Surbano

Surbano was trying to dodge the December chill with fast strokes on her bicycle’s pedal.

The gatemen of the posh society were bored after the almost uneventful night shift. In the harsh windy, and cold nights seldom anyone came, or passed by the gates. Except for the familiar office folk, who did not mind them warming under their blankets, and whose entries in the register were not needed.

Right at 5:00 am Surbano stepped down, and signalled the man to open the gate.

The men signalled each other lechrously, ”Surbano, why on earth you leave home so early? Is there not enough warmth?”

Very easily she could have slapped back a reply and raised an alarm.

But she thought of her children. Two yr old daughter and seven year old son. Sleeping tight in the warm quilts, they would hardly miss her. By the time they woke up, and her husband left for his masonry, she would reach by their side. Her children’s smiles and hugs was the only warmth that she needed and worked for;at such an unearthly hour.