AUTUMN VIEW
OF BADAAMVAARI GARDEN OF KASHMIR
( Photo
Autar Mota )
To this
photo , I am adding my short story “ Please Don’t say Bangaluru
Again " This story appeared in four parts on my Facebook Page recently..
( PLEASE DON’T SAY BANGALURU AGAIN )
(Part 1)
When Aasha ji advised her husband Ramesh kumar Koul to go to
Bangaluru and see their newly married daughter and son in law , he pretended as
if he heard nothing. This typical style of Ramesh Kumar to avoid conversation
was quite familiar to Aasha Ji. Quite often she did not drag her conversation
sensing Ramesh kumar’s disinterest . Possibly this was not the moment to leave
conversation at that point . She did not keep quiet and continued ..
“ I say to you, Look this way . Where are you lost ? Don’t you ever think about
sweety ? It has been more than six months now . We do not know anything about
Sweety and Rohit Ji.I do not believe these telephone calls . What do we get out
of these calls ? Just ” I am fine “ or “How are you ?” . And then the usual
line “ We shall talk tomorrow. I am busy today “ Is this communication ? I am
sick of this style that these youngsters have adopted. We do not know facts .
We do not know which direction these people are going . We do not know what
they are eating. We do not know how they are living . You should have gone
twice uptil now but you appear to take these things lightly. ”
Ramesh Kumar kept quiet. Sometimes he felt that staying in his home for full
day after retirement was a curse . He better tell his wife that he had a job
and leave at 10 AM in the morning and return at 6 PM to save himself from these
daily grilling sessions . For him , Aasha ji was there in the house only to
rake up any and every issue to create unending annoyance for him. But then he
also thought that to some extent she was right . He had seen Sweety talking on
her mobile phone for hours when she received calls from her colleagues or
friends . She also chatted with so many friends on internet as and when she
came to Jammu from Bangaluru where she had been staying for the last three
years .And to her parents , she would simply say “ Are you fine? Okay , We
shall Talk tomorrow. I am busy today “. Both Aasha ji l and Ramesh kumar were
long waiting for that TOMORROW to arrive . It never did.
Ramesh Kumar would also think that there was no Issue worth
talking between Sweety and her parents except a mutual reassurance that all
were fine . With friends she had issues of her age , job and future .
“young children are sharp and better equipped to understand and
decide what was best for them. “
Consoling himself with these thoughts , Ramesh Kumar would often
feel that all was fine. That made him to stop further thinking on this issue .
Now that he could not avoid going to Bangaluru , Ramesh Kumar started his
preparations . He booked his Air ticket and bought Kulcha , Rajmash , Kashmiri
Brinjals , Nadru ( Lotus stems ) , Rice powder , A packet of Barfi and
Chhanamurgi from Pahalwan’s shop , Kadam ( Knol Khol ) Pickle ,Vaariemuth (
small Black Beans consumed by kashmiris ), A small Wood carving House Boat , A
papier Mache kangri , one kg of kagzi walnuts , kashmiri spices from Prasad
Koul’s shop , Burzil Almonds and a small 5 gm packet of Pamore saffron and
finally Green leafy Haak . Aasha ji had accompanied him and selected most of
these items .
When Ramesh Kumar asked Aasha ji as to who would cook all these
vegetables , she said ,
“It is not so difficult. Sweety is there . Let you go first ,
Both of you should help each other to enjoy all this stuff. I wish I could go .
Even if you have to cook something for the children , there is no issue . We
live for them only. Had Rinku not been in his ten plus two final class , I
would have loved to go personally . But I can not leave him alone at this
crucial period . Who shall make him to get up at 5 AM for the tuition classes ? And
listen Don’t you ever ring up that Nalini , your cousin sister . We had
enough from this relation of yours . She did not have the courtesy to invite
Sweety and Rohit ji for a lunch or Dinner . Leave that Lunch or Dinner aside ,
she has not invited them even for a cup of Tea . All your relations are like
that . They demand respect from us but never exhibit it when their turn comes .
Don’t telephone her about your presence in Bangaluru .”
That day all flights from jammu airport got delayed due to
inclement weather . Inspite of leaving Jammu at 11.30 AM , Ramesh Kumar reached
Bangaluru at 6 PM . He was tired and not in a goof mood. He also felt cheated
when the Airline staff at Jammu asked him to pay Rs3700 for the extra baggage
that he was carrying.
To himself he said ,
“ Rupees 3700 for Nadru , Haak , Kulcha , spices , Kadam , Rajmash ,and
Brinjals ? Why do these Airlines allow free luggage of only 15 Kgs per
passenger ? My god , This is loot. .Better go by Train next time . “
Infact he had also approached the travel agent at jammu for
Tatkal tickets of Rajdhani or Karnataka Express offering him a premium of
Rs500/ for his seat . Nothing could be managed and accordingly he had to travel
by Air only.
When he reached sweety’s flat , it was locked .
“ O God! Where to go now? ” He said to himself .He thought of
knocking at the door of the adjacent flat .As he did so , an elderly person came
out and conveyed politely that they do not know anything about Sweety and her
husband . They neither had keys of the flat nor any information. Accordingly ,
he could provide no assistance on this front. Thanking him for opening the door
, Ramesh Kumar picked up his luggage and came down by the building lift to meet
the Guard at the entrance. The guard informed him that he too had no
information and offered to keep his luggage in safe custody till sweety and her
husband arrive.
Ramesh Kumar decided to call sweety on her mobile .First ,
second and third ring and Pat came the reply in a hush hush tone .
“ Papa , Please wait . I am in office . It shall take me about an hour to reach
home. Rohit is coming to pick me up. “
Ramesh kumar also informed his safe arrival to Aasha ji . While he was busy on
his mobile , The Guard had brought him a Cup of Tea and made him to sit on his
bed cum cot. Gossip followed . kashmir problem, General corruption in the
country and finally sandalwood smuggler Veerapan came up for discussions .
Impressed , the Guard kept listening .
At 9 PM , sweety and Rohit arrive in a car. Hugging , smiles and together they
proceed to the flat . Ramesh kumar wanted to talk about his long wait and seek
reasons as to why the flat key was not kept with the neighbour or the guard but
decided to forget all that he went through. Once inside the flat,he wanted to
have a bath and go to sleep . Sweety switched on the TV set for the News .
Together they heard the news while Rohit busied himself with his laptop. Sweety
was also busy with her Mobile and intermittently looked towards the TV and her
father. That was the communication environment in the room .
Before the newsreader shifted to weather report / forecast , the
door bell rang. A boy entered with some food packets that had possibly been
ordered by Sweety . And then she suddenly declared ..
“ Papa , Let us have food .”
Somehow he ate the oily and spicy food served in disposable
plates . Drinking half a bottle of Mineral water , he felt like going to bed
immediately. Bangaluru was pleasant in August . He went to the bed room ,
changed his clothes and had a dreamless sleep waking up at 6.30 AM. This was
the time when Asha ji would bring him a cup of hot tea along with the morning
Newspaper. That made him to feel something like a King in his house . Where to
Get the Tea ? How shall he begin his day without the usual cup of Tea ? He kept
thinking . He opened the window and saw groups of people in the park below the
flats . Morning walkers in sports shoes and neat clothes . Women and children
walking briskly over the circular track in the park. Hawkers distributing
Newspapers to the residents of the flats . Newspapers ( with pages secured by
tight rubber bands ) thrown up with perfect skill and thrown up like projectiles
even to fourth floors . Just below his bed room window in the open balcony ,he
found a newspaper . That kept him busy for about one hour . What to do now ?
He went to the kitchen and to his surprise , he found the sink full of unwashed
utensils . Plates , cups , saucers , glasses and spoons . The maid had possibly
not come the previous day. He opened the Refrigerator and found that there was
no Milk . Sugar and Tea, he could locate but then he can not drink black Tea.
He came out and looked at the hanging clock that kept ticking in the silence of
the Flat .It was 7.30 AM. He went near the bedroom door of sweety , Put his ear
close to the door but could hear nothing. No sound from inside the room. He
believed that Sweety and Rohit must be sleeping. Why disturb them ?after all
his cup of Tea was not that important .
“ Let me take a shower and finish with my shave now “ He said to himself..
Another half an hour and it was 8 AM. He again went to Sweety’s
bed room and found total silence .
“They must have slept late . It is unwise to knock and disturb
them. “ he said to himself and returned to his bedroom to revisit the newspaper
pages .
He thought of going to the market to buy milk and bread and make
Breakfast for everyone . But then he did not have the keys of the main door. He
was warned by Aasha ji not to venture out without door key in the pocket. The
door if closed , would only open from outside with a key.
“So what to do now” he said to himself.
It was 8.30 AM and as per his information , Sweety and Rohit ji
had to leave at 9.15 AM for their office .He again came closer to their Bed
room Door. No sound or movement inside. .Now he started feeling that things
were not normal. Something was wrong . And then 8.40 AM and status quo. Should
he knock at the door ? Should he ring Sweety on her mobile ? Will it be decent
if they were actually sleeping? No! No ! Something is fishy . They should have
been ready to leave by now. Should he inform Asha ji back in Jammu ? No ! No!
she will get disturbed unnecessarily. Why not open the Gunny bag that had Nadru
, Haak , Kulcha and all that stuff and keep everything in refrigerator. He
finished it quickly with his ears and eyes focused at Sweety’s bed room. It was
8 50 AM and Status quo. Now he felt seriously worried .
“ Should he call the Guard ? Should he inform his wife Asha ji ? Should he
break open the door ? ":Had he come to Bangaluru to see all this ? A
whirlwind of disturbing thoughts gave him a shooting headache ..
“ O God ! what is this punishment ? I need Nothing . I don’t need the tea. Who
wants a breakfast ? what to do now ? Something is surely wrong over here . What
to do now ?” He kept talking to himself. A cigarette was all that he needed at
that moment but where to get it.
It was 8.55 AM Now and suddenly he heard some movement inside the room. He came
closer to the door. He heard some commotion in the wash room . The toilet tap
was open and then somebody opened the wardrobe . He heaved a sigh of relief.
Drank a glassful of water and felt as if his hand had come underneath a boulder
but now he had managed to get it released safely .
…..continued..
Part 2
( "Please Don’t say Bangaluru Again “)
It was 9.15 AM when the door of sweety’s Bedroom opened . She
and Rohit were ready to leave for their office .
“ Papa, We have already
ordered some items online like Eggs , fruits , Vegetables , India Gate Basmati
Rice , Bread ,Toned Milk, Butter and some grocery . The delivery boy shall be
here in half an hour or so . The maid shall come at 10 AM . She has a set of
keys with her . May be you need to go out, so keep this set of keys in your
pocket. The maid will prepare your breakfast and lunch . I have already talked
to her about it. . She shall make chapattis and some dry vegetable for our Dinner
. You should have your breakfast with Bread and eggs . If you can, please make
some Rajmash the way mummy makes it . You know how mummy makes them spicy and
chatpati with a little of Tamarind, Ginger and all that . You better guide the
maid and she can make it herself . ”
Sweety opened the refrigerator door and saw it stuffed with what
Ramesh kumar had brought from jammu .
“ Please remove all this and create space for what has been
ordered from the Mall. Okay Bye .”
Saying so, Sweety and Rohit hurried towards the Building lift .
“ Very strange , It looks as if this younger generation does not
need a breakfast . Shall they go to their office without eating anything? And
then work all the day. What for do they earn if they can not have timely and
proper diet ? I do not understand . This is not done. They are simply playing
with their health. I better buy them a Sandwich Maker . I better Buy them the
filling stuff , some olive oil , a bottle of tomato sauce and a bread today .
Let them start it from tomorrow. So Simple . Just spread the filling stuff on
the bread , apply little olive oil to bread pieces and put it inside the
Sandwich maker . Switch on the power and Have your hot stuffed and tasty
sandwiches with sauce . O ! I forgot their lunch issue .Shall they not have
their lunch?Where shall they have it? I can not see them like this anymore .I
need to do something. “
That was what weighed heavily in his mind at that moment. But
then he also thought that they might Be Going straight to the office canteen
for their breakfast . He had heard that many corporate offices run subsidized
canteens for their staff. He wanted to clarify this issue once for all and free
his mind
“ Let me first ask Sweety about this breakfast issue . May be my
sandwich maker shall go waste ? May be they have some better arrangement in
their office . And for home made breakfast , you need to get up at 7.00 AM. To
get up at 7.00AM , you need to sleep at 11.30 PM at the most . This younger
generation has changed their body clock by sleeping at 2.30 AM . How can they get
up at 7 AM? And this Sweety is now dependent on the maid for everything. Can’t
she cook two cups of rice for their Dinner ? Eating stale chapatis for dinner
shall make them sick some day . I am going to discuss all these issues with her
tonight . I am going to buy them a small rice cooker . That should make their
system smooth .Very simple to handle . Just two cups of water in a cupful of
rice and nothing more .”
With these thoughts in mind , Ramesh Kumar suddenly turned
pensive .
He also wanted to have a general look inside the house . For
this , he first went to Sweety’s Bedroom and found Rohit’s night suit on the
floor . The calendar page had not been changed since June . The shaving razor
and the shaving foam container were in the Wash room sink. Two Wet towels were
lying on the bed . A half filled coffee Mug was lying underneath the bed . On
the side table, near the bed , lay a half eaten rusty apple with a kitchen
knife close by .No one had opened the rubber bands of the newspapers for so
many days and these had been thrown in the lower shelf of the bedroom cupboard
.
Moving to kitchen , he found that The refrigerator had not been cleaned since
long . The washing machine too revealed similar story. A packet of Prasad
Kaul’s kashmiri Mirch Powder that Aasha ji had given to sweety during her last
shivratri visit to Jammu , was lying unopened in the kitchen cupboard. She had
forgotten to keep it in the refrigerator as was suggested to her by Aasha ji.
“ This is not a family house. Everything is in disorder over
here . They live like inmates of a college Hostel. This sweety has not learnt
anything from her mother . “
Ramesh kumar said to himself.
But then he also realized that she had lived away from her
parents for so many years .She had almost left her home once she cleared her
ten plus two examination . The crucial period when she should have picked up
all these things and other values was spent away from home .
“ She was not to be blamed totally . A girl who is sharp and
efficient at her job , can pick up all this with a little effort. I better send
Aasha ji for a fortnight next time. Everything shall be perfect to the desired
level . “
These comforting thoughts made Ramesh Kumar forget all and move
ahead. .
While he was about to move to kitchen , the door bell rang .
The Delivery boy from some shopping Mall had come and placed the
bill and the ordered items on the lobby floor .Ramesh Kumar checked the items
physically with the bill and found them in order .It was 11 AM now. The maid
had to come at 10.00 AM sharp but had not turned up .Ramesh kumar felt hungry
but disorder was prevalent everywhere . The kitchen sink , the refrigerator ,
the wash rooms and the bed rooms .
He came to kitchen side . Looking at the upper Shelf of the kitchen Almirah for
some small pressure cooker for cooking Rajmash , he found a new 3 litre rice
cooker lying unopened over there . As per the complementary tag attached to it
, the rice cooker had been gifted by some friend to Sweety on her marriage . To
cook Rajmash , he now needed to wash the pressure cooker lying in the sink .
It was 11.15AM now and the maid had not turned up. Accordingly
Ramesh kumar decided to do some purposeful work . He thought it better to begin
with washing of utensils in the sink . He opened his shirt and threw it on the
lobby chair and went to the kitchen sink . Thereafter he cleaned the
refrigerator and put the ordered stuff inside it . It was 11.45 AM when he
decided to make a cup of tea which he drank along with a kashmiri Bakery kulcha
that he had brought from Jammu. He now decided to cook Rajmash . And for that
he had many other things to do . He went to the market and bought a pack of
tamarind , fresh ginger from the vegetable seller , cigarettes , onions and a
new Gasket for the pressure cooker that he had washed clean .He also opened the
Rice cooker wrapper that he had seen in the kitchen cupboard shelf.
When he finished with cooking of Rajmash , it was 2 PM and he
felt like having another cup of Tea. In jammu , By this time , Aasha ji would
normally serve him his lunch and he would go for his usual sleep . This was the
time when Aasha ji would close his bedroom door and switch on the Television to
watch her favourite TV serial .
As he started to prepare his tea , the door bell rang. An
elderly man was at the door. The guest wanted to enter and say something.
Opening the door , Ramesh kumar, ushered the guest in and made him to sit in
the Lobby chair.
“ I am T. Rangachari , your next door neighbour. I am sorry I did not recognize
you yesterday. You are Sakshi’s ( Sweety ) Father . The guard told me all. Are
you comfortable ? Any help or support you need , please do call me. Don’t feel
it , my son and Daughter in law are busy and they are a little shy to mix with
neighbors . You know this younger generation . Busy in their own affairs .I
retired as Principal of a Degree College and we belong to Madurai in Tamil
Nadu. This is our Flat and my son woks in Infosys.My daughter in law is a
Gujrati girl. She is also an Engineer with Samsung. In fact we came last month
only as she delivered a Baby . She is on maternity leave and is now going to
her parental home next week . Her Father is an officer in State Bank of India
and posted at Ahemdabad at the moment . We plan to stay a month more where
after my daughter in law shall bring her mother for day care of the baby . We
may come after Deepawali for another three months since my daughter in law’s
mother is going to Texas USA where her own Daughter in law is in a family way .
So either we or her parents shall keep coming till the baby is about two years
. Once the child starts going to school, things shall get better organized and
parental support may also not be that much needed . We have to provide this
support to our children to enable them to work and earn for their family. That
is the present reality of life Mr Koul. “
“ Yes sir , Life is like that . And once the child is about two
years old , shall you not stay with them ? ” said Ramesh Kumar .
“ What for Mr Koul ? We are happy at Madurai . I have
recognition and some identity over there . Here , only the guard has time to
listen to what I say . Children have a busy life schedule and their demands and
priorities are at cross with our demands and priorities . Should we stand
against the flow , if we can not move with the flow ? Never Mr koul. And then
this life is a highway. We have walked enough , we need to create space for
others to walk freely. By word others I mean those who follow us. We must be
more sensitive to their feelings and aspirations .”
“ I do not get what you say Sir. You mean that as parents , we
have a utility value ?’
“ No! No ! Mr kaul , You understood it differently . Children
are not against us in any way. They are straight and simple . We were tricky
and double talkers . They do not have time for all that we picked up from our
elders to remain connected in social life . Wasn’t that a phony life ?”
“ Sir I do not get what you want to say ? “
“ Fine I put it this way . You should allow a Plant to grow
independently . No plant shall grow under the shade of Tree. Every plant needs
its independent share of Free air , liberal Sunlight and Natural Water . We
should not create any hindrance in that flow but be agents of that flow ”
Ramesh kumar was a little shaken by this discussion and replies
from Mr Rangachari . But his adaptability made him to knock off this thought
from his mind and move ahead .
“ It is destined who shall prepare or cook and who shall finally
eat . May be this cup of tea, that is in the kitchen , was destined for this
guest . “ Thinking so , he brought the Tea and some chhanamurgi that he had
brought from Jammu and offered to Mr Rangachari
“ O ! Why this formality . Aren’t you haviong tea.?. Are you
sure it was not for you ? “
“ No ! No formality sir , I had my Tea sometime back. You see ,
one gets acidity with so much of tea. I avoid it now .”
“ What is this whilte white tasty thing? Never seen it before ”
“ This is known as Chhaana Murgi . It is Prepared from Sugar
Syrup and pieces of cottage cheese . This is a speciality from Jammu .Have you
ever visited Jammu ?“
“ Oh ! So you have come all the way from that Militancy affected
and the disturbed area . I have never been to that side of the country but we
hear a lot of things about that area . Militancy , Border crossing , Firing ,
strikes , Demonstration and all that . Something is even in Today’s News paper
.”
“ I read that . That is Kupwara's Border Area . Kupwara is a
district Head quarter in kashmir valley .Jammu and Srinagar cities are
separated by hills and a road distance is about 300 kms . Jammu is also known
as City of Temples . Jammu is a peaceful area . Except some isolated incidents
here and there , even kashmir is peaceful now . It is not 1990 atmosphere any
more.You should also not base your opinion only from reports appearing in
newspapers or Headlines flashed By TV channels . Quite often, that may not give
you a correct picture of the Ground realities. Come to Vaishno Devi ji some day
and see for yourself. I would even suggest Plan a visit to Kashmir valley next
year.”
“ Yes ! Yes ! Vaishno Devi ji Goddess shrine . My wife’s brother
is posted in Udhampur Northern Command HQ. He is a Brigadier in Army. Every
time he talks to us, he invites us to Vaishno Devi ji Shrine . The militancy
and the firing news keeps us undecided . I am told that the Army can manage a
special DARSHAN at the shrine . My brother in law says that he shall come
personally to Pathankote to pick us up in his vehicle. I do not know where all
these places are . But frankly speaking , we are afraid to travel to that area
. “
……..continued..
( Part 3 )
(“ Please Don’t say
Bangaluru Again )
After Mr Rangacharti left, Ramesh Kumar felt like going to
sleep. He thought it better to bolt the main door of the flat from inside .
While doing so , he also saw an envelope that had been thrown in from the door
chink by some Courier company’s delivery boy .It was an invitation for some
share holders meeting by Tata Motors . The envelope was addressed to Rohit who
had obviously made some investment in shares of Tata Motors .
He kept the envelope in Sweety’s bedroom and then Put the
ceiling fan at full speed . Spreading a mat underneath the fan , he slept on
the floor . When he got up it was about 6.30 PM. The hot August sun had
mellowed down in Bangaluru. He had possibly slept at odd time of the day and as
a result when he woke up, he felt a little moody and sullen. The day was on its
last legs but life had set itself in motion below in the open space around the
Flats . Opening the Lobby window , he looked at the Park Below and saw children
playing Badminton , cricket with rubber balls or enjoying Bicycle rides on the
track inside the park. He also saw groups of elderly people sitting on Benches
in the park and busy talking to each other. Everybody looked happy and
worriless at that moment . Even Birds returning to their nests looked joyous
and cheerful while flying freely in the evening sky .
“ Does the evening sun spread so much happiness ? In jammu , I
have never noticed how and when this day light slips into darkness . My mother
would sigh at daybreak and say “ O God ! Why did this dawn come again?” Now I
understand that some people feel embarrassed at day break as well. Can evenings
also be so cheerful ? Does the mind start preparing itself for another dawn
?Does human hope recreate itself every evening ? Does a man feel the futility
of the day at Dawn or sunrise ? Very strange. ” Ramesh Kumar said this to
himself. He had turned philosophical and pensive .
Sometimes he would get these mood swings with his daytime sleep
in jammu also . In Jammu , he would go for his daytime sleep at 2 PM and get up
at 3.30 PM. He had to be ready for PHE ( Public Health Engineering ) water
supply in his area which would be turned on around 4 PM . That kept him busy
till 5.30 PM . Everyday he needed to switch on the electric motor and fill his
rooftop water tank . Thereafter he would water the lawn and flower pots and
finally fill up the underground water storage tank. Thereafter a shower
followed by his evening Tea that Aasha Ji would bring him while he sat in a
chair in the lawn.
“ What is the use of this lawn I ask ? You can not sit for a
minute over here . So many mosquitoes . They starts attacking your feet and
lower limbs or the exposed body parts . We spend so much in terms of the
manure, insecticide Sprays , Gardener’s wages , electric bill for watering ,
repeated Turf mowing and buying all these ornamental plants but can’t sit for a
minute over here . We better grow some vegetables over here “ He would
repeatedly tell Asha ji as and when he sat in his lawn.
It was Aasha ji who was against all this else he would have since
started growing vegetables .
For a moment he forgot he was in Bangaluru .Shifting his thought
back to Bangaluru , he went inside the kitchen and wanted to make a cup of Tea
for himself. He also put two bread slices inside the Toaster lying on the
Kitchen slab to make them hot and crispy. No butter as he had elevated
Cholesterol levels and was advised caution . Thereafter went down to KFC store
nearby that he had seen in the morning and bought some fried chicken leg pieces
which he put inside the Refrigerator .
” Now I need to make some chutney from walnut kernel , Dhania ,
Ginger and curd for them the way Sweety’s mother makes it . How tasty she makes
it ? I need to prepare some fruit salad as well . They must be really tired and
hungry on their return . let them enjoy this simple home food . I know sweety
relishes that chutney with Rajmash and Basmati rice . I remember her school
days. She would eat simple Rajma - Chawal in the school canteen and bring back
her Lunch untouched quite often . How fast do these little girls grow and
change ? Strange and unbelievable . Cooking rice is a ten minute job.So easy
with this rice cooker now. But it would have been too cheap of me if Rohit was
not made to eat some Non vegetarian stuff. After all he is a son in law. He
can’t be offered simple Rajmash. This time KFC chicken but surely next time I
need to cook some tasty Mutton Rogan Josh . But surely this KFC chicken tastes
like a fried fish and then it is neat and clean . Let me see what they like for
tomorrow . “ Ramesh kumar felt happy at these thoughts . He now decided wash
some fruits for preparing the Salad . He had just peeled one apple when his
mobile bell rang .
“ O! It is sweety . She must be coming early today . That is like a good girl .
I need to tell her to bring some Ice cream . How good to have some ice cream
after the dinner . I must pay for that “
Surely it was sweety on the other side .
“ Hello! Hello! . Sweety Beta … Bring some ice cream with you .
No problem , come at your convenience “
“ Fine . Ice cream shall
come . No worry . Papa listen . we are going to have our Dinner with my senior
colleague Kalpana Kamath . She is going to South Korea on a project and she has
invited some office colleagues for a dinner today . In fact she had told us at
least one week before but the date was undecided as her husband had to come
from Chennai . Now that her husband has come today , she has invited us tonight
. Rohit is also joining me . We shall be going straight to kalpana’s residence
from our office .So please have your dinner and don’t wait for us . In case you
feel like sleeping , do sleep . I have the additional door key with me . Good
Night ”
“ But the Rajmash and KFC chicken ? And you know the maid had
not come today “
“ What did you do then ?. Let me see what best I can do ”
Ramesh Kumar was taken aback with this news .
“ What to do now? Where to keep all this Rajmash and chicken ? What to do with
all this stuff that I brought from Jammu ? What for did I clean all this and
put myself to this strain ?” He kept thinking all this and then thought it
better to do some purposeful work .
He put the Rajmash inside the refrigerator and cursed himself and his wife
first for having forced him to come to Bangaluru and then for suggesting to
carry all that stuff , which according to him , would eventually go waste now .
Except sweets from
Pahalwan’s Jammu shop lying in the refrigerator , everything else that he
brought from Jammu was lying in a bag kept in Lobby . He opened this bag and
found that the green Haak and kadam ( Knol khol ) that was so fresh had dried
up and turned yellow partly. He removed the yellow leaves and kept the
remaining Haak and kadam in a Polythene bag that he placed inside the
refrigerator. He also broke the long Lotus stems ( Nadru ) to smaller pieces
and put them in a plastic bowl half filled with fresh water . He then placed
the bowl inside the refrigerator. He also kept the Walnut wood ( carved )
Houseboat and Papier Mache kangri inside Lobby show case . The remaining items
he kept inside the bag only.
He felt like smoking and took out a cigarette from the pack that
he had purchased from the market .
Opening the lobby window to allow smoke to escape out , he switched on the TV
and heard about incessant rains in Jammu with River Tawi crossing its danger
mark. That made him a little worried about Rinku and Aasha ji.
“ The weather had been cloudy and it had been drizzling since
last three days over there when I left but it has suddenly taken a worst turn .
How would have Rinku gone for his tuitions in these rains ? A motor bicycle is
of no use in this weather . The forecast informs rains for 72 hours more in and
around Jammu . This Bhagwati Nagar area is going to get flooded now . O God !
Save us from the floods. I should have bought a plot of land in Janipur side .
It was very cheap that side in 1991. And see how fast it developed . But Here
in Bhagwati Nagar , river Tawi is often frightening during rainy season . “
He looked for his mobile phone and then spoke to his wife and
Rinku . Informing them that he was fine , He advised them to shift to Janipur
side in case rains do not stop . His younger brother lived in that area and he
also spoke to him about his absence from Jammu and the threat of floods looming
large in Bhagwati Nagar area . Asha Ji did not like his seeking help from his
brother and assured him that she shall manage everything herself.
“ If I feel any problem , I will shift to Tosha’s house . Why do
you involve everyone ? I do not live alone in Bhagwati Nagar .More than thirty
thousand people live in this colony . Rest assured, Relax and attend to the
work for which you have gone to That place . ”
Tosha was Aasha ji’s sister .This communication with his family
in Jammu disturbed him.
It was 8.45 PM now . He had no appetite for his dinner .He wanted to call on Mr
Rangachari for a change but then the door bell rang and a boy delivered some
packed food and ice cream.
“ I am not here for eating and enjoying myself with this Hotel
food . How happy it would have been if we would have sat together for our
dinner . This younger generation does not know the value of money . They spend
it like water . If only Sweety and Rohit sat and talked freely , I would have
made them to understand benefits of Saving money for the future .The Bank Fixed
Deposit schemes , LIC plans , Postal certificates and ULIP etc. I believe they
are investing in share market . Very risky investment and then the returns are
purely market driven.
O God ! what is this new generation. I also had age and generation differences
with my father but I never had my own way . I knew what hurt him and what
pleased him.. But this younger generation appears to be without emotions. You
can not love them too much . They get irritated . Where is the question of
showing them your resentment or anger ? Who likes to have this hotel food
without children, family , friends and well wishers . I am not a writer. I am
not a poet or a painter who needs solitude for creative work. I am an ordinary
social creature. I need communication , company , children and family around me
. I am not an Island that some familiar Traveler may visit now and then . I am
a city and a crowd that likes to live with collective consciousness .I need to
share my happiness and sorrows . If I had my way , I would not eat this food
.But that shall complicate the issues and I have not come to this place for
such like things . “
Ramesh Kumar was again thoughtful and serious . It was his first day only and
he felt as if he had lived for months in Bangaluru. Reluctantly , he ate the packed
meal that had been ordered by sweety for him . He placed the ice cream in the
Freezer of the Refrigerator as he did not feel any need or mood to have it at
that moment .
It was 10.00 PM now.
“What to do now ? I can not sleep so early . I should not have slept during the
day . Let me switch on the TV “ he kept changing the channels and finally
stopped at “ Kasheer channel “. Some comedy play of Shadi lal koul , his
favourite actor was being telecast from this channel. He stuck to it and it
made him feel little relaxed .
He must have finally slept at 11.30 PM . Sweety and Rohit had not returned by
then . When he woke up it was 7 AM. As he moved towards the kitchen to get some
drinking water , he found sweety’s bed room door open . Surprised at this , he opened
the door but neither sweety nor Rohit could be seen.
“ Had they not returned the previous night ? Had they left early
today ”
…….continued….
Part 4…
This development made him tense and restless .
Returning to his bed room , he saw an
envelope near his pillow. Opening it hurriedly , he sat on the bed to read it ..
“ Papa , I thought not to disturb
you. You were sleeping . I have to join a New Project at Mysore today . We
have our client interaction at 10 AM. So I am leaving at 6.30 AM . Rohit
shall drop me at Bus stand and then go to his office I shall
return to Bangaluru by 7.30 PM today .Shall speak to you
as well . The maid is coming today at 10.00 AM . she will do all. Spoke to her
in detail. Regards .. Sweety “
Heaving a sigh of relief , he proceeded to the wash
room to have a bath .At 7.30 AM sharp ,
Sweety rang up her father ..
“ Good Morning Papa . You should finish your breakfast at 11.AM . The maid shall give you a packed Tiffin
and a cab shall come to the flat at 11.30 AM . The cab driver is well known to us and he will take you to some
places in Bangaluru . I mean places like
Lalbagh Garden, ISKCON Temple , Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace ,Vidhan Soudha , Government
Museum etc. etc. We have already told the driver to wait for us at 7.30 PM outside FORUM shopping Mall. See you there in the evening . Enjoy yourself. You need not pay the
driver . He has been paid . “
Ramesh Kumar felt relieved and happy
at this development .At least , they shall be together in the evening . He
wanted to buy a branded shirt for Rohit and a
Titan wrist watch for Sweety.
“No better occasion than this. Sweety’s earning do not debar me to spend on her . For me ,
she remains the same little child. ” He
said to himself.
The maid prepared his breakfast and also kept
some dry vegetable and Chapatis for his lunch in the Tiffin Box. At 11.30 AM
the taxi arrived to pick him up. He
visited all the places that sweety had
wanted him to see. Though he felt lonely
, yet the proposed evening get together made him Happy .
From 6 PM onwards , he kept looking at his wrist watch .The driver
brought him to Hosur Road at sharp 7.30 PM . Rohit and Sweety were already
waiting for him.
“
Dinner we shall see how they
desire to have it. Should they eat out , it is my duty to pay . We can also cook at our residence . Just ten
minutes for rice cooking and reheating of the chicken and Rajmash in the Microwave oven . So convenient . “ He felt happy at this thought .
Together they went inside the
Spacious shopping Mall. Rohit went to ARROW ”s
show room and Sweety selected a
shirt for him together with a matching Tie. Ramesh kumar pulled out his purse and requested that he be allowed to pay not knowing that Rohit had already presented his Credit Card
at the counter.
Thereafter Rohit went to a shop and bought a New Woodland shoe.
“ O God ! six thousands for a shoe.
Can’t he buy it from a BATA shop. What is the problem with BATA , I do not
understand. Then what is the shape of this shoe for which he is paying so
much hard earned money . And this
sweety is possibly happy on this
overspending . Are they crazy about
a Brand ? He could have easily bought a
good shoe for 1500 Rupees from the Bata or Liberty show room. They need to save money . This flat
has also created a loan liability on
their young shoulders . Rohit must have also raised a Car Loan . Tomorrow they need money for the their child .
I do not know what or if at all they save something . Who shall explain to them about the need to have a child as early
as possible ? The earlier one is free from the responsibility of children the
better it is . Who shall guide them if
they don’t share and tell their plans . “
Thereafter they went to a Restaurant . Sweety ordered assortment of Mexican foods comprising
of Hot corn soup, spicy black beans , Yellow rice , Nachos and Lemon soda etc. She also
advised the waiter to bring some ice
cream after they were over with the main
menu . Addressing her father , She said
“ Papa taste some Mexican Food. This
is vegetarian. Some what close to Indian
food “
“ I will pay for all this . Then I
will have . You don’t allow me to pay . Swear by me that you will allow me to
pay for this .” said Ramesh Kumar .
“ Why do you worry so much for the payment.
I have my debit card points . We are
spending them else
they shall go waste . Those points are exchangeable over here . “
Ramesh Kumar could not comprehend
what she meant by the points and he
thought it better to keep silent .
“ I shall get some opportunity to pay
. Let me wait for some time .“ He said to himself .
When Ramesh Kumar got up from his seat , his Mobile phone slipped
from his hand and fell to the ground . For the first time sweety saw that her
father had the basic model of a Nokia phone that would normally cost 1700
to 1800 rupees . She led Rohit and her father
to a Samsung store and bought a New
SAMSUNG Android set costing rupees
fifteen thousand .
“ Now papa keep it . You can use WhatsApp, Viber , Skype and Inter Net so easily . That was an outdated and useless set . Let me change the SIM and you Should
use WhatsAPP and Net now . I
believe you have a mail account . Use
it. I shall be sending you mails frequently. “
Ramesh kumar had mixed feelings . He
was happy to see his daughter spending with confidence but he also felt a need to counsel her on saving money .
“After waiting for a month i get a
pension of 19000 approximately and here these people are spending 25000 just in one hour . And most of the expenditure is unwanted and avoidable . They
don’t know the value of money ” He said to himself .
Thereafter Rohit brought the car from
the Mall parking area . it was 10.30 PM and they decided to go home. While
Sweety sat on the front seat , Ramesh Kumar relaxed
on the back seat .
“ What happened to your Hyderabad training Rohit “ sweety wanted to enquire from Rohit .
“
Don’t you understand from this shopping ? I have been asked to report to
Hyderabad day after tomorrow . I may fly
by morning flight day after . Shetty has been asked to arrange tickets for me
and Raman . In fact it is a 10 days Training in toto . A Finnish trainer is coming to train us . And after
this training , they put me on the company’s prestigious
new project for their FINLAND client ”
“ Then you must go . 10 days is
nothing . I shall manage. I know a group of Girls in Mysore who live together in a rented flat . I shall stay with them till you come
back. I can’t stay in
Bangaluru and cope up with this
daily up and down journey after our projects actually starts ?”
“ That is a right approach .
Tomorrow , I am coming at 5 PM for my
packing and all that . You should wait
for me at the Bus stand . I shall pick you up at 7.30. And from day after you
better stay at Mysore “
Listening to this
communication, Ramesh kumar felt
abundantly disturbed.
“ I am a retired person but not a
useless creature .I know nothing about their Programs and planning . Here this girl does not discuss any issue with
me . She does not allow me to spend as if this retirement has snatched my right to expend . And there
in jammu , her mother is after
me to spend even the last penny from my
pension thinking as if I am still getting the full salary and other perks that I used to get . Forget spending and forget this retirement issue ,
I have come here to spend some useful time with them and they have their
own engagements and plans . They did not inform me about all these plans . What
was the need to come to this place all the way if they had to move out ?And all
that I bought with me is just waste . No one has appreciated and taken due
notice of our efforts in collecting all this stuff, packing it, carrying it by paying so much to airline
company . For me it means that either I remain stuck up alone in this Bangaluru flat for 10 days more or I pack back . “ Ramesh kumar was engrossed in
his world of thoughts that kept him disturbed all along the journey back home.
“So sweety , neither you nor Rohit ji
shall be in Bangaluru day after tomorrow. “ He intervened
“ Obviously . But that won’t affect
you . You can stay over here and then go to Nalini Bua’s house for a change . She shall be more than happy. I
shall fix up with the maid . She shall cook for you and I shall fix with our Taxi driver , he
shall drop you at Nalini Bua ‘s Flats and bring you back as it suits
you . Her husband has also retired from HAL
recently . In fact they telephoned us
six times for a Dinner . Nalini Bua’s husband even came to our flat once to take us to their
home . We had gone for a picnic to Ooty
with my office colleagues . We
came to know from the Guard later . And then one day I saw Nalini Bua and her
husband in a restaurant where we had
gone . They paid our dinner bill and again requested us
to visit their place for a dinner or Lunch
. I did not tell all this to Mummy.
It becomes some issue . I know , Mummy
would have said that we should have refused their paying for our
dinner . I have no time for all those
things . But surely they are good people .We telephoned them later but I feel they were not satisfied . And
then I may not be free from office before 7 PM from day after tomorrow when the project work
actually starts . That means normally I can be in Banguluru Flat not before 10.30 PM . So tiring and impossible to leave
again at 6.30 AM next day . Till Rohit comes back , I shall stay with a group
of girls who have rented a three bed room flat in Mysore . And papa our office programs are sudden and
without any advance notice . We hardly get any time to plan. I came to know
about Rohit’s training just this very moment .” Clarified sweety
Next day Rohit and Sweety left for
the office at 9.15 AM . When the maid
left , Ramesh Kumar packed all that he had brought from Jammu in a
bag. He applied some mustard oil to the
brinjals to keep them fresh . He had
finally decided to go to his cousin
Nalini’s house and thereafter leave for Jammu .
He opened the door of the refrigerator and found that the leafy Haak and the kadam ( Knol Khol ) looked fresh and green . He
decided to pack it next day else it could
turn yellow.
“
Barfi and Chhanamurgi ! let it be here . They can consume it . This
saffron is of no use to them . I shall carry it back to Jammu. Let the other
items go to Nalini . It was destined for
her only , I was a simple carrier .“
He thought of visiting Mr Rangachari
but then changed his mind . He changed the SIM from his New Mobile to the old
set .
“ So difficult to handle these
complicated sets . I think Rinku shall use it at Jammu . Not my cup of tea. I
need SMS and voice communication. I had enough of their communication over
here and what more is needed
through this skype or Viber whatever
they call it. “ He said to himself and
kept the New mobile set in his Suit case .
He then dialed Nalini’s mobile number and spoke ..
“ Namaskar Nalini Ji .I am Ramesh
kumar . I am in Bangaluru and staying with Sweety . I hope you are not going to
any place tomorrow . I want to come to our place . How is Baijaan ( Nalini’s husband ) ? I believe
sweety knows your place ? “
“ O ! So lovely to know it . We are here only and even if we were going , we would have happily cancelled it. I shall be waiting for you .
Sweety knows were we live only that she
did not come to our place . I shall be waiting for all of you . Bring Rohit ji and sweety with you. If you
have not done your return tickets , Don’t worry for the Train bookings . Our next door neighbor is a very senior
officer in Railways , you shall get a ticket for any train in special quota or TATKAAL . Your brother in law also knows the GO AIR manager at Airport . No issue for a direct
Jammu flight anytime at reasonable rates through him. We shall plan everything
. worry not. I am cooking your favorite Dumm Allu ( Spicy Boil fried Potato)
and Alla yakhani ( spicy Gourd cooked in Curd ) . “
Next Morning , Ramesh Kumar got up early
and went to Nalini’s house in a taxi that Sweety had arranged . He carried all
the stuff that he had brought from Jammu to Nalini’s house .
It was a grand reunion after Sweety’s marriage
. Everybody felt cheerful and
happy. Nalini cooked Haak , Kadam
, Nadru Yakhani ( Lotus stems cooked in
curd ) Roganjosh , vaarimuth ( small Black beans ) and many other kashmiri dishes during his stay
. Together they went to the places that Ramesh Kumar had visited alone
in the taxi that Sweety had arranged . He felt
he had missed so much during his
first visit to all these places . He
also went to see a Movie with Nalini and her husband . Together
they went to Banagaluru Kashmiri sabha meeting. Ramesh Kumar recognized some
college friends in that get together
where he had some
kashmiri kahwa and loochi ( quick
fried fine Atta Poorie ) over there . Nalini bought a ladies suit for Aasha ji
and gave it to Ramesh Kumar.
One evening , Nalini’s husband took him to a
relation’s house where he was served
sumptuous kashmiri non vegetarian dinner that included Roganjosh ,
Yakhni , Mutchh ( Minced Mutton balls
Cooked in rich Gravy ) and Kabargaah (
mutton pieces laced with curd and rich
spices and then deep fried in Ghee
). After so many years , he drank
imported scotch in this get together .
Surprisingly , Never
did he feel the necessity to smoke at Nalini’s house until he returned to Jammu.
Today when a common friend told me
that Ramesh kumar had returned to Jammu , I rushed to his place for some urgent work
. In fact I had to take him to the Patwari
for getting a FARAD ( Revenue record )
for the plot of land that I had purchased . I intended to mortgage the
plot for a housing loan and FARAD was the basic documents needed to create
simple registered mortgage . The concerned Patwari was well known to Ramesh
Kumar . Ramesh kumar was always helpful in getting things done in
Revenue Department .
Inside their house , I found that he was sleeping in his bed room while
Aasha ji was
busy washing his clothes . Inspite of my
requests not to disturb him , Aasha ji
cried ,
“Hey ! Are you listening ? see who has come to
see you . “
Rubbing his eyes , Ramesh kumar came out of the room .I said..
“ How was your Bangaluru trip Ramesh Ji ? So you were with Sweety and Rohit ji . Are
they fine ?”
It appeared as if he did not pay any
heed to what I had said. May be he was
not in a mood as Aasha ji had disturbed him and woken him up from his sleep. He must have been
really tired with the journey back home.
“ Ramesh ji , I say about Bangaluru .
How was your stay ? “ I continued
To this he replied
“ What have you to do with Bangaluru
? “
As he said so , there was a knock at the door . A courier boy had come with
A packet . Aasha ji went running from the wash room to receive the packet
. She did not want to open it in my presence
but Ramesh Kumar said .
“ He is not a stranger . He is a
member of our family . Please Open it .”
As she opened the packet , she found a ladies “ TITAN
“ wrist watch with a Tag
“ “FOR MY LOVELY MOM “and a Mobile phone WITH a tag “ DEAR RINKU WHY NOT MAKE IT ABOVE 95% THIS TIME “.
“ Now this poor lady shall not complain about communication , care and
attention . She stands adequately bribed . “ I
heard Ramesh kumar saying so to himself in a low tone .
Asha ji’s eyes turned moist as she kissed the New wrist watch. And
Ramesh kumar
went inside his room , pulled a cigarette from the pack lying in his cupboard and lit it. Looking towards me he said …
“ Autar Ji ,Bangaluru is not a place to live . Let us not talk
about that city . PLEASE DON’T SAY BANGALURU
AGAIN .”
…………..Concluded.
( Autar Mota )
CHINAR SHADE by
Autarmota is licensed under a
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