Middle class problems

“Raju what are you looking at ?” His mom’s voice floated out from the hall.

“Mom, quick Come here. I want to show you something.” He yelled happily.

His mom came out in confusion “What Raju ? Why are you yelling like this ?”

He ran and dragged his mom to the puppy standing in the road.

“Isn’t that cute mom? Shall We keep it? ” He asked, his voice shaking with excitement.

She smiled at him and said in low voice “It is cute, but… ”

He asked anxiously “But what? ”

She looked at him painfully and said ” But we can’t keep it Raju”

“Why mom? I will do everything you say. I will even finish my food quick. I will do my homework without fail. Please please allow me to keep it” He pleaded.

She smiled at his innocence and continued “That’s so sweet of you to do everything but we can’t keep it”. He began to think how to convince his mom to take that puppy.

“What’s going on? ” Came a harsh voice.

They both looked at that side. Her house’s owner was standing there glowering at them.

He got scared and hid behind his mom, she put a protective hand behind him and answered her in uneasy voice “Nothing big. We are just talking.”

She flashed a fake smile at Raju and asked “What were you telling Raju? ”

“Aunty, I was asking mom if I can keep that small puppy,” he said in a hopeful voice.

Her face got even more red on hearing that and she yelled at his mom “Didn’t I tell you while giving you home, No pets are allowed? ”

Her mom closed her eyes and replied gritting her teeth ” That’s what I was telling him. I ..”

She didn’t let her finish and continued in same harsh tone ” Better you make him understand” and left.

He saw his mom standing there with a painful look on her face but didnt understand the problem and asked slowly “We live here, Isn’t this our home mom? Can’t we keep it here”

“No Beta. We get to only stay here, not live freely here. I am so sorry We can’t have it at home. ” She finished in a deep voice. But being a kid he was still clueless.

His mom dragged him home, Raju turned around and looked at puppy until it disappeared from his sight, it was also looking intently as if questioning him,but he merely shrugged his shoulder expressing his helplessness. Sometimes being in middle class you have to save your dreams and likes also, for future, along with money!!