The Envelope

The study was off-limits for Dolly. The pigtailed troublemaker had an inquisitive nature, fuelled by her natural curiosity. The most recent object of her curiosity, was the vintage sealed envelope on her father’s study table.

The crimson waxed seal was tempting at best. Dolly’s imagination soared at the possibility. However, she knew she could not act alone. Father always kept the study locked. And try as she might, she could never figure where he hid the keys. Her feet took her to her brother’s room. Bhaiya lay under the whirring fan, stretched out on the floor with a sports magazine. It was rare to find him at home in the afternoons.

“Bhaiya.” Dolly bounced impatiently on her feet as she approached the middle brother. “I want to know what’s in that envelope on Papa’s study table.” Bhaiya looked up from the sports magazine he was perusing. His face flickered with…