Ramu loved flying kites. It gave him a sense of unrealness and surreality. His house in the tiny village of Motihari in Bihar had a big open compound where he would fly his kites. His mother, who had a no-nonsense conservative mind, allowed him to fly kites for one hour in the evening every day and the rest of the free-time he had had to be spent studying.
Ramu hated school. He would either fly his kites, or spend the entire day thinking about them at school or at home. Flying kites gave him an outpost for letting off steam during his mother and father's many fights, which often resulted in his mother leaving the house for a few days.
Ramu hated the way the high caste boys at school treated the lower caste boys. The former would rag the latter relentlessly, and the latter had no one to complain to. It was good enough that they were allowed to study in the same classroom as the high-caste boys.
One day, Ramu's favorite Uncle, Rajesh Chacha, visited them from his many trips to the city.
"I've got a gift for you, Ramu! I know how much you love kites and-"
He took a large, beautifully decorated kite from a bag.
Ramu was over-whelmed with joy. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Shaped like a bird, It was painted Red, blue and white, and it had a pretty, short tail. It was love at first sight for Ramu, who named the kite Ranjha. It was the largest kite he had ever seen. Waiting for his allotted kite-flying time was almost tortuous.
Finally, after his school –bell rang; he sprinted off home and took out Ranjha. Ranjha flew, and oh, how he flew! Darting, diving, whizzing, swooshing and zooming through the windy, cloudy sky! Ramu felt his heart soaring and rising with Ranjha. He was never this happy.
Enamored by his new found friend, Ramu forgot to be wary of the electric wires around the compound. Suddenly, the thread (Manja) cut loose. No! Forgetting everything that was ever there in his head, Ramu hurriedly followed Ranjha, unaware of what was ahead. Ranjha went spiraling through streets, grounds and houses as the wind played with him, and Ramu was in close pursuit.
In his quest, he was joined by Bambish, his former Best-Friend, with whom he was forced to break ties with, since the latter was of a lower caste, and the former's mother disapproved of it. Off went Ramu and Bambish, running after Ranjha.
On their way, they were stopped by the High-Caste bullies, who were ragging three small Low-Caste boys at that time, and they asked what they were doing. Without uttering a word, Ramu pointed to the heavens. The bullies stood transfixed, gazing at that beautiful kite fluttering in the skies.
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It was quite a long time since his mother saw him, and so Ramu's mother was worried. After searching the entire compound fruitlessly, she grew even more anxious. Hurrying inside, she told her husband that
Ramu was missing. This started another quest.
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The skies had cleared a bit and the breeze was down. The solitary mission to recover Ranjha had turned into a several-boy pursuit. Ranjha fell. Scurrying to pick him up, the army of boys ran hastily. But unfortunately, it went into that timeworn, run-down, out-of-purpose Post office, which was rumored to be haunted with the ghost of its dead Postmaster.
Ramu's parents went in frantic search for him, and realized what troubles they gave Ramu with their fighting. They were different in many ways, but their mutual love for Ramu would keep them together.
They were united, once again.
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No one was ready to go inside the post office, not even Ramu. But, Bambish mustered up his courage and ran inside.
After two minutes of bated breaths, Bambish ran back jubilantly with an un-tattered, unbroken Ranjha.
Forgetting all their differences, the group of boys ran elatedly towards Bambish and congratulated him.
Ramu noticed this assemblage for the first time. It was the first time he saw a uniform face of glee and happiness on the faces of these Fat, thin, tall, short, poor and rich boys. THIS was what he wanted. He didn't want Ranjha anymore.
The sky was clear again.
