divya

[కుమార్]

‎Divya reached home at six in the morning.

‎

‎Bus was late. She was tired. Body aching from long travel. Bag heavy on shoulder.

‎

‎She entered house quiet. Ranjith still sleeping. Monu also.

‎

‎Divya went straight to bathroom. Took bath. Hot water. Soap smell jasmine. She scrubbed hard.

‎

‎

‎Came out. Wore salwar.

‎. Did pooja in small mandir. Lit diya. Applied sindoor. Prayed long.

‎

‎Ranjith woke up. Came to hall. Saw her doing pooja. Smiled little.

‎

‎"Good morning. You came early."

‎

‎Divya nodded. "Haan. Papa thik ho gaye."

‎

‎Ranjith sat on chair. Said casual, "Rickshaw pullar not come today."

‎

‎Divya heart skipped. She asked soft, "Why?"

‎

‎Ranjith said, "Last night he fight with older people for cheap liquor. security officer took him to station. Morning release hoga shayad. But today no rickshaw for Monu."

‎

‎Divya said "Oh" only. Face normal. But inside storm.

‎

‎She remembered Hamee dirty face. His kiss. His hard thrusts. How he came inside her. How she shouted joy.

‎

‎Now he in station. Fight for liquor.

‎

‎She felt little pity.

‎

‎Eight am.

‎

‎Ranjith took Monu to convent in bike. "Main drop kar deta hoon aaj. Then station jaunga."

‎

‎Monu hugged Divya. "Bye Mummy!"

‎

‎Bike sound gone.

‎

‎Divya left home at nine o'clock. She wore simple blue salwar kameez.

‎Dupatta on shoulder. Hair in loose braid. Looked like normal teacher.

‎ Took auto to convent.

‎

‎She taught children whole morning. English rhymes. Hindi stories.

‎Smiled for kids. Corrected books.

‎

‎But inside mind is not there.

‎Hamee face came again and again. His dirty beard.

‎

‎At eleven thirty bell rang.

‎ her classes are over.

‎

‎Divya packed bag. Said bye to other teachers. Went out gate.

‎

‎She stood at road.

‎ one  Auto came.

‎She Told driver, “Polic.e station chalna hai.”

‎

‎Auto started. Bumpy road. Wind on face. Divya heart beat fast. She thought: “Why I am going? To see if he is okay?  Or something else?”

‎

‎She felt shy. Guilty. But legs moving on their own.

‎

‎Reached station in ten minutes.

‎Old building. Dirty wall.

‎Two guards outside.

‎One sitting on chair. Other standing. Both in khaki uniform. One smoking beedi.

‎

‎Divya got down from auto. Paid money. Stood at gate. Hands tight on dupatta.

‎

‎She looked inside. Small compound. Few bikes. Lockup room visible. Bars on window.

‎

‎No Hamee outside.

‎

‎She went near guard who was sitting.

‎

‎Soft voice, “Bhaiya… Hamee naam ka rickshaw puller hai. Kal raat aaya tha. Kya woh abhi andar hai?”

‎

‎Guard looked at her.

‎

‎“Haan memsab. Hamee andar hai. ”

‎

‎Divya nodded. “Thank you.”

‎

‎

‎