the rain fell softly on the hard road. little drops rolling off the road and taking the muck along with them. but the hunger in his stomach was raging like the fires of hell. two days and just one roti is all ramu could manage. that too the local shopkeeper had perhaps taken pity on his emancipated frame..the look of disdain was evident on his face when he handed out that roti to ramu. but ramu was beyond caring..his nimbly fingers leaped forward clutching the roti to him while he ran finding a safe place to stand and eat. the large peepul tree in the middle of the chawl was his refuge for those few seconds it took for him to gulp that down.
suddenly there was a roar of an engine which came to a halt close to where ramu lay on a slab of stone by the side of the road. maybe the truck had gone kaput. voices out of the drivers cabin asking for the daru and nibbles to be taken out. ramu went gingerly and half expectantly to the dimly lit cabin of the truck to see 3 guys pouring dark liquids into glasses..one of them leered at him and beckoned him closer..gruff strong hands engulfed ramus slim frame and the driver asked him if he was hungry. but ramu froze when he saw the look in the drivers eyes..and his hands were making ramu squeamish..a loud scream and ramu broke free from the group and ran
till he fell..the cool wet earth touching the side of his face and caressing him just like his mother used to do years ago before she died of some disease..ramu...ramu....rammmuuuuuuuu..he could recognise his dads drunk voice calling him ..but ramu did not get up ..the earth was feeling close and comfortable..and nearby the rain fell softly on the road..
