Battlefield
The grand-aunt
from India is visiting and has all the time in the world. Dad is working from
home today and can spare half an hour. So how about a game of – sorry, not cerebral
chess but the much humbler snakes and ladders? Kids are happy and the game
starts immediately.
The kids are
seven and five years old. The younger one is indicted as a full-fledged player
for the first time overruling the smirking elder one’s objections. The young
one could never resist the temptation of skipping snakes or fudging the houses
to grab a ladder. Her elder brother would never have allowed her to play but he
was told she was not a serious contender and it would be best to ignore her. So
was tolerated. Now things have changed. She has become rather adept at the
game.
The kids and
their father have all the luck. The grand-aunt is a plodder but very patient. She
seems to enjoy the journey more. The elder one takes pot shots at her and she
does not mind. He himself is burning with competitive spirit.
In their
enthusiasm to reach ‘heaven’ – the top house of 100, the kids are over- eager
to grab the dice. After missing their turn a few times, the elders make a rule:
whoever plays the dice out of turn, must move back five houses.
N goes
up quickly but also slides down fast. S steadily goes ahead without once
resorting to cheating. N fumes. However, S plays out of turn.
“Move back
five places.” N orders her. This is the chance he is waiting for. S does not want to go back. Seeing her
face, the grand-aunt takes pity on her.
“This is the
first time. So I am letting you off with a warning. You must allow each player
to play and take his own time.”
S nods
her head meekly. N is furious.
“A rule is a
rule. She has to come back.”
“Come on N. She is a small girl. We will let her off with a warning.”
“NO!”
The
grand-aunt is being partial! S is allowed to continue.
“That is
unfair. I am quitting.”
Instead of
capitulating, the grand-aunt merely says,
“Okay. We
will call you once this game is over.”
N has
to step aside. He does so most reluctantly. He had not bargained for his own
removal. He does not go away but stands nearby wearing an injured expression
and watching every move of S like a hawk. Her progress continues. The
grand-aunt does not mind.
N edges
closer. He can barely suppress his fury.
He leans
towards S. “Cheater!”
“I am not!”
says S in a small voice.
“N, she
did not cheat. She did not ask for a concession. I allowed her to play.”
N does
not care for any lame explanations.
“Stinker” he
hisses.
“I am not.” S says softly. The poor thing is used to placating N even
when – which is most of the time – he is in the wrong.
The dice is
cast twice. N comes closer to the game.
“Pooper!” he
shouts with venom in his voice.
“I am not.” S maintains.
The
grand-aunt suppresses her mirth with difficulty and the game continues.
This is too
much! N attacks S and whacks her. She is ready. Both wrestle. In any
such game of physical power, S can beat N hollow.
The
grand-aunt is rolling over with laughter. Kids’ father has no patience with
these tactics. He warns them once and then goes away. The kids are a bit scared
of him.
The
grand-aunt controls herself and gives a call for the next game. Quickly N and S end their fight. They are eager to find out who will win the next
game.
*********************************
2 comments:
Nice!
The third person narrative feels a bit heavy and stilted in the beginning but the piece ends on a light and amusing note.
Just one thing - this is a public blog so perhaps things like names should be disguised a bit...
Point taken and changes made.
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