Its in the air

A ray of light inspired by Little Ms Sunshine.

It was a crisp sunny afternoon. The town was predominantly silent but for the timely siren from the large flour mill, which employed most of the residents. Siren went loud and blaring. It was half past two. Any other day, big crowd of men and women would be seen walking brisk towards the mill before the gates closed. Today people were relaxed, it was a sunday.

Nataraj was snoring after a heavy Sunday meal undisturbed by the songs from the small tape recorder that lay in the corner. He lived in one of the 4 houses, the compound encompassed. All the houses were similar with three rooms in a row. It was a perfect dwelling of a middle class family. Two of his neighbours were colleagues and the other one worked as an accountant in a private cloth store.

The wives met in the backyard which had a stone mounted for washing clothes and a pipe with no tap. His wife just joined them.she was slim, dark complexioned. Her hair matted in a hurry, a few strands falling out on either side, draped in a Yellow with orange flowers,chiffon Saree,the center fleet tucked high to the right revealing her inskrit that was wet from doing the dishes. Two families were going out that evening for a movie. She wanted to join them, she knew Nataraj would consider it a lavish spending. She secured a promise from them to tell her the story next day afternoon without missing any bit.

Boys were playing with marbles, girls were arranging the tiny house set and preparing food in the front yard. There was not much of noise, they knew men were tired and disturbing them would cost the movie and other Sunday goodies. Just then, a vendor, with his dirty blackish brown gas cylinder and balloons tied to the corner came by. The balloons were fastened by neat, thin white strings to avoid flying. They were filled with hydrogen. Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Plain and a some more with prints on. The balloons were moving fast in the air, it seemed they wanted to escape the clutches and fly high.

The young hearts yearned to hold them. They ran fast into their homes to get money to buy it before the vendor passed their street. Raju ran along and went straight to the kitchen, stealthily passing the bedroom where his father was sleeping. As expected, his mom was in the kitchen. He whispered about the hydrogen balloons. She made gestures of "No - No father would then be angry". Raju was disappointed but he knew about it even before he leapt from the gate.

He came out to the gate and saw the rest of the kids buying one or two balloons. He stood at the gate, holding the gate tight as if to restrain his heart by that. Nataraj's wife came out and she could read the young heart. She weighed buying that balloon against a movie and dinner that his other friends were about to enjoy. She went in quickly and came back with coins for three rupees and thrust them into Raju's hands. His eyes gleamed like a bright star, he rushed and took possession of a bright red balloon. She smiled and went in hiding her fears.

A little later, Nataraj came out with his coffee in a languid mood. His sleepy eyes widened,his face reflected the red balloon, when Raju told him about the vendor and cost. The place demanded a level of decorum, thus Raju was spared.He went in and yelled." You are not to be blamed, u stay at home,watch TV and sleep, how can i expect you to understand the pain I go through every day to earn and maintain this family. The shouting continued one sided, despite all her efforts to make him see reason, she was ready to even trade buying herself a saree for diwali for her act..but he would not listen. Everything was in vain. He continued.."You mother and son would not let me rest even on a sunday, you just mount tension and I am sure to die very soon of heart attack because of your actions..just for your enjoyment, you would kill me". Saying so he put on a shirt that was hanging on the edge of the door and went out.

Started his simple TVS 50 and zoomed out. Raju could no longer enjoy the balloon, but he was too scared to let it go either. He wished, he could return it to the vendor and get back the coin. But he hid it all and pretend to enjoy.He would sleep his worries off. Nataraj crossed the dusty street and halted the moped at Vanitha Tea Stall. The owner gave a smile, Nataraj was a regular visitor.He parked his vehicle, still having the frown. The boy at the counter sensed something was wrong. Silently he turned and said " 5 rupees Sir", extending two slim cigarettes.