but as raghuvir was about to extend that plant forth towards anoothi , a bunch of children from the building engaged in a game of tag came running in to the hallway where he and kamal were standing , and he had barely any time to register their presence before one of them slipped and ran in to his back , causing the plant to drop from his hands and go tumbling down to the floor , where it shattered with a loud clack , spreading a debris of broken pot pieces , dirt and flora at the threshold .