just another bygone day

like always siddique was ready with the equipment. the narrow streets were bustling with activity. kids all around playing the one and only game in india that could rock a nation into collective consiousness. cricket. followed by religious zeal, the sounds of ball hitting bat resonate as you walked across the tar paved street where kamlesh lived.

it was quite a sight. concrete buildings erected next to each other in a straight line on either sides of the street to hold the bustling metropolis, each with its small courtyard just perfect to hold the cricket pitch .. all of 22 yards. and thats where all the action happened late into the evening before the dark skies enveloped the city. there was hardly any traffic in this inner lane and the street was part of the playground. each building would host a game with kids from the neighboring building joining in.

but as always it was just siddique and kamlesh, on their turf matching their skills. kamlesh was a natural talent stroking the ball, fielding with energy and bowling like a madman. mostly it would be siddique charging in to kamlesh who would find the perfect placement. this was the only time that kamlesh would bully siddique with his unparalleled skills. and cristine would watch it from her terrace behind her science textbook. she would always long for something so that she too could be a part , sometimes she did .. but it was a mans game. she wanted to be part of their game, next to him part of his life. to get his attention she would always cheer siddique, she enjoyed getting under his skin.

crash .. bang. she was broken from her imaginary world. she saw kamlesh and siddique rushing away from the scene of the broken glass windows of the neighbour. she couldnt react. before she could go away, the neighbor appeared,

its kamlesh isnt it. you saw them playing here. tell me and ill make sure he never plays here.

oh no , i dont think so. i was here all this while but i dont know. there was no one playing here. its from the other side i think.

tell me the truth cristine, your dad will be angry if you lie.

cristine saw kamlesh winking at her from the corner of the wall. her heart skipped a beat.
with a smile she said,  no i am not. honestly there was no one here.

oh these kids, the exasperated neighbor went back to his evening dose of the reality show.

kamlesh and siddique slowly walked out.

thank you shouted siddique. cristine join us , we will play something different now right kamlesh.

kamlesh looked at her hoping his face wouldnt give it all away. allright only today cristine but i generally dont like to play girly games.

as she joined them , it was the familiar friendship and tales of gossip. the three musketeers slowly started their journey into life.