Pocket money

Scene: A lower middle-class home with only the head of the family earning a meagre salary

Characters: Father and his teenage daughter

Situation: Month-end; Father needs urgent cash...Asks his daughter if she has something left from her pocket money. The college-going girl's deadly yet pathetic stare sends the man into his past, only to be jolted back into the present as he hears her suggestion to the monthly problem...

A tetragenarian father

On the date of 20

Asks his college-going daughter –

‘Did you spent your pocket money this month?’

………..…The days of scarlet blood

Thoughts of a robust future

Faith in the best education pocketed

Confident of tearing shackles

I held my first pay pack.

Humble a son

Succumbed to his mother’s choice

Beautiful a girl, I loved her whole

Partner she became, our dreams were green

Wife she became as her womb grew heavy

Mother she chose to be

Far-sighted was she

Decided two kids and no more

Dignity mine was kept

Reputed schools my kids stepped in

And when grades they collected excellent

Pride mine soared high

Sublimed in joy

The world was at our feet

But college did they step in

Status of mine jolted out

Their career became my thought

Donations and bribes apart from fees and influence

New arrivals and cosmetics

To excursions and study tours

Politics and authenticity to

Reservations and corruption

Made me knock at my courage constantly

My wife dusted her certificates

Rhymes she recited for a valuable sum

As our dream became childrens’ careers

Our efforts never flickered once

Their personal vehicle was our determination

Their strength was our love

We won on all fronts

But for their ‘whys’

Why can’t we own a bike of our won?

Why don’t we plan a holiday to a hill station?

Why can’t I pursue painting as a hobby?

Why should the movie wait for next month?..........

‘Here papa

Why don’t you increase our pocket-money

So that every month-end

We can give you the increased amount

At least we’ll get to spend our pocket-money.’