HIM

2

As we sat on the chair outside the small stall with two pav bhaji, I saw his eyes glaring, with the acids in his stomach. He completed one whole pav bhaji within a minute which I would take minimum of five minutes. Without any of his words, I ordered one full plate chowmein that he reliciously gulped.

"Would you like to have something more?" I asked.

"No. Thank you memsahab for so much."

"Are you sure? Nothing more?"

"No memsahab."

"Ok fine. Firstly you stop saying memsahab and address me umm.. aunty. Yes aunty sounds good"

"Ok memsahab"

"Aha.. aunty"

"Aunty."

"So.. where do you belong from?"

"..."

"Don't fear me.. I am not from police neither will I do any harm to you."

"You don't seem so dangerous also"

I laughed at his innocent and honest remark and he chuckled. "Ok so, from how many days are you in Mumbai?"

"Nine or ten days, I think."

"So where is your house here?"

"On the streets"

"What! What about your parents?"

"I don't have any"

"Why don't you go to any orphanage here? Tell me I will take you there. How will you survive alone?"

The word orphanage sent the most fearful expression over his face. He shivered a bit as if he wanted to shake off the memories of something.

"No aunty.. I don't need. I will survive. I will sing to collect money and have my food."

"Ok."

I received a call. It's my husband and it's already 6:50pm. I had to leave. But I couldn't let off the story of Raja. I bid him bye after receiving thanks from him.

The next day I finished my work at office fast so that I could leave early. After leaving the office I took the first bus towards chor bazar and got two pair of shirt and pant for Raja. I then took a cab to marine drive and found him at the spot he was last day.

Today not much people were around him. I sat beside him and offered him a 'good day' biscuit that I was also having. He took it and smiled. He sang a song

"Tumhein dillagi bhool jani pare gi
Tumhein dillagi bhool jani pare gi
Muhabbat ki raahon mein aa kar to dekho

You will have to forget all about infatuation…
You will have to forget all about infatuation
Try embarking upon on the journey of love!"

"For whom did you sing this?" I asked

"You see that couple.." He said pointing towards one young couple a bit far "They were quarreling over something, I thought my song might help somewhat."

I smiled. "What is your age?"

"11 years"

"Have you ever gone to school ?"

"I just wished I could" the pain was in his voice.

I didn't want to hurt him so I quickly changed the topic "Your voice is beautiful. Do you know recent songs too?"

"Thanks. Yeah I do know. Do you want to hear something?" His face lit up.

"Yes anything of your choice."

"Tu aata hai seene mein
Jab jab saansein bharti hoon
Tere dil ki galiyon se
Main har roz guzarti hoon

You come in my heart
When I take breath
I pass everyday through
Streets of your heart"

"Wow" I blurted feeling the depths of his voice.

He smiled and asked "You stay here only?"

"Yes dear and I work here only." I said brushing my fingers over his tangled hairs.
I asked him to follow me to the stall and bought him some food and sat beside him.

"Won't you eat?" He asked

"No you eat"

I told him few jokes on which we laughed and the shopkeeper also joined us.

Just before leaving him I gave him the shirts and pants for him and said "Tomorrow I should see you wearing these"

He was shocked. His eyes sparkled. He was too happy at this minimal gift.

In the night I told my husband, Rakesh about Raja. He promised me to go along with me the next day.

The next day we reached there but couldn't find him at his place. Then a voice called from back "Aunty"
We turned to find Raja standing on the rocks with the blue shirt that I gave him yesterday. As we moved towards him he sang for us
"Raja ko rani se pyaar ho gaya
(The king fell in love with the queen)

Pehli nazar mein pehla pyar ho gaya
(It was first love at first sight)

Dil jigar dono ghayal huye
(The heart and soul both were wounded)

Teer-e-nazar dil ke paar ho gaya
(The arrow of the eyes went through the heart)"

Rakesh and Raja came along soon. We sat together listening to Raja. Rakesh told him about his story and I shared few funny incidences.
Raja didn't open up much. He feared. Whenever he was asked about his past he went silent and his eyes went deep and dark. We never forced him to tell. After 4 days, on a Sunday as we sat with him at the stall eating some fries, he spontaneously told us about himself, his past, his sorrow, his grief.

What do you think?

What can be his past?

Only 11years on this Earth and what dark phase has he seen?

Keep on reading to know his story.