I know very well what you people are. Had I not come in time your little scoundrel would have emptied the plate. Take your rascal and leave the house right now. Or I will call the security guards and make sure you don’t get work in any of the houses in our apartments. OUT I SAID”

Chanda knew it was pointless to argue. She knew very well that lakhiya won’t have eaten the biscuits but she laso knew that the land lady would never believe it.

She left the house carrying lakhiya on her lap. It was about 2 pm now. Clouds were gathering in the horizon.

Chanda reached home. Lakhiya’s fever was high now. His body was radiating heat. Chanda was putting wet clothes on his forehead to not let the fever to get to his head. Lakhiya was murmuring nonsense in his half concoius state.

“….. the paint is shiny… the fan is moving round and round…” suddenly he will start crying and say “ma, I was not eating it… I was just seeing it” then again he will go back to murmuring nonsense, “ jack will eat it…. He goes to doctor… the floor is so smooth… don’t touch the wall…”

Chanda was sitting with lakhiya in her lap. She was looking out of the window. Tears were rolling down her eyes. She was having her son in her lap, the son was ill and she couldn’t even get him medicines. Her husband dint cared. And she just lost a source of income. It means her monthly income will go down further.

Outside lightining was striking across the sky. Chanda was lost in her own thoughts. She was thinking about how will she manage, where will she try finding work. 

Suddenly she noticed that lakhiya had stopped murmuring and was very still. She changed the wet clothe from his forehead and put up another one after soaking in water. She noticed that lakhiya’s body was cold now. She thought fever had gone down.

She tried shaking him to wake him up, “ lakhiya.. get up sonny..”

Lakhiya was still. She tried again and when lakhiya still dint moved, with trembling heart she put two fingers in front of lakhiya’s nostrils.

He was not breathing. Chanda was stunned.. She wanted to yell but couldn’t find the voice. She wanted to cry but couldn’t find the tears. So she just sat in her dark room with her dead 3 year old son in her lap and made a simple wish, “ god. In his next birth make him a dog in rich people’s house rather than a child in poor family. Maybe then he wont die without medicines.”

Outside it started raining. Maybe god was crying on chanda's behalf.

few good people around me

KULCHE WALE UNCLE

8:25 am : hurriedly gulping down my breakfast.

Mummy standing right at the side of the table to make me eat the whole breakfast, even if it means physically forcing me to sit and eat the chapatti. Well, I don’t mind having parantha, but I’m not a big fan of chapatti..!! but due to increasing waist line and erratic blood pressure I’m grounded and being forced to eat dry chapatti with tea….:-(( ohh butter naan.. i miss u so much..:-(

8:30 am: taken my bag and wire for radio. Checked the mobile, purse, handkerchief. Everything is in place. Touched mummy’s feet and after listening to mummy’s daily instructions of taking care and having lunch on time, I’m off to college.

8:32 am: crossing the society park.

Bheem singh uncle sitting in bench as always. He is retired brigadier. I would say, “ GOOD MORNING UNCLE.”. he is always in a jolly mood. He would say, “ GOOD MORNING YOUNG MAN”. And then he would send his german shepherd to say good morning to me.!!! First day I got a little scared seeing this heavy and big dog sprinting towards me, but he just came wagging his tail, and got down with straight back on his hind legs and lifted his right paw while sticking out his tongue. Uncle said, shake it.!! And I did. He is called tito. And  he is a very friendly dog. That day onwards I changed the ritual a bit, I just hug tito and rub his head and neck and say, “ GOOD MORNING BOY..”. first day I did it, uncle asked me why not u shaking his hand. I said , “ uncle lets not pollute this pure creature by teaching him to behave like humans..”. uncle let out his characteristic high pitched laugh. But dint objected to it..!!

I reach the society gate and see our chief security guard, BAHADUR SINGH uncle.  Seeing him, I put my right hand on the left side of my chest, bow down my head and while walking I say, “ RAAM RAAM uncle ji. Kaise hain..??”. and he would say, “ SAB BADHIYA BETA JI..”

8:38am: I have reached SHAHBAD DAIRY bus stop after 6minutes of furious walking. There KULCHE wale uncle has already set up his thela and making brisk business of selling morning breakfast to laborers and other bachelors living in and around ROHINI sec 28 and shahbad dairy, at unbelievably cheap rates. 10 rs for 3 kulche and as much chole as you want. With additional aachaar at times. I again put my right hand on the left side of my chest and say, “ RAAM RAAM uncle ji.”

He is busy heating kulche and mixing chole. He looks up still, and say with a smile, “ RAAM RAAM beta. College ja rahe ho..??”

This initial line was always the same from him. I wonder why. Because he knew that everyday at that time I go to the bus-stand to catch a bus for college. On my first day at the bus stop, I reached a lot early, not wanting to be late. Since I dint knew from where I would get a bus and at that time no one was in sight and I cud see only this same KULCHE WALE uncle setting up his thela. I went up to him, greeted him and asked, “ uncle ji, DCE college ke liye bus kaha se milegi..??”

He was a warm fellow and he said, “ bus yahi se milegi beta. Par tum bahut jaldi aa gaye. Pehli bus 8:40 pe ayegi.“

This was my first conversation with him. The bus came and I went to college. After that day, it became a routine for me to reach there at 8:38 and wait for the bus while standing by his thela. Though it was an ordinary thela like so many other thelas in delhi, but KULCHE WALE UNCLE was very particular with the hygiene and cleanliness around his thela. He would serve food in neat plates and would ask his clients to throw the paper plates in dustbin which he carried with his thela.  

It was a daily routine and soon we got acquainted. What strike me most about him was his calm approach. Even in the bustling morning hours he could keep track of which customer ordered what food and in how much quantity. It was remarkable, given the fact that in the morning at least 25-30 customers could be seen having their morning breakfast at his thela. But even in this all pervasive rush and the noise of a bus stand, KULCHE WALE UNCLE was calm and went about his business with a constant smile in his face and enthusiasm in his voice.

   

While returning form college: I couldn’t give a fixed time for it because, my time of returning from college is variable..!! but what is constant is KULCHE WALE UNCLE and his thela.

Just as I get down from the bus, if he would be free then he would say, “ aa gaye beta..??” which I again find a bit odd, since it is obvious that I have returned, otherwise how could he see me..!! but then I feel it is the way in which our elders show their concern and care for us. Like mummy give me instructions daily to take care, to cross the road carefully, have lunch etc.. at times I do say “ ma, I remember these instructions by heart. I’m no longer a kid..!!”. mummy would just laugh at it.

But if by chance some day mummy forgets to say those instructions, I would say after coming out of the gate, “ ok ma, I’m leaving for college..”. mummy would  say, “ok”. I would again say , “ ma, I’m leaving for college” but this time with a slight smile, and mummy would understand and would then repeat her instructions.  Then only I would feel that everything is in order.

So despite it was funny, the way KULCHE WALE UNCLE always asked me the obvious but still somewhere it made me feel nice. Because no matter how big or old u may be, it always feels good to know that someone is watching your back.

At times I would stick around and talk with him. He was a well informed guy. He liked reading the newspapers. With him one could talk on all issues ranging from CWG scam to INDO – US policy to political scenario. He told me that he has studied till class 7^th but then had to drop out due to financial conditions. He learned welding and worked as a welder in a ship yard in vishakhapatnam. Then through the twists of life, he was accused of stealing and thrown out of job. With just 70 rupees in his pocket he came to delhi in 1992. Did odd jobs like being gardener in TEEN MURTI BHAVAN, working in dhaba as cook, working at station, as laborer in construction sites. He earned money and when he saved enough he married a local girl. He says it was a love marriage. He made his wife elope from home. But after marriage the issue settled down, the girls parents disowned her and uncle dint had any parents to disapprove. So they lived peacefully. Not in prosperity but in peace. He switched more jobs and ultimately settled with this thela when he became physically non capable of doing other things. He has one son and one daughter. He proudly says that he has taught his son till class XII and he is doing diploma . He has married off his daughter and once his son completes his diploma he will get him married. He spoke with gentle calmness and was very humble in his disposition. In almost every 3 sentences, he would say, “ bhagwan ki daya se..”. he was a nice person to talk to. I tried his chole kulche and they were awesome.! Some days I used to bring them for mummy also.

This was the routine which got repeated day after day. Until one day after reaching bus stop I cudnt see his thela. I asked guys standing over there but no one could give any information. I thought maybe he got late in setting up his thela which was odd because I never saw him late as he used to make it a point to serve his major set of customers who were laborers, before their shift started at the factory.

That day when I returned from college and still couldn’t see him I was a bit worried. I thought maybe he is ill.

Next morning again the thela was not there. I asked the paan wala he said, last to last night when he was about to reach his home in shahbad dairy slum ,a drunk young man driving MAHINDRA SCORPIO rammed his vehicle to KULCHE WALE UNCLE and his thela while he was crossing the road and promptly fled from the place. Someone around there noted the number of the car and they lodged a complaint. The guy was convicted and he settled the case by paying all the expenses for the treatment of KULCHE WALE UNCLE. In return he made them withdraw the case. This was a mutually beneficial option because family of KULCHE WALE UNCLE was in no position to take up the huge expense for his treatment. The paan wala also said, may be his one leg would have to be amputated as it was beyond repair, the thela is completely gone. Guess we wont be seeing him anymore, he would be completely bed ridden.

I was shocked to hear this narrative. And extremely sad. KULCHE WALE UNCLE has been fighting with his life till now. Despite being poor he understands the value of education and making his son do a diploma. He has been falsely accused of stealing, still he made out a life for himself. Every time life has thrown him a challenge he has taken it and overcome it, but always remained humble and joyful. And here all his life’s work is destroyed by a punk, a spoiled brat of rich daddy, who was driving drunk. Most of all I was pained at the thought that his son wont be able to make through his diploma now. His one shot at a better life was cruelly snatched away from him.

The road which takes just 6 minutes of walking took me 10 minutes that day. When I returned home mummy could see something’s wrong and I tell her about what happened. Mummy said, “ god tests us all.. but he grills honest people a little bit more so as to see till how long can he take it. Don’t worry. God will take care of him”.

I too prayed to god to take care of him. He did not deserve to suffer.

The incident was in early NOVEMBER. My routine continued as it is. I missed his presence at the bus stop and used to enquire from the paan wala about his well being. Then one fine day in march on my way back from college, I could see a thela at the same place where KULCHE WALE UNCLE used to put up his thela and a crowd of 10-15 people surrounding it. At first I thought it was some other guy doing business at the vacant place. When I got down from the bus and was counting money to give to the conductor I heard a known voice. “ AA GAYE BETA..??”.

I was again shocked. I could see KULCHE WALE UNCLE sitting on a folding chair. His wife managing the kulche and chole, while he was managing the cash. His crutches were kept just by his side. I went up to him and said, “ arey uncle ji aap…?? Kasie hain..??  “

He was smiling. He said, “ theek hu beta.. bas khade hone may dikkat hoti hai isliye tumahiri aunty ko leke aana pada.”

I said namste to aunty. She was a kind old lady and looked equally calm as KULCHE WALE UNCLE. I asked aunty to pack me 2 plates. I took out 20 rupees and went to give it to aunty, she said, “ uncle ko do beta. Mai to paise pehchanti nahi..”

I gave uncle ji the cash. I asked him why he is doing all these at such age and with damaged body. He simply said, “ beta sanju (his son) ka diploma hone may sirf 7 mahine baaki hain. Agar abhi chhod diya to itne saal mehnat karne ka kya faayeda…???”

I took the packed chole kulche and headed home. I just witnessed something wonderful. Here were two old people. Maybe around 50 years in age. Still going strong. The old woman still loved and respected her old man very much and was willing to slog it out together against life so as to give their son a better future than theirs. KULCHE WALE UNCLE would never be able to but a private jet for his wife, nor he could but her diamond ring, but I’m sure when they will have their dinner together at night they will be as happy as any obscenely rich couple.

I reached home. Told mummy what I saw. Had the chole kulche. That evening when I opened the text book for MEASUREMENT AND METROLOGY I observed that weight we measure in GRAMS, distance in METERS, time we measure in SECONDS, speed in METERS PER SECOND…

COURAGE….. WE CAN’T MEASURE COURAGE…

the treat

                                           TREAT

It was a foggy and grave winter day. Sun was not visible since past 3 days. He was wandering with kaalu. Summers were nice according to his 5 year old understanding. At least he was able to sleep anywhere on the street without much difficulty. Rains were fun too, he used to get to play in the water clogged streets. But winter was bad…. Very bad.  All the time he has to shiver. His tiny and wiry frame would ache due to constant shivering. He would try to bury his neck as deep as possible in between his shoulders, but still a chill would run through his body. It was even worse in those days when a wind would be blowing. 

At night he would have to sleep inside the night shelter tents. There no one would allow kaalu to enter. Kaalu was one of the many street dogs of sector 18. kaalu was his best friend. Kaalu would search for the best garbage and would take him there. He too, used to share everything with kaalu.  In this respect also summer was nice. He and kaalu would sleep on the street, snuggled into each other. But winters…. were not nice.

On this particular day, he was roaming aimlessly with kaalu, on the streets. Everything was normal. The kid and kaalu roaming on the streets was a normal sight. He and kaalu were growing up together. The kid and kaalu have been together ever since he learnt to walk. Both were an essential part of each other’s survival.

At 8:00 pm, the fog cover was starting to get thick. The night was fast approaching. Apart from some half eaten, thrown away burgers, he and kaalu have not eaten anything. Sector 18 is known for the numerous shopping malls and eating joints. Much food used to be thrown away earlier, but ever since the municipal got strict, not much food was thrown away in the open. Making it difficult for him and kaalu to survive. So, like other children of the street, he too had to slowly master the art of begging.

Sector 18 was mostly visited by wealthy people. So begging was a good option. This fact is supported by the numerous beggars dwelling in that area. Being a kid, getting alms was not much difficult for him. But some days alms were not enough. One cant even dream of eating something with just 5 or 6 rupees in sector 18. Some days  kaalu would find out something eatable in the garbage. That day he would eat, but on the whole, such days were very few. Mostly he would have to be content with the left over contents of thrown away cups from restaurant.

Today has been such a day. He was roaming with kaalu, hoping to locate some eatable. Mostly young crowd comes here. Most of them has cars, such that sector 18 is in constant state of traffic jam..! One such car stopped. 4 young people stepped out from the car. All of them were below 25 years. All were from well to do families. Wearing coats and all the winter clothing to keep themselves warm. Stepping out from car they went straight to a pub. One amongst them was giving rest others a treat. Spotting a car and rich people the kid went straight to them pleading for some money or anything. They ignored him and went straight in the pub.

Four hours later, and few thousand rupees poorer, they emerged from the pub. Fully drunk. The kid was looking for something in a nearby dustbin. Seeing them he again went to them and started pleading for money or some food.  His brief experience has taught him that while begging one should sound as miserable as possible, but he did not needed to act tonight. Hunger and cold has made him as miserable as possible.

The drunk guys, found his pleadings amusing. They were laughing uncontrollably. One of them took out a bar of chocolate from his coat and showed it to him. Rather he moved that chocolate in front of him in an arc, teasing him, urging him to take the chocolate. The kid was apprehensive, he wanted to snatch the chocolate from his hand, but he feared they would beat him up. On the other hand his hunger was urging him to do otherwise. Others were in the car by now.

The guy holding the chocolate got in the car. Through the window he kept showing the chocolate to the kid. The guy driving the car struck upon an “AMUSING” idea in his drunken state. He drove the car few metres and stopped. The guy holding the chocolate then, peered out of the car and forwarded the chocolate to the kid asking him to come and take it.

The kid, driven by hunger ran behind the car to get the chocolate. Kaalu was also running with him. Just when he was about to reach it, the driver again moved the car. The guy at the back was still holding the chocolate in the air and the kid was standing at his previous position wondering what to do. After moving around 30  metres, the car stopped, the guy at the back peered his head outside the window and invited the kid to come and take the chocolate, all this time all four of the passengers in the car were laughing controllably. The kid again ran behind the car, determined to get the chocolate, but again when he was about to reach the car the driver started the car. This time the kid didn’t stopped. Driven by the sinister power of hunger he kept running behind the car. The driver was amused by this, so he didn’t stopped the car rather he kept moving the car at such a speed that the car was jusr ahead of the kid.

The passengers of the car found it very amusing. They were in splits by laughing. But the kid didn’t gave up, he kept running behind the chocolate. Sector 18 was about to end. At its end sector 18 has a canal, on top of which road has been built, like a bridge. After crossing that road comes the final red light of sector 18. This amusing game of the passengers of the car has continued, till the bridge was about to come. The guy holding the chocolate at last grew tired and threw away the chocolate.  The chocolate fell in the bank of the canal. It is an area covered by dense weeds and bushes and over growths. Not maintained at all. The chocolate went there. Behind the chococlate went the kid and kaalu. Dense fog was falling on the canal. The people in the car saw him and kaalu going towards the bushes and all of them again had a fit of laughter. They drove away. The fog kept getting denser and denser.

Next morning was again a foggy morning. Sector 18 moved at its usual pace. Cars came and went. Young, happy people, some with friends, some with girlfriends, boyfriends, some with family, spouses. They all came, had fun and went away. Everything was normal. But there was one very minor change in the life of sector 18. No one ever saw the kid again.

But for many days, kaalu could be seen crying and howling in a painful voice and running along the length of the canal…..stopping somewhere in between…. sniffing around for sometime....and then crying and running again.