Rat O Kill

Today, I successfully closed a contract that took nearly three months of hard work. I avoid driving in certain areas, so I rode Uber for 4 hours.

I happened to see a large billboard mentioning Pest o kill while sitting in the back seat, surfing through WhatsApp and Facebook. My memories suddenly transported me back around 40 years. I recall clearly attempting to kill two rats as a child.

Summer break had just finished, and schools had just started amid mild rain. We used to stay on the first floor. Our residence was safe because our building only had six units on three stories. I was probably only ten years old and brash at the time.

Our town had a medical emergency, so parents had to leave quickly. However, they assured that my food and other essentials for the following three days are taken care of by neighbors. In addition, my parents gave me a few Rupees and some coins that I can't remember for any emergency.

They lectured me for half a day before leaving me alone, outlining all the Do's and Don'ts. But I was relieved to have extra cash to buy some Chatpata from the street.

The first night went well; neighbors helped me out with amazing meals and snacks. The next morning, I noticed Rat's footsteps in our kitchen. I tried hard but couldn't find anything before going to school. I postponed my quest until I returned from school, convinced that I needed to find the Rats.

I returned and resumed my quest, but I was unsuccessful. I double-checked all the windows and other places that I suspected could be the point of access and exit.

Around 10 p.m., I was sleeping when I heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen. I jumped out of bed and turned on all the lights in the room. Yes, I spotted a 4-5 inch Rat this time. Using a broom and a dustpan, I was able to catch the Rat at the kitchen sink. I found an empty glass bottle, stuffed the Rat inside, and covered the lid. Wrapped the glass bottle in a polythene bag and left it outside our neighbors' door in their garbage can.

I went to sleep satisfied that I had done an excellent job. Fear crept in as my slumber was interrupted. Fearful thoughts of Rat's Atma haunted me. To double-check, I returned to the kitchen with a broom and dustpan in each hand. Second time lucky, I spotted another Rat of the same size as the first. This time, the Rat outwitted me and climbed the window, leaping outside with an impact through the gap between the two hinges.

Now I'm aware of his entry and exit points. I took my toothbrush and sealed the visible hinge gap. I returned to my bedroom, relieved that the Rat menace had been exterminated. Still, the next morning, I did my share, seeking for visible evidence of additional Rats. But I couldn't, and tonight was my last night alone until my parents returned.

As usual, I completed Homework in the evening, and my neighbors brought me food that I disliked. But it was the snacks that I was always drawn to. Before going to bed, I double-checked the windows and door latches. It began to rain around midnight, and I awoke to the sound of glasses dropping. With Rat's Atma in mind, I jumped out of bed and headed straight to the kitchen. To my delight, I discovered the toothbrush on the floor, and my dear friend who had escaped the day before had stood in front of me. I shooed him away and confined him once more in the kitchen sink. I beat him with my broom and held him down with my dustpan, and the Rat stayed mute.

I started looking for a new bottle to put my catch in, but I couldn't find any. My sole possession was an empty cough syrup outer cardboard outer packaging. Elated, returned to the kitchen. When the Rat noticed me, he attempted to jump out of the basin. I used my quick thinking to trap him in the empty cardboard container and cover the top. Because I knew the Rat would nibble on the container, I wrapped it with newspaper. I got a stitching thread and attempted wrapping the newspaper with it, and then I took a polythene bag and tied a knot to seal it completely.

I opened the main door, dropped the packet in the neighbors' garbage can, and went to bed with a victory sign.

I couldn't meet my parents in the morning since I had left for school, and they were late. After school, took a victory march, expecting a loud reception. I was eager to tell them about my bravery and mental fortitude. Our main entrance was open, as if my parents were expecting me at any moment. As soon as I arrived, the door was closed from the inside and the chorus of "De dana dan" began. My parents were beating me. I burst into tears after initially unable to understand their changed attitudes and hitting me. They told me about how I trapped a live rat in a cardboard container and dumped it in our neighbors' garbage can. The Rat had caused chaos in their home. They inferred from the packings that you had committed this heinous act on purpose.

I claimed my innocence and recounted the events of the previous three days while sobbing intermittently. The thrashing stopped, and they let me change my school clothing. Crying, I handed them the entire sum and stated, "Here is your money, which you have given me for emergency spending." I hadn't spent a single penny from here. Please do not leave me alone at night the next time.

And this turned into a Rat O Kill moment for me.