CHANGING WIND

A quiet and peaceful colony enveloped by oak and deodar trees glowed in the evening sun. Birds flew majestically against the open sky made for a scenic view. The beautiful park positioned in the middle surrounded by small but beautiful constructed colourful house gave it a middle class feel. Toddlers wheeled their bicycle and tricycle, couples strolled and elderly people relaxed at the park benches. A game of cricket was also in progress among the children of the locality. 

“Minto... Minto...throw the ball” said Chinu waiting for the ball at the bowling end wanting to quickly break the stumps as the runner was still a few feet short of the crease. Minto picked up and threw the ball in one fluid motion. Chinu kept his calm collected the ball and smashed the wickets. All the children in unison shouted “howzat” and looked at the umpire in anticipation.

The sun shone brightly which had given the residents of Government Colony a chance to spend their evening outside rather than in the confides of their homes because of the continuous rain of the last few days.        Mrs Verma a resident of the colony dressed in a brown silk saree strolled in the park. She was one of the initial settlers of the colony. Mrs Verma loved alone as both of her children were settled abroad and used to visit her during their children's vacations. The pleasant climate had given her like the other resident an opportunity to enjoy the evening. Mrs Verma looked at the unfolding match one of her hobbies she picked from her late husband.

The children eyes were fixed at the umpire as they waited with baited breath. Minto blurred out “howzat” as if not being able to bear the anxiety any longer. “Ouut” said the umpire. A euphoria of emotions erupted and the children started giving high-fives to one another. The fielding team was jubilant expect for a group of silent children sitting at a corner whose dejected batsman prodded towards his somber looking teammates. Minto assembled his team in a huddle “we can do this” he said “two runs and one wicket remaining” he added with confidence.

The new batsman came to the crease. Minto knew he couldn’t stop a single so he went for the kill and called the field up to the batsman. He went to Chinu “block hole...Keep it full, aim at the block-hole” he said.

 The batsman took guard from the umpire. Minto checked his field for one last time. Chinu the bowler closed his eyes and readied himself at the top of his bowling mark. Chinu took a long breath and looked at Minto who nodded his head. Chinu started to run with each stride he build up momentum and at the zenith of his speed he jumped at the crease and delivered the ball with all his might. Minto standing at mid-on saw the ball released from Chinu’s hand and hoped for the best. The very next moment he saw the most precious sight which one can hope for on a cricket field; the middle stump cart welled twice in the air and then landed on the ground.  The winning players ran towards Chinu and Minto, “hip hip hurry...hip hip hurry” they said. They hugged, patted and congratulated one another. The opposition team came on the pitch and both teams applauded one another for a great game. Some of the children who were from other colonies left on their scooters and bicycles and the rest sat in a huddle around Minto and Chinu to discuss the match.

Mrs Verma noticed a boy of five years running towards the beggar and gave him a polythene bag. The beggar smiled at the boy and knowingly opened it and started to eat. She thought about the first day when the beggar came to their colony unannounced. No one knew who he was and where he came from. One day they all saw him sitting at that very spot. At first they tried to force him out but somehow every morning they would find him sitting under the same oak tree. After a while locals stopped harassing him as he caused no nuisance and lived quietly. With time the beggar had made a makeshift cardboard home for himself. As time passed no one took notice of him and was treated as unused furniture of the colony. Locals gave him their used mats, old clothes, and left over food.

Mrs Verma saw the beggar enjoying his food in peace when her concentration was broken by the sound of an approaching motorcycle. The black bullet driven by a youngster entered the colony gate. The driver had a companion who sat pillion and carried a lot of pamphlets. The jeans and shirt clad college goers conducted themselves confidently and parked their bullet at one end of the park. The pillion rider started to paste the pamphlets on the park wall and the driver patiently waited to answer local’s queries. Watching the activity some residents became curious and came forward, “what is the advertisement for?” one local said

A lady few paces behind asked “when is the sale?”

The bullet rider respectfully replied “Abhi Kapoor sir is addressing the locals at the city maidan”. His companion kept pasting the pamphlets. By now Mr Verma had joined the crowd and she read the pamphlet,

“Mr. Abhi Kapoor, S/O Late Sh. Eshwar Kapoor (Ex Sarpanch) is addressing the locals at ‘City Maidan, 3:00pm on 10 January, 2015’.

 Contact with the people.

Come and bring along your friend.

Entry is free.

If you want growth come with us...if you want prosperity come with us.”

The youngsters had completed their work and were about to leave when an open Mahindra jeep entered the colony. The confident and beaming faces of youngsters showed signs of tension. The jeep stopped few feet away from the black bullet. Raj Bahudur Singh aka Shaka, a big burly man in his forties got out of the jeep. He was wearing black coloured kurta over a jean. 

Mrs Verma knew that the tilak supporting Shaka from personal experience. Shaka a notorious man had hand in all the illegal dealing going on in the town. Everyone knew about his involvement but refrained from speaking out as Shaka was guarded by the powerful Choudary family. She had firsthand experience of how ruthless Shaka could be as her late husband was one of the initial people who raised his voice again his misdemeanors but neither local nor police came forward in support of her late husband. Tear rolled down her cheek as she remembered her husband who remained a disheartened man before cancer took him away from this world.

Mrs Verma saw Shaka who was walk towards the bullet driver and his companion, these kids have no chance. Although Shaka at over six feet and weighed more than hundred kilos was intimidating for most men but the scariest was his face with his cat eyes and a knife scar which divided his face it two, evil personified. The youngsters were perspiring profusely as fear was clearly visible on their faces. The unfolding events ran a chill down her spine.  

Shaka growled which bared his gutka stained ugly teeth. The pillion rider ran dropping the pamphlets. The bullet driver who was trenched in fear stood rooted to the spot as if waiting for a command. Shaka’s lips moved, “Go home and study” he said. 

The youngster jerked and came out of his trance as new life had been infused into him, “tear down all the pamphlets.” Shaka said to his men.

The youngster sensed it as his chance and dashed from the spot leaving his bullet. Shaka saw the running guy and laughed aloud. For a few moments it felt that Shaka’s laughter reverberated and filled the colony. Mrs Verma looked around and she saw a deserted park, children must have scurried to the safety of their homes.  She heard a hush around the colony as several scared souls witnessed the unfolding incident through their ajar windows. Mrs Verma felt as the birds had also stopped chirping acknowledging the menace.

Shaka glanced around the deserted colony sat on the bonnet of the jeep and looked at his order being carried out with content. The gathered locals didn’t move from their positions paralyzed with fear. One of Shaka men came to him and said something, Mrs Verma couldn’t hear as it was said in a low tone. Shaka nodded his head and stood on the bonnet of the jeep, “you people better not attend Kapoor’s congregation” he said. He looked around the assembled crowd looked into each person’s eye most of the present residents downcast-ed their eyes with fear. Finally Shaka gaze settled on Mrs Verma who gave him a mean stare as a reply Shaka winked at her. He ordered his men and the jeep roared to life and excited the gate.

The sound of the departed jeep had died down but the gathered locals stood in meditation. Mrs Verma caught the beggar's somber face and thought; he has to search for another peaceful abode from tomorrow.  Noticing the torn down pamphlets, what has the world come to?

Mrs Verma looked at the beggar with a smile, we two are not all that different you look for places  which you call home and we who have homes are being forced to relocate so that some big mall could be constructed.  The smiling face of Mrs Verma brought a perplexed reaction from the beggar, you are lucky that you only have to think about your next meal, she thought.

Noticing at the receding locals Mrs Verma walked towards her home deep in thought, like everything else in life this shall also pass.