The Red Sky

I peeped inside the umbrella shop to make sure if it was still there. There it was. My gaze was fixated on the red umbrella spread out at the right corner of the shop. It was broken by the sudden drizzle. I could feel the rain droplets kissing me. I pulled myself away from the shop with much difficulty and started walking towards the backyard of the Mosque which I called home. My Ammi swept the mosque grounds and managed a meager sum everyday in the form of alms from the generous souls. It was hardly enough to cover ourselves. Two square meals a day was a luxury. I cursed my stars for this pathetic existence. The grey clouds were transforming into a dark shade of black. I had barely anything to cover my body and to think I had been salivating at the thought of owning that red umbrella!

It was then I noticed that crumpled piece of note falling out of his pocket. I pounced on it and ran in the opposite direction. I could not believe my luck when I checked my catch. A 500 rupee note! I walked straight into the umbrella shop like a person possessed. It cost me my entire loot.

I spread out my red umbrella and walked out into the street. The sky was no longer blue under it. I could feel myself soak in the color of the sun. I reached home and screamed with joy. The red umbrella was such a misfit in this little hutment. I called for Ammi. I saw the rice soup she had prepared for me kept in a corner, untouched. I felt a twitch in my stomach. Here was Ammi who saved every penny to feed me. And here I was who had succumbed to his temptations. I wanted to hug her for loving me so unselfishly. I walked out of the hut only to find her lying still in a pool of water. I shook her. I felt her pulse, her heartbeat. Everything was eerily silent. She was dead. I collapsed besides her. She had been starving to feed me. My tears went unnoticed in the rain.

I placed my red umbrella besides Ammi while laying her to rest. It was the least expensive gift I could give her in return for the most supreme one she had bestowed me with-the gift of life.

Word count: 400 words

(*image copyright: Soze/flickr)

(The rain gods were a lil difficult to please...he he...it took a while...am extremely sorry for the delay...was stuck up with work and was hard pressed for time...was not sure if would be able to pen one down...wanted to...desperately...given the fact that this contest has had great participation from all...how could i miss out on the party...stretched myself today...and the rains from kerala have lashed the lounge...cheers! will be back to comment on all stories that i missed...you all make the lounge rock friends...a big five for all of you here! Rock on!)