the wrath of God

Bintoo muttered to himself, "What a lousy day, man!".

His mother overheard him. She couldn't stand people who complained.

"Bintoo dear, one shouldn't say things like that. These things have a way of turning into habits, you know." Ma counseled in as pleasant a tone as she could muster.

This wasn't the first time, and both knew it.

"But Ma, what is one to do when the forces of nature seem to conspire against you?"

"Patience, dear boy. Patience is the key. Humble submission, if one is helpless against the powers that be.", she lowered her voice almost to a whisper towards the end.

"The powers that be!? That sounds almost human, Ma. There's no one up there pulling the strings, if you really want to know what I think. The whole thing is senseless!", Bintoo railed.

Bintooma raised her finger to her lips and signaled silence.

"Lord, forgive this child!" she addressed the heavens quickly, raising her own voice and then looked sternly at her own son.

"Bintoo beta, talk like that is senseless! Pagan talk. Not in my house."

"OK whatever Ma! No need for a lecture now. I got to finish my paper."

Ma heaved a faintly hopeful sigh of frustration and turned around to leave.

"Wait Ma!" Bintoo beckoned from behind her back.

"What now?", she swiveled her oiled, fragrant, delicately coiffured head around.

Her look of indignation had transformed into a strangely beatific smile.

"Nothing. It's just that...", Bintoo noticed and his face eased into relief.

"Just that?"

His eyes beamed with affection and twinkled with mischief.

"Just that today hasn't been such a bad day, Ma.", he said.

Ma's smile evaporated. Her face turned ashen.

Bintoo's eardrums burst as the door banged shut.