Behind the rigidity

Snakes & Ladders

"Bol ?! Why did you come here" Bhavani asked again, parting from the hug when Vedant didn't answer

"Wo-I remembered about my ball so"
"And so you came here ?"
"Han"
"Vedant I can't believe this" she was
appalled at her son's casualty
"Haven't I told you how dangerous this can be, innumerable times.Nahi tu aise nahi sudhrega.Ruk tu ab" she looked here and there determinedly as if in search of something.

[You won't listen like this right? Just wait]

Within a few seconds she held the smallest embroidery hoop she had in her collection and caught hold of Vedant's hands

His mother's tone had already increased the speed of his heartbeat and he was now a little afraid about what was to happen
"Mumma what are you doing"

"Bohot haath idhar udhar ja rahe hai na,this will help you to keep them in check.Subah se dekh Rahi hoon ! Kuch bolti nahi na isiliye laadsaheb sar pe chadh gaye hai.Ball chahiye na tujhe le ab khel ja" she kept scolding while adjusting both of his wrists within the frame "Ab reh isme kuch der, you'll learn to value your hands"

[Your hands are wandering around here and there right ? This will help you to keep them in check.I'm watching you since the morning! I don't tell you anything that's why you've started dancing on my head ! You want the ball? Now go and play if you can ! Stay like this for sometime, you'll learn to value your hands "

The hoop was larger than his size but both the hands being put together restricted his movements

Vedant was scared looking at the arrangements
"Mumma please open it, I'm sorry, so sorry please.I will never put my hand over there again"
"Why are you saying sorry now ?Jab hazar bar mai abtak bolti thi pyaar se tab toh tujhe samajh nahi aaya"

[Why are you saying sorry now ?When I have been telling you politely you couldn't understand,right ?]

"I'll listen.Now I'll listen.Mai aapki saari baatein manunga" Vedant was crying loudly by then "please open it please " he said while continuously pushing his hands back and forth

[I'll  listen to you, I'll oblige to everything you say, please open it, please!]

Bhavani had to harden her heart against those tears.Because if she relented now,he would repeat the same thing again which can cost him something huge,it was indeed dangerous!
"Chup ekdam ! Ek aur aawaz nikli mu se ya aansu gira toh bohot maar khayega"
That made little Ved zip his mouth.But how would he wipe those tears now ?The helplessness made more drops cascade down.

[-Be quiet! If I hear a peep out of you or see you shedding a single drop,you'll be getting it today]

"Go to that corner" she pointed towards the farthest spot of the room"
Ved shook his head with tear filled eyes

"Jayega ya-"

[Will you go or -]

he scurried away to the assigned place
"Sit down on the floor"
he resisted
"If I've to repeat anything I say for one more time na toh dekhna tu-" His mother's unfinished threat made him comply

"Your feet should touch the wall" as his little legs were short,his feet didn't normally reach the wall on its own when he sat crisscrossed,so he had to make some efforts to attain the position

"Yes that's correct.The whole day long you've roamed around on your own will right?Jo marzi kiya hai na ?Ab yahanse haath paer bhi nahi hilayega tu.Now take these" - she said handing over the book & copy he was reading and kept them on a small stool which she placed in front of him  "and complete the task you were given, I've ticked mark a new portion.Read them as well, I'll ask you after sometime"