I still remember it was the peak of a harsh winter during the Chillai Kalan. I was fast asleep when my hand suddenly felt something strange on my bed. It felt like small pebbles scattered across the mattress. Still half-asleep, I dismissed it as a dream. But as I slowly gained consciousness and returned from dreamland to the real world, I was shocked to see what had happened.
The fire pot (Kaanger) had tipped over, spilling ash and embers all over the mattress! Realising the gravity of the situation, I knew I had to act fast. Quietly, I woke up my partner-in-crime—my little sister—carefully not to alert our grandparents.
Her eyes widened in disbelief when she saw the mess, but she quickly got to work. She grabbed the blanket, took it outside into the freezing cold and began shaking and blowing on it furiously. The ash rose into the air and bits of charcoal scattered in the compound.
After what felt like ages, we managed to clear all the evidence of our mishap. Satisfied with our covert operation, we tiptoed back to bed and slipped under the covers as if nothing had ever happened.
Rumaisa Ashraf Bhat
ru************@***il.com
When The Kaanger Betrayed Us
