The Fifth Member..

 ...... Kishan's life was getting harder by the day. It was not raining, the crop was on the verge of drying up completely.

   He had to survive two children Meena and Raghu and wife Rani. There was another important member of his family, without whom he would not have considered his family complete. Whenever family members were counted, he counted five. The fifth important member was his beloved buffalo "Laila". He never cracked his sticks on her. And Laila's attachment was also unique to Kishan. When he returned from the farm in the evening, Laila's restlessness and moaning would start as soon as he stepped at the door and it would go on till Kishan would approach her and stroke her head and rested himself on her neck for a while.  The last roti of Kishan's plate of food always went to Laila's mouth .... But now the difficulties were increasing. The city doctor had told that Rani has some dangerous liver disease, which is very important to have her operation done till winter. Due to no rain, the crops were thirsty in the field, looking greedily towards the withering sky. Now he had no other option but to buy a pumping set. But he had no money to buy a pumping set.

   It was only 5 years ago when the elder sister gave him a gift as Laila. Brother-in-law had a milk business, Kishan's efforts helped him to set up a cheese-making factory in the dairy. ...... Just the elder sister and brother-in-law were happy and gave her a gift. From that day till today Laila was an important part of the house. But now he had no other way than to sell Laila and buy a pumping set. But thinking of selling Laila, his heart used to sink. Once he even thought to talk to sister about money but since sister's elder son was caught by the police with Smack, sister and brother-in-law were so upset that he could not understand how he cried his grief in front of them.

   But whenever she saw the sad face of his wife, he thinks no option but to sell Laila. The Rani was dear to him and in all his happiness and sorrow, the Rani was with him every moment.

  …… Suddenly, Meena ran towards him and said to take a new frock on Rakshabandhan this time,..., I have to tie a rakhi to Bhaiya wearing a new frock this time, and this time bring one rakhi on behalf of Laila also, she will also tie him up....Meena said. Kishan looked at Laila, saying Meena ran away to play. But Kishan reached Laila and started caressing her head and said ....... My dear daughter, I can't find any solution. It is not raining, I have to buy a pumping set to save the Rani and l have to sell you to buy it. As he said, he started crying and hugging Laila. After a while, Kishan said… .. Laila tonight, the two of us together pray to God that it may rain. I have been praying since long, but he is not agreeing. Today you too praying with me. I can not live without you, I do not want to separate you from myself.

   ...... Hey, what are you talking about sitting with Laila for 2 hours .... Let's come and have dinner ... The Rani said from behind. Okay, I come… .. Kishan said. The Rani left. Kishan hugs Laila again, kisses her forehead, and folds her hands looking up at the sky. Washing hands, Kishan came to his dinner plate and today he picked up the first roti and went out to feed Laila. Rani shouted from behind… Oh… eat food then go to give it to Laila later. But Kishan did not say anything.  His dearest Laila was going to save the life of his wife For some time, Kishan kept watching her eating and then came back and started eating his food with great pity. Rani said… what is the matter ?? Why do you seem so upset ?? .. nothing… pick me up early tomorrow morning… why… Laila has to take to the market. I have to get up early I have to go 10 miles ... but why Laila has to be taken to the market?

 To sell ... Rani surprised... What ... Rani's bite was left in her hand only. But why to sell .... buy a pumping set, it is not raining, you have to get the operation done in the winter. ..... No No I don't have to do any operation, I'm fine. ..... For the first time today, Kishan poured out everything in front of the Rani. Just as the Rani was sobbing by covering the kitchen and lying on the bed. The thought of taking Laila away from them was too heavy for both of them. Both of them woke up at 4:00 in the morning with a heavy heart. Right now, there was another battle in front of Rani how to tell Meena and Raghu that Laila is leaving forever. Kishan made food (fodder) for Laila and added more jaggery to that mash daily, bathed it, and also took out milk.

After that Kishan got ready after taking a bath. The Rani sent Laila off by applying a kiss on her head. With full heart, Kishan took her and started towards the Animal market. It was morning. The wind was running cold, Laila was also going cool. It was an hour while walking, suddenly Kishan noticed that the sun must go up. His gaze went like the sky, black clouds were filled in the sky. Kishan did not even realize that the sun did not rise in his grief. But seeing the dark clouds, Kishan tied Laila's rope to a tree by the roadside and started singing loudly on the road itself. ".... barso re badra kale kale badra" ... and only after 10 minutes, it started pouring rain. Now Kishan also started dancing, he ran away and hug Laila's neck and said… well, your prayer was accepted…!… Laila seems also saying… .. yes… so how can I live without my family. Kishan opened Laila and walked back to the house singing the song.