“Maasi” mom screamed at the moment I entered home.
“Ranjith’s mom said that you had detention again at school today. You are no more taking seat in last bench row. I am meeting Madam Francis tomorrow to discuss that. Are you listening?” She continued.
“Ranjith’s mom said that you had detention again at school today. You are no more taking seat in last bench row. I am meeting Madam Francis tomorrow to discuss that. Are you listening?” She continued.
“Let him get fresh first. Leave him alone for sometime. He looks tired” Dad came to my rescue.
“Your pamper ruins him. Look at him. Does it seem like he is straight from school? I am sure he was playing around in school ground dodging his Mam’s detention” Mom was in no mood to back off.
Unwilling to stop any further, I reached my room, shut the door and headed straight to bath room respecting nature’s call. “WHAT A RELIEF!” I thought.
“We named him after my Dad only to spoil that great man’s reputation” my mom went on and on and on. My dad had very recently acquired PhD in lending deaf ears to my mom’s yelling and it worked big time.
After relaxing a good 15 minutes under hot shower, I dressed up and switched on my PC. Browsing through the folders I eyed my favourite song “You know my name” by Chris cornell, sound track from Casino Royale. I kicked on the song using media player in repeat mode. Leaning on the wall next to my bed, I looked back at the boulders of odds in the life of a 12 year old boy like me; both inside and outside the school.
“We named him after my Dad only to spoil that great man’s reputation” my mom went on and on and on. My dad had very recently acquired PhD in lending deaf ears to my mom’s yelling and it worked big time.
After relaxing a good 15 minutes under hot shower, I dressed up and switched on my PC. Browsing through the folders I eyed my favourite song “You know my name” by Chris cornell, sound track from Casino Royale. I kicked on the song using media player in repeat mode. Leaning on the wall next to my bed, I looked back at the boulders of odds in the life of a 12 year old boy like me; both inside and outside the school.
Cornell started in a mesmerizing tone
“If you take a life
Do you know what you'll give?
Odds are you won't like What it Is.”
Early this evening caught for making a prank during math hours, Prema Mam doused me into the world of imposition, after school, for one and a half hours. With hurting knuckles I walked through the corridor towards my classroom. On the way, office boy Munna warned me of the impending evening darkness and gate close timings. Having no intension to spend any more time at school, I ignored the sense to pee, ran into my class, picked my school bag, and walked towards the main gate.
As predicted by Munna, it was close to darkness outside. Home being in a distance of 10 minutes walk from school, with no fear I cruised through the main road enjoying the buzz. All I had to do was take the third right (Brindavan street), followed by first left (1st cross street) and couple more small streets to reach home. Engrossed in the impeccable silence in 1st Cross Street I initially failed to notice the danger waiting for me in short distance. After few steps I spotted that black dog having brown eyes, mouth wide open with tongue hanging down having pals surrounded. I recognized him. It was him, the same him in the same street.
“Maasi. Dinner is ready” Mom’s voice jerked me and my thoughts simultaneously.
Cornell continued in poignant voice
“I've seen angels fall from blinding heights
But you yourself are nothing so divine
Just next in line”
Knowing that more alerts are in pipeline from mom, without any response I let black and white concentric circle swirl before my eyes. Flashback! Circa 10 days ago:
“Maasi, pick that stone in your hand” Sundar ordered in a scream
Obeying immediately to his command I picked not one but two stones and ran towards him and Ranjith asking “done, but why?”
“Throw, throw on them. They are running” Ranjith, the aspiring army officer ran after chasing the dogs. Sundar and I being obedient soldiers showered the dogs with stone bombs. Little did I know then “What goes around comes around”
Obeying immediately to his command I picked not one but two stones and ran towards him and Ranjith asking “done, but why?”
“Throw, throw on them. They are running” Ranjith, the aspiring army officer ran after chasing the dogs. Sundar and I being obedient soldiers showered the dogs with stone bombs. Little did I know then “What goes around comes around”
“King Maasi. Do you want dinner in your room?” Mom’s sarcastic voice pierced my ears again. “Coming. 2 minutes” I shouted my attendance.
“Arm yourself because no one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you”
The warning in Cornell’s voice made me plunge back again into the thoughts of what happened in 1st cross street.
“Grrrrrrrr” the dog positioned right in front of me
I stood motionless, helpless confronting the worst foes in the dark street with flickering street lights. I slightly turned my head to have glimpse of any human movement on the street. There were none.
“May be they were all watching TV” I wondered.
Cornell echoed
“It longs to kill you
Are you willing to die?
I looked down expecting to find some stones for self-defense. There were some just in front of the dog and all of a sudden I realized that both he and I were looking at the same spot. The dog took the first step towards me reading my thoughts, with vengeance. With shivering legs, racy heart and blank mind all I had to do was cry. Fighting through the tears, still lacking any movement I overcame the intimidation posed by my enemy, with some serious haggling with GOD and cursing Sundar and Ranjith. The only logical solution I could think then was running back to the main road flooded with human folks. Picking all my strength, shunning the school bag weighing more than 2kgs on the street, I started to run back like Ben Johnson. The realization of running for life helped me hold my breath and muster all my energy in-spite of facing a tired day at school. The dogs closing on me in high speed bothered more than achy legs and struggle in my breath. Just in right time I touched the main road, but tripped on a rock and fell to my face. People on road took no time to understand what was happening and tried to hunt down the dogs away from me. With a fusion of anger, anguish, tears and frustration I picked some stones and threw back at the dogs even though they were out of vicinity. Few people consoled me, took me back to the street and helped me find my bag. Couple of them escorted me till few steps away from home. All the way, to my irritation, I was advised not to run on seeing dogs and at the same time, to my amusement I was commended for my presence of mind and bravery.
Cornell rocked in high pitch now
“The coldest blood runs through my veins
You know my name”
“I was a daredevil” I praised myself. “And no one messes up with me, with Maasi”
“Maasi, are you coming out or shall I come in” mom’s threatening voice suggested that it was my last chance to deem some respect. I waited for the song to end.
Cornell raised his voice to conclude
“You Know My Name
You Know My Name
You Know My Name”
I stood up with force, facing the full-size mirror with fingers pointing like gun, swirled twice and dialogued “I am Mani. MaasilaMani”
I turned off media player and left the room hopping with glee dreaming one day to become JAMES BOND.
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