(This article has been read times)
A short story "Badal, come here quickly."
Madam's familiar shout compelled Badal to scurry and display
his much criticised face in front of her.
"What were you doing? Why aren't the buckets filled?"
"Madam, today there was a disruption in water supply. Water
flowed for about fifteen minutes from the tap and I could fill
only for that duration."
"Disruption? My foot! Why don't you tell me the truth that you
were sleeping and when you woke up, supply was being discontinued.
Liar! Liar! I know your tribe."
Badal kept silent. After all, this twelve year old boy knew that
his words would hardly convince his employer. Grinding poverty
at home has forced Badal to work as a servant in the Mazumdar
household.
****** ********* ********* ********* *********
"Look, how much he eats," Mrs Mazumdar told her husband indicating Badal.
"Just a twelve year boy and he consumes as much as an elephant. I have
never seen a small boy eat so much in my life."
"How much Roni has secured in his Maths exam?" Mr Mazumdar tried to change
the topic of discussion. Roni is the eight year old son of Mr and Mrs
Mazumdar. "Because you don't admonish Badal, he has become such a glutton!"
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, Mr Mazumdar proceeded towards the sink to
wash his hands. This nagging complaint from his wife has spoilt his dinner,
and he left midway without having his meal properly.
"I've to get up early and take Roni to school tomorrow. I'm going to
bed now," Mr Mazumdar told his wife and retired for the day.
******* ******** ********* ********** ******** *********
"Badal, if I find you have not completed your work properly today,
I'll thrash you badly when I return. So beware!," Mrs Mazumdar threatened
Badal before leaving for her office.
"I'll surely be late for office today," Mrs Mazumdar told herself. "And my
boss had repeatedly told me yesterday to appear timely,because some
high-ranking people from the company were coming for inspection. My God!!
I'll be sacked surely," the thought crossed Mrs Mazumdar's mind as she was
crossing the overcrowded street.
"eeee ...... eeee ..... eeee," the sound emanated from Mrs Mazumdar's mouth
before her frame gradually collapsed on the road.
A car has just hit Mrs Mazumdar badly. The driver had instantaneously
applied
brake to stop the car on seeing Mrs Mazumdar crossing the street carelessly.
He did manage finally to stop the car, almost as soon as it hit Mrs
Mazumdar.
Yet he has managed to avert a fatal accident.
Blood flowed profusely from Mrs Mazumdar's body. Some people who knew her
immediately took her to the hospital. Thank God, she still seems to be
alive!!
Neighbours found out Mr Mazumdar's workphone number from Badal and informed
him. Mr Mazumdar rushed to the hospital.
In the evening, Badal went to the hospital with a neighbour.He found
Mr Mazumdar looked disturbed.
"Is madam okay?" Badal asked.
"She hasn't recovered her senses yet, Badal. She has lost a lot of blood.
She is weak. She needs blood. I was looking all around for blood today,
but her blood group (A negative) is a very rare group, and not easily
available. If we can't find blood for her within a couple ofhours, it
may be difficult to save her," Mr Mazumdar said. Tears welled up in his eyes
as he uttered these words.
An hour passed. Still blood couldn't be found anywhere. Mr Mazumdar's
condition beggars description.
"Sahib, can you ask the Doctor to check whether my blood matches that of
Madam's?. If they're the same, I'll give all my blood and save Madam,"Badal
said. After a while, when time was indeed running out, Mr Mazumdar
reluctantly asked the Doctor to check Badal's blood group. And viola!,
Badal's blood group turned out to be A-negative.
******* ********** ************ ********** ********
"Badal, drink this glass of milk quickly. You'll be late forschool!," Mrs
Mazumdar hollered.
What stayed with you?
A line that lingered, a feeling, a disagreement. Great comments are as valuable as the original piece.