MICROFICTION

Rugmini was excited. She was about to be felicitated at a public function for her deeds of 'charity', by the local MLA. There was a reasonably good crowd 'arranged' by her manager for this. The manager suddenly handed over his phone to Rugmini, saying, " MLA saab on the line." " Sorry, Rugmini madam, I got an unavoidable last minute program. I am sending my trusted aide instead. She should be reaching there anytime now to do the honors." As Rugmini waited on stage, she was horrified to see the aide who was escorted on to the stage to felicitate her. It was Renuka-her fearsome mother-in-law-whom she had driven out of her house five years back, after a big fight.

Double trouble. Kuppan, the coconut plucker was at the door, scratching his head and with a leer. Bijoi paid him, but was furious.   "Stop blackmailing me! I have already paid you enough for seeing me with my mistress from your vantage point on the tree." A couple of days later, when returning from an outing,Bijoi was horrified to see Kuppan talking to his wife. He thought angrily that he should teach the double crossing guy a lesson. It was then he saw his wife handing over some money to Kuppan and pleading with folded hands.

Pooja was about to get into the car, when her mom said, " Safe journey dear. My prayers will certainly protect you." Pooja, the agnostic, smiled at mom, but scoffed at the idea. When her car was approaching a hairpin near a dangerous gorge, she was suddenly stopped by a traffic cop who delayed her-in spite of her protests- for checking her papers. Suddenly there was a big sound and the road just ahead caved in due to a landslide. When Pooja, recovering her composure, looked around for the cop, he was nowhere to be seen.

The teenagers, Robin and his sister Maria were gagged, blindfolded and were being taken someplace by three thugs. Suddenly the teen siblings heard shouting and cursing as one of them said, " Wherefrom this checkpost has come suddenly! Wasn't there even an hour back." The awestruck teenagers then heard a very familiar, beloved voice shouting,  " Let's see your papers!" Then there was a brief struggle, three gunshots,screaming and then eerie silence. As the terrified siblings cowered, their blindfolds and gags fell off as a quiet voice gently ordered, " Robin, now get in here and drive the van. Take Maria home safely." The siblings opened their eyes tremulously, hoping in incredulous awe to see their beloved cop dad, who was killed many years earlier in a checkpost shootout. But they could see neither dad nor any checkpost.  The kidnappers were lying dead outside.

It was seven year old Durga's birthday and she was finally wearing her prized dress she was so proud of. She suddenly saw a lot of phlegm troubling her months old baby brother, lying in a cradle near her. Her parents who came rushing on hearing the baby scream, froze and watched in amazement as Durga- Unable to get a hanky or baby wipe-cleaned the baby snot with the hem of her new skirt and lifted the baby to comfort him. The parents hugged Durga and said, " Now, that's real love!"