Invitation

She sat on the red sofa meant for visitors. No one in the family sat on it because it faced away from the TV. Inder liked to jump on it when no one was watching. They would start shouting at him about springs if they saw him using it like a trampoline. If only one could fly, he thought.

Rosa looked at them out of hazel brown eyes. She had auburn hair, the type you see on ragamuffins on the street because they never oil their hair. Lavanya thought it must be from working in the fields for too long. Atleast, that would fit the story that Rosa had told them. She said it was important for all citizens to contribute to the welfare of the state by spending a year or two farming, fishing or raising poultry or cattle. Only then did one pay off the debt one owed to society by eating the food it created. The other things she said seemed even more confusing.

Rajesh woke up from his reverie to hear Lavanya speaking to Rosa. “And why have you come here, then?” she asked, almost violently.

“Lavanya!” their father warned, in a low commanding tone, “mind your manners!” He turned back to face Rosa. Her large eyes so reminded him of a time past. “So tell me, what can we do for you?”