“I have always wondered why plastic melts when you heat it… Mamma never tells me why, because she is always busy working and fighting with Papa.
And why has Papa not come yet? He said he would buy me that pink choki today, without fail.
He keeps asking me for the name of the choki when I have already told him so many times — the name is pink choki, Papa.
But he still asks for the name.
Why do Mamma and Papa only ask questions but never answer?
Hmm!
“Hey Ammu! what are you doing up this late, that too alone.”
“Hi Topi Uncle, I am waiting for Papa. He said he would buy me pink choki today no matter what. But see, he hasn't come yet.”
“It’s okay Ammu, go inside now. Aren’t you feeling cold?”
“No Topi Uncle”
“You will catch a cold, go inside. When your Papa arrives, he will meet you inside.”
“No! Mamma will tell him I have fallen asleep and Papa will go back home.”
“But your papa is stuck somewhere, he may not be able to make it today.”
“How do you know Topi Uncle?”
It’s good!
The story is great. I like the writing style- muted and sombre especially in juxtaposition with the harrowing content. I like the paragraphing.
This is one of the works that deals with this subject in the most realistic way possible. I like the way it ends as well. Especially the over-thinking part! Kudos to the writer for touching upon such a sensitive topic in her first submission itself. Hoping for more work in the days to come!