Anwar, as usual, was getting back from his school, walking through the street that consisted of myriad of small shops. He came across a shop which sold candies and ice-creams of all colors. Anwar stood in front of the shop staring at the choclates. He put his hand in his pocket, and took out a Rs10 note. The note which was with him for the last three years. The note which always reminded him of this particular day, the black day.
It was friday, the thirteenth. Anwar was in the bathroom, but he could clearly hear his parents' fight. They were fighting over some financial decissions. Anwar was supposed to go with his father to a shop nearby to buy some stuff. But as Anwar's father was getting late and Anwar was not dressed yet, his father gave him a Rs10 note and asked him to buy it himself from a shop nearby, and left the house.
Anwar left the house after 5 mins. As he walked down the street, he saw a number of people gathered, as if they were watching a clown perform in the middle of the road. He went close to see what was going on. He could not believe what he saw. His father was lying down with his face covered in blood. He had been hit so hard that a puddle of blood had formed near his face.
It was clear that the juggernaut lorry had bumped into his father's bike. Anwar did not know what to do. He stood there petrified, his eyes filled with tears. He then knelt down towards his father. His father stuttered 'Forgive me my son. Remember one thing, I will always be there for you. I will be watching you. And tell your mother that I love her'. Those were his last words.
What was an eight year old boy supposed to do in such situation? He simply stood there, holding the money in his hand, watching.
And now,after 3 years, he had to decide whether he would just go and spend the money to purchase the sweets, or keep it with him, as it was the last thing from his father.
He thought its just money, and there's nothing special about it.
So he walked into the shop and purchased 2 candies which cost Rs4. He gave the Rs10 note to the shopkeeper. He took the change and put it in his pocket. He started walking towards his house. As he came across another shop, he thought of having another candy. So he went to the shop and asked for a choclate which cost Rs4. As he put his hand in his pocket, he was surprised to see that there was this same old Rs10 note, instead of the change. So he purchased 2 of them instead. He was happy, but a little scared. He ate both the choclates and went to the next shop. And when he put his hand in his pocket to pay the shopkeeper, he was surprised, a little less this time, to find the same old note. Now he knew that he could purchase anything he wanted.
Everytime he put his hand in his pocket, he found the same money.
So he went on purchasing choclates, ice creams, toys, and everything that a little boy of his age in his little town would ever desire to have. After passing by a few stores, he had purchased so many things that it was hard for him to carry. And everytime, he paid with the same old note.
Suddenly he started feeling guilty. He felt as if he had sinned. He walked with his head down. He felt ashamed as he didn't even think much before spending the money. His conscience was killing him. As he was walking, he saw a man, about 15 yards away from him, as if he was waiting for him. As he lifted his head, he was surprised, rather shocked, to see his father. Suddenly his tiny hazel eyes filled with tears. He dropped all the things he had purchased, and ran towards his father. His father bent down as if to hug his son. His father started kissing him on his forehead, cheeks, and all over Anwar's face, with tears in his eyes. Anwar murmured 'am sorry papa, am so sorry'. 'You need not be sorry, my son', said his father.
After much kissing and caressing his son, Anwar's father said 'Remember one thing beta, i want you to be known for your honesty', which made Anwar feel the guilt again. But he now knew that he would never do something in his life which would make him feel guilty again. 'Now wake up Anwar, you are getting late for the school', his father slurred, as if he were drunk. And as Anwar's eyes were filled with tears, his father looked obscure to him. So he closed his eyes and started rubbing them with his fingers.
As he opened his eyes, he saw that his mother was standing next to his bed and said, 'you've slept enough Anwar. Now get up and get ready, else you will be late for your school'. As she left, Anwar saw that his pillow was wet because of his tears. He got up and went to brush.
As he was brushing, he put his hand in his pocket and took out the Rs10 note that his father had given him. The same old Rs10 note. He was sure of one thing, whatever he dreamed last night about the note was true, he thought. He thought there was some power in the note. Some love. And he knew that his father was watching him. He was sure of one more thing. He was sure that he would never find out if there was any power in it. He was sure that he would never spend the money, and it would always be with him, till his death....
