The Pouring Day

Deepti and Roshni were two of the three siblings from Bhubaneswar. Deepti was 10 and Roshni was 6. In those days, cycle rickshaws were one of the options for the school transport. The two sisters were staying close to 2 kms from their school. They used to commute by cycle rickshaw with some other 3 to 4 children. The rickshaw driver's name was Shiva. He was a very responsible and kind person. He took the ownership for the safety of all children travelling in his rickshaw, though he was a father to six children. He was also very much close to Deepti and Roshni, treated them as his own children. At times he would be playful with them and sometimes he would be rude with them for their naughty and unacceptable behaviors. Somehow, he manages their behavior very well. He helped Roshni many times to reach her classroom during her first days of school, when her father was busy with the office work. 

It was one of the monsoon days of 1990's. In the morning, the sky was clear with a bright sunshine. So, both of these children went to school with Shiva. All of a sudden, the dark clouds started to gather. In the afternoon, the rain started pouring heavily like never before. No one predicted for this cloud bursting. Television, radio and newspapers were the only sources of information in those days. The narrow lanes started filling up with rainwater till knee height. The children were supposed to start at 4 pm from the school. Their mother was constantly peeping out of her window, hoping the rain to stop. The father was loaded with work at office. The clock was ticking very fast. Now the time was around 5.00 pm. The children haven't reached home yet. The mother was getting worried and anxious. In those days, making a telephone call was hardly of any use. They didn't have a telephone either.

Deepti and Roshni waited for some time in the school for Shiva to come for a pickup. Due to heavy rain and thundering, Shiva could not reach the school on time. When Shiva did not turn up, Deepti decided to go to the home by walk. Without thinking of any consequences, both of them put their raincoats on and left the school. It was raining too much with thundering. Both children were scared while walking on the way, as the roads were mostly empty and misty due to heavy rain. Hardly anybody could see each other. They managed to cross the wider roads, as there were few vehicles on the road. This was the first time for them to walk such a long distance alone, at their age. In some roads, water current was so strong that, Roshni slipped many times. 

Shiva somehow reached the school to pick up the children. But to his surprise, children were not found in the school. He started searching the entire school. "Oh my god, where are the kids? I know they are naughty, but where will they go in this thundering afternoon? ", Shiva started murmuring. He got hold of other children but did not get any information regarding Deepthi and Roshni. He picked up other children and started driving very fast. His face was completely blank. His eyes were constantly searching for the two children while driving the rickshaw on the way. He dropped other children and quickly drove towards Deepti's home. "How will I face this family? What will I tell them? I reached late to the school and did not find the children? They trusted me to see this inauspicious day ". So many questions and thoughts were coming into Shiva's mind. He was driving fast with a heavy heart.

After a long and hectic hour, Deepti and Roshni, finally reached their home. Their mother got annoyed seeing the stunt made by her children. "Since how long you two have been walking like this in rain? Where is Shiva?", asked the curious mother. By gathering some courage, the fully drenched children narrated the whole story to their mother. "But you could have waited for Shiva like other children. You should not have walked like this, when there is too much raining and thundering. You might have got kidnapped or some mishap could have happened on the way. Shiva might be searching for you", the mother showed her frustration to the kids. The children stood still and did not speak much to their mother out of fear. It seems they were aware of their wrong decision. They also feared that how their father will react on knowing all these. After thinking for a moment, Deepti apologized her mother and told her not to speak anything to her father regarding this incident. The mother calmed down and told them not to repeat such things in future. The children agreed to their mother. They went to their room for changing wet clothes and freshen up.

Shiva reached after the scene. Before the mother could utter some words, Shiva started to explain. "Sorry to say madam, I could not find the children at school. Have I been not reached late to the school; children haven't gone missing. It was all my mistake. You may hold my salary. Please don't tell anything to Sir. I will search the children and bring them back to home before tonight." Seeing Shiva's truthfulness, the mother was able to hold her anger. Afterall it was the mistake of her children who did not waited for him. She knows Shiva very well. He is like a family member to them, always took care of the naughty children. Seeing Shiva worried, the mother replied, "Don't worry Shiva, children are back home. It is not your fault at all. It is the carelessness of Deepti, which troubled you. However, I have warned them not to repeat such things in future. I have full trust on you. You may go home now, without holding any guilt." Hearing the mother's kind words, Shiva felt a great sense of relief for the children. The pouring has also reduced and was about to stop in few minutes. It was almost around 6.30 pm in the evening full of mist around. Shiva thanked to the almighty and left the place with a light heart.