Don't Let Him Know by Sandip Roy

Author:Sandip Roy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2014-12-08T16:00:00+00:00

Amit knew someone would notice it sooner or later. He was actually surprised it took as long as it did. He was sitting near the window drawing in his sketchbook when his aunt came in from her bath. Towelling her hair vigorously she said, ‘Amit, what time is it?’

‘I don’t know,’ shrugged Amit without looking up from his drawing book.

‘What do you mean?’ said his aunt, still rubbing her head with the towel. ‘Where is that watch of yours? It was like a second skin.’

Amit did not say anything.

‘Huh?’ said his aunt. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve gone and lost it.’

‘Umm, I don’t know,’ he said looking up.

‘Really, Amit, you had better find it and find it soon. Otherwise you know how upset your mother is going to be.’

‘I know,’ said Amit miserably.

‘Where could it go? It can’t just fly away. When did you see it last?’

‘I don’t know,’ stammered Amit. ‘Maybe yesterday. Or the day before.’

‘Day before yesterday?’ cried his aunt. ‘And you haven’t said a word about it. Have you looked for it even? Does your mother know?’

‘I looked,’ Amit said defensively.

‘Have you searched under the bed? Maybe it fell there. Did you ask Durga or Mangala if they found anything while sweeping the floor?’

Amit shook his head and said, ‘No, but they would tell me if they found it.’

‘But have you even told them you can’t find it? I have seen how that Durga sweeps. A little jab here and a little jab there. The dust just stays right where it is.’

Amit said, ‘Well, I’ll ask her to look for it. Properly. She likes that watch a lot too.’

‘Does she?’ said his aunt. ‘I hope you find it. Otherwise you know you will be in big trouble.’

When Amit came back from the park that evening he knew the cat was out of the bag. His mother came downstairs with a pinched expression on her face. She saw him, frowned and said, ‘Amit, why didn’t you tell me your watch was missing?’

‘What?’ said Amit.

‘Yes, yes,’ said Romola sharply ‘I overheard your aunt telling Doctor Basu on the phone. This is my house, after all. I need to know if something is missing. I cannot have thieves and robbers living under my roof eating my rice.’

‘Oh, Romola,’ said his aunt appearing on the landing behind his mother. ‘I would have told you. It’s not such a big deal.’

‘I am sure it is not for you,’ said his mother turning around. ‘But that is not the point. You practically grew up in this house. I can’t have you thinking it’s turned into a den of thieves now that your aunt is gone.’

‘I never said that, Romola,’ his aunt replied, sounding tired.

‘I know what you said. You said this would have never happened in your aunt’s time. I am not my mother-in-law. But I can discipline the servants too.’ She came down the stairs rapidly and shouted, ‘Mangala, Mangala, where are you?’

Mangala emerged from the kitchen, saying, ‘What is the matter?’

‘Where is that granddaughter of yours?’ said Romola.

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