I ran to Jumman chacha’s shop.I was already panting.
“Chacha please give me 2 bottles of air and 4 bottles of water.”
Chacha looked at me with dismay and his eyes rolled
“Whatttt?? 2 more bottles of air?? You have already taken 2 bottles this month and if you know the law you cannot get more than 3 bottles a month !!”
I began to plead…”Chacha please….Maa has severe cough this time.she needs bottled air the Doctor has said…or else the polluted atmospheric air would further go to her lungs to destroy them..she has already used my quota as I was breathing well ….”
..”Only this time ..ok??…no more bottles…If the mayor comes to know..he would blacklist me…”
“Ok ok chacha…thank you…”
I stacked 2 bottles of air and 4 bottles of water and started running home…..
“AYE.. listen….AYE”….
I was startled to hear that thundering voice . .I knew it was Bhojraj the goon…notorious for “air snatching”
I hid my 2 bottles behind the dupatta and started walking as if I didnt hear him…
“What are you hiding?”…he roared….”And if it is air…just hand it over quietly….or I’ll kill you….”….he flaunted a knife…”
” Bhaiyya….plll..pl…please….let me go….its for my maa….shes coughing like hell…All Doctors have just given a common medicine..
” clean air”..
Bhaiyya…please…
Suddenly the siren of a police vehicle was nearing…..
I heaved a sigh of relief …and Bhojraj started retreating….
I fled for my life holding the air bottles close …..no I cant lose them….noway….!!
The streets were full of advertisements…of

Air Banks
Air lockers
Air investment
Air harvesting
..
..
..
And I could hear my son ….
.
.
“Mumma…get up….Ill be late for school…”
.
.I was sweating profusely….Yes I was breathing normally…
the air …. not from bottles…but from around…
Thank God…but the nightmare could turn true if Im not careful !!