The Cat In The Kitchen
One fine day, Rikki and Ronnie’s parents went out to attend a wedding, leaving behind their two sons at home.
Father said, ‘We will be back by ten in the night”
Mother said, “Boys, be good. Eat your dinner at nine. No video games. Do your homework.’
Rikki replied, “Of course ma.”
“We will be good boys,’ Ronnie added.
Before leaving, Mother whispered to Rikki: ‘Look after Ronnie. Remember, you are his big brother. Don’t go out to play. Stay indoors and play with Ronnie.’
“Okay mom” Rikki replied in an unhappy voice.
The parents left and Rikki said, “to hell with homework. Let’s play a game.’
Ronnie asked, ‘Can we play Red Arrow?”
Rikki said, “No, that’s too boring. And Childish. Let’s play “Gallop”
Ronnie insisted on playing the Red Arrow and Ronnie had to give in.
After some time, Rikki decided to take a toilet break. Once inside the toilet, he calls his friend Shyam from his mobile. ‘Shyam, I need your help.’
Shyam said, “Sure. But why aren’t you coming out to play?”
“My parents have gone out and I’ve been ordered to stay indoors to look after Ronnie,” Rikki replied.
‘Why don’t you come out with him and play?,’ Shyam wanted to know.
“Remember last week,’ Rikki reminded Shyam. ‘Ronnie messed up our games and all of you were cross with me. Also, Ronnie went home crying and got me into trouble too.”
Shyam said, “Yes, I remember. Okay. What was the favour you wanted?”
Rikki said, “Please lend me Ginger for thirty minutes.”
“What? Lend you my cat?” Shyam said in alarm.
“Please do this for me, Rikki pleaded. ‘I will leave the kitchen window open. Push Ginger in. After thirty minutes, come back and take him away.’
“What are you trying to do?” Shyam asked Rikki.
“I want to scare Ronnie,’ Rikki explained. ‘When Ginger runs around in the kitchen, it will make a noise. I will tell Ronnie it is a ghost.”
“Ha! Ha! Very funny. Yes. I will do that. What time?’
“One hour from now. It will be dark by then” Rikki told Shyam.
Rikki went to the kitchen, opened a window and went back to playing Red Arrow with Ronnie. Soon it is dark.
“Ronnie, do you know, there are ghosts in this complex?” Rikki asked Ronnie.
“I don’t believe you. You are trying to scare me,” Ronnie replied in a shaky voice.
‘Okay, don’t believe me. Anyway, Daddy and Mummy asked me to not tell you so that you don’t get scared.”
Ronnie was silent and they continued playing.
Suddenly a clattering sound is heard in the kitchen.
“Rikki, what was that?’ Ronnie asked sounding very scared.
“Ronnie, you must be very brave. Hold my hand,’ Rikki said and held Ronnie’s hand. Ronnie huddled up to Rikki. There are more sounds from the kitchen.
‘It’s the same ghost’ Rikki whispered to Ronnie who is prettified. ‘But don’t be scared,’ Rikki added and hugged Ronnie.
The boys sat still for thirty minutes. ‘Are you hungry?’ Rikki asked Ronnie.
‘Not really. When will daddy and mummy return?’ Ronnie wanted to know.
‘At ten o’clock,’ Rikki told. He then added, ‘You stay here. I will go to the kitchen and get our dinner.’
“But Rikki, the ghost is in the kitchen!’ Ronnie wailed.
“Don’t worry. I am not scared. You stay here,’ Rikki assured him and went tothe kitchen. Ronnie lay face down on the sofa. As soon as he was out of Ronnie’s earshot, Rikki called up Shyam.
“Shyam, come over and take away your cat’.
‘What cat?,’ Shyam replied. ‘I wasn’t able to do what you said. My mom refused to let me take Ginger out.’ Rikki shouted in fear even as they continued to hear sounds from the kitchen.
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