SPRADE LOVE

Rrrrrrr…………..ing. The shrill sound of the call bell filled the house. Nita looked at the front door unhappily, who could it be so early in the morning? We hardly knew anyone here.

The summer vacation had just started and Nita and her family had recently shifted to this multi-storey building and were still in the process of settling down. She opened the door and quickly jumped aside to avoid begin trampled on by the group of children who rushed into the house in a tearing hurry. The group consisted. Of children of all ages……

“Manoj’, where is Manoj? “they all chorused.

“He is having a bath, Please wait,” answered Nita. Confused, she looked at the group, which had children of all age. How could Manoj have made so many friends in such a short time.? She thought.

Ok, so he is an extrovert but this is too much!!!! “Hi’floks!, suddenly Manoj burst into the drawing room wiping his wet hair vigorously with a towel.” “Give me two minutes.” As he turned he saw Nita standing in a corner. He called out to her and introduced, “this is Nita, my younger sister and Nita this is the gang from the building. This is Saurabh, this is Suruchi,Ritu, Ashok, Geetika, Annesh ,Gaurav and Tutu………..

Hello”, said Nita shyly. Manoj went inside to get ready. “Why don’t you also come with us? Asked one of the gang members.

Nita shook her head. She knew she could not keep up with their pace. “Oh, Nita is a dreamer, a nature- lover said Manoj joining his friends. “She would rather paint or read a book in some quite Conner than come out and play wild games with us. Isn’t that so Nita?” Manoj said patting her midly on the head. Nita amiled shyly, as soon as we are gone. She will take her sketch book and go the terrace to draw …………

Before Manoj could finish, the group exclaimed. the terrace? Oh. no not the terrace! Why asked Nita astonished at this unanimous nervousness………………….

Its prohibited zone, said suruchi…

Dnt even think of quipped ashok . trespassers are shouted at, added aneesh, hey wait a minute what is all this warning about why is the terrace prohibited and by whom? Asked nita

By nikhil the gang repiled in chorus. Who is he asked Manoj puzzled.

He is an our age boy living on the top floor. His parents brought this house only last year. He lives with his parents but never play with us and nor allow us to play on terrace………

But why should he not allow anyone n terrace asked nita,oh he is just unusual that is all we used to go there quite often to play before he came. But within a week of he shifting there, she shooed us out,” said ritu once or twice we did try to go upstairs but what a screaming we got since then on one has dared to go there.

Manoj impatiently said come long now lets go and play. But Nita could not take it so easily; who could this Nikhil be who hates making friends of his age. Nita was only 2 years younger to Manoj who was tall and strong always full of energy, she was frail child tall but thin. The most striking features in her pale face were her eyes, big and brown , full if feeling and emotions unlike her brother she was an introvert.

After breakfast, nita sat down at the dining table with her sketchpad and pencil. She tried to draw few lines but could not concentrate. So Nita picked up her sketchpad and pencils and went out of the flat.

She taught fully for a few moments and then started climbing the stairs.

She finally climbed the stairs to the terrace, and the door was half open she peeped through it and gasped at sight that met her eyes. What she saw was unbelievable- something she could have never imagined.

She saw Nikhil sitting on a deck chair surrounded by different types of birds. Birds of all kind and colours, there were sparrows, blue jays, mynahs, bulbuls, pigeons, and many more. which Nita could not recognize. They were happily picking at the grains of rice and breadcrumbs on ground. There were two blows filled with water. There were birds all over the terrace on the parapet, on the chair and all over nikhil,and perched on his head.

Nita hid her self behind a big potted plam and looked at fascinating sight, she could not wait even a minut and started drawing vigorously. And in this ways many days past one fine day she found that the sketch came to a final touch. Nita was late on that day . And thinking in self she was eager to show Nikhil the painting and was in a question that boy who love the birds so much dint like to play with all and make friendship. But today the door of terrace was closed. Strange she said never I found the door shut. Nita stood there for a while and then could hear the sound of all chirping birds and hopping about madly.

Oh’ you all must be hungry and thirsty as well you poor dears! , she muttered sympathetically and ran downstairs. After five minutes she returned back with bowl full of rice grains and jug full of water, but seening her the birds flew away scared. They sat on the edges chirping suspiciously, the birds watched from their perches but hesitated to come near her.

Oh, please come dint go hungry and thirsty spoke Nita softly. After  two three minuts one small bird came forward followed by another and then another then all of them came. A broad smile lit up nita’s face. 

And in the same way it took more than a week and by this time all birds where good friends with her.

Next day morning nita came up on terrace , cool breeze was blowing. Nita sat down on the deck chair a small bird hopped and settled on her lap. And all came near her chirping.,

Who is there? Suddenly a clear voice broke in to her day dreams . nita jumped out the chair and slowly truned around she found nikhil standing there he asked who are you , I never saw you , so nita said I am nita  I stay in below flat , after a long pause she said birds where hungry  and tirsty so I gave them food and water.

Nikhil  was angry but after a long silence looking at bird he said thank you Nita smilingly, you love birds than why you hate playing with all and why you don’t allow all off them to come up. So Nikhil said they all come in odd hours and disturb the I once said them but they started hurting them and destroy the food so I hate playing with them and asked them not to come here.

And Nita gave the panting to Nikhil seeing that he was dam happy and by the evening they both turned good friends, Nikhil said Nita we all can play any wear we wish and can tell openly what we feel and our sufferings but these dear ones have nowhere to go and who in this life want to spend time for them, just an hour you be with them you get to feel happy, and now I just want to take care off them. So Nita caught his hand and said 

Nikhil even me so all us , i.e., you me  and birds are good friends , both sat there and all bird came creping near them.,

They both spent good time hence after with birds preached all over them chirping merrily.

WE SHOULD LOVE ANIMALS AND TAKE THEIR PROPER CARE, AND SPRADE LOVE……………………..

pallavi.........