‘I told you, there’s nowhere else he is quiet. Only your room. Shouldn’t I be doing everything in my power to make him comfortable and peaceful?’
I wasn’t so sure. Is it so noble of man to sacrifice everything for a cause, for another human and in doing so become miserable himself? To waste your entire life because the cruel and laughing bitch Fate threw you into this world with a person whose brain was one way, for no fault of his, or yours?
‘I don’t know, Amma. But a few days in a home is not going to kill him. And, look at you. A holiday would really do you some good, make you better, and when you come back, you can maybe make this house a little happier. That’ll do Ib some good too.’
She closed her eyes and rested her palms on her knees. ‘I told you to draw colourful things, didn’t I?’ she said finally.
‘Yes, you did,’ I said.
I left soon after. Lunch was tasteless and insufficient. I told mother I would visit once a year, and she smiled as if she knew I was lying to make her feel better.
‘Be careful,’ she said, ‘the city is a dangerous place. The world is a dangerous place.’
‘Give Appoos a kiss from me, Ma,’ I said, as I went down the steps outside into the hot day of reality.
And as I left I could see her standing on the steps, hands by her sides, looking out into the sun and the dust, and as I turned the corner she waved.
THE BEGINNING
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This collection published 2019
Copyright © Roshan Ali 2019
The moral right of the author has been asserted
Jacket images © Ahlawat Gunjan
ISBN: 978-0-670-09238-3
This digital edition published in 2019.
e-ISBN: 978-9-353-05508-0
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