Read Online The Tiffin by Mahtab Narsimhan - Free Book Online

his room opened. Kunal involuntarily moved closer to Vinayak, the bruises on his body flaring with pain.
    Mrs. Seth walked into the room. Kunal’s heart leaped. Maybe she’d changed her mind.
    â€œHere’s what you came for, Kunal,” said Mrs. Seth. “I couldn’t take too much or Sethji would have noticed, but it’ll help till you get on your own feet.” She thrust a wad of notes into his hands. “May Lord Ganesh remove every obstacle from your path.And Vinayak, you’re a good man.Thank you.”
    Vinayak nodded.
    Kunal stared at the notes uncomprehendingly. He knew she was taking a huge risk for him and he should thank her but at the moment his only thought was about his mother, and finding out her name.
    â€œI’m taking this bangle too,” said Kunal. He held up the green bangle and then tucked it quickly into his pocket. “I hope you don’t mind. It’s the only thing I have left that belonged to my mother.” He hoped he had injected enough bitterness and sadness in his voice to shame her into telling him what he wanted to know.
    Mrs. Seth stared at him for a moment. “It’s not your mother’s — it’s mine. But you can have it.”
    Kunal’s heart shrivelled inside his chest. It was Mrs. Seth who had told him the bangle was once his mother’s. Another lie. The one thing that had comforted him during his darkest moments hadn’t been real.The one thing that had stopped him from fleeing the dhaba, and earned him the worst beating of his life, had not been worth the trouble.
    â€œWe’re wasting time,” said Vinayak. “Whatever it is you need to know can wait. Right now we have to move.”
    Kunal grasped Mrs. Seth’s arm. “You have to tell me —”
    Mrs. Seth shook his hand off. “Stop it, Kunal! Sethji is in a murderous mood. All the waiters and the kitchen staff have heard about the incident and they’re laughing at him. There are only a couple of customers left in the dhaba and Abdulla could very well get here early. Follow me.”
    Vinayak pushed Kunal towards the door.There was nothing to do but leave. They tiptoed across the corridor and Kunal shot a glance at the dining room below. The whirring fan and the edges of the grimy tables came into view. One of the waiters was mopping the floor and the antiseptic smell of phenyl wafted up to him. Muted voices came from the kitchen. Then they were past and into the Seths’ bedroom. Mrs. Seth unlocked a black door on the far side of the room.
    â€œThis leads straight to the alley. Be quick. Good luck, and don’t come back,” she said, almost pushing Kunal out. They stepped through the door and the bolt shot back into place. They descended the dark staircase.
    â€œWhat was all that about?” said Vinayak as they hurried towards the bright lights at the mouth of the alley.
    â€œI’m sorry, Vinayakji. I don’t feel like talking right now,” said Kunal. “I’ll explain later.” Each step became harder to take because he knew he was deliberately walking away from the truth, from the one chance at having a real family.
    He stopped abruptly.
    â€œI can’t leave!” said Kunal.“I have to do this now,Vinayakji. I may never get another chance.” He ran back, ignoring the pain that shimmied up and down his spine.
    â€œCome back, you idiot!” yelled Vinayak. “It’s not safe!”
    Kunal didn’t even slow down. He raced up the steps to the black door and hammered on it with both fists.
    The door flew open a few seconds later and there was Mrs. Seth, white-faced and trembling. “Are you mad?” Her hand shook and the piece of paper in her hand fluttered. “Did you not hear a word I said?”
    â€œI must know about my mother,” said Kunal. “I’m not leaving till you tell me. I can’t.”
    â€œWhy won’t you just leave it alone,