The Begger

It is going to rain; the thick clouds have made the evening as dark as if its 8 in the night.  I was almost running to reach home from work.  I looked at the watch to confirm the time, its only 6.30, its earlier than our usual time. There are not many people on the road, but whoever is walking is hurrying to reach their destinations before the rain. 

Initially we used to be dependent on the Auto to reach home but since it was a difficult task getting one empty auto, we decided to make use of the situation and walk home as an exercise.  It’s really fun walking with Anu. 

Anu is my only friend and mentor in this new place.  We talk about anything around the world, we speak openly about our problems in life, there is really a bond between us.  Unfortunately today she is on leave so I am walking in my own world.  

Suddenly it started raining heavily.  It was not difficult to find a shady place, there are lots of trees around, I found a Badam tree and I stopped to wait for the rain to reduce. The thundering and lighting also started and the situation was becoming bit scary, but since there were few people under the same tree I felt bit eased about the situation, to be frank the road is usually very busy, but for a change everything is a standstill today. 

As usual I started day dreaming, I forgot about the situation completely and I was in my own world, thundering and lighting was repeating as loud as it could.  Suddenly opposite side of the road I saw a person standing alone in the shade of a coconut tree.  I waited for the next lighting to see him again. 

This was someone with a familiar face, a face I dream very often. I was so desperate to look at him again to see his left leg and as I expected he didn’t have his left leg. 

Ya I need to go back as a small girl of  5 – 6 to introduce this character, As a little girl I was pampered by everyone a lot.  Anybody who comes home would get for me some chocolate or sweets for sure.   Most of the time it was the Chikki which was easily available at the nearer corner shop.  

One fine day, this handicapped person came to our house, I have no idea what his name is, he had a small chat with my father and since as I was around he kept his hand on me and blessed me, then he went to the kitchen side.  I was bit upset with him because he didn’t bring anything, but since it is the first time I forgave him.

Again the next day this person came, I saw him walking slowly through the gate, I came out and I waited for him at the courtyard expecting him to give me some sweets, he just kept his hands on me and blessed and without a word he went to the kitchen side.

I was really disappointed and upset.  Again the next day he came at the same time, as usual I stand at the courtyard, again he didn’t offer anything, I just looked around whether mom or dad is around, since  I couldn’t find anyone I asked him ‘ why don’t u bring the Chikki from the corner shop like anybody else?’

He realised my problem and without a word he blessed me again.  Next day he had a small paper packet with two chikki’s in his hand. He became my friend from that day onwards.  Around 12 pm, I will wait for him at the gate and he will sit on the steps and tell me some stories mostly made up stories or his own experiences.  Mom used to make a note when I am with him but she had no idea about the Chikki that I am taking from him. 

In the evening’s mom used to read for me Kabuliwala story and I in my mind this hand-caped person became my cabooliwala.  I will ask her to repeat this story again and again and she would patiently read this story till i sleep.

It was a Sunday, mom was busy in the kitchen and dad was watching TV, as usual I was waiting at the gate when the cabooliwala came.  He gave me the chikki and started to tell his stories.  I open the paper pack and I started eating, suddenly the door opened and dad came out without a warning.  He saw me eating the chikki’s and I can’t explain how angry he was at me, he didn’t shout but only his looks was so scary for me to know that he is upset.   

Cabooliwala came to the kitchen side after some time and mom gave him food.  He didn’t get a chance to bless me on that day.  And after that every day I waited for him at the gate around 12 but he never came. 

I became big and I started reading about Kaboliwala story myself.  Got married and I told my child about the cabooliwala stories.  One day we were visiting my home for holidays and while having lunch, Shalu my daughter asked my mother about the cabooliwala.  My parents had a great laugh and once the laugh subsided she told that my favourite cabooliwala was a beggar (which I knew only that day) and mom acted the whole play about me asking for the chocolate and me hiding and eating the chikki’s etc etc.

‘madam, rain is not going to stop, we have called for a cab, are you joining?’ one person who was standing aside me woke me up from my day dreaming

‘yes yes I am coming, just a minute pls’ I looked at the opposite side near the coconut tree

There was nobody around.  The lights only reflected the coconut free and a hanging leave which was about to fall.

I came home and I called my mom, I told her the story, she said ‘my dear your cabooliwala died when u were 10 years old’

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