A surprisingly simple, everyday score of ordinary, run-of-the-mill hustle and bustle intently progressing into intense situations, somewhat confusing for young role-players. Strangely, seriousness of the circumstance lurking in the backdrop renounces to spell disaster, moves along rather philosophically in the decisions of the young characters, all schoolmates on the verge of teenage. Through their understanding of each other and childhood fantasies they weave through difficulties reasonably pleasantly. No stress, even so, trifling dramatics rarely occur. The storyline is amazingly fresh and the movement of events has a verve.
Rekha and Latisha are best of friends, but on a rainy day when school shuts down and Rekha wishes to spend the day in Latisha’s company, her best friend refuses to meet and suddenly retreats into her room. When she stops responding to her calls and texts, worry sets in. Rekha’s investigations bring in more school fellows, most nurturing deep complexes and living lonely. Meanwhile, her own home life is unsettled with her father’s sudden reappearance. The long stretch of rainy days, however, intrudes into Rekha’s efforts to handle small mysteries and apprehend tough moods. With the help of Mighty, a monster created by the two friends, she learns the benefits of listening to heal a friend, sometimes playing games and being there for a friend in moments of darkness all around. In the backdrop of the rain-battered city of Mumbai, this is now and again a sad, yet hopeful story of joy and anxieties wrapped in the tenderness of friendship.
There creeps in a visage of a painful past in every other character of the story arousing a sensitive reprisal, thereby strengthening the bond of friendship. The interpersonal dealings, analogies or philosophizing and understanding through a child’s mind are smooth and chatty. It is one of the most redeeming features of the novel.
I found it fun to go through the pages of this book, enjoying the amusing interactions of people, the children’s thoughts and psychological solutions.