Mayuri twirled. The sequins on her frock and sandals shimmered in the afternoon sun, matching the colours of her glass bangles. Her fourth birthday gift from Aunty. Where mother worked part time.
‘I don’t want to go’. Her mother slapped her.
The pebbles scorching the thin soles of her sandals. Her water bottle empty.
Strains of her favourite film song from a distance. Her steps faltered.
‘Mayuri’. Her father. All sweat and grime.
‘Coming, let me drink water from the river’.
A thud and shriek….the water was tarred..stoney.
*Mayuri’ feminine for ‘Mayur’ (peacock)
‘I don’t want to go’. Her mother slapped her.
The pebbles scorching the thin soles of her sandals. Her water bottle empty.
Strains of her favourite film song from a distance. Her steps faltered.
‘Mayuri’. Her father. All sweat and grime.
‘Coming, let me drink water from the river’.
A thud and shriek….the water was tarred..stoney.
*Mayuri’ feminine for ‘Mayur’ (peacock)
