Short Story- the Flood

The Floodmore-near, I could notice that the man was
Because of shifting of business, we also migratedcarrying another man on his back. I came down
to Delhi. We had got certain relations there tooand when I came near to the man, he was
and therefore, we started adjusting in Delhi in theAshok, my old friend and my class mate. I
changed atmosphere. Very few people wereenquired and he said,
having contacts with us. But slowly and steadily-“Our house has been damaged. Whole
we developed habits of Delhi people and adjustedhousehold effects have been damaged. My grand
there.mother is seriously ill. I have brought her out.”
-“To which place you are going?”
In fact a spirit of revenge taking was functioning-“My father has said that I should take my
in me. But I could not do anything. In 1993 whengrand mother to your house because we have
Patiala was hit by floods, some young peoplebeen informed that your house is on upper level
belonging to the sikh Community started collectingand is safe from the adverse effect of
and they planned to do something against thefloods.”
Hindus and do something like that which happened-“Please transfer Grandmother to my back. I
to the Sikh Community in Delhi and at othershall take her to my house. “And at the same
places in India in November, 1984. I also startedtime I called all others who were preparing for
participation in those gatherings. The time wasattack to come out. They came out and they
very short with us. So the whole preparationswere listening to my order,
were worked out in a day and we planned that-“I am going to my house with grand mother.
we shall be attacking the Hindu area on that night.She is seriously ill. You should go with Ashok and
We were collecting arms in one neglected house.try to save others in the family. You should try
It was about 10.00 P.M. I was deputed to have ato find out the goods destroyed by waters.
watch. I was standing at a high place from wherePlease do hurry up.” And without any
I could notice the people passing through that side.objections from their side, all were going with
I noticed that a man was coming to this side.Ashok and I was coming to my house having
When he came near, I noticed that the man wasgrand mother on my back.
carrying something at his back. When he came