Anand gets slapped in bar

CHAPTER 6

Anand gets slapped in bar

Anand reached his father’s office on bicycle. The watchman was locking the office door. Anand parked his bicycle near the wall and approached him.

Ram smiled on seeing Anand. He knew Anand very well since he used to come with his father to the office during the school holidays. He too was very proud of this young energetic boy.

Ram waved to Anand. “Hello Anand? I heard that you are now a champion? Your father distributed sweets today. We are all so proud of you, my boy.”

Anand was very happy. He liked this old man very much. “Yes, uncle. I won the district junior chess championship.”

“What made you come here alone? Are you looking for your dad?”

“Yes uncle. Where is my dad?”

Ram’s face falls. “I am sure you know very well where your father usually goes at this time daily.”

 Anand said adamantly, “I want to see him urgently.”

Ram knew very well that Anand’s father will be in the bar with his friends. It will not be good for such a small boy like Anand to go to a bar. So Ram advised Anand saying, “My son, it is not a place for small boys like you. You must not go there.”

Anand saw that this old man will not agree so easily. So he pretended to be serious. “My mother has sent me to see him. I have something very important to tell him. Please uncle. Take me there.”

Since it was a message from Anand’s mother, Ram could not say no. But still he was wondering whether it was right to take this boy to a bar. He stood looking at the boy silently without saying anything.

Anand pleaded, “Please uncle. If I don’t meet dad, my mom will be angry.”

Ram felt helpless no. He said, “Ok my son. If you insist, I will take you there.”

Anand was very happy. He was confident that if he catches his father, he can convince him to return the money he had taken. He had to help Avinash by paying the fees at any cost. For the sake of his friend, he was ready to go to a place where men get drunk. He knew very well that his father will be at a bar. But he had never gone there till now. So he did not know where the place was.

Anand took his cycle happily. “Let’s go.”

Old man Ram walked slowly ahead and Anand followed him wheeling the cycle.

It was a small bar. A few tables with chairs were spread around a small hall. It was a bit dark inside. The bar was full of people drinking and smoking. Naked ladies were dancing and the music was loud. A few men were playing cards. Some were laughing and talking. Bar tender was wiping beer glasses. A beautiful lady wearing very short shinning dress was going around serving wine. One waiter was taking orders.

Vimal and four of his friends entered the bar and looked around. Vimal pointed to an empty table in the middle of the bar. “Come on friends. Let us sit at that table there. ”

Four of them went and sat around the table. The waiter came near Vimal and his friends.

Vimal looked around at his friends proudly. “Today, I am giving a party on behalf of my son, who has become a Chess champion. You can eat and drink what ever you want. Don’t worry about the money. I will pay. ”

All were surprised and happy. Vimal nodded his head happily. His son had won junior chess championship but today he himself was feeling like a hero among his four friends.

One man said, “So we are going to have a very colourful party today. Let us start with chicken and drinks.”

Vimal looked at the waiter, who was standing patiently for him to place the order. Vimal said, “5 plates of chicken and 5 full bottles.”

His friends were very much surprised but excited on hearing the order Vimal placed. They had never ordered so much till now.

 One friend looked at Vimal and asked, “Brother, 5 bottles? Do we have strength to drink all that?”

Vimal said proudly, “Drink as much as you want. I am there to finish the remainder.”

Friends were impressed. One man said, “Son is a chess champion and father is drinking champion.”

Everyone laughed. Vimal was feeling proud. He puffed his chest and tapped on it proudly. He had never felt so happy.

The beautiful lady came with chicken and drinks. She placed the plates and bottles on the table. Vimal opened the bottles and poured wine into his friend’s glasses happily. Vimal’s friends held their wine glasses up. “Cheers to Vimal.”

Vimal raised his glass happily. “No, no. Cheers to the chess champion.”

They ate the chicken and drank wine. They talked and laughed. They enjoyed themselves and got fully drunk.

Meanwhile Ram and Anand had arrived outside the bar. They stopped in front of the bar.

Ram looked at Anand and pointed to the bar door. A dirty curtain was hanging on the door.

Ram said, “Anand my boy, this is where your father comes after office. “

Anand tried to look inside but it was all dark. Loud music could be heard.  He parked the bicycle and stood looking at the dirty curtain.

Ram pointed to the bar and said, “Son, your father will be inside. Go in and convey the message your mother’s message to him. Don’t stay there for long. It is not a nice place. Young boys like you must not go there. But you go and come out quickly. “

Anand looked at Ram. “Uncle, please will you also come with me?

Ram shook his head. “No. I will not come in because your father will see me. If he comes to know that I brought you here, he will get very angry with me.”

Anand nodded understanding what he said. Then he slowly moved aside the curtain and went in. The curtain closed. Ram stood outside watching the closed curtain.

Inside the bar Vimal and his friends were fully drunk. The waiter brought the bill. Vimal looked at the bill. Rs. 4500/-. Good. It was less than the amount he had. He took out the Rs.5,000/- bundle from  his pocket. His hand was shaking since he was fully drunk. He kept the bundle on the bill.

Anand had entered the bar. He looked around the hall. His eyes fell on his father and his friends sitting at a table. He immediately went towards the table.

Vimal looked at the water. His body was swaying. With broken English, he said, “Take the amount and keep the change as tip.”

Waiter extended his hand to take the bundle. But before he could put his hand on the bundle; another hand fell on it. Waiter was shocked. He stared at the young boy. Anand grabs the money and holds it tight. “This is my money.”

Hearing his son’s voice, Vimal is shocked. He stares at Anand shocked. Seeing the money in the boy’s hand, Vimal becomes very angry. His eyes flare up with anger. “Anand, what are you doing here? Give that money back.”

Anand stares at his father adamantly. “This is my prize money. I won it in the chess championship.”

Vimal and his friends watch Anand with great shock. Anand tried to leave with the money. In spite of being drunk, Vimal was fast in catching him by his shoulder.

Vimal grabbed the boy and shouted. “Put the money back, I say.”

Anand stared at his father angrily. Showing the money, he said, “I will not give my money. I want it.”

Vimal, “How and why did you come here?”

Anand said, “I came to take my money back. Mummy told me that you must have taken it.”

Vimal got very angry. “Ah! So your mother sent you so far for the money?”

He slapped Anand hard on his cheek. Anand was shocked. Vimal grabbed the money from his hand and gave it to the waiter. He dragged Anand to the entrance of the bar. He threw Anand out of the bar.

Pointing a finger, Vimal warns, “If you come to such a place again, I will break your legs.”

Anand fell on the road outside the bar. Ram immediately rushed to catch the boy. He lifted him off the road and brushed his shirt.

Vimal saw Ram and said angrily, “So it was you who brought my son here. Take him away from here before I break his bones.”

Anand started crying. “Uncle, my prize money. Dad has spent all my money. I want my money.”

 Ram consoled him. “Come. My son, I told you this is not a place for you.”

He wiped the boy’s tears thinking sadly. “Poor boy. Such a golden boy is born to such a bastard.”

Ram led Anand to his cycle. “Come, my son. Take your cycle. Let us go away from here. ”

Crying bitterly, Anand took his cycle. Ram led Anand away from the bar.