The Brown Belt

Little Komal was sitting on the hot stone pavement waiting. Like everyday, the school bus had dropped her at the bus stop at 2 pm. All the kids had left with their mothers. She was the only one sitting there. But this wasn’t new to her. She knew mummy was busy. “Mummy didn’t even say goodbye to me in the morning,” she thought to herself.

Just then, a car pulled up next to her. She recognized the car and stood up as Namarata got out. “Sorry beta. Mausi got late in the traffic,” Namarata looked at Komal.

Komal smiled. She was fond of Namarata but was disappointed since her mom wasn’t there. “Where is mumma?” she asked, the innocence of her face giving way to an early maturity. She knew the answer already. It wasn’t unusual for her to see Namarata at the bus stop instead of mummy. “Mummy got busy with her work bachcha, that’s why Mausi is here,” Namarata said, picking Komal in her arms and taking her into the car.

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Just an hour back, Arjun had called Namarata. He was sounding stressed. “Namarata, I have a favor to ask of you. I don’t know who else to reach out to.”

“Tell me Arjun, what happened? You sound worried.”

“Payal has gone out with her friends again and is not answering her phone. I am stuck in some work at office and cannot leave right now. Will you be able to pick Komal up from the school bus stop? I will get late and I don’t want my little girl to wait in this sun. Payal didn’t tell me earlier else I would have planned my day accordingly. I will come and pick Komal up in the evening. Is that ok? I am really sorry for this.”

Arujn was such a sweetheart, Namarata thought. Arjun was always there to help others even if it meant going out of his way. “Sure, don’t worry Arjun. I will take care of Komal,” Namarata had told him.

Arjun had thanked Namarata profusely and hung up. Payal was four years younger to Namarata. Arjun’s work required a lot of traveling and Payal would always accompany him. Payal had stated that as a reason for never pursuing a career of her own.

A few months after the marriage, though, Payal seemed to have changed a bit. Not caring about the family and only partying, staying out with friends and alcohol had become her priorities. Arjun would juggle between home and office and Payal started staying out more. That had led to health implications, she had bags under her eyes and what not. But all this didn't seem to bother Payal. All that she cared about was having fun.

Source: Google

Whenever Namarata or their parents called her, Payal would not return calls. She would never be home if Namarata went to check on her. Namarata had tried to talk to Payal a number of times but it had had no effect on Payal. She had stopped hanging out with her old friends and found new ones.

But, Arjun never complained. He always told Namarata not to worry. “I want Payal to enjoy life. I am there to take care of everything. If she is happy this way, I see no problem” he would tell Namarata whenever she would voice her concern.

Then, Payal was pregnant with Komal and things started to improve. She would stay at home. The booze and partying stopped and there was a visible difference in Payal for good. However, soon after Komal’s birth, everything started again. She would leave a crying Komal with Arjun and go out with her friends.

Namarata hardly saw Payal nowadays. She would get to know of her well-being from Arjun once in a while. Payal always seemed busy with her plans and friends. “Poor Arjun has to manage everything. And what about that little child? At an age when she needs her mother the most, the mother is never around. I hope Payal mends her ways. Please God,” Namarata had thought, as she left for Komal's bus stop.

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Namarata shared a special bond with Komal. Namarata, a divorcee, had no children of her own. Thus, Komal bought her immense joy. Apart from work that kept her busy, she loved spending time with Komal. She could be a child again and forget about her own worries.

Komal and Namarata had spent the day playing hide and seek, doing homework and watching Tom and Jerry. Arjun had messaged asking if Namarata could drop Komal home since Arjun’s car was giving some trouble.

After dinner, Namarata drove Komal to Arjun’s home. Arjun was looking tired but couldn’t thank Namarata less. Payal was nowhere to be seen. When she enquired, Arjun told her that Payal would be late. That made her a little angry. However, Komal was sleepy so Namarata put her in the bed in Komal’s room and prepared to leave.

Arjun was at the door to see her off. “I am sorry for all this, Arjun. I have tried speaking to Payal but she doesn’t listen to me. I know how difficult it has become for you. I can’t do much but let me know if you need help in any way, anytime.”

Arjun smiled, “Thanks. But don’t worry Namarata. I want Payal to have fun and I don’t mind her partying or staying late outside. I just need her to inform me in advance so that I can plan my day accordingly and Komal doesn’t have to suffer or I don’t have to disturb you.”

Namarata nodded and left. Arjun shut the door behind her.

In the other bedroom, leaning against the wall was Payal, hands tied, face gagged and tears rolling down her cheeks. The brown belt that had left her battered and killed her soul lay next to her.

As the bedroom door opened, the thought of another night with the brown belt made her shiver with fear.

Source: Google