Desperate Eyes

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Rubeena, with her melodiously sweet voice was talking to one of the many callers on her show called ‘flashback with Rubeena’ on radio. I was falling in love with Kavitha Krishnamurthy who was at her vocal best in one of her songs being aired. Next to follow was the legendary voice of Mr. Jagjit Singh, singing one of the best gazals of all time. Humming to these serene tunes I was couched comfortably at the navigator’s seat of a friend’s car.

Rubeena had an interesting topic being discussed on air. She was asking her listeners to express their childhood memories where in they had anything mischievous to hide their wrong doings. One of the interesting caller, believe me she also had an amazing voice, went on to narrate her tale. We were at a traffic signal when a boy, who had been to this world around a decade ago, approached us to sell a toy.

His bones were wrapped around with a thin layer of skin, which could have easily been torn apart, without prompting much of a pain. His hair screamed they had never been caressed with the smoothness of oil. His clothes had seldom tasted water. His dark eyes were so so desperate. His voice uttered emotions.



The toy!

One thing which impressed me is that though life had pushed him to extremities of deadly hunger and poverty, it hasn’t got the best of him, yet. He was not begging. More often than not we see people resorting to all sorts of drama, just to beg. Having finished his day at school, yes he is to join fifth standard now, it was the time to earn money, by selling toys. His parents are working at a nearby construction site. I wonder what this kid would have answered to Rubeena if she asked him if cherished his childhood?
Would you buy a toy if, by any chance, spot any of those burdened boys around? It might cost us not more than ten or twenty rupees, but it might change their lives. He politely answered that he earns fifty to hundred rupees, if he has a lucky day. Wish every day brings a fair bit of luck.