The Painted dice.. of Mithi..

Silni bent down carefully to pickup a small bright coloured object that fell off from an open pot set atop her head.. filled with children's toys .. and sweet chocolate toffeis made in saccharine and jaggery.. the noon sky flashed a sharp sun that had just come out of thin clouds.. summer flared on hot earthen surfface as shrubs and bushes exurbs.. small brilliant berries.. and wild cactus with red prickly dotting golden flats in red green and dusty.. heat burnned softly on her shoulders as sweat trikkled down her neck..

She looked About as she pikked up the object.. that had fallen out.. on earth.. putting it back.. a yellow and fluorescent toy inside coir pot .. searching for a spot to rest.. spotting a neem tree a little ahead.. standing on roadside path on a walk towards a slightly big hut .. few children played afront. Ahead a little further away from roadway to a big farm . the roof shade.. with a couple of cattle.. she walked to neem tree and set the container beside a flat rock .. under tree shade and set on the rock.. while fetching a checkred cloth from beneath the bunch inside the pot and covered it to save from dust.. as she was to go couple of kilometres for her village next to this one.. hardly she would come across anyone interested in buying the toys or chocolates.. in the hot summer noon.. she decided to continue on road and spend afternoon in her village outskirts as always.. as she tugged the fabric well inside the pile from all sides to the pot.. noticing her petticoat and veil had turned dull.. she remarked herself to buy a new pair.. though she loved this lush green blouse.. now she will go for a matching .. she promised herself.. as she settled straight..  unrolling the piece of cloth she used to cushion the pot atop her head.. she took the roll from over her leg.. and flipped.. a man came out of hut.. and after a little cheers from kidds.. one girl walked with him .. as they came towards her.. "oh .. someone to buy chocolates perhaps.. good" she thought.. she saw other kidds continued with cheers and playing.. "just these two.. " she noticed drying her self cooling with the kerchief.. "they might like some girls beads and ropes or some painted dice.. ..

Mithi: "i will take new cart.. and a chameo.. And chocolates.." she tugged enthusiastically on the man.. and pranced cheerfully hurrying towards tree..

Ahmed: yes darling.. show some good toys ..


The man spoke out in heavy accent.. adamant to bargain.. further..

Silni brought out beads and ropes.. but the girl picked up a bright chameo and a two wheel cart.. as the girl fidgeted with two objects..

Silni: take this sweet peppers..

She brought up a packet of chocolate .. and ropes as she set with a packet of brilliantly coloured dice..

Ahmed took up the packet.. of chocolates.. as Mithi continued to look the cart carefully..

Mithi: "i will take this.." she trilled.. selecting a chameo..

Silni: very well..

Ahmed: who are you.. i have never seen you around by.. !!

Silni: from nearby village.. . I sell toys to earn living.. and but rarely come this way.. mostly i turn round across river the other side..

Ahmed: in the town.. ?

Silni: yes. .. sir..

Mithi left cheerfully hurrying towards the shade.. with her toys and pepper chocolates as soon as he handed her the bunch..

Ahmed: i am looking for a Labour.. to look after my cattle.. if you like..

Silni.. thought reluctantly  .. afraid of loosing daily income.. she felt free and so economical about..

Ahmed: i will pay better then you quite possibly can adjust with peddling..

Silni: "but .. you might have your woman  for helping around.. is she away.. ..? Gone to  her home.. ?.. " she replied hesitantly.. feeling desperate to continue on road.. she felt her appetite vanish and though she was tired her limbs picking on urge to cover the basket pot and flee.. she watched as he counted few coins from taking out his pocket..

Ahmed frowned.. " hmmm.. " as he gave her the money..

Ahmed: oh.. no.. i don't have anybody.. i live alone with the girl..

Silni: very well..

Ahmed: no problem.. think up.. and do come by again..

He left with a smile..

Silni rested feeling alright as the man left very quickly.. she decided to eat and rest for a while.. the sun was burning hot.. she ate a piece of loaf and walked to the shade for water..

Silni: can i take a glass of water.. from your tank.. ..

Ahmed: "yes.. " he replied from farther away near hut..

Mithi ran out to opening.. looking at silni with a most charming smile..

Silni took a glass and walked few steps to the end of roof of shade ..

Silni: very well.. i will come tomorrow.. morning..

Ahmed: well then..

Silni left feeling better coming out of pain of indecision having decided to check whether she could earn well with cattle tending to this place.. anyway summer time was quite adjustable to do with .. she will return the toys to vendor tomorrow afternoon in the town.. ar perhaps after a couple of days.. she thought..

She continued on road after resting a while under the large neem tree .. during which the kidds shifted to play nearby tree  cheering as she went on..