Sunday, the day no matter if it's sunny or not, gave an assurance of free time. Nilika is puzzled about how she wakes up early on holidays and runs last minute to get ready on weekdays, wished she could have solve this - one of the biggest mysteries of her childhood.

Licking the traces of breakfast on her plate Nilika ran off dropping the plate in the sink that broke the silent atmosphere with the sound of the steel plate hitting the hard granite sink.

"Nilika how many times did I tell you to not lick your plate and be careful while handling it!" yelled her mother.

Ignoring her mother's yells, she quickly washed her hands and dashed out slipping into her hawai slippers.

"Nilika don't jump on the road and this time I'm definitely not buying that tag line of Surf Excel," her mother called out.

Ignoring her once again she bid a bye. The moment she stepped out she searched for the branches of the tree she could reach. When she finally found one she shook the branch that showered a few drops of the rain that stagnated on the leaves. With a huge smile she thought of a prank but went against it cause she realized she was late and her mother's warnings rang in her mind to not get dirt on her clothes.

She ran down the dried up lane and stopped when she reached the playground. She peeped through the fences and saw Sai batting. She waited for while because she didn't have the heart to disturb his chance of batting.

The sun got back his light and there was no clouds to block his rays. Sai stood aside holding his bat and listening to his teammates and the opposition team arguing.

"That was a foul move!"Dharani, the team captain accused the other team.

"No it is fair, we caught the ball and hit the wicket. Suresh is out this time" defended Madhu, the captain of the other team.

"The ball was about to touch the ground if Tommy hadn't grabbed the ball", continued Dharani.

"How many more excuses will you give?" questioned Madhu.

"Tommy isn't in your team" pointed out Suresh.

"He is," replied the whole team.

"But Tommy is a dog!" shouted Dharani in frustration.

"Is it written anywhere that a dog can't play cricket? Isn't it Tommy?" asked Madhu, smiling at the street dog that wagged it's tail.

Amidst the chaos they heard someone yelling for Sai. Recognizing the voice of the yells Sai sighed.

"I've got to go friends."

"But what about the match?" all of them asked him.

"You all carry on."

"But..." dragged Akhil

Sai understood what he meant. With a sweet smile on his face, he replied, "Sorry all but I really need to go. See you all in the evening!"

"Sai you're not" yelled Dharani but it was of no use as Sai ran off.

Sai may even share his chocolate but never his prized bat that is dear to him. Ishi and Nilika were waiting for him near the gates.

"What took you so long?" asked Ishi.

"Nothing"

"What's all the chaos about?" enquired Nilika

"Nothing"

Sai yelped in pain as he felt a sting on his back.

"Ouch! What was that for?" he asked.

"Nothing" both of them replied laughing and running farther.

The three of them hopped to the nearby library. With muddy shoes Sai was about to enter with his friends when the librarian Ms. Sudha appeared out of thin air.

She pointed the old wooden scale towards them and with a bossy tone she ordered them," Out. I said out all three of you. You can't enter without an elder accompanied neither can you with muddy shoes."

"Who made these lame rules" muttered Ishi.

"Me. Now out all the three of you"

Disappointed they climbed down the small and the last step of the library.

"Now what should we do?" asked Sai

"Isn't it obvious" replied Ishi with her brows raised

"What?" He asked with a confused look.

"Clean your shoes."

Sai rolled his eyes. Nilika dragged them both who were hissing at each other to Ishi's house.

Delicious aroma lingered in the air. Sai fixed his mind that he would have lunch at Ishi's house.

With a loud and cheery tone, he asked,"Aunty! Do you need any help?"

Switching off the stove Mrs. Lakshmi bought the hot vessel with a cloth around and placed it on the floor.

"Yes, would you help me by eating it?" she asked smiling brightly at the excited kid.

"Of course!" sang Sai

"Amma!!!" whined Ishi

"Shush Ishi! Your grandma is sleeping."

"Aunty we need a favour," Nilika asked Lakshmi.

"Anything for you dear, but first have your lunch, would you like to eat here?"

"Of course she'll eat,  aunty! Is that even a question?!" stated Sai

Smiling at them, Lakshmi bought the plates and served the aromatic, tangy sambar with hot rice, ghee and crunchy appalams.

Devouring the mouth watering meals, kids sprang back to energy. Accompanied with Mrs Lakshmi they went back to the library. Victory grins were plastered on their faces which soon vanished when they didn't find a single book that could help them complete the essay.

They were back at the playground all three left alone with each other.

"I wish school was opened today so that I could snoop around our school library and find something out," groaned Nilika.

"No if school was there, we would be solving maths and I hate to do it on Sundays too,"complained Sai.

"There's no use in sitting idle and complaining about it," said Ishi

"Fine let's go home and think about it, maybe my mom or Lakshmi aunty can help" suggested Nilika

They stood up and took small steps that soon turned big and a race eventually. Immersed in their little race they didn't notice the race the clouds were having. Heavy clouds released the tiny water droplets that soon touched the ground with a splash. Confused the kids ran towards the shelter. They stood under the canopy of a mango tree when the rain increased its enthusiasm.

They slowly walked towards the fence and looked at the other side. There was a house with a huge open area and filled with tiny plants. The static of the radio was heard that erupted the curious buzz in their minds. Though the kids knew about the stranger danger their eagerness ignored the warnings of concerned parents.

"What do you think that is?" asked Sai, thinking hard about what that noise could be.

"How would I know?" replied Nilika

"Why don't we find out?" Suggested Ishi.

"No, haven't you heard that curiosity kills the cat?" uttered a baffled Nilika

"Oh come on Nili! Don't be chicken!"cried Ishi

"I neither want to be a dead cat nor chicken," stated Nilika.

Covering their heads with palms, they ran closer to the house as they somehow persuaded Nilika to come.

The rain slow downed and drizzled. They heard a voice that boomed and which still rung in Nilika's ears.

Akashvani, Hyderabad kendram