Horror

It was an uneventful Saturday afternoon. Coming from school, I was in class fifth, I took a bath to cleanse my body, soiled in a football match after the last period. It was a reluctant moment for me, I was too lazy to take the bath at the insistence of my mother! Thereafter taking a light tiffin mother prepared and completed the day's homework, I was impatiently waiting for two of my friends to turn up at my home. We had plans! 

Soon the wait was over as Pradeep and Alok turned up with their bicycles. We had plans to go to the cinema all by ourselves for the first time in our life. It was the evening show.

My father was a school teacher in the school I was in and he was a strict teacher cum father for me as well, with a no-nonsense approach with regards to my studies. Nevertheless, he gave me permission to go ahead with the plan but with certain do and don'ts for our safety, putting the exact amount of money required for my ticket and some snacks for all of us.

I took his cycle and started with my friends to the theatre, about three kilometres from my house, but not before my evening prayers with my family members. We were chatting and laughing in gaiety as we rode our way to the cinema - a children's film declared tax-free by the government. 

We were just in time before the start of the show and quickly thronged towards the ticket counter. To our dismay, all the tickets were sold out. It was a very disappointing moment for us because we never knew when we can make it again and take permission from our parents besides the loss of our precious time.

Coming out from the counter, I heard a whisper near me! What was that? We looked at each other, and my friends and I were immediately confronted by a shabby-looking person. He offered us the tickets! Our joy knew no bounds we were in spirits again! But not for long. 

I can give you three tickets for this show, he declared. But, you have to pay twice the amount!! 

Why we asked. The guy laughed at us. Don't you know black ticket? You won't be able to see the film for the next few days if you don't purchase the tickets from me, I have bought all the tickets for the next few days - he announced with an attitude.

I was taken aback. What is this? Why should we buy tickets for extra money when it is declared tax-free? It was a horrible experience to even think about it as we were never in our dreams thought that such illegal things can happen in society. But our education and upbringing made our resolve stronger, we returned to our home without watching the movie. 

Anything that my conscience doesn't permit me to do is a horrible thing and I can't submit myself to such corrupt practices in my life. Never !!