The Orphan

Background Scene - A little kid holding the hand of a constable, is walking towards a police station.

Constable - Sir! He is the brother of the girl.

Officer - Okay!! You go and bring a plate of noodles with cold dink.

*Officer looking towards the kid* Son! Do you like noodles?

The kid just wagged his head

Officer - I can understand whatever happened must be very hard for you. But we need to know the truth. Can you tell me what you saw?

The kid was still looking down, *well what else can you expect from a 10 years old kid who has seen so much*

Officer (still patiently) - If you don't want to say anything. We can talk later.

Kid (in a very low and shivering voice) - If I tell you everything, Will you let my sister go?

Officer - Yes! We will. Tell me everything from the beginning.

Kid(sigh) - Sir! I don't know much, but whatever I do, I will tell you.

The officer just nodded and the kid continued to describe the incident

My mother and sister were not talking to each other since a few days. I don't know why but a night before Dadda slapped akka and Later on maa and he had a fight too. Every time the fight starts, they would send me inside. That's why I don't know much. Also, lately Akka was not allowed to go out, talk to anyone (or) meet any of her friends. I saw her crying and when I tried to cheer her up. She shouted back on me and told me to “Get Lost”. This was the environment of our house from last few days.

But that afternoon everything seemed a bit normal. Akka was helping maa in the kitchen. I think she apologized. We had a great meal together and after that maa and I started feeling somewhat dizzy so we went off to sleep.

I think I was sleeping for too long. I remember hearing some voices, Dadda and akka were talking, but I was too sleepy to open my eyes.

The kid suddenly became quite and started looking down again.

Officer - What happened, Son? Tell me what you saw next?

Kid - Where are my parents? Why did you take my akka with you?

I heard some people saying that I am an orphan. Sir! What does an orphan mean? Why were they calling me that?

Can you call my akka? I want to talk to her.

Officer - They will be here soon, Son! Don't worry, you must be hungry. See here is a plate of noodles for you. Eat it. Do you want anything else?

Kid - No Sir! I can't eat this. Maa always asks me not to eat outside junk. She will become very angry. Can you call her? I want to go home.

Officer - Just have some. She won't say anything. She herself had asked me to give you this.

The kid still little confused, holds the spoon in his little hand and ate a few bits.

Officer - Okay, Now tell me what you saw when you opened your eyes.

The kid continued

I felt like I was sleeping for too long and when I finally opened my eyes. I saw akka and maa.

Akka was having a knife in her hand and maa was trying to take it from her. She then pushed her really hard and her head hit the table corner. She was bleeding.

Sir! Is my maa in hospital? Is she okay now?

Officer - Yes Son! She is fine. You tell me what happened next?

Kid - I don't remember much, all I remember is my akka picked me up and threw me on the bathroom floor. Dadda was lying there too.

That throw did wake me up and I asked my akka, “Akka! Where are you going?” She said, “ Shut up and sit there”. And then she locked me in the bathroom.

Oh no!! Not only me.. Me and Dadda. But he wasn't speaking. There was blood coming out from his neck, which I tried stopping with my hands. But it won't… and he was not reacting also.

With this the kid busted in tears and started crying.

Officer (hugging him) - Okay! Enough for today. Do you want some Ice cream?

Kid (with glittering eyes) : Yes!! But can we have two? I will give one to akka. She also loves Ice cream.

Officer - You love your sister a lot !!

Kid - Yes Sir! Maa always says that I should love akka. It was because of her prayers only that I came into this world. She also loves me a lot.

“WHEN WILL THEY BE BACK, SIR?”

Officer - Very soon, Son…very soon.

(And they went on to buy Ice cream)