Mukund was on the terrace studying for his Science test. His face was a picture of concentration, eyes fixed on the book he had in his hands. He was reclined on the terrace wall facing the small entrance to the wide open area, which had been his favourite study area since his childhood. He would walk about, book in hand, loudly repeating the concepts, willing his mind to memorise the contents.
This terrace was special for him for another reason. One had to climb a set of pegs fixed in the wall to reach the terrace, almost like climbing a vertical face of a cliff. This made it difficult for his mother to come and check on him to see what he was up to. When someone managed to climb the pegs, their head used to come up first, giving Mukund ample time to do what needed to be done to put up a good face.
Mukund looked up from his book to the opening to the terrace. No one had come up yet. He went back to his novel which was well concealed within his science book. The story was at a very gripping stage. He was in the middle of “The Black arrow”, the recent novel he had borrowed from his school library. He was allowed to borrow one book every week. Mukund had always felt that this was an unfair rule. He usually finished his book on the same day that he borrowed it and had to wait an entire week to return and get a new book. Today he had been fascinated by this book by Robert Louis Stevenson and after reading the synopsis, decided to read it.
The book was at a crucial stage. He was at a scene where the protagonist shot a black arrow into the room. Mukund removed the science book that had provided the cover for his clandestine operation. “Only for a short while”, Mukund told himself as he rested the book more comfortably in his hands. Mukund was holding his breath reading rapidly. The sun had almost set and light was diminishing every minute. Suddenly, he thought he saw a movement near the entrance to the terrace. Yet, he could not tear away from the dramatic scene unveiling between the covers of his book. He reluctantly closed the book and looked. The problems of getting caught were worse than the ache of not finishing the book. He can always get back to the scene later. He walked slowly to the entrance and looked down at the pegs that led to the terrace. And he saw the pony tail of his sister disappearing fast into the house. He instantly knew what had happened.
Since it was difficult for his mother to climb the steep set of pegs, she never used to come up. But his little sister, Malini, had no such constraints. She had the habit of sneaking on him and running off to his mother ratting him out if he was not studying. Today had been one such case. He was caught. He had been very careful all this while, and the moment he had taken his science book off, he had been caught. He mumbled something in irritation and started rapidly climbing down to catch his sister.
He knew the ritual. She would run, he would chase her and cajole, bribe and finally threaten his sister not not rat him out. Despite all that, she would start off with an impish smile on her face..”Ammmaaa…Do you know what Mukund was doing on the terrace?…” His mother would not be interested. But Malini would press on..”There was a new story book with him…”. Usually, his mother would not worry about it. She had inculcated his habit of reading books. However, she never took it lightly if Mukund was reading novels when he must be studying. Especially, with a science test the next day.
Today was different. Mukund came to an abrupt stop when he entered the house. Malini was standing there sombrely looking at him. Malini was 4 years younger to Mukund, but she knew when she was in control of a situation.
“I heard you had an important science test tomorrow”, she started. Mukund just walked past her. “Yes, I just finished studying for it” he responded.
“The cover of the book did not look like your science book”, she ventured. Mukund turned around to face her.
“You keep this with you. Don’t go blabbing about all of this to Amma”. His voice was menacing, but Malini could hear the anxiety in it. She smiled.
“I need something from you. That new ink pen that you got the other day. I like it”
Mukund was relieved. The usual demand would be for chocolate bars. He would have saved a few from whenever some relative dropped by and gifted them. Malini used to gobble her bar within a day. Mukund used to eat small pieces of the bar everyday. That way it would last longer.
“Sure, why not. I have other pens.” He said gruffly and started walking downstairs to the living area.
“Aannnd..The remaining chocolate that you have in the fridge..”
Mukund closed his eyes. There it was. He was not in the mood for this negotiation. He turned towards her. “Have the entire thing in the fridge..But you better keep your side of the deal..” he warned again.
“Done” Malini replied.
The rest of the evening went about without any mention of the events earlier that day.
The next day, Mukund was returning from school. His mind was in two places. One was in the scene from the novel. What had happened to the black arrow that was shot? He needed the closure desperately. On the other hand, he had made some silly mistakes in the science test that day and had lost marks. He knew no one really cared about these marks, it was just a regular test. Still, he was irritated with himself. He picked up his walking pace. He would now sit with a plate of tasty upma, which his mother would have prepared, and finish the book. He could have enjoyed the last pieces of chocolate he had kept in the fridge as well, but Malini had gobbled it up the previous evening. He had to do something about the surveillance on the terrace. Some early warning system perhaps. Something to tell him when someone was climbing the pegs. That’s a good idea. He could experiment it out over the weekend.
He reached home and quickly changed, washed up and went into the kitchen. His mother was preparing a plate of upma for him.
“How was the science test?” she asked.
“It was OK. I made some silly mistakes, but nothing much..” Mukund replied
His mother turned around to look at him. She was looking annoyed.
“Do you know what I found on the terrace when I went there earlier today?” she asked
Mukund froze. In his hurry to stop Malini the previous evening, he had completely forgotten the novel that he had left on the terrace. It had been lying there all this while.
“If you had been concentrating on your science test, you would not have made those silly mistakes” She started.
Mukund knew what was in store. He was not going to finish the book today after all. He obediently listened to the lecture and promised not to repeat it again.
“Good..”His mother completed. Mukund took the plate of upma and walked to the balcony to finish his tiffin in peace.
“If Malini had not misplaced her socks and not asked for my help to look for it on the terrace, I would not have known about the book..” his mother continued.
That little imp. Mukund came back to the kitchen and placed his plate on the table and started walking towards the living area.
“What about your tiffin?” His mother called out.
“It can wait” He shouted back. “There is something I need to discuss with Malini”
It was going to be a memorable evening.
THE END
