**No, I do not want to hear anything. I just need it. Will you bring it for me?”
“Uhh! Pahi, please try to understand. Even I have not seen it for many days.”**
**“No! I need the real kopou phool! Last year, on our School Annual Day, too, you promised to get me the real kopou phool (Orchid Flower). But, at the last moment, I had to wear that false plastic flower. My friend Nisha had brought the real flower! Everyone was admiring her. You told me that the real kopou phool is found in the villages. So here we are! But now, you are saying that this year, too, you cannot get it for me,” she started crying.**
**“Why is my angel crying?” Pahi’s grandfather asked. “See, Aata, Papa had promised to get me the real kopou phool. But now, he is saying that he has not found it. I need the real flower.” “Okay, I promise I will bring you the flower. There is only one place I know where you can find it. I shall take you there. Tomorrow, we will give the cattle a good bath, and also, find you your kopou phool.”**
**The next day, Pahi wore a beautiful frock gifted by her grandfather on the occasion of Bihu. They were going to find the real kopou phool ! It was a special occasion.**
**“Do you know, last night, I dreamt of dancing Bihu, wearing the flower! I won the first prize, too! I am very excited to see the real flower!” She exclaimed. Her words made her grandfather feel tense. He knew that nowadays, it was really difficult to find it. He had heard that it was found in the forest near the market. He was not sure of it, though. And due to Bihu, many people might have already gone looking for it. There was also a chance of the vendors taking away all the flowers. Pahi was happy and confident about getting the flower this time. He did not want to break her heart.**
**Pahi and her grandfather started their trip. The breeze was blowing. Somewhere, some youths were practising the Bihu dance. The sounds of the dhol could be heard at a distance. Pahi had been to the village many times, but that day, for the first time, she realised how beautiful her village was! She also saw some people catching fish, using large nets.**
### “Pahi!”
**“Hmm,” she answered inattentively. The jumping fishes in the net had caught her attention.
“Look, how the fishes are jumping! And see, there’s a large fish over there!” She pointed out the fish to the fishermen.
“Look over there, there’s also a snake in the pot with the other fishes!” She exclaimed.
“No, no, that is not a snake. That is also a type of fish. That is called kuchiya in Assamese,” one of the men replied.
“Oh, Kokai! So, this is your granddaughter?” They asked and went on their way, with wide smiles on their lips.
“So, should we return home now?” her grandfather asked.
“I know you are plotting with Papa!”
“Oh! No, sorry. I am just saying because there may be reptiles or wild animals.”
“No, I will walk on and bring the flowers myself.”
Slowly, they reached the forest.
They moved through the forest. Grandpa was looking for the flower oneach tree. She was following him. Pahi got a good lesson for her obstinacy, as some red ants bit her on her legs. She cried in pain, but she recovered soon. She was still adamant. She would go back only after taking the flower home.**
**“We used to have kopou phool almost everywhere in the earlier days. And, it was also available in the gateway of most of the houses in the village. Nowadays, it is rare, hence, this hard work!” They searched thoroughly in the part of the forest where there was the possibility of finding the flowers. But, they did not find it. Pahi was sad, but she did not react furiously. “Let us look for it in the market,” she said. So, they went to the market.**
**“Sir, a few minutes ago, a man purchased the last bunch. Nowadays, it is not found so easily. I brought only ten pieces.” They returned home. Pahi was sad. They did not utter a single word in their return journey. Her grandfather was also disheartened because he could not keep his promise. When they reached home, a surprise was waiting for them.
Pahi’s father was standing on the verandah, with a bunch of kopou phool in his hands!**
**“Where did you find it?” Pahi exclaimed.
“You are lucky, Pahi. It was the last piece in the market!” he exclaimed.**
