A dreadful night

"Was that a knock at the door?" Tom said, "It is far too late for visitors".He got up from his chair and walked towards the door. It was a starry night and he could feel the cold gentle breeze through the window. Before he could reach the door,he stoped for a while. He stretched out his hand to turn off the light and peeped through the window to see if anyone was at the door. But to his surprise he couldn't trace a single person out."Well! did you hear aknock at the door; just a few seconds ago?" he asked his mother.His mother had woken up by then,as if she had been alarmed by a fearful dream.Suddenly they could hear a frail cry followed by the howling of stray dogs.His heart beat increased and he looked at his mother.He could read in her eyes the painful memory of a dreadful night.
Life was so beautiful and colourful when they were in the beautiful valley of Kasmir along with his father Captain Sharma. It was the eve of Independenceday.Captain was so busy attending phone calls and giving instructions to his subjects.The clock struck 12.30Pm and the whole family had gone to bed,hoping to wake up to meet the dawn of Independenceday.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Mrs Sharma felt that something unusual was going to happen.meanwhile Captain had already reached the door to open it.Mrs Sharma raised her voice to stop him but before she could utter a word her husband was shot dead.Ah....! she cried loudly.Then mom whats up? her son shook her inorder to bring her into awareness."There is someone at the door.They have come to kill us",she mumbled.Suddenly they both heard the gentle knock at the door.He put on his coat and took the revolver in his hand and approached the door trembling.He fixed his pistol pointing towards his enemy and gathering all his courage , he opened the door. There was his little puppy shivering in the cold breeze . As soon as the door was opened it ran inside.The mother and the son followed the puppy and the clock struck , it was 1.00 am, reminding them once again the painful memory of a dreadful night.
Sr.Bindu