The Gulab Jamun Girl

This sight was so pleasant & peaceful. A 5-6 year old poor girl (perhaps grown on air) stopped by the Gulab jamun cart. She started searching for poor penny to buy them. Quickly she took out a 5 rupee coin from her tangled, decombed, unwashed hair which was tied into plaits. She demanded the Jamun wala that she wants to eat the sweet balls in a clean steel bowl with good pour of sugar syrup & a clean spoon.

He served them. She lost in them. She didn’t realise a tempo passing by which could have hit her. The Jamun wala pulled her in & howled at her Abusing her mother. She replied, “ae bhaiya, accha kiya bacha liya nahi toh gulab jamun khaye bagair mar jaati…!” I was awestruck with the scene.

She sipped the syrup, her tiny hands couldn’t part the Jamuns with the spoon. So she left it aside & gulped them barren handed. I could see the delight & satisfaction on her face. She asked the Jamun wala,”ab kitne baje tak bechega? Agar khatam nahi hue to mujhe de dena.” Without a reply he passed by . She also eveacuated the place. Leaving the spot, her tiny hands glided on all the wet cars parked in a row. It seemed all the Headlights were calling her for a cuddle. She peek-a-booed in one of the sedan’s for those tiny soft toys hanging within, but without a frown & disappointment of not owning them, she smiled.

I could see the golden Jamuns on her unbathed cheek on which her smile was trying to reach her ears & I also saw the sugary syrup in her deep teenie weenie eyes which were knitting big dreams!