Staggered

Ma, what's going on, Why are we packing everything ?" asked Sumit, a nine-year-old kid, born in a family which is not blessed with wealth.

"Your father told to do so my son" caressed Sarala, his mother, unable to explain him about the tide of darkness which is going to shatter them.

"Ma, I am hungry," told Sumit.

"Don't worry my son, we are going to a place where we can eat" answered mom facing away from her dear son to not to show her moist eyes.

"Sumit, don't disturb your mom and help her in packing" came a voice from behind, helplessness resounded in that voice.

There stood a man who is looking very exhausted by both soul and strength yet the voice is soft towards Sumit.

"Papa" ran Sumit towards Ramu, his father.

His father gave him a tight hug which is the only thing he could give now for a hungry kid and saw his wife with a look of defeat and shame.

"Are we moving now?" asked Sarala.

"Yes, We have nothing left here," said Ramu with his head down.

"You did everything you could my dear," said Sarala with all love.

Ramu wiped his tears and packed his goods so that they can leave for their hometown.

They came from a village to Bombay in order to find a livelihood but they never expected they will suffer for the mistakes done by the upper class of the society, indeed this city hasn't been kind to them so they decided to travel back to their village where at least they can get a morsel per day.

They are daily wagers who manages to earn daily minimal expenses and barely saves something and this overnight lockdown has been lethal for them and their savings are also finished within a week and it's been 10 days since the lockdown has started and they have been starving so they decided to head back to their village.

"Ma, are we going by train?" Sumit's eyes twinkled with excitement.

Ramu and Sarala couldn't answer that. How can they say their young child that he has to walk more than 300 km?

"We will walk for some time and then catch a train beta" lied Ramu with a heavy heart. He is left with absolutely no choice to but to hide the truth.

Sarala kept praying at least they get some fruits to eat in the way because they just can not keep on walking without food.

"I think someone is distributing food" Ramu's voice came up filled with hope.

They went there and fortunately, it's some celebrity distributing food there.

They are happy because they managed to get three packets.

They found shade and started eating the food they just got, Sumit starts eating food hastily and his contentedness in his eyes went up for every handful he had.

That sight really made Sarala broke as she understands how hungry her kid has been but managed to control the tears.

Ramu is not as strong as Sarala, He couldn't stop his tears so he closed his eyes to control but tears rolled down his cheeks.

Confused with what's happening Sumit gazes his parents and Sarala comforts Ramu.

Ramu takes his son into his arms and keeping his head on his son's hand and cries "sorry beta, forgive me".

Sumit still looks blankly at his dad and says "It's okay Papa, I am strong and not hungry much, don't worry" and wipes his father's tears but that act of his has even broken Sarala now. They both hug their child with all the love they have and packs their food for their son in the journey ahead.

Unsure of whether they can reach their destination, they still set for their travel because

IT'S THE ONLY WAY LEFT.