KA’s debt

A short story on women's empowerment and sports by Rachna Chhabria

KA, as she was now known, walked around the village, a smile curving the corner of her lips. Her team and she had arrived early deliberately, so that she could visit some of her favourite places from childhood.

She visited the banyan tree where the elders would sit in the evening, exchanging juicy gossip. It was deserted now, thanks to the blazing sun. She walked past the small post office. Thirteen years was a long time. So much had changed, yet everything was the same. Nari Kaka was still seated at the window, his glasses slipping down his nose. His hair had turned grey, and a few teeth were missing. Otherwise, he looked the same. A rush of happiness filled her as memories of all the stamps he had given her came to mind. She walked towards him and placed a box of milk pedas, his favourite sweets. He pushed his glasses up his nose and squinted at her. He blinked, unable to place her.

As people approached the post office, KA grabbed the opportunity to slip away. She walked towards the mango tree, eyeing the plump mangoes she had gorged on every summer. She picked up a stone and, after ensuring there was no one under the tree or around it, aimed for a mango. It fell to the ground. Her staff, though surprised, rushed towards the mango, washed it, and handed it to her. KA tucked it inside her handbag to eat later at the government guest house.

She strolled towards the small pond. It was the same, though the water had reduced. Lifting the papers from her bag, she stared at them. She had made the right decision.

Soon it was time for International Women’s Day celebrations at the government school, for which she had been invited. Along with her team, she moved towards the venue. A small crowd had already gathered on the premises. As she walked to the makeshift podium, the principal rushed to greet her. KA knew he wouldn’t recognise her. She had changed a lot.

Illustration: Sonal Goyal