Trisha realised her hands were trembling in excitement when Mrs. Basak handed her the envelope.
"Here's your remuneration"
Trisha concealed her excitement and without checking the envelope put it in her bag. Once out of the flat, she came down the stairs, running, as fast as she could. When she reached the main road she found herself sweating in that cold winter night of January first week.
Her first earning in life .. her first income from private tuition.
She carefully took out the envelope and opened it. One 500 rupee note and five 100 rupee notes. She counted them thrice and each time slower than the last time. She smelled the notes and closed her eyes in satisfaction. She wanted to jump and jump and jump right there out of happiness. She wanted to shout out in joy. She wanted to dance like no one was watching. She wanted to do everything her heart wanted.
Trisha looked at her watch. it was 8:15 pm.
"I must buy some sweets for home".
She walked up to the nearest sweet shop. She bought all the favorite sweets of her parents and paid 190/- for them. She checked her watch. It was 8:35 almost and she needed to rush back home now. She took the balance 10/- and came out. The cold wind was getting stronger and the roads were getting little empty now. She walked towards the bus stop but keeping an eye at the availability of auto as well.
Suddenly she saw a young boy of about 9-10 years, slowly putting down a basket full of white Jasmine garlands. It was her favorite flower and the smell of the flowers made her happiness doubled.
"I must buy something for myself as well".
She noticed the boy looked clueless and was not sure what to do next. She walked up to the boy and asked the price.
"Mother said Rs. 3/- per piece but if you buy 4 I will give it at 10/-"
"I will buy 4". she smiled and said "here's your 10 rupees".
The boy took the note and stared at it for sometime. Tears rolled down his cheeks. Trisha was about to ask something but she noticed an auto coming. She stopped it and boarded on to it. From the running auto she managed to have a glance back at the boy once when she saw the boy keeping the note carefully in his half pant pocket.
Trisha handed over the sweets to her parents and touched their feet. she noticed the pride reflecting from their faces. She felt satisfied. She went inside her room, put on the music, and started dancing. The happiest dance of her life.
"I could earn only 10/- Maa" the boy said and handed it to his mother. "you still have fever?"
"I am feeling much better now Beta. it's a very good start and I am proud of you my Beta. This is your first income and I will never spend this 10/- rupee note ever in my lifetime."
She hugged her son tightly. Both of them tried to hide their tears from each other.
Somewhere closeby a radio station was playing.....
"Aaj mein Upar, Aasmaan niche"