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The Crayon Kit!!

If there was one thing in the world Sheeza loved doing it was drawing beautiful and creative pictures, and then filling it with crayons - crayons Mumma brought for her 10 years ago. Oh yes, 10 years ago. You'd be wondering how did those crayoins last for 10 years. Well, they didn't last for 10 years, but even more.

Sheeza was in sixth grade. Perhaps at that time oil pastels were a rage in schools. Everyone used to own different styles of kits. It was all about competing who had the best of 'em oil pastels. Mumma knew Sheeza loved arts, but where they lived, stationery shops were very much a rarity. 10 years ago, Karachi was a lot more uncommercial!! But one fine evening, when Sheeza and her Mumma wen tto the other side of the town, Mumma left for the mall and got Sheeza the best kit of oil pastels and the fact that it came as a surprise made it all the more exciting. The box made of peachish pink plastic accomodated about 36 pastels. Usually such kits had about either 12, 18 or 24 pastels but this one had too many!!

That day, little Sheeza's face glowed with happiness. For kids, such gifts make the world for them. Next day, Sheeza took her crayon kit to school. Most kids in her class were amazed. It was beautiful after all. Since then Sheeza did all her art work with the crayon kit.
When in 8th grade Sheeza entered an Art Competition which required the contestants to draw on the theme, "We all need a little help from our friends" Sheeza had no clue as to what she'll sketch, but then who else could she have asked besides Mumma. Upon Mumma's idea to draw that which was her thought of friendship, which was actually Mumma's thoughts, she sketched on her advice a young girl studying late at night, and her Mom bringing a glass of milk for her.. yes, that was friendship for Mumma.. and the best kind of friendship it is.

Sheeza immediately started drawing.. first a rough sketch, then on approval from Mumma she drew the whole image, and then she coloured it, yes, coloured it with the same crayons Mumma had gotten her and guess what she got for Mumma upon submissiuon of her sketch... an appreciation certificate.. Yearls alter, the two of them kept dwelling on that certificate!
But one day, Alina, Sheeza's class fellow asked her for her crayon kit,

"Sheeza, can I have it for a day please, my cousins are coming over bringing an Art project, and I think your crayons would do a good job."

Sheeza was hesitant parting with the crayon kit, but nonetheless she wasn't so selfish as to part with her things, she gave it to Alina. When Alina returned the kit next day, she returned it with immense sorrow upon the breakage of the kit's clasp. Now, the kit could never be firmly closed. But Sheeza accepted with a fake smile. Later on she had tears in her eyes, but Mumma explained it to her that how could things stay forever, when humans also don't stay forever!!

And yet today when Rehmat Bi while dusting the desk asked her if she could have a colouring case for her school going daughter, Sheeza without any hesitation brought he same kit, received 10 years ago..she had absolutely no feeling for the material possessions, it was the memories she loved, and she had, which would stay forever..b/c she knew what mumma had said... nothing stays forever..

Rehmat Bi went off her way with the kit, happy as a lark! And Sheeza thought perhaps Rehmat Bi's daughter would get the same joy from the kit as she had gotten, the same happiness she experienced when Mumma handed it to her. And maybe, it'd create the same best friendship among those two, who knows.. But, perhaps it wasn't intended.. perhaps that kit was only for Sheeza and her Mumma because when Rehmat Bi came next day she told Sheeza something very weird..

"Bibi ji, some one took that kit out from my bag when I was in the bus.."

And Sheeza thought maybe it ascended to the heavens to its other owner.

Comments

Khalil said…
sheeza excepted with a fake smile

*ahem* accepted *ahem*

But was a nice story. Again was tinged with sadness like all your stories.
Karachiite said…
Thanks for correction..
Nah, this one had no tragic ending atleast, I think!!!
Sarah said…
I think it was sad... Nice story, as always.

I am so ashamed, I never finished my story :(
Karachiite said…
hmm.. sad??? maybeeee
I tried not to make it sad!!!

No tears nothing, hay na???
plus, i think i've bored evry reader of my blog by now!!
Anonymous said…
achi hai

dont think its sad though..

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