They climbed a wall which separated the street from Tanuka Mango Garden. There were no mangoes in the trees, so they did not meet with any vigilance.
"I have an idea," Cchuti said all the while huffing and puffing from the running.
"Grandpa U can't talk to us. But maybe he can write or draw something."
"Yes!" Kolshi said in amazement. "Brilliant," Abdul said in excitement.
"Let's see if he can understand," Kolshi took him out again from her flower pocket.
Grandpa U was unsteady. He stood with sheer difficulty as if his head was spinning. Probably because Kolshi ran so fast with him in her pocket.
Cchuti picked up a twig and holding it firmly drew a small house in the hardened soil. Grandpa U was observing intently what he was doing. After he finished, Cchuti gestured at the drawing he made and asked Grandpa with a vague sign, Where Is Your House?
He seemed to understand it well because as soon as Cchuti finished he grabbed the twig with his little hands and started to draw something opposite to the house Cchuti made. When he was done, confusion struck them again.
"What... is that?" Kolshi asked.
"An egg? Is it his spaceship?" asked Abdul.
Grandpa had made a simple egg-shaped circle in the ground. But with no doors or any other feature.
"Look," Kolshi said finally and in a decisive manner, "I don't think we can solve this mystery alone. We need to talk to someone adult."
"Adult? Who? My parents will just tell me to get rid of him and be attentive to my studies," said Abdul.
"No not our parents," Cchuti replied, "But Kolshi is right, we have to involve an adult. And I have been thinking, say, what about we tell Ripon Sir? Can he help?"
Kolshi and Abdul nearly jumped at this prospect. "Of course, he can," said Kolshi, "He definitely will," said Abdul.
Ripon Sir was their science teacher in Grade 4. They did not have him anymore in grade 5, but he still remained their favourite teacher and they were his favourite students. Ripon Sir knew a lot of things. Probably everything. He will find out a way to communicate with Granpa U and understand his language. The Children were content with this idea and immediately set off toward his home.
They were disheartened to find that Ripon Sir was not at home. His mother informed them that he had gone to the city for a few days. It was enough adventure for a day, and the children were exhausted. The sun was about to set. They bade each other goodbyes and went home without any more incidents.
That night Kolshi was feeding Grandpa U cauliflower curry when suddenly she remembered something.
That could be it, she thought. It was a hypothesis and there was no way to tell. Unless we find it again. She was angry at herself for not examining it properly. Next day at school she told Cchuti and Abdul about her suspicion.
"The Broad Bean which Abdul found, oddly resembled the egg that Grandpa had drawn yesterday. I am not one hundred per cent sure, but I think, we should look into it once more".
"But Grandpa U is not so small as was the sprout," Abdul said. "Although it was large enough for a regular bean, I don't think it has anything to do with him."
"When you touched it," Cchuti asked Abdul, "what did it feel like? Hot or perhaps cold, or unusual?"
"It was slippery," Abdul said at once.
"Slippery!" Cchuti and Kolshi exclaimed at once.
"Yes, like had been dipped in oil. It was difficult to hold between fingers."
"Wicked!" said Cchuti particularly to no one.
"And I found it in a rat hole," Abdul added.
"You're sure it was not drenched in rat urine?" Kolshi asked.
"I am not so dumb to not identify urine to oil," Abdul was flustered.
"Alright, sorry. It sure seems a bit puzzling. Nonetheless, we should check again."
But after school, when they arrived at the marsh field, they could not find an object which resembled the Broad Bean.
"Maybe it was a sprout," Cchuti said thinking, "a rat or something must have eaten it last night."
It was Abdul's turn to take Gradnpa U with him. Kolshi reminded him a dozen times perhaps to take care of Grandpa and give him enough fluid to drink.
That afternoon, surprisingly Pappu came to visit her. He wanted to invite Kolshi and her friends for a badminton match as a practice for the annual sports day competition. Kolshi was dubious. When she came to the front yard to greet him, she saw him stealing secret gazes at the Guava trees heavily adorned with the fruits in the branches. When he saw Kolshi he gave a shrewd smile.
"Come along with Cchuti and Abdul. I have invited others as well."
Kolshi tried to smile warmly. "I will tell them about your invitation. Thank you."
"It's alright," he smiled again broadly, "Abdul seemed to have recovered pretty fast," he casually commented, "I've heard it was food poisoning."
"Well, he has a good immunity system. And his mother is a doctor. She knew what to do with him."
Kolshi said expressionlessly.
"Yes, she would," Pappu said, "Okay, I will wait then. Be sure to come."
Kolshi did not have to work her brain cells. She knew if Pappu was urging that much, surely, he had planted some mischief to embarrass her and her friends.
"Only a mental will play with you," she uttered under her breath while he was gone and returned to take a nap before going to Abdul's.
The afternoon breeze was warm enough to not wear the sweater. Winter was still there, and spring was being late than usual. Except for the early mornings, the cold was not as strong as it was before. Ammu said it was all because of global warming. Kolshi was just happy to not wear heavy clothing. She left her blue cardigan on the garden swing when she met Cchuti. Both of them walked to Abdul's home while talking lazily. Kolshi informed him about Pappu's invitation. Cchuti agreed with her that he must have planned something ugly to trap them.
They yelled Abdul's name several times over the red-brick walls of his house. Abdul's parents were both very busy and usually Abdul stayed home alone till evening. Only he could open the front gate.
"Why isn't he responding?" Kolshi asked worriedly.
"Let's climb the wall," Cchuti said.
So, they climbed the wall once again.
Inside, Abdul was lying in his bed with a blanket covering from head to toe. As they entered his room, slowly he removed the blanket and sat with a morose look.
"What happened Abdul?" Kolshi enquired.
"Look," he said, "don't get angry. But it's really not my fault."
"What's not your fault?" Cchuti asked.
"Grandpa U has been kidnapped."
"Kidnap! Who would kidnap him? Does anyone even know of his existence?" Kolshi said.
"Well, After coming home, I took a shower and he was right there, on top of my table, playing with the penholder. After that, I went to bring lunch for both of us and when I returned, he was gone."
Abdul's reading table was in close vicinity to the window, and just outside the window was a shabby bush of rosemary. It was an impossible idea that someone must have kidnapped him.
Cchuti tried to relax him, "It is not your fault Abdul, don't worry. I think he must have gone somewhere willingly. It is highly unlikely that someone would trespass in your house to do the kidnapping."
"But we do that. Climb walls often," Abdul said.
"That's because we are we, silly," Kolshi said giving him a mild nudge in his head.
Abdul was assured finally. He gave them a slight approving smile.
"However," Kolshi said, "I really hope Pappu is not involved in it in any way."
"Why?" asked Abdul.
Kolshi recounted the event of his invitation to play badminton, and Abdul clenched his teeth. "I'll break his bones if he tried to blackmail us with this. Trust me. He is better not involved in this."
But there was nothing else to do other than contemplate. Lastly, they decided to attend the badminton practice at Pappu's as it was the only way to make sure of his intentions. They had nothing better to do anyway.
But their journey was interrupted, by someone unexpected and undesired.
Kolshi, Cchuti and Abdul, talking vociferously about Pappu and his mischiefs were walking between a betel plantation and a sugarcane field. They were heedless of the sweet scent of sugarcane and the bitter malodor of the betel. When abruptly, Monju intercepted their passing. It almost seemed like he was hiding inside the sugarcane field and waiting to encounter them. Kolshi squeaked to a halt. The children were instantly quiet. It was somewhat assuring to see that his pet dog today was not with him.
"Please don't be scared," Monju said insistently, "I have something important to tell you."
"What is it?" Cchuti asked.
"Have you found or seen a little old man around your house, or in the marsh?" He asked Kolshi specifically.
The children gaped.
"Little old man!" Kolshi repeated.
"Yes. Little, about this size." Monju gestured with his two fingers, keeping a wide gap enough to fit Grandpa U inside.
Curiosity got the better of Cchuti. "How is it possible? Man, this size doesn't exist," he said sceptically.
"Oh no, they do," Monju protested shaking his head. "I know they do. And I think you know too. You are just pretending."
"I don't believe you," Cchuti denied, "Tell me what's the proof?"
Monju looked around to see if anyone was nearby. There was none. Satisfyingly, he poured his fist inside a dirty pouch tied around his neck (actually it was an old sock that he used as a pouch), and turned his spacious palm before their eyes. Inside it, was a girl in a red frock, with a side ponytail, and petal pink lips. The children were surprised. And before they could revive the initial shock, the bamboozlement was further aggravated.
The girl spoke in a loud clear voice.
"Hello. Nice to meet you."