A Big Boy

It was the fifth day on trot; the strike of the Workers’ Union of Ziro was on and there was no water supply in the town. It created lots of inconvenience to the town-folk, every body was complaining. Mama would bring water from a well, some hundred metresaway from home, while Papa and I were lying asleep. We always found water ready for us when we got up. We would wash and bathe unaware of the difficulty with which she brought water. Papa would go to his work and I would go to school, in time. There was no occasion for us to complain. This morning I woke up at five, much earlier than I used to. Mama was already in kitchen with her chores. She seemed delighted to see me waking up. She asked me, from there in the kitchen- without moving, just turning her head towards me, if I could bring a bucket of water from the well. I happily took two buckets in hands and went off. I loved to obey my parents- may be they did not gave me too many works to do, that is why. In fact, I cannot say no, even if I wanted to, especially when Mama made such a polite request. I walked merrily, whistling and swinging the buckets, on my way. It was a pleasant morning. Cool, fresh air was breezing past. Everyone seemed to be so nice- the girls and boys, I walked past, were smiling at me. I did not know walking out early in the morning could be so delightful. I should wake up early more often, I told myself. “To collect water, Obing?” It was Tajang. I nodded. He was jogging with Taka. They too were smiling at me. Suddenly I smelled a rat in their smiling faces. Before long I overheard Taka whispering into Tajang’s ear, “Like a girl, isn’t he?” Now I knew why Nanya and Yakang were smiling. They were standing in verandah, looking at me and talking in whispers. And, finally, I reached the well to find the place overcrowded with women and girls, all struggling for water- each trying to draw water first. “Hi Ronya,” I greeted my classmate who had just drawn water and was coming towards me. “Hi!” She jumped for me. “What a surprise, what are you doing here?” I looked at the buckets in my hands and felt like fool. Before I said anything, she said “Oh… To collect water?” “Why, what’s the wrong with that?” I could see she sensed the harshness of my voice. “Nothing wrong with that…” she said politely “Actually, it’s so odd to see boy of your age come here to collect water. If you don’t mind, leave the buckets here I’ll carry water to your home.” “Thanks a lot.” I said, forcing myself to sound polite. “That’s very nice of you…but I’ll manage it.” “Ok. See you” she said and went her way home. I was standing where Ronya left me. All sort of conflicting thoughts were making riots in my head. Why people don’t mind their own business? What’s wrong in obeying parents? I was angry with everyone, more so at Mama, who told me so easily, so carelessly as to bring water from the well. What did she thinks of me? I was not a girl. I was not a servant either. I was a son of respectable parents. Moreover, I was no longer a small kid. I was now a big boy and to carry water home from well was not a proper thing for me. Such task was only suited for girls, women, servants and to some extent younger boys, certainly not for a decent big boy like me. Angrily, I dropped the buckets where I was standing. I went back home empty handed and disturbed in spirit, ready to speak back in most impolite of words, if Mama dare suggest that it was unworthy of me not to do her a small favour. There came Mama limping out of kitchen. I could see her right foot swelling all over. I wanted to ask her what had happened to her foot, but found myself fumbling with words. “Have you brought water, Obing?” she said. I was still fumbling with words. She looked at me and then said, “It’s ok. It’s very rush out there at this time… I brought some early this morning… if not for that ladder…it has to fell on my foot… I would have brought more. We’ll manage from what we have.” “Mama” I could say, at last “You should rest your foot and put some ointment.” “It’s fine- just a little bit of swelling… where have you left the buckets?” “There… I left them with Ronya to draw up water. I came here to see if there are some more empty buckets.” “That’s very sweet. Just bring those. You have to get ready for school.” I felt so sorry. I sped back to the well to bring water.