The shopkeepers dispersed. Dhiraj's mother's tears didn't stop.
'Don't worry, Mama will call back. The news is sketchy. We don't know what
happened,' I said.
'Come home son,' Omi's father said to Omi.
'I'll help them shut the shop,' Omi said.
We went back to the shop. We had to customers that morning, and didn't
expect any more.
'Do you have gloves Ish bhaiya? Mine are worn out,' Ali's voice startled us. We
had packed the shop by one o'clock.
'What the hell are you doing here?' Ish said.
Ali was taken aback. He wore a yellow T-shirt and an old pair of jeans. Luckily,
he wasn't wearing his skull cap.
'I am getting ready for practice. We have one at 4.30 today
no?'
'You haven't seen the news?' I said. 'We don't have TV,' he said. 'And your
abba?'
'He took ammi to her parents in Surat. He will come at six.'
'And you didn't go?' Ish said.
'How could I? We had practice. Don't want to do hundred push-ups for missing
practice,' Ali said and laughed, 'hey why are you shutting down the shop? My
gloves...'
'Nothing, you come with us. Don't be alone at home,' Ish said as he downed the
shutters.
'Us?' Omi said in a firm voice.
'You go Omi, your parents and aunt need you,' Ish said. 'And you?' Omi said.
'Am taking Ali home. I'll drop him off when his parents come back.'
Omi looked at me to say something. I shrugged my shoulders.
'You want to come to my place?' Ish said to me. We walked out of the temple
compound.
I wanted to see Vidya. But it wasn't the best time, and Vidya would not be in
the best mood anyway. I wondered if I should SMS her again.
'No, my mother would be worried too,' I said. She'd probably he in the kitchen,
preparing dough for the evening dhokla.
I reached home. Over lunch, I told my mother what had happened at Godhra.
My mother made me swear that I'd never fall in love with a Muslim girl. I felt tired
after the two sleepless nights and the events on the TV, and took an afternoon
nap. Omi's phone call woke me up.
'Hey what's up Omi? Got in touch with Mama?' I said and rubbed my eyes. The
phone's clock showed it was 5.30 p.m.
'I lost my brother Govind. He died on the spot,' Omi said and his voice broke.
He started crying. I lifted myself off the bed and stood up.
'Mama called. He is devastated,' Omi said.
'Is he at home?' I said.
'No, he went to the party office. All the workers are with him to support him. He
told me not to tell his wife or anyone else. Like they haven't guessed.'
'It's horrible. Omi, it's horrible,' I said. I shuddered to think we almost took that
trip.
'I can't keep silent at home and not show it. I have to get out,' Omi said.
'Then come home,' I said. 'Where is Ish?' Omi said.
avery
(avery)
#1