Erawan..

Mithila had a beautiful crow.. Erawan.. it's raucous caw filled surrounding at morning and in the evening.. it cawed cheerfully as if the world was most leisurely place to argue and to entertain .. filling her with thoughts of her school.. last bench and her friends..

It lived on neem tree in the courtyard of her house.. and it was their buffalo Boofo's ... best friend.. it always spoke out jubilant.. and did prattle quite a bit before whenever aunt Jeevi visited.. aunt Jeevi usually came to purchase supplies.. for her small shop..

She always spent her vacation with aunt Jeevi . Neighbouring  village .. one winter vacation.. the morning day before she was leaving with her aunt to spend vacation at her aunt's place.. Erawan made quite a commotion jumping this to that then another branch of neem tree.. every single minute.. and cawed aloud..

Mithila called out..

Mithila: oh.. Ero . .. what's the matter..

Erawan flew down from neem tree branch.. and perched atop boofo.. as boofo did jirked it's head in approval.. Erawan flattened it's wings as if readying to craw further.. about the day..

Mithila: Erawan.. i am going to Bhogal.. tomorrow with aunt Jeevi.. i will be back in a couple of weeks..

Erawan cawed cheerfully..

Mithila: oh Erawan i will miss you so much..

Erawan continued.. it's voice filled air as if the busiest street of market..

Mithila: do you want to come with me.. ? But what of boofo.. it will be lonely if you too left .. you must stay here to keep it company..

Erawan nodded in approval.. it's eyes twinkling.. as it's shiny black coat sparkled in morning sunlight from above filtering down through neem tree.. it jumped on water tank wall and back to boofo.. who too flipped it's tail.. in amusement..

Mithila 's father called out from the edge..

" Mithila.. girl.. your mother's calling you for breakfast.. darling. .. hurry.. don't keep her waiting.. "

Erawan jumped on tree..

Mithila called out.. "Erawan we will go to water boofo by cattle well in the evening.. your favourite place.. "

Erawan disappeared in canopy without further chirping..

Common water well at outskirts was her's and Erawan's favourite place .. she hasn't been there.. since before the midterm exam.. today she could go .. with boofo and Erawan.. she thought as she crossed front lobby hurrying in to kitchen..

Dudhi: here .. come eat before you go away...

Her mother and aunt Jeevi had made spiced loaf tea and buttermilk..

She ate scantily thinking about Erawan..

Jeevi: my darling.. do your packing carefully..

Dudhi: i will pack her things..

Jeevi looked up to Dudhi.. " yes.. i will buy her new if she required anything.. important.. Dear.. don't worry.. "

Dudhi smiled.. happily..

Mithila remarked Erawan wasn't out.. she went upstairs to follow vacation homework..

In the afternoon she took boofo to water well.. Erawan flew out as she reached out by gate.. flying behind.. both..

At the well .. while boofo lingered on drink.. Erawan set on its back.. on the way back..

Mithila: Erawan i will miss you..

To her utter surprise.. Erawan spoke out exactly like a man..

"two buffalo.. two birds.. "

Mithila jirked up looking at the bird.. smiling..

Mithila: yes for two weeks..

Erawan repeated.. " two boofolo.. two boofolo.. "..