At night the park looks like a different place. As the white lights shine over the green grass and there is a hue of white on everything the white lights touch, the benches, the walking track, even the tiny insects that fly around and sometimes the occasional small birds.
On such a night Divakar found himself alone in the park. He had gone to his friends’ house when his parents left for shopping but when Divakar came back he found that his parents had not yet returned and the house was still locked. So, he had two options- go to the neighbour’s house who would indirectly compare how her own son was better in studies than Divakar or head for the park.
It was a safe park within a society surrounded by houses on all sides but again the dark of the night can persuade other types of thoughts especially when it is empty.
Divakar sat on one of the benches for a while until the mosquitoes could no longer be ignored and so he started walking around and he unexpectedly came across Trupti.
Trupti was in her early fifteen, the same age as Divakar. She spoke very less and there was something ominous about her, not because of something she did.
Once when the children were younger and playing in the park, screaming and running around. One of the older girls, Mrinal, tired of the noise pointed towards Trupti who preferred sitting alone and drawing and said, “if you don’t behave, she will punish you, she has powers like you see in movies or TV shows.” Trupti didn’t hear it but she found herself in the centre of unwanted attention.
From there on anything unpleasant that happened even if it was a simple fall, the children looked around if Trupti was there.
It wasn’t as harmful with Trupti clueless about what was happening at all and the children rather keeping their behaviour in check when she was around.
One day the children decided they had to do something, so they went to her and asked her not to come to the park when it was their time to play and explained how they were scared of her.
Trupti rather found it very interesting and for a long time this girl who could make bad things happen was the subject of her drawings. She rather enjoyed this feeling of being overwhelming on others. But few such as Divakar felt bad about it.
“I am sorry for the way we treated you. I realise now how foolish it was of us for believing it. Things must have been so confusing for you,” said Divakar
Trupti smiled, an expression Divakar was not expecting.
“I enjoyed it. In fact, it’s boring now that everyone has grown and become so sensible,” said Trupti
“I am glad then it did not bother you in that manner,” said Divakar relieved
“But,” said Trupti, “it was true”
Divakar laughed and suddenly realised he couldn’t move at all and a pain was emerging in his head. Trupti remained silent for a while and then she smiled and walked away leaving a very startled Divakar to deal with his disbelief.
Written by Anuran Chatterji
Footprints of Past
Early Morning Memories 