No free cycles

The free cycles were meant only for the minority. Shiksha’s name was not the list, but her friend’s name was. The criteria went over her head. She didn’t understand what minority is. She didn’t know why she was not given a free cycle while many of the other students, who already had a cycle, were given a second one. But she knew that this new scheme will bring no change in her life. She knew that she was a poor man’s daughter. She knew that every day, her destitution will compel her to walk miles from her home to school and back, bare foot. She knew that she has to get educated and work to help her family buy a better life.

***

He was waiting in the queue, eagerly for his turn, sweating head to toe. He had been doing double shifts. The boss finally handed him his daily wages. He walked back home happily. He took out the polythene bag, which he had safely hidden. He untied the bag and stocked half of the money he had earned into it and counted the amount. But he knew that it was not enough yet. He knew that he will have to labour for many more double shifts. He knew that his daughter will have to walk miles, barefoot, for some more days until he buys her a new cycle.

***

Shiksha’s friend saw her walking back home. “Wait!” she called. “Your name is on the list, you get a cycle too! Smile, now.” she assured. The name was not really on the list. She didn’t really know whether by lying, she was doing right or wrong. But she knew that if she offered Shiksha, her new cycle, she would never take it. She knew that by telling one lie, Shiksha would no more have to walk miles, barefoot. She knew that Shiksha deserved it more.

***


Written Under 'The Nine Flavors'
Flavor: Pity/Compassion (Karunya Rasa)

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-Ashish