Tea to Tears

A national highway has crossed through a deserted hilly vast land. At the side of the highway, there is an old tree standing alone by looking at the sky. Although it is crucial that there is a tree on the side of the highway, what more important is a small tea shop under that tree whose owner is a 14-years-old child named Raju. The tea shop is made up of a half dozen bamboos and some palm leaves. Every day thousands of vehicles pass by the tea stall. However, unfortunately, no one drinks tea there.

Including today, it has been four days; still, no one has come to have tea there. Raju keeps on looking at both sides of the road as far as his eyes can reach, with the same hope in mind that someone will come to his shop for tea so that he can get some money to survive. He stares at every vehicle passed by with his innocent little eyes.

The evening approached. The sun is about to hide the distant hills. The lubricants of his eyes have died and got volatile by looking for a customer; still, no one came. The whole day about to pass, but he has not eaten anything. Raju picked up the last biscuit from the tea-box and started eating. He does not even have any more biscuits left to eat for tomorrow. At the same time, a car came in front of his shop. Immediately Raju got a hope that something would be sold. He kept looking at the car with surprise. A middle-aged lady opened the door of the car and asked him an address to the town. All the hope of Raju vanished with air. In a heavy voice, he told her the address.

With frustration, Raju turned out to close the shop. At the same time, again, a big car came and stopped there, and two men with well dressed came out. Raju thought that someone would ask for an address over again. -"Will you serve tea, Chhotu?" One of them asked. By getting the first order, tear flashed in his eyes; Tear of happiness. He immediately started making tea by the stove. Those two men had tea over a political discussion. After having tea when they started to leave, Raju asked for money. They denied giving money, moreover, threatened to ask for money from the police. "Do you have permission to open a shop here?"- one of the so-called policemen probed.

Raju's mouth locked with fear. His heart began to beat a bit fast. With a trembling voice, Raju said- "you go Saheb (Sir), I do not want money from you". His eyes started tearing again. This time, it was the tear of sorrow, exploitation, and hunger.