Abdul

"How-many-times-have-I-told-you-mediocrity-in-work-is-something-I-cannot-stand!" Every word was punctuated with a sharp rap on his knuckles with the wooden scale. Wincing with every strike, 12 year old Abdul stood trembling before his master. "S-sorr...I...I'm reall-ly...sor-sorry, sir,"stammered the boy whose cheeks were streaked with tears. Blinking the water from his pale-green eyes, Abdul said beseechingly,"It...It...won't...happen ag-again." His master moved his face close to his and said with disgust,"Sorry. That's all I get to hear. But no improvement. Now one of these days I'm going to...." Master raised his hand once again, but threw away the scale in frustration. "Oh just get out of my sight!" Cringing, Abdul stumbled out of the room.

He didn't look back. Didn't bother with his chappals. He just pelted out of the house. Abdul ran. Ran without a second look at his favourite shop owned by Salim agha. How he used to love to look at all the different coloured chocolates, toffees and lollipops on display. Salim agha used to allow him to sit in the shop to watch the cricket matches and even slipped him a candy or two sometimes. But Abdul ran. Without a thought of the mud that now streaked his white pyjamas.

Abdul didn't stop till he reached the wall. It was his favourite spot. Whenever he desired solitude he came to the wall which overlooked the sea. He was panting and sniffling. His breath came in short bursts. He wasn't crying now but there were tell-tale marks on his cheeks. His eyes were red and so were his knuckles. Chapped and stinging.

There was a sudden clap of thunder and raindrops fell from the heavens. The sun hid under the turbid firmament. His green kurta flapped as the wind escalated to a gale. The drizzle soon turned into a downpour. The sea rose to meet the sky. Giant waves crashed on the rocks below. Abdul was drenched, right from his skullcap to his muddy toes.

The steady pitter-patter soothed him. The smell of the wet earth was consoling.
He closed his eyes as the wind whistled in his ears. The sea roared in defiance of the heavens. Veins of lightning lined the belly of the gods. But even as the world around him rose in a tumultuous din, Abdul felt a strange sense of calmness. There was a numbness that cloaked his pain.

The pain of being constantly accused of unsatisfactory work, the pain of being constantly berated, the pain of rejection. The pain that there was not one person in the whole world who even cared about his existence. No one. The pain that he still could not comprehend why ammi had left him a dark alley when he was just a year old. Just when he had learnt to say his first word - ammi.

Although a good domestic help, Abdul was still a kid. At times he would be caught looking out of the window at the colourful kites being flown by the neighbouring children. But he wasn't destined for such things. Abdul was a servant, meant to live his life in servile obedience.

The rain came down in torrents. Trees swayed in the harsh wind. Leaves were washed of dirt and dust that had lined them the past many weeks. The rain had cleansed Abdul's feet too. The downpour had wiped every trace of tears from his face. His eyes were still closed. His lips broke into a smile. Troubles that creased his forehead were lost in the wind.

He lifted his hands, enjoying the feeling. He felt the warmth that no one had given him before. Someone did care. Where society had given him the cold shoulder, Nature had embraced him.

Abdul had to return to Master's now. Otherwise his absence will be noticed. He was sure the roof above the kitchen was leaking. He sighed. Abdul was still shackled to this existence that he disliked so much. Yet, Abdul felt at peace. He was still a mere servant but Nature had set him free.