Meera ran and sat behind the well. She had discovered this new hiding place some weeks back, and since her brother and cousins were not old enough, so were banished from going near the well. Hence she was safe there. And when everyone were “seeked” she would run to the seeker, out of no where, and shout-“ out”…!!!
She sat there waiting for the right moment. She could hear noise of her brother crying foul play by Appu, her cousin. At last, when she was convinced that everyone was out she got up and started running towards Appu. But then from the distance she saw her uncle’s cycle coming from a distance.
Hawaldar Mahindran was that kind of person, people usually didn’t like to converse with. He was foul mouthed, tall, thick moustached,pot bellied person. He was someone who was in every sense, what people call as notorious. He was meera’s uncle.
As his cycle reached the gates of the house, he rang the bell. This meant that “he” had arrived and a signal for his kids to come and greet him. Meera and her brother were strangers in that house. After the death of their parents died in that bus accident, they were sent to her “uncle” Mahindra’s home .from that day, All chores had to be done by them- from bringing wood for cooking to cutting vegetables in the kitchen,.
That day was different. Mahindran was happy for a change. This meant two things- either he had got good bribe or he was drunk. He was under the influence of both that day. As his kids reached near him, He affectionately kissed them and gave them the vegetable bag to carry. And said-“wait!!” and took out a box of sweets and gave them a piece in their mouth. Meera and her brother waited far from the scene of “action”. They were never supposed to come in front of him. “They were cursed”- he told everyone.
Unni, Meera’s brother, looked at her and said-“Chechi, could we also get to taste them. “No”- she replied. As they stood watching the father and kids walk inside the house; Meera and her brother felt “hollow” in their souls.
Meera went inside to help her aunty in the kitchen. “Meera, Go and bring that bag from the dining table”- aunt aunty said. As Meera went to fetch the bag she saw it. The box of sweets; lying there. Open. Unattended. She went near it and took 1 sweet. Hiding it in her shirt pocket she said to herself-” Will give it to Unni later”.
And as she turned back with the vegetables; someone caught her from behind. It was Mahindra. “What do you think you are doing? - He shouted. She looked around. Her aunt and cousins had not heard him. “Sorry uncle”- she said, wiping her tears.” .Sorry….”
He looked at her. His eyes were red. “It wasn’t for me uncle. I swear. It was for Unni”- she mumbled. After staring at her for some time he said-“take it.” Meera couldn’t believe it.
Take it?!!- She repeated.
She turned back and started walking back to the kitchen. The sweet still kept in her pocket. Suddenly she felt someone holding her from the back. It was Mahindra. He lifted her and forced her into the main bedroom. Once inside he threw on the bed and opened his pants.
The sweet from Meera’s pocket had fallen down. And as he got up from the bed and wore his pants back, Mahindran stepped on it. Meera laid there. blank. And from outside she could hear Appu saying to Unni-" hey!! I took a piece , from the box achan brought, for you. eat it before Achan sees it."
