A Present For Raj

Raj’s legs dangled off the window sill. He wasn’t supposed to do that but the youngster had a rebellious streak that got off on disobeying his parents. When he thought hard, his legs would swing involuntarily and right now they were hard at work. The afternoon sunlight washed over him as he basked in its warmth.

“Bhaiya*!!” Sumi’s plaintive cry crashed against his ears. Raj turned to glimpse the pig-tailed six-year old eclipsed by his shadow. “I’m telling your Maa!” She screeched. “No! Wait!” Given half a chance Sumi would tattle to any grown up. The girl took a devilish delight in watching her cousin Raj and brother Amit get scolded by their parents for their misbehaviour.

“Sumi! Listen I have a secret for you.” “What?” Sumi’s brown eyes shone like sticky molasses in light that poured into the children’s room.

“You’ve to promise not to tell any grown up.”…