Nisha’s elder sister Reema had joined a jewellery making class. Reema had five big boxes of beads in various colours and shapes.
“Reema akka , can I show one of your boxes of beads to my friends. Please?” pleaded Nisha.
“No!” said Reema. “You are not to touch any of those boxes.”
Nisha was disappointed. Ananya, the girl she greatly disliked, had got a doll from her aunt in London. Nisha’s friends Tina and Sonali were fascinated by this doll and joined Ananya, ignoring Nisha for a whole week.
On Saturday morning, when Reema had gone for Math tuition, Nisha took a box of beads and ran down to the play area in her apartment complex. Tina and Sonali were now bored of Ananya’s doll. So, when they saw Nisha with the box of beads, they rushed to her. Nisha sat down and opened the box.
“Wow! Beautiful beads!” they said. Nisha was surrounded by the girls in the play area.
“Can I take some gold coloured beads?” asked Tina.
“Please give me some pink coloured beads?” asked Sonali.
Nisha hesitated. But when she saw Ananya, sitting alone she smiled and agreed. Soon, each of the girls grabbed a handful of beads from the box. Nisha watched in shock as the contents of the box was reduced by half. Nisha went home and put the box back in Reema’s room.
Reema returned from her tuition class and went to her room.
“Nisha,” called Reema.
Nisha braced herself and went into the room.
“I made a bracelet for you with your favourite colours — pink and purple,” said Reema.
Guilt trip
Nisha’s conscience was pained with guilt, as Reema put the bracelet on Nisha’s wrist. Their mother also admired the bracelet.
“Reema took so much time to make this bracelet for you. So keep it carefully,” said her mother.
“Thank you, Reema akka ,” said Nisha, trying to control her tears.
Just then, the door bell rang. Nisha answered the door. It was Ananya. “Hi! Nisha. Can you give me some beads? I saw you giving everyone else,” she said.
“I am sorry,” said Nisha, sadly. “Those are not my beads. They belong to Reema akka . I took her box of beads without telling her and I made a terrible mistake in giving those beads to others.”
“You can give me some beads without telling her,” said Ananya.
“No, I can’t do that,” said Nisha.
“Then, I will tell your sister about what you did.”
Nisha looked at the bracelet in her hand.
“That’s okay, I am going to tell her myself,” said Nisha.
“Reema akka , I want to confess that I took your box of beads and I gave away many of the beads to my friends,” said Nisha, feeling ashamed of herself.
“Amma and I overheard your conversation with Ananya,” said Reema and she hugged her.
Nisha was surprised. “You’re not angry with me?” she asked.
“I am glad you told me,” said Reema.
“I am sorry akka . I will save money and buy you more beads,” said Nisha.
“They can keep those beads. I will be conducting a jewellery making class in the summer,” said Reema. The girls were excited and eagerly looked forward to joining the class.
