I WILL LOOK AFTER YOU
It was a hot day. Rani had taken her three children to the park by the seaside for a bit of fresh air and also because children enjoy playing on the swings. Today they wanted to play with the tennis ball that had been given to them by their uncle. Apu, the eldest was 6 years old, Archana, Roshni were 4 and 3 respectively. After a few hours, exhausted from throwing the ball around, they were heading back to their little home that Rani and her three children shared with her 80 years old widowed mother and a very sick aunt who had no family of her own. As always Apu stopped at the ice cream shop demanding his favourite mango and vanilla flavoured ice cream. Mahajan, the elderly shop owner had known Rani for many years. He was very fond of the children and would often give them free ice cream when Rani was not watching. Today Rani was adamant that she was going to pay for the ice creams. She was particularly pleased with herself, as she had been awarded a pay rise. She worked as a maid at the rich merchants house. The house was situated on top of the hill just outside the village. As they walked home leisurely Archana spotted a little kitten meowing by the roadside looking lost and frightened. Feeling sorry for the kitten she picked it up to take her home and feed her.
But they had only walked a short distance when all of a sudden all hell broke loose. She became aware of a loud, steadily rising, rumbling noise, as if a thousand elephants were charging towards her. As she turned around she could see a huge wave of water rushing towards them. It was lifting everything in its path. Trees, houses, cars were hurtling along like dolls house toys. Startled by the spectacle she froze to the spot she was standing. In no time Rani and her children were in the middle of a giant wave of water. She tried to hold on to a branch of a tree. But it was in vain, it just snapped like a twig. She hurtled along the water for several minutes until she was thrown onto the roof of a hut. The hut had got lodged between some palm trees. As she struggled she felt a sharp pain in her legs. Her legs were caught between some very heavy planks. Unable to move she held on to the tree trunk for her life. Hugging it like a giant teddy bear.
After about an hour of utter agony and terror the water appeared to be receding. As she looked around all she could see was utter devastation. Her village had disappeared. For miles around there was nothing but flattened houses and uprooted trees. As the water receded further there was an eerie silence. No one could be heard or seen. Bloody and battered she tried to stand up but could not. Her legs were firmly pinned under some very heavy planks as if caught in the claws of a giant crab. Terrified she looked around for the children. There was no sign of them. Fearing the worst she started screaming in terror, "Please help me! Please help me! My children, where are they!" She could not remember how long she had remained trapped, but after, what seemed like eternity, she could hear some voices. She desperately prayed and hoped it was the children. Some of the villagers, who lived on the hill had survived the devastation. They were now rushing down to help. Some one spotted her. As they reached her stomping through the mud, she screamed out "Please help find my children! They are 6 years, 4 years and 3 years. Please, please help!"
They said it was tsunami. But she had no idea what it meant. She did not care. All she wanted was her children by her side.
The gardener, who worked at the rich merchants house came running as he spotted her. He gave her the good news. Apu, Archana and Roshni were safe and unhurt. They are at the rich merchants house. Relieved, she ran the quarter of a mile up the hill to the house. Crying inconsolably she hugged and kissed the children as if she had not seen them for several years. Wiping her tears with the sari she turned to the rich merchant to thank him. He said he did not deserve it as he had done nothing to help. The children appeared in the house by themselves. When questioned how they got there the children said "Papa brought us here. He gave us a lollipop each and said everything will be alright. Mum will be back soon. He said he had to go. We wanted him to stay because we miss him so much. But he said one day we would understand. He also said to tell Mum not to worry as he is looking after us".
Rani instantly knew the children were telling the truth. Rich merchant, now confused, wanted to know where was her husband, and why had he deserted her and the children.
She explained that her husband died of lung cancer a year ago. Before he took his last breath he whispered to her "Dont worry I will be looking after you".
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