The Sketch
Porbandar , Gujarat , India
2nd June , 2000
At 5:00 pm Saleem called it a day for his workers at the shoe factory . In 5 minutes all the workers gathered to collect their daily wages . A uniform line was made , all the workers stood their gossipping about the daily happenings. At the end of the trail was a boy who attentively looked at the vast monotonous ocean that was visible from the front gates of the factory , the grim look on his face showed anxiety and uncertainty. “Omar” the clerk called out his name , the boy walked silently towards the desk collected his wages that amounted to fifty rupees , bowed down to the owner and walked out . Omar was a 14 year old boy , who worked as an apprentice to the sole maker at the factory . Fifty rupees a day was not a big amount , but it somehow kept the wheels rolling of the family that extended to his 8 year old sister Khushi and a mother Resham . His father died of a heart attack 3 years ago , all his life he had spent as a drunkard on the streets , he was not a loving father figure . For all Omar remembered , beating his wife night and day and drinking , he mastered only in these two activities. At 14 years of age , Omar was a willful child labourer. He left school 2 years ago when he saw the difficulties and the increasing burden over his mother who worked as a housemaid . Since then Omar had started working as a child labourer , he was determined to keep his sister at school and wanted her to excel in any field of her choice. Willfully Omar was breaking the Anti Child Labour Act because he understood that it was money that fed the poor and not the laws .
On his way home , Omar was tensed about the fact that the factory would remain closed for next 3 days . The state of no work and no money for three days was eating him up . He thought about how with meager commodities at the house , how will they manage. No matter the situation , Omar had vowed to keep a smile on his face in front of his sister . For he was ready to bear the brunt of any hardship he had to undergo just to see his sister happy and smiling.
He lived in Roshangarh , true to its name the slum locality was always brightened with colours and lights as if everyday was a festival. He entered the house , his sister was busy making a drawing on a sheet . While his mother was gathering woods to prepare food for the night. Upon seeing her big brother Khushi ran towards him , Omar bent down on his knees and hugged her.
“ Salaam Bhaiya , I have something for you ” . Khushi holding her notebook in her hand .‘ What is it’ ? Omar asked in a curious tone . Khushi replied “Close your eyes ” ! Omar followed the command .
Second later Khushi aksed , “Now open your eyes" Omar opened his eyes to see a sketch drawing on a piece of paper .The sketch depicted a boy and a little girl with her teddy . With teary eyes , Omar grabbed hold of the paper and started smiling.
“I made this drawing , Bhaiya You me and my teddy bear . Khushi explained . The teacher in the class asked us to draw something . So I made this sketch ”. ‘This is beautiful , Thank You. Can I keep it ’. Omar asked . "Yes you can" , Khushi replied who hurried back to the floor and started drawing again. Omar went out of the house and handed over the money to his mother and told her about the situation over the next three days . His mother kissed him on the forehead and replied “ Don't worry , things will work out .”
The whole night he couldn't sleep ,his mind was stuck over one thing how to get some work . The thought of dignified work and one's sustenance was deeply ingrained in Omar's mind. He understood his situation , he was never affected by what he was doing at this tender age. At an age when all the boys around him were busy with all sorts of recreation. He didn't even have friends . The only thing he cared about was earning enough to feed his family. He faced the daily life with all his might .
The next day , Omar went to drop his sister to School . While on his way back , he crossed a newspaper shop and enquired whether he could sell the newspapers at the railway station in the mornings. The owner was empathetic to Omar's situation and agreed to pay 150 rupees for a day's work and asked him to come tomorrow at his shop around 4.00 am .
Delighted with getting the work , Omar went back and told his mother about it . She agreed upon hearing that the work would only last till 9.00 am in the morning . It was a holiday for Khushi and when she heard about railway station in the night , she started jumping around the house shouting " Trains , Trains.." she wanted to go with her brother to the station . Her mother tried her best to take the thought out of her daughter's mind but to no avail . At last , her mother agreed and asked Omar to take care of her.
The next morning Omar and Ḳhushi left the house at 4.00 am , first they collected the newspapers from the shop and then they went to the station. At the early hours , Omar was able to sell good amount of newspapers . Khushi's joy knew no bounds she kept staring at the trains that stood at the platform. On her brother's command , she sat on the seat and played with her doll . Omar had mostly sold all the newspapers , ‘ finishing the job would provide him some sort of bonus’ , he thought . He noticed that the opposite platform was a bit more crowded , with the hope of finishing his job he went towards platform number 1 .
In the meantime a man saw Khushi seated on the platform . With evil intentions , he came near the girl and lured her by saying that " I have a lot of dolls in the train ". Excited by the thought of Dolls she went with the man and climbed the train . He gave her some chocolates and asked her to sit . In the next five minutes , the train departed from the station . Khushi screamed “ Where is Bhaiya ? ”, she tried to run but the man overpowered and injected her with drugs . Khushi became unconscious and fell down on the compartment's floor .
After selling all the newspapers , Omar returned back to Platform 2 , he went straight to the place where he had left Khushi . To his distraught , there was no sign of his sister , he searched the whole platform . An Elderly man at the platform told him that " I saw a little girl with a man going inside the train " .
“ When did the train leave” , Omar asked in a helpless tone. ‘About 10 minutes ago’ , the man replied . With all his might Omar started running from that point and continued running on the tracks , with the hope of spotting the train . He lost his balance and fell down on the ground , he couldn't get up and wept for his helpless sister .
The whole night he couldn't sleep ,his mind was stuck over one thing how to get some work . The thought of dignified work and one's sustenance was deeply ingrained in Omar's mind. He understood his situation , he was never affected by what he was doing at this tender age. At an age when all the boys around him were busy with all sorts of recreation. He didn't even have friends . The only thing he cared about was earning enough to feed his family. He faced the daily life with all his might .
The next day , Omar went to drop his sister to School . While on his way back , he crossed a newspaper shop and enquired whether he could sell the newspapers at the railway station in the mornings. The owner was empathetic to Omar's situation and agreed to pay 150 rupees for a day's work and asked him to come tomorrow at his shop around 4.00 am .
Delighted with getting the work , Omar went back and told his mother about it . She agreed upon hearing that the work would only last till 9.00 am in the morning . It was a holiday for Khushi and when she heard about railway station in the night , she started jumping around the house shouting " Trains , Trains.." she wanted to go with her brother to the station . Her mother tried her best to take the thought out of her daughter's mind but to no avail . At last , her mother agreed and asked Omar to take care of her.
The next morning Omar and Ḳhushi left the house at 4.00 am , first they collected the newspapers from the shop and then they went to the station. At the early hours , Omar was able to sell good amount of newspapers . Khushi's joy knew no bounds she kept staring at the trains that stood at the platform. On her brother's command , she sat on the seat and played with her doll . Omar had mostly sold all the newspapers , ‘ finishing the job would provide him some sort of bonus’ , he thought . He noticed that the opposite platform was a bit more crowded , with the hope of finishing his job he went towards platform number 1 .
In the meantime a man saw Khushi seated on the platform . With evil intentions , he came near the girl and lured her by saying that " I have a lot of dolls in the train ". Excited by the thought of Dolls she went with the man and climbed the train . He gave her some chocolates and asked her to sit . In the next five minutes , the train departed from the station . Khushi screamed “ Where is Bhaiya ? ”, she tried to run but the man overpowered and injected her with drugs . Khushi became unconscious and fell down on the compartment's floor .
After selling all the newspapers , Omar returned back to Platform 2 , he went straight to the place where he had left Khushi . To his distraught , there was no sign of his sister , he searched the whole platform . An Elderly man at the platform told him that " I saw a little girl with a man going inside the train " .
“ When did the train leave” , Omar asked in a helpless tone. ‘About 10 minutes ago’ , the man replied . With all his might Omar started running from that point and continued running on the tracks , with the hope of spotting the train . He lost his balance and fell down on the ground , he couldn't get up and wept for his helpless sister .
*****
Omar couldn't think about what to do next , he ran straight back to his home and narrated the whole incident to his mother , she couldn't believe what she was hearing . It was as if their whole world had collapsed. The thought of her poor child kidnapped by someone , it was killing her . It was 6.00 am in the morning , Omar and his mother went to the Police Station and told them what has happened . The officials seemed apathetic to their cause, and told them to come later. “ But Saheb , my daughter is kidnapped” Resham cried out . Growing furious at her tone , the official shouted . ‘ Listen , I know you people .This is just one of your tricks , bring false information and pile up more cases on us. Look for her in your locality . Don't you dare come back to this place shouting Daughter Kidnapped. I don't want to see your face , get lost form here.'
Resham pleaded before the policeman for mercy but they weren't ready to listen . Moments later they were thrown out of the station . Resham cried all the way back to her house thinking about her daughter. “ Some hours ago she was sleeping peacefully beside me ! And now she is gone , lost forever.” Resham sobbed . Omar stood there crying , he went near her mother , who shoved her away . “How can you be so irresponsible ? How do I get her back now ? Why did you take her away from me”? She slapped her son's face left, right , centre. I am sorry mother , Omar said helplessly .
"Sorry . What sorry" ? She grabbed his son by the collar and threw him out of the house and shouted “Don't you dare come back to this house again . I am dead for you. Get lost from here before I kill you” . She pushed him out of the house and closed the door forever.
Khushi woke up to sound of screeching brakes , she tried to scream but her mouth was gagged , barely able to breathe . She tried pushing the car doors with her legs , the man turned back and gave her a tight slap , drugging her again. The next time she woke up it was pitch darkness , she was sitting on a chair, her hands were so tied up that blood started flowing from her wrists . Poor girl started crying , she thought about her brother , her mother and the school , how they all would be thinking about her . She wanted to go home . Upon hearing the sobs of the girl , the ongoing conversation between the men broke and they came near the girl . The man had a white turban over his head , he bent down and uncovered her mouth . ‘What's your name’ ? He asked . She cried "My name is Khushi . And I want to go home ".
'Oh ! You are going home dear , pretty soon' . He handed her some fruits to eat from the basket , Khushi took an apple and ate it . “Good girl ” the man replied and drugged her . Khushi became unconscious and slept again on the chair .
The kidnapper said “ I need good money for this one ! She's too young for prostitution business . That's why I brought her to you.”
‘ How much do you want’ ?
" 20,000 rupees in cash" . The kidnapper replied .
The man with the white turban gave him the amount . He carried the girl to her car and drove off ...
Khushi laid there in the car . Unaware what was next for her. She was never to return home , nor to meet her brother . She was on course to a different world altogether .
Omar left his house , distraught and angry over himself , his irresponsibility , his carelessness that tolled heavily on his sister . The wound was too deep in his heart to heal , from that day onwards he visited the police station several times , pleading before the officers who would harass and demean him like a mad dog . He was too young to understand the complexities of law , but understood one thing clearly that ' the worst crime of any human in this world was to be poor' . He roamed in front of the civil court begged the lawyers to help in any way possible , but the lack of “evidence” stopped everyone from breaking their isolated shells. He understood the crime he had committed , he wept night and day for it , he had that sketch drawing with him , he looked at it every night giving him some ray of hope . He didn't have the courage to go back to his home , not because he was afraid but the sight of his son standing at the door would bring repressed memories back for the mother . He lived and slept on the streets , he slept with only one thought every night . “Come Back Khushi , Please come back.
Omar couldn't think about what to do next , he ran straight back to his home and narrated the whole incident to his mother , she couldn't believe what she was hearing . It was as if their whole world had collapsed. The thought of her poor child kidnapped by someone , it was killing her . It was 6.00 am in the morning , Omar and his mother went to the Police Station and told them what has happened . The officials seemed apathetic to their cause, and told them to come later. “ But Saheb , my daughter is kidnapped” Resham cried out . Growing furious at her tone , the official shouted . ‘ Listen , I know you people .This is just one of your tricks , bring false information and pile up more cases on us. Look for her in your locality . Don't you dare come back to this place shouting Daughter Kidnapped. I don't want to see your face , get lost form here.'
Resham pleaded before the policeman for mercy but they weren't ready to listen . Moments later they were thrown out of the station . Resham cried all the way back to her house thinking about her daughter. “ Some hours ago she was sleeping peacefully beside me ! And now she is gone , lost forever.” Resham sobbed . Omar stood there crying , he went near her mother , who shoved her away . “How can you be so irresponsible ? How do I get her back now ? Why did you take her away from me”? She slapped her son's face left, right , centre. I am sorry mother , Omar said helplessly .
"Sorry . What sorry" ? She grabbed his son by the collar and threw him out of the house and shouted “Don't you dare come back to this house again . I am dead for you. Get lost from here before I kill you” . She pushed him out of the house and closed the door forever.
Khushi woke up to sound of screeching brakes , she tried to scream but her mouth was gagged , barely able to breathe . She tried pushing the car doors with her legs , the man turned back and gave her a tight slap , drugging her again. The next time she woke up it was pitch darkness , she was sitting on a chair, her hands were so tied up that blood started flowing from her wrists . Poor girl started crying , she thought about her brother , her mother and the school , how they all would be thinking about her . She wanted to go home . Upon hearing the sobs of the girl , the ongoing conversation between the men broke and they came near the girl . The man had a white turban over his head , he bent down and uncovered her mouth . ‘What's your name’ ? He asked . She cried "My name is Khushi . And I want to go home ".
'Oh ! You are going home dear , pretty soon' . He handed her some fruits to eat from the basket , Khushi took an apple and ate it . “Good girl ” the man replied and drugged her . Khushi became unconscious and slept again on the chair .
The kidnapper said “ I need good money for this one ! She's too young for prostitution business . That's why I brought her to you.”
‘ How much do you want’ ?
" 20,000 rupees in cash" . The kidnapper replied .
The man with the white turban gave him the amount . He carried the girl to her car and drove off ...
Khushi laid there in the car . Unaware what was next for her. She was never to return home , nor to meet her brother . She was on course to a different world altogether .
Omar left his house , distraught and angry over himself , his irresponsibility , his carelessness that tolled heavily on his sister . The wound was too deep in his heart to heal , from that day onwards he visited the police station several times , pleading before the officers who would harass and demean him like a mad dog . He was too young to understand the complexities of law , but understood one thing clearly that ' the worst crime of any human in this world was to be poor' . He roamed in front of the civil court begged the lawyers to help in any way possible , but the lack of “evidence” stopped everyone from breaking their isolated shells. He understood the crime he had committed , he wept night and day for it , he had that sketch drawing with him , he looked at it every night giving him some ray of hope . He didn't have the courage to go back to his home , not because he was afraid but the sight of his son standing at the door would bring repressed memories back for the mother . He lived and slept on the streets , he slept with only one thought every night . “Come Back Khushi , Please come back.
*****
10 Years Later
Surajpur , Haryana , India
2nd July , 2010
Surajpur , Haryana , India
2nd July , 2010
When Khushi was brought to the village she was a stranger for a long time , she cried for her home and family . But as the days passed , she grew up consoling herself , understanding her tears were of no use . Over the years , the cheerful sister of Omar had turned into a housemaid whose job was to fetch water from the wells and look after the cattles . Her face complexion turned dark and she grew pale , she was made to work 18 hours a day and was given low quality food . Gradually , she understood that she was living in Ratan Singh's house . He was the same man whom she had first met in that dark room 10 years ago . She was given a small room in the vicinity of the house . Now that she was 18 years old , she was exploited through all means . Many a times , Sooraj Singh , Ratan Singh's son sexually assaulted her . She use to plead for mercy in front of Ratan Singh who used to beat her with sticks in return .
Porbandar , Gujarat , India
Omar was now 24 years old , he was looking for work . Much had changed in his life , he was married now , his wife took care of his mother (Resham) who had become mentally ill . Omar still worked hard and earned his living , the thought of his sister and that unfateful night still haunted him . One day he informed his wife about the contractual work he was getting in Haryana , that would keep him away for six months . He asked his wife to take extra care and precautions in his absence as she was pregnant . Along with other workers , Omar left to earn his living far away from his land .
Upon arriving in Surajpur , Omar and the labourers were deployed as labourers in the construction of a Bungalow that belonged to a well off man named Ratan Singh. The work was too much , but they were being paid good money for it . One day while loading cement on the cycle from Ratan Singh's house , a piece of paper dropped from Omar's pocket. A women standing in the verandah came and picked up the paper and handed it over to Omar . Omar thanked her , he opened the paper once , only to see that beautiful sketch his sister had made all those years ago . Suddenly , he felt a shiver down his spine , intuitively he asked the woman “What is your name?” She turned back and answered ‘Khushi’ . The tone in which she replied didn't match with the natives of the place . He asked her “where are you from ?” Hesitantly , she replied ' I am from here only' . Omar couldn't believe what he was seeing before his eyes , he showed her that drawing sketch.
“ Do you remember this Khushi ? ”
On seeing the drawing she screamed , ‘Bhaiya’ . The big brother opened his arms and cried “It's me”! and embraced her . They both sobbed , remembering all the tiring and testing nights these past 10 years had brought them .
On seeing them together at the courtyard , Ratan came running and attacked Omar with a baton on his head . Omar fell to the ground , crying in pain. Ratan Singh pulled Khushi's hair and demanded “What is all this”? She screamed ‘he is my brother ’. Ratan Singh laughed out . “Oh ! I see , so this is your brother” . Omar trying to get up on his feet , pleaded in front of Ratan Singh “ Saheb , she is my sister , we were separated 10 years ago from Porbandar .”
“ That was 10 years ago , now she works here , don't you see . Listen you Pig , I bought this girl for 20,000 rupees , she is my property , she works here , she is my son's concubine . Now you get up and get lost from here , before I kill you ”. Ratan Singh shot back .
The words “ 20 , 000 ” , “ concubine ” , “property” were like bullets hitting Omar's shattered body. He stood on his feet and speared Ratan Singh down to the ground delivering tight punches on his face. Ratan Singh's face was bleeding profusely . Instantly , Ratan cried for help , upon hearing his voice some men came running and grabbed Omar , they started beating him mercilessly. Ratan Singh stood up on his feet , he went near Khushi and said , ” You remember the separation quite clearly don't you , today you will bear witness to the killing of your brother ”. He shoved Khushi back to her room .
Ratan Singh ordered his men to kill Omar on the fields near the Bypass Road and burn his body . Omar was dragged all the way to the fields like an animal . The men took turns in beating him . It was only a matter of time , before they would tear open his body with swords .
*****
Superintendent of Police Ms. Sonia Mathur , was on her way to Chandigarh for an urgent meeting with the Police Board. She was passing through the Surajpur Bypass Road , out there on the fields she noticed something strange . A group of men had surrounded a man who looked heavily injured . She ordered the driver to stop the car . She stepped out and moved in their direction , upon hearing police sirens all the men left the scene , leaving Omar on the fields . Ms. Sonia rushed out towards the victim and ordered the Police Personnel to take him to the nearest hospital at once.
Omar laid there numb on the hospital bed .Once the doctor's were done treating his wounds . Ms Sonia entered the room and asked him to describe what was happening out there on the fields. Omar narrated the whole chain from his "sister's kidnapping to today's incident" . After hearing the whole story , The Police officer had only one question .‘ Where is your sister , Now’ ? “At Ratan Singh's house , Madam” .
Superintendent of Police Ms. Sonia Mathur , was on her way to Chandigarh for an urgent meeting with the Police Board. She was passing through the Surajpur Bypass Road , out there on the fields she noticed something strange . A group of men had surrounded a man who looked heavily injured . She ordered the driver to stop the car . She stepped out and moved in their direction , upon hearing police sirens all the men left the scene , leaving Omar on the fields . Ms. Sonia rushed out towards the victim and ordered the Police Personnel to take him to the nearest hospital at once.
Omar laid there numb on the hospital bed .Once the doctor's were done treating his wounds . Ms Sonia entered the room and asked him to describe what was happening out there on the fields. Omar narrated the whole chain from his "sister's kidnapping to today's incident" . After hearing the whole story , The Police officer had only one question .‘ Where is your sister , Now’ ? “At Ratan Singh's house , Madam” .
‘You take rest . I will look into the matter closely , she said and left .’
It was late night and there was no sign or message from the men whom he had given the orders to kill Omar. Ratan Singh grew tensed . Suddenly he heard the sound of cars outside his house . Anticipating their arrival , he rushed to the door . He opened the door , a group of Police Officers stood there staring at him . His joy turned into fear and hesitantly he asked “What's the matter , Officers ?”
It was late night and there was no sign or message from the men whom he had given the orders to kill Omar. Ratan Singh grew tensed . Suddenly he heard the sound of cars outside his house . Anticipating their arrival , he rushed to the door . He opened the door , a group of Police Officers stood there staring at him . His joy turned into fear and hesitantly he asked “What's the matter , Officers ?”
“You are under arrest Ratan Singh on the charges of kidnapping a girl 10 years ago and attempt to murder for today's assault on Omar .” I didn't do anything wrong , Ratan Singh shot back .
“Surely you didn't ” , Ms Sonia looked at him angrily she demanded ”Where's the girl ” ? Sensing the gravity of the situation , Ratan Singh called her out.
Khushi stayed with Ms Sonia till her brother was dispatched from the hospital . Ratan Singh confessed about his wrongdoings in the court of law , he along with his son were to rot in the jails .
Ms Sonia herself came to drop both of them to the New Delhi Railway Station from where they had a train to Porbandar . She hugged Khushi and said “ I can't bring back your childhood Khushi , but I'll make sure that these people who played with your life rot in jails forever . Now you both go and live your life ahead with dignity and happiness .
Omar stood there with luggage in his hand he joined hands in front of the lady police officer “Madam , I can never pay you back what you've done for me . I am forever grateful ”. They both said goodbye to her and boarded the train .
After arriving in Porbandar , Omar's wife gave birth to a daughter whom they named “Khushi” after her aunt. Resham who had grown old in all these years at once acknowledged her beloved daughter's presence . All three of them embraced each other , for the joy of reconciliation came out in the form of tears .
*****
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