Concluding part of the short story.............THE TEA-STALL

During those long summer months Kalu made several visits to the school, always to drop something off; tea, coffee, packets of biscuits, etc. Then one day, walking along the corridor, past an open door,he felt something cold against his skin. Kalu stopped. What was it? How could the air suddenly become this icy? Slowly he inched forward and peeped into the room. Well at first glance it seemed empty, when in the gloom he spied somebody. Of course he knew that man. It was Masterji, who often stopped for tea and chatted with Chachu.

Quickly he backed out and ran back silently out of the gate. Phew! Hope masterji had not noticed him. He did not want Chachu to get any complaints. He wanted to continue visiting the school.

Evening came and all at once Kalu found Masterji at the tea stall standing quietly and sipping tea. Kalu was scared, heart beating fast. What if Masterji had noticed him peeping inside the rooms? Would he tell ?

“Beta, come here”

It was Masterji calling at him. Kalu approached, fear dilating his pupils. “yes sir” replied Kalu.

“Would you like to study in the evening?”

“I don’t know sir” replied Kalu, looking over his shoulder at Chachu. Chachu was listening to the exchange; hands poised mid air in the act of pouring tea.

“What do you say, Bhola Bhaiya” Masterji asked Chachu raising his voice. “Can you spare him for an hour in the evening?”

Chachu was silent, confusion writ clearly on his face. He could not decide where his duty lay. He remembered Kalu ‘s question to him that night, the day he had visited the school for the first time. His own children, Reena and Hari, were studying in schools. Wasn’t it why he was toiling so hard, far away in the city? All these flashed through his mind.

“Ji Masterji,  why not?”

“When can he start?” “Can he come after the shop closes every day?” replied Chachu

Masterji nodded and patted Kalu on the back. “Let’s start today. Come around at 9pm”, said Masterji

Kalu’s eyes were shining, bright with tears. He gazed stunned at Chachu and gave a tremulous watery smile. Chachu smiled back. Here was his reward.

                                                                       THE END