Where is CHUTKI ?

The Lost ChildHood..............

They looked around. The shop was open. The bright eyes reflected the naughtiness. He pushed her forward and they moved towards the shop. She looked around and slowly he pulled out the bread packet from counter. They bent below the counter and slowly walked away. She told him, she didn't like the idea but was hungry. Raghu knew his little sister was kind and never voted stealing the bread. But poor little boy had no other option. Their father lay drunk in the corner of the room and mother was out doing her daily chores in the big kothis (big houses) in the big streets. Raghu feared the children there. He felt weak talking to them. Most of the children were kind barring a few who thought it a bad to play with him. They reached their house. Chutki opened the door. It creaked. She stared blankly in the silence of the room. Turned around put her finger on her little dry lips and cautioned Raghu to be silent. She tip toed in the room. Her little body moved near the drunkard lying in the corner of the room. She looked at her father with a grieved eye and the two slipped in the kitchen. Chutki giggled with joy at the thought of having bread today. Both of them vowed to keep the secret that they stole the bread. They ate bread only. Chutki drank a full glass of water kissed her brother and ran out shouting, "You are the best". Raghu knew he was no more the best having taught his four years little sister how to steal bread. He cursed himself and got up to go out. He wiped his tears with his sleeves. The little lad slowly stepped out of the kitchen and then walked outside. He saw children playing on the street. He looked around for Chutki. He walked past the lamp post. He searched in the lane. Slowly Ragu became anxious. He was puzzled. The little boy searched for her everywhere.He asked the women living in the neighborhood. He called aloud, "CHUTKI".   He ran to his house, shook his drunken father. His father slapped him and yelled at him. On being informed about Chulki not being around, he shouted, "Let her go to hell." Raghu slowly walked out of the room. He went to the main street and headed towards the shop where he stole the bread. His eyes wandered around the streets, and his heart echoed the question "Where is CHUTKI?"