Someone's childhood memory

It was a cool winter afternoon in Lucknow. This little girl had just returned from her school. Like every other weekday, she was hurrying to go out and play with her friends in the neighborhood. However, today was going to be bit different. Rion, however, didn't know this. She was the youngest among that group. In spite of that, she had always proved herself superior, esp. in the game of Badminton!!! 
The eldest of the group, Manisha was probably a couple of years elder than her. A "Momma's child", she was always taken care of by her parents very well. She had always felt that she was the best in every desired thing in life. Being brought up in a protective environment, she had never known failure as failure, she had never learnt to tolerate pain. In short she had only know the good things in life, not the facts of life!!! 
Anyways, life always teaches you!!! This day was probably going to be her first day, thanks to Rion. Manisha had wonderful hairs; and you know how much a girl will adore her hairs. This story is about her nice, beautiful hairs and Rion's chewing gum!!! Manisha, naturally was quite bullish! That day, when they started their game, as usual, Manisha was being bullish. Forcefully, trying to earn points. This was a daily practice! Its not easy to tolerate a bully everyday. Nobody tolerates after a certain limit. Today was one such day. The thread snapped! While Manisha was celebrating her fake win; in wrath and anger, Rion spitted the Chewing Gum on Manisha's hair!!! That was it. Manisha, started crying; less for the reason that she'd have to cut down her hairs, more because, her ego was not letting her tolerate the fact that someone had opposed her. 
And for Rion, she felt the satisfaction that probably was felt by Gandhi after India became independent. But, after sometime, Rion realised the guilt and fear inside her! Imagining the consequences which were going to follow, she rushed back home! Without informing anybody, she hid herself inside the Almirah! After sometime, Manisha came to Rion's place with her mother; herself crying and her mother shouting.

"आपकी बेटी ने मेरी बेटी के बालों को ख़राब को ख़राब कर दिया| इतनी बदमाश....", Manisha's mom was shouting.

A little irritated and embarrassed, Rion's mom started shouting for Rion. She asked her two sons, both a bit older than Rion, to search her out. They were searching for her everywhere. But Rion!!! She was still hiding inside the Almirah. Listening to the conversations.

"उसको तो आपको सजा देना ही चाहिए....देखिये| इतने अच्छे बाल थे बेचारी के, अब सब काटना परेगा|

", Manisha's mom continued shouting.

Not knowing how to react, "मैं काट दूं क्या?", Rion's mother said.

Manish started crying out louder. Somehow, Rions mother consoled them and assured them that she will punish Rion very much for this.

Manisha and her mother left. Rion came out of the Almirah. Sheepishly, she came in front of her mother. She knew that she was going to get a good one this time.

Her mother saw Rion. Heads down, Rion didn't know what to say. Her mom asked her to come near. Rion moved nearer to her mother. Her mother smiled and took her in her lap, hugged her and kissed her.

Years after, today Rion and Manisha are good friends.

© Asitav