Love & Loyalty : Sanket Ghag

The heat bounced off the roads, and caused a mirage of wavering images. An occasional dog would lope by its tongue hanging out so far it was touching the ground in an effort to keep cool. Tar melted on the streets. Nothing stirred, no birds, , not much  people . It was too hot to make the effort to walk from the front door to the car. The sun beat down like a hot oven with no breeze to lighten its fiery breath. And after the argument with my mother my head was getting more heated up. I walked down road hiding under any shade I got from trees or bus stop or even the shops along the road. I walked for 5 mins and it felt like I was walking for hours together. The sweat on my face was slowing drifting from the forehead to my cheeks. I walked more 5 mins and took shelter in small shop along the road, bought a bottle of chilled mineral water and splashed on my face; I was trying to cool down my body and anger too. As I stood there for a while trying to cool down , I saw an old lady; she was in her late 70’s stood along the road side under the scorching sun shooing away the dog who was walking besides her. The wall fan in the shop swung his head towards me ,the breeze and the cool water on my face gave me a heavenly feelings. I closed my eyes and the argument with mom flashed in front of me. I quickly opened my eyes and shrugged the thoughts and started walking down the lane. The old lady was still trying to shoo the street dog away but the dog wasn’t moving an inch . The old lady looked at me as I passed by. Her face was wrinkled her eyes had sunken in, her lips were dry and had few teeth in her mouth. Her silver scanty hairs were tied into a bun. The clothes she was wearing had patches on it. As I moved ahead I heard a low decibel voice. I again looked back at her . She was waving at me.  I thought for a brief moment and walked towards her. I had predetermined thoughts that she would ask for money or food like any other beggar but I still walked towards her

“Son can you help me please” the old lady spoke in a soft and low voice

Without thinking I put my hands in back pockets and took my wallet out and dug my hand inside.

“No No No.. I don’t want money” she waved her shivering hands

I looked blankly at her “ What help do you want then” I asked

She looked at the street dog who looked so weak, one could easily count his  rib bones,  he looked like a dog who was not feed for week  together . “Can you please scare this dog away, Every time I shoo him away he again follows me back”

I felt guilty of myself that not every poor looking man or woman is a beggar. As I picked up a stone the dog started walking backwards, and as I  was abt to throw the stone he ran away quickly. I looked back at the lady she dint looked happy but still smiled and thanked me. I took her to the shop which I had just visited and made her sit there. I offered her juice to which she plainly denied she just asked for water. I brought a chilled mineral water and gave it to her. Just then my phone buzzed, My mom was calling me I received the call . She was trying to convince me to come back home and complete my lunch which I had walked leaving it halfway. I just disconnected the phone without replying. I turned back  the dog had again reappeared   and was sitting beside her feet looking at her. I picked up the stick and was about to hit the dog , he again ran away quickly .

“Why is the dog following you again and again?” I asked the old lady

“10 yrs back once when I was returning home from market a small pup followed me , I had bread in my market bag I removed one and gave it to the pup, and then onwards this became a routine , That pup grew into a dog and stayed around my house. I always gave him something to eat. My husband passed away one year back and then onwards my kids started ill treating me. They treated me so bad that I myself left my house six months back... They dint even come looking for me. And Now I don’t have anything to feed this dog but he still keeps on following me... How do I make him understand that I can’t feed him anymore? Can you please do that for?  Can u make please make him understand this???”

 I stood there with choked feelings for some time!!

The old lady stood up and started walking and the dog started walking with her.  My phone buzzed again and it was my mom.