Kolshi was a late sleeper. Waking up early was among the very few things she used to dislike. On top of the list was her red sweater, which she had to wear to school every day on winter mornings. She thought red was a snappy colour and school was a boring place. But no matter what, she had to go to school, because she was an obedient daughter, and always did what Ammu told her to do. So, on a not-so-eventful dewy winter morning, she flung the heavy schoolbag over the shoulders and displeasingly set out the daily regimen. Ammu forcefully kissed her on the left cheek as she left the threshold.

She was a few steps on her way when she saw the boy. His name was Pappu, and they were in the same class, same school. He was the most annoying boy Kolshi had ever met. She was not at all interested in greeting him first this morning, and to avoid unwanted interaction, Kolshi hurried so he couldn't catch her. They live in a saucer-like neighbourhood, with only one exit from the roundness of the area. In the centre of the saucer was an enormous playground, and the houses decorated the saucer's edge. Anyone who wished to exit area had to walk through the round pavement which circled the playground like a bicycle tyre. It was the rule.

Which Pappu never obliged. He would never walk on the pavement and cross the playground from his house in a straight line. He always took shortcuts. Kolshi once had a horrible argument with him over the issue. "But the elders always do that", was his excuse.

"That's because they are older people. They do not play in the playground, We do. So, we should protect it." said Kolshi.

"Protect from what"?

Kolshi thought hard about that question. She did not know the answer. 

The exit was through a narrow alley, which led to another neighbourhood, crowded with buildings and no playground. Beside the alley was a mysterious marsh that connected both neighbourhoods. But it was dark and treacherous and murky, so kids like Pappu would never dare to cross it. Kolshi had an accident in this marsh when she was very very little, she was even then afraid of the marsh. She was relieved to see Pola, with her sister Parley who had also their backpacks around their shoulders. Before she could say anything, Pola said to her in an amusing tone,

"Kolshi! It is surprising to see you so early!" 

She often nearly missed her first period for late arrivals and the whole class knew her as a sleepyhead. However, she was slightly embarrassed by Pola's greeting. But before she could reply anything, Pappu had arrived at the scene.

"She woke up early today. Want to know how?" he said.

"How?" Pola asked.

"Aunty poured a bucket of cold water on her head. She has been draining snot since then. Look at her nose if you want."

Pappu said it so confidently that Kolshi actually thought she must have snot peeping from the tunnels of her nostril. She raised one hand to check least he was right, and both of them began guffawing.

Kolshi felt gravely embarrassed. She was looking for something as a means of distraction when she saw it. It was not the first time. She saw it before, yesterday afternoon when she was playing with her best friends Cchuti and Abdul. They have been friends since they were out of the nappies. Both of them live on the other end of the town, and that is sometimes a problem.

Kolshi saw Pola and Pappu had already gone ahead and were about to turn from the narrow alley. Pola was a good student and Pappu was always prepared to impress her. No wonder he would tag behind. They were talking so enthusiastically; they actually must have forgotten Kolshi was with them. She couldn't care less. And having a perfect opportunity, picked up the thing abruptly from the long grasses. She shovelled it into her schoolbag and zipped it up while looking around. Good! No one was watching.

"I must take it to Cchuti and Abdul," she said.

Adventurously, she picked herself from the ground and hurried to meet her friends.