[usaiha2]

Chapter 7: Story of the thief

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The summer break was around the corner.

One day; during the dinner ChotoMa asked me---“I was thinking of going to some hill-station this summer break. Which place would you prefer, Paree?”

I took a deep breath and looked at ChotoMa. I shook my head---“I don’t want to goto any hill-station.”

“Why?” Babu asked, “You love hills.”

“Yes I do love hills. He made me love hills. If he is not with me, then the flowers also sting as thorn to me.” I did not say those words to him. Instead I answered---“I would like to spend time with my Mom.”

ChotoMa nodded her head and said “Ok, next year we would surely take a trip to some hill-station. Preferably Kausani or Naninital or beyond that.”

I veiled my agony inside my chest and asked---“Do I have to go with you next year?” I joked at them---“Now you two should go alone and enjoy the old times.”

Babu said---“You are the only child I have now. How could we leave you alone here?”

Does his voice choked while saying those words? Probably no.

---“If you don’t want to go then we also won’t go anywhere.”

The dining time became heavy with emotions. I did not want to go to hill-stations without him. ChotoMa and Babu will not leave me alone and enjoy any trip.

To break the running emotions, I said playfully---“ChotoMa. Next year we will go to some hill-station.”

She smiled at me---“That’s my child.”

I asked ChotoMa in childish voice---“ChotoMa I want a walkman.”

Babu told me in his affectionate tone---“Why walkman? It is small, ShonaMa. If you love to hear songs, then on next birthday we will buy you a thousand watt Sony deck.”

I felt like hugging Babu and kiss his bald head.

He sensed what I meant to express and he laughed at ChotoMa---“See, my daughter is smiling again.”