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AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY

Rahim was roused from his deep slumber by his mums persistent ruckus in the kitchen. The stinging chill of daybreak was like a slap to his face, turning it rosy in a heartbeat. With the drowsy scent of slumber still enveloping him, he fumbled his way into the bathroom. As Rahim passed the balcony, he saw silvery mist cloaking the land as dewdrops glistening on blades of grass gradually evaporating into the twilight sky that was a dual hue of orange and purple. The picturesque scene woke him up immediately along with the aroma of his favourite hot chocolate that was waiting for him in the kitchen. Rahim dressed quickly and went down to the kitchen. Steam spouted from the gleaming pots and pans on the cast iron stove. The thudding of the chopper on the chopping board punctuated the air adding to the sonata of culinary masterpieces. Pn. Rosita whipped around the kitchen in a whirl of colours. Her black hair was tied back in a red scarf. Heat curled the tendrils of hair escaping from it into ringlets and plastering them to her rosy face. Her apron was a splash of orange, green and blue handmade by Rahim for Mothers Day with the words Best Cook printed on it. The whistling of the kettle interrupted by her chopping. As if equipped with multiple hands, Pn. Rosita poured the boiling water into a pot and with another hand stirred the contents of another pot. Even as the kettle left her hand she was checking on the roast chicken in the oven and sampling a portion of the stew. The blend of flavours and spices excited her taste buds and hit all the right notes. Satisfied, she left it to continue stewing. As she turned around, she spotted Rahim entering the kitchen. Bravo, bravo! he exclaimed. Bowing with mock courtesy, Pn. Rosita handed him a bowl of stew, some bread and a roasted chicken leg. Giving him a peck on the cheek she said, Eat up, eat up. Its almost seven o clock! Rahim wolfed down the sumptuous breakfast and whizzed out of the house in a jiffy. As, Rahim was sprinting like a gold medal Olympian the school building soon loomed into sight. The gargantuan school building appeared at the end of the driveway. As he scooted around the corner, Rahim spotted a bag half-dumped in the bushes caught his eye. The interesting thing was that it was a Louis Vuitton bag! Rahim pulled the bag out of the bushes. It was extremely heavy. Curious, Rahim opened the bag. Wonder upon wonders, the bag was filled to the brim with money! Rahim looked around, yet there was no one about. Rahim was in a dilemma. His conscience told him that he had to hand over the money to the authorities yet a small voice at the back of his head said that he could just as well stuff the money in his bag and not a soul would know. As it is, he was already late for school; he could hear the national anthem ricocheting patriotically. Moreover, he would be able to turn his familys fortune around.

Suddenly, Rahim remembered his late fathers saying, I would rather die on my feet, than live on my knees! at once; Rahim got up and started sprinting towards the nearest police station. He was like a streak of lightning as he zipped down the road. As the enervating heat sapped the last of his energy, Rahim stumbled up the steps of the police station. He licked at the brackish taste of perspiration on his cracked lips trying to moisten them as an insatiable thirst worked its way up his throat. Rahim footslogged to the duty policemans desk, hand4ed over the bag and slumped into a chair. The policeman examined the contents of the bag, noted something then placed the bag in a safe. He then praised Rahim for his honesty and offered to drop Rahim at school. Even in all their haste, Rahim was still late for school. Rahim took a deep breath and then strode assertively into his class. There he paused and adjusted his poise. Rahim smoothed out the creases in his uniform and straightened his pants. Then he ran his fingers through the wild mop of his curly hair hoping for some semblance of style. The class burst into boisterous laughter at the comical sight. However Rahim was not one to be easily put down. Sunlight reflected of the gold rim of his glasses which accentuated his owlish eyes. Determination and authority mingled with terror and nervousness exuded from him in waves as he raked the entire class. Gradually, the sniggering and laughter subsided before finally ceasing completely. Inhaling deeply, Rahim turned to face his teacher whose face was as dark thunder. Where the hell, have you been?! he bellowed making Rahims hair fly about and his eyes water. Rahim stammered that he was late to school because he had been to the police station and explained the whole incident to the teacher. At that very moment, an office boy knocked the door and said that the principal wanted to see Rahim immediately. With his heart in his mouth, Rahim rushed to the principals office. Relief washed over Rahim as he entered the office for the kind policeman was there too. The principal praised Rahim heartily and then promised to reward him for his honesty. Rahim left the principals office in seventh heaven with the principals stentorian voice ringing in his ears. It wasnt such a bad day after all.

(934 words) Kuhan Bathmanaban

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