Shilpi and the monster

She was the apple of her parents’ eyes.  And she loved them right back.  High spirited, a wee bit pampered and completely loved, Shilpi loved her life.

One day she heard sounds and cried for her parents.  They rushed in looking sleepy and concerned.  Mama opened the cupboard.  Papa searched in the bathroom and looked under her bed.  They sat at her bedside and told her fairy stories and cuddled her until she fell asleep.

Shilpi was an intelligent girl.  She had known she was adored, but now she knew more.  She knew she was powerful.  Her parents would do anything to keep her safe.

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Like all little girls granted with this power, she began to play with it.  Whenever she could not sleep, she would cry.  Whenever she was bored she would scream.

Every time her parents would come into her room and go through the entire exercise.

Bathroom – check
Under the bed – check
Cupboard – check
Behind the window curtains – check
In the toy cabinet – check

And then they would sing lullabies and wait for their little girl to sleep. They would never get angry, no matter what time it was or how tired they were.

One day when they were checking, little Shilpi burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” her father asked.

“You, daddy.  And you too Mummy.  You believe me every time.  I was just playing.”

Her parents exchanged glances.  Then they sat down next to her.

Her mother said sadly, “Once, just once, we did not believe your brother.”

Shilpi had thought she was an only child.  She did not know she had a brother.

That night Shilpi could not sleep ….