February 2024 Short STory

 “Ajay! How many times have I told you? If you’re not here to buy any birds then get out of my shop!”

“Please sir, your birds need water! Let me help them sir!”

Taking out his belt threateningly, the storekeeper chased the delinquent out of his store, causing a ruckus among the caged birds, disturbed from their afternoon nap. Putting back on his belt, the keeper lamented to his wife at the counter, “What am I going to do about that Dalit boy. Every day he sneaks in here and plays with the birds.”

“Yet every time you chase him out with your belt. Clearly what you are doing is not working, is it not?”

Sitting down in resignation, the old man shook his head, “That child will be the death of me someday. If only he was an upper caste and had the money to buy our birds. He probably doesn’t even have enough money to go to school. Don’t waste your time feeling sorry for the boy, he’s disrupting our business and scaring away customers.” 

Searching in the rubbish and scrap yard, Ajay looked for something to sell so that he might be able to afford buying his favourite bird; Laal, the scarlet macaw. Finding several nails and an empty paint pail, he guarded his load from prying eyes and exchanged them at the metal scrap shop for a hundred rupees. 

Walking down the bustling streets in a hurry to give his father half of what he made, he saved the remaining fifty rupees in a tin can hidden behind his mat. Accepting a small roti from his mother, he ate silently along with his brothers and sisters, thankful that there was still food to eat. Seeing his small sister on the ground sleeping, Ajay asked his mother if anything was wrong.

“Nala’s stomach didn’t feel well this morning, so we let her sleep a while to get better.”

Touching his sister’s forehead, it was overly-warm to the touch and meant that she was fighting a fever.

As mother changed the wet cloth under her head to try and help her stay cool, Ajay knew they had to get her to the hospital and see a doctor. But knowing his father’s habit of gambling and smoking hash, he knew he would have to be discreet in getting medical care for his little sister.

The next day, before heading out to work, Ajay dropped by the medical clinic and inquired about the fee to have a doctor’s appointment and to buy the prescription drugs. Thankfully he had just enough to pay for the fees, and had told his mother to bring Nala to the clinic tomorrow afternoon when dad was away working. Feeling disheartened that he wouldn’t be able to buy Laal, he knew he had an obligation to take care of his family first, and that it was the right thing to do in his situation. 

Finding several bottles that could be recycled, he unfortunately could not find any of the more valuable steel or metal. Exchanging the bottles for thirty rupees, he gave it all to his dad when he arrived back home.

“Slow day at the scrap yard beta?”

“Yes pita, I only got a few bottles. I will look again tomorrow.” Adverting his eyes from his father’s gaze, Ajay knew he was playing a dangerous game by hiding money from his father. Going back to his mat in the cramped bedroom, something was not right. Checking under his mat, his can of money was missing, obviously stolen from where it was yesterday. Peering through the doorway into the room where they ate their meals, Ajay noticed his dad was smoking hash again, as the pungent odour was hard to miss. Looking at his mother who was busy taking care of Nala, she gave a solemn glance of resignation towards Ajay, signaling their plans to help his sister were dashed. Hearing his dad laugh obnoxiously as he enjoyed his smoke, he was enraged that father would take Nala’s money for treatment and splurge it all on his addictions.

Several weeks later, Ajay once again visited the bird shop and spent a minute lamenting his current situation to Laal, who listened to every word attentively. 

Noticing the boy talking to his birds again, the shopkeeper took off his belt and whipped Ajay several times, but despite the pain, Ajay stayed there, enduring the lashing. A single tear dropped from his face as he explained what had just happened back at home.

“Sir, my sister Nala, she just…died.”

The keeper lowered his belt and suddenly sympathized with the boy, amazed at the calmness emanating from him even with several marks from the lashing he received.

“Sir, Laal, needs more water…I mean your macaw sir, he needs more water.”

Watching as the child got up and headed off, the keeper and his wife wondered how someone so young could be so mature, determined and firm.

Walking to the scrap yard, Ajay could still remember looking into the lifeless eyes of Nala under candlelight, as his mother tried desperately to get help. Mom had gotten up in the middle of the night to check on her daughter when she realized Nala wasn’t breathing. Pretty soon, Ajay was running to the hospital with mom, who was carrying Nala on her shoulder. But with no money, the hospital turned them away and left them outside in the dark cold night.

As bulldozers pushed more trash into the pit, Ajay scrambled quickly to get to the newly exposed trash first before any of the other scavengers. Finding half of a car’s bumper, the heavy steel would be worth at least fifty rupees at the scrap shop. Exchanging the metal, he went back to the yard and continued to look through the mountains of rubbish, working hard, knowing dad would not be satisfied unless he brought at least fifty rupees a day back to him.

While mother didn’t earn any money for her work, she tirelessly laboured to ensure her family was clothed, fed, and well taken care of. She would spend most of her mornings washing the linens and clothing of the family of five. Then she would go out to the marketplace to purchase food, which usually consisted of lentils, flour for rotis, and some chickpeas. After shopping, she would get started on dinner, kneading out the dough, and boiling the legumes in a large pot of water. Once cooked, the lentils and chickpeas would be added to a slurry of flour, water and curry powder to make a warm, savoury dish; perfect for dipping the roti into.

Ajay’s father, on the other hand was a temporary for hire worker, taking odd jobs around the city from sewage cleaning to street sweeping. While he did work hard, he was relatively unresponsible with money, indulging himself in hash and gambling whenever he had enough money. He did not care much for his family, only that they should be a means of attaining more money for himself.

Passing by a school on his return home, Ajay wondered what it must be like to get an education and to find a proper well-paying job. He had always wanted to study computers as the technology fascinated him and he was amazed at how a small machine could do so much work. With a higher salary, he would be able to support his family, and potentially provide for his future family as well, if he was fortunate enough to find a wife. Seeing the kids laughing and chatting as they entered the building, he wondered if they were all from the higher castes, unlike an untouchable like himself.

Arriving back home, mother cautioned him to be quiet, pointing to father who was passed out on his mat. Handing mom the money he made that day, she kissed him on the forehead and told him to change before getting ready for bed. While most of his siblings were asleep already, Aabha was up, deep in thought as she sat in her corner of the room.

In a hushed tone, Ajay asked her what was wrong, “Bahan, you are still awake? What’s the matter?”

Replying with what seemed to be a sob mixed with a sigh, she replied back, “I miss Nala, she was the best sister one could ask for. Why did she have to die?”

While it might have been easy to just blame dad for taking her medical money, Ajay tried to advert from that route of thinking. “Sometimes bad things happen, but we can’t explain why. Now go to bed, you need your rest.” 

Watching Aabha crawl under her thin blanket, Ajay did likewise and went to sleep, lulled by the pitter patter of rain outside.

Letting the rain wash over his face and body, Ajay felt refreshed and clean, ready to start the day of scavenging. With the monsoon rains, there would be many a canal filled with water, releasing their hidden trash-like treasures to be collected for those brave enough to swim through them. Diving into one of the canals, Ajay went about checking the floating materials as well as those under the water for anything worth trading for. Finding a tire rim and several bottles, he returned to the shops to trade in his wares, before heading back home in the downpour deluging the city.

Tilting his head upward while walking, he caught droplets of rain on his tongue and he relished the fresh tasting water, as opposed to the murky river water or well water which they relied heavily on. In fact, the well water had been lately tainted with salt water because of the rising sea levels, saturating the ground with salty ocean water. Most of the wells near the shore were contaminated and deemed useless for water consumption. 

Arriving back home, he took a cloth and wiped his feet before entering the humble home. Just about to start eating, the family waited for him and Ajay took his place around the food laid on the ground. Everyone took a piece of roti and began dipping it in the curry placed in the centre of the circle. Splitting in half his second roti, he gave it to the youngest sibling, Aabha, and she gratefully accepted the extra food. He knew that as the youngest, she still needed the most nutrition as she was still growing.

Looking over at his wife, father gave some good news to report for her, that he was accepted to work as a tuk-tuk driver and that it would be a permanent position. All the kids were excited and overjoyed that they might be able to rise above the poverty line and that things will get better for their family in the near future. 

“Sir, your macaw needs more water, see her watering bowl? It is almost empty!”

Taking a broom and shooing the boy out of his shop again, the keeper couldn’t hide his annoyance of the boy telling him how to take care of his birds. “Gah, what do you know about birds Dalit boy? Get out!”

Disheartened that time and time again the keeper would not properly take care of Laal, an idea began formulating in Ajay’s head. Something drastic, daring and dangerous, since the situation was becoming dire for the macaw. Lying on his mat thinking about what he was about to do, he was absolutely sure this was the right course of action given the circumstances. 

After breakfast, Ajay headed straight to the bird shop, and waited till the keeper was busy with a customer. Then sneaking in, he unlocked Laal’s cage and let the bird climb on his arm before silently trying to escape. Unfortunately, the macaw gave a loud clack and the keeper looked up, seeing what the boy was trying to do.

Dashing for the entrance, Ajay ran for his life as fast as he could with Laal, while the keeper came out chasing him, trying to get back his bird. Eventually, old age caught up with the keeper and huffing and puffing, he gave up trying to catch up with the kid. Returning to the shop, he phoned the local police authorities who were informed of the kid’s name, approximate height and characteristics as well as the bird that was stolen.

Running continuously, even though he was sure the shop keeper was no longer following, Ajay had very little time to set Laal free before the authorities would come looking for them. Heading towards the largest jungle forest park he knew about close to Mumbai, he put Laal on the ground and pointed to the large lake surrounded by vegetation. 

“This is your home now Laal, I can’t take care of you, but I freed you from the shopkeeper, but you have to go now or they will find you.”

Find you, Find you. The macaw repeated the boy’s last words over and over.

“I hope you’ll have a happy free life Laal. Goodbye!” Running away leaving the scarlet macaw talking to itself, Ajay knew that when he went home there would be trouble.

Arriving back at his parent’s shanty, a police officer was inside waiting for the boy to return. Getting up as he saw the boy approaching, the officer shook his head at how young the bird thief was. “Boy, you’re under arrest for stealing a macaw from the bird shop. Now where is the bird? You must return it back to the shop.”

“I let the bird go into the wild. It will be happier outside than in that cramped cage without water.”

Mother pleaded with the officer to let Ajay go, “Please sir, he’s only a boy, he doesn’t know any better. Please.”

“Lady, I’m sorry, unless he returns the stolen bird there is no way to let him go free. He has stolen someone else’s property and now must pay for it.”

Father took out a stick of hash and offered it to the officer. “If he can’t be released, could you at least ensure a short time in jail? He won’t last a month in those conditions.”

Taking the smoke, the officer didn’t offer any promises, “I’ll try my best but there’s no guarantees.”

As mom said goodbye to her son with tears flowing like a river, Ajay looked back at his family before being pushed into a police car.

Several years later, Ajay typed away furiously at his keyboard, coding in Java and C++ for a tech start-up company in north Mumbai. Wearing a bright red polo shirt and jeans, he had grown taller and fitter then when he was incarcerated, having working on exercise for quite some time now. Getting a text from his girlfriend, he silently laughed at her complaints about birds waking her up in the morning.

“It’s your fault Soni, you sleep like thirteen hours a day! That’s way too much.”

“Well, I need my beauty sleep, but I can’t fall asleep with all that chirping and cawing. Practically a gong-show outside my bedroom.”

“I’m off work at three and I’ll be working out in the gym till four thirty, so do you want to watch a film later tonight?”

 “Yeah sure Ajay, but can you let me pick the movie? The last one you picked was so…soppy.”

“Of course it was, it’s supposed to be emotional…Oh never mind, you won’t get it.”

Putting away his smart phone, Ajay headed out of the office to the local gym, and changed into his training attire. Bench-pressing weights and using dumbbells, he was soon sweating profusely despite the air conditioning inside the building. Showering and changing to his casual set of clothes, he then went to a street food vendor and ordered a roti with chicken curry. Watching as the cook doled out a healthy portion of the deliciously yellow gravy-like food into his bowl, he wrapped his roti into a roll and dipped it into the sauce. Paying a tip to the cook and heading to the movie theatre just nearby, he made sure to be early so that Soni wouldn’t need to stand around alone waiting for him. Pretty soon, a bus stopped at a station nearby and crowds of people dispersed from the cramped vehicle, including Soni who headed straight for Ajay.

Giving him a kiss on the cheek, they hugged and entered the cinema, deciding on what to watch.

“Why don’t’ we watch Bombs in Bombay? Or Mummies in Mumbai?”

“Ha ha ha, please stop with the puns. Those sound awfully cliché. How about Millionaire Tramp?”

“Sounds good. Let’s get popcorn? I’ll get it while you pay for the tickets.”

Giving Soni a thumbs up, Ajay picked the seats in the back and in the middle where he figured they would get the best view. Laughing as he watched his girlfriend carry an overly large bag of popcorn that he knew neither himself or Soni could finish eating even with them tackling it together.

Sitting in their seats, Soni poked at her boyfriend’s bicep and admired at how strong and muscular he was becoming. “Your guns are getting huge dear! Maybe you can be my bodyguard when I become famous?”

“I only charge one fee for my services, that you marry me.” Taking out a small case which he gently handed to Soni, she gasped as she opened it and found a golden engagement ring and bracelet.

“That’s just something for you before we finish the Sagai exchange. I hope you like them!”

Giving Ajay a peck on the cheek to show her appreciation, they then quieted down as the movie started, but with thoughts of marriage put on the backburner but still cooking.

As the lights came on at the end of the movie, Soni decided to take a selfie picture with Ajay showing off her new engagement jewelry. Posting it on social media, it started garnering likes quickly, as many-a-friend congratulated her on her successful relationship.

Watching his girlfriend content and happy with her life, Ajay thought back to how he got to this point. He had been sentenced to two weeks in prison for stealing the macaw, and he honestly believed it was the worst two weeks of his life.

Constantly needing to be aware of predators and cruel guards, he spent most of his time there on his mat crying over how much he missed his family. When he finally got out two weeks later, he had a new ambition and goal in his life, that he would get an education and end his family’s cycle of poverty and shame. Asking for help in a social services building, they got him in contact with a social enterprise organization that helped poor kids get an education when they could not afford it. Having been selected as a candidate, he got to enter one of the best schools in Mumbai, which was well known for their technology department. Graduation with a diploma, it wasn’t long before Ajay found a job as a coder. 

For the past year, he had also started working out, changing from a gaunt one hundred and twenty pounds to nearly one hundred and eighty pounds of mostly pure muscle. It was in a gym that he met Soni, who was working part time at the reception desk of the gym he was training in. 

Ajay had spotted her taking a photo of him while he was working out, and he got the courage to make fun of her over that and eventually asked her out for a date. Taking her to the best curry chicken place he knew in Mumbai, they ate and talked together, finding much in common and feeling like their relationship was a near-perfect fit. 

When he first introduced his girlfriend to his mother and father, they were quite pleased and congratulated them both on finding one another. They were exceptionally proud of Ajay in what he had accomplished, despite all the odds facing against him. He regularly paid for the education of his younger siblings, and also paid to help the family with rent and food costs. Given his high-paying job as a coder, he was able to support his family as well as afford his own place in one of Mumbai’s large skyscrapers.

Watching one of the canals from a bridge, Soni and Ajay watched the kids rummaging through the debris in the water, searching for anything worthwhile. 

Looking over at her boyfriend, Soni knew he was deep in thought about his childhood, and she knew better than to ask about it if he wasn’t ready to talk. Giving him a playful shove, they flicked coins back into the water as a way to give back, and they took a taxi back to their homes.

Celebrating with streamers of red covering nearly every surface around the banquet hall, bowties and marigolds also decorated the room in preparation of the festive marriage between Ajay and Soni. Crowds of men and women dressed in formal saris and suits congratulated them both as they ate a seven-course meal together as one large family. There was dancing, music, exceptional food and it was mostly paid for by both Soni’s parents and Ajay himself. He never believed that a woman’s family should be fully responsible for wedding costs and dowries, so he decided to help out with the expenses.

After three days of feasting, dancing and celebrating, they all started to settle down and Ajay was helping Soni move some of her furniture into their skyrise apartment. Stuffing several pieces into the elevator, with Ajay jammed in the back and Soni pushing from the front, they were relieved when the elevator started moving up and finally stopping, but at the wrong floor. People who were about to go in took one look and laughed, letting the embarrassed couple continue their journey to the thirtieth floor. 

Having finished moving all the furniture, they sat at a nearby park overlooking a lake, and thought about their future together as a couple. 

Suddenly, in a flash of red, someone dear to Ajay emerged from hiding.

Find you, Find you! Find you!

Tears of joy emerged from Ajay’s eyes, as he realized it was Laal speaking to him! Hugging his bird friend, he was afraid to let her go, and had thought for all these years that she would’ve forgotten him. But with the macaw’s return and evident prospering in the park, perhaps the two weeks in jail were truly worth it in the end.

The End