The visit

The sight that greeted me

when I reached home

hit me squarly in the solar plexus region

the living room was in a mess

as if hit by a cyclone

things strewn all over

sofas upturned, drawers pulled out

I tiptoed past the clutter

my daughter stood near the doorway

I pantomimed towards the living room

she shrugged her shoulders

and pointed towards the kitchen

my wife sat there

with her head in her hands

I placed my hand on her shoulder gingerly

she silently handed me a paper

it was a copy of the notice

stating that the taxmen had come for spot checking.