It was the last week of December. The weather was extremely cold and foggy. It was the coldest day of the winter season. The sky was overcast with clouds and chilly winds were blowing. It was already 12 o'clock and Sujan was as usual in his bed. He was reluctant to get up. He just wanted to remain tucked into the quilts. If he were to have his own way then he would even eat his food in the bed itself.
"Sujan get up and have your breakfast." A voice came from downstairs.
"No! Suru it's freezing out there, bring my breakfast here please," he replied, shivering.
"No! don't be lazy and get up. I'm also feeling cold but I'm up."
"You also go to your bed again." he giggled.
"Stop joking and leave your bed." She came into his room.
"No! My hands and feet are benumbed with cold even when I'm inside the blanket so think what will happen to them if I'll get out of the bed." He curled up even more.
"This has been your daily excuse." She frowned.
While they were talking Snowflakes entered the room. Seeing him shivering, Suru held him in her arms. But Snowflakes took off in a tremendous leap and sailed into the blanket with Sujan.
"Being your best friend, he definately shares your characteristic of being lazy." Suru taunted.
"Haha, if you are done with your taunting then will you please switch on the heater?" He asked
"No! Do it yourself." She refused.
"You'll have to. Remember yesterday you asked me to bring your books and said that if I'll need anything you'll also help me?" He stared at her.
She became annoyed and switched on the heater but it gave no comfort. The temperature was touching the freezing point.
"Get up! I'm saying this the last time otherwise I'll call mumma." She stated.
"No...no...no.. don't call her. I'll get up in 15 minutes." He pleaded.
"Okay, I'm going to my room and will call you after 15 minutes otherwise....."
"I understand, now will you please leave?" He interrupted.
As she stepped out of the room, both Sujan and Snowflakes covered their head and slept again.
Suddenly there was a booming sound. Sujan uncovered his head and looked at the sky through the window. The sky was overcast with clouds. Soon the clouds began to thunder.
He wanted to enjoy the sight of lightning but at the same time he didn't want to leave his bed.
While he was staring at the sky Suru came inside and said, "are not your 15 minutes over yet?"
"Yes, I was just coming down." He replied.
"I know how much you were coming." She frowned.
"I'm not lying, I was just getting up." He said
"Oh really! so what are you doing in the bed still?"
"Oh that! ... Snowflakes is not letting me get up." He pointed at Snowflakes.
Snowflakes started to bark.
"I'm aware of all your excuses so they won't work with me. So kindly leave your bed otherwise I'm calling mumma." She said.
"Don't call her I'm getting up." He became frightened.
"I'm waiting." She tapped her foot.
He lazily threw the blanket and put his toe on the floor. He lifted his toe with a jerk. "Oh! The floor is too cold. It seems as if my leg will freeze." He exclaimed.
"Suru has Sujan woke up?" A voice came from downstairs.
"Didi please, don't tell her." Sujan pleaded.
"No Mumma!" She replied back.
"No! Mumma she is lying." He became afraid.
"Mumma Come upstairs and check if I'm lying." She said confidently.
"Didi...what are you doing. No please stop her." He whispered.
"Now you are dead." She gave him a sarcastic smile.
Sujan stared angrily at her.
Their mother came inside the room found Sujan and Snowflakes still in the bed.
"Why haven't you freshened up yet." she asked furiously.
"Mumma..I was..I was....." He stammered.
"I don't want to hear any of your excuses. This has become your habit now." She shouted.
"Sorry mumma." He apologized.
"No! Not this time. Now you'll have to go out to buy some items in the market. This is your punishment. Go and get ready." She walked away.
He made some faces and got up.
Getting out from under the quilt was very difficult.
Outside it was extremely chilly and misty. In the bus, he saw the conductor wasn't taking out his hands from his pocket. Sujan shivered and put his own hands in his pockets. He thought about Suru angrily,--------how he would love to get back at her.
Thinking these thoughts he finally reached the market. It wasn't as crowded as he had expected. He saw a small fire around which some homeless people were sitting. Sujan joined them without any hesitation. A few minutes later,he felt better. He dashed to the shops and bought the grocery. He counted the remaining money.
"I deserve a treat for coming out in the cold." He said to himself. On the way he chewed the gum thoughtfully.
"I'll make Suru pay for this. She made me come out in this chilly weather." He thought.
He reached home. While taking off his shoes he saw another pair. They were Suru's. He smiled mischievously. Taking out the chewing gum from his mouth, he stuck it in her shoes.
"Now she will know how it feels." He laughed.
He quickly put the grocery basket in the kitchen and sneaked upstairs. He dived under the quilts and giggled thinking about Suru.
