Chapter 35

Part 36 - Times of Turmoil

 

After Manthan could move again, he moved towards Nisha and pulled her up. He pulled her into a great big bear hug. She hugged him back tightly. He gently stroked her hair to calm her down.

 

M: Are you ok? Come here, sit here.

 

             Manthan pulled a chair from the dining table and helped her sit there. He went into the fridge and took out bottled water. He grabbed a glass and poured some water from the bottle into the glass. He gave Nisha the glass and urged her to drink. As Nisha took the glass, her hands shook so much that most of the water was spilled. She finally got a few gulps of water and stopped crying a little. She leaned in close to Manthan and rested her head on his shoulder. He continued to stroke her hair softly. Just then Eklavya and Isha barged into the apartment. They both froze as they saw Manthan and Nisha.

 

I: Didi?

N: Isha, what are you doing here? I told you to go to college na?

I: Di, yeh kya hua? Your hair, your kajal – tumari halat dekho di!

N: Humhe kuch nahin hua hai! Isha, please, you're going to be really late for college.

 

             Isha walked over to her sister and sat down beside her. She took in the horrible state of her sister with a gasp. She looked at all the tissue papers and bills around them and automatically knew what was wrong.

 

I: We didn't pay our rents? Di, don't worry! I have a competition in March, if I win that, then I get a full scholarship! Imagine how much money we'll save! Di, itni si baath hai aur aap –

N: Isha, we don't have anywhere to live!

I: (confused) Kya?

N: Our landlord has given us until today afternoon to clear out the place. Isha she wants us to pay triple of what we're paying right now!

I: Par yeh sab - ?

N: I made a stupid mistake in calculations in our rents, Isha! Now we both are going to suffer! Sab humari jalti hai!

I: Di, don't blame yourself, and don't cry! It's going to be alright.

N: No, it's not Isha! Don't you get it? We have no money, we're in debt and legally we have nowhere to live in (checks her watch) about 6 hours.

 

             Until now, Manthan and Eklavya were quiet because this was a family issue. But now, they both looked at each other and nodded, silently agreeing to step in and help their significant others.

 

M: Nisha, move in with us.

I: Kya?

E: Manthan's right, move in with us at Shantiniketan

I: Magar –

M: Magar-wagar kuch nahin, you guys need support right now and if your friends don't support you right now, then who else will?

N: Nahin Manthan, we're already in debt and now –

M: Humari dosti ki koi kemat nahin hai, Nisha. Our friendship is priceless.

N: But how can we just barge in and live at your place?

E: Wait (Retrives his cell phone and punches some numbers in) Hi, Mihir dadu? Yes, you know our guest house? Two of my friends want to come and live there. Can they - ? Ok, thanks, dadu. (Puts the cell phone back in his pocket.)

M:Ok, there you go! Isha you go pack everything, I'll get some breakfast for Nisha.

I: (Looking unsurely at her sister) But –

E: Come on, Isha, I'll help you pack. (Smiles) God know how many clothes you have!

 

             After four long hours, Isha had packed everything valuable to them. Nisha had finally cleaned up and changed into her salwar kameez. Although, she had left the house reluctantly, she had agreed to only because Manthan had asked her to. Isha came out to the kitchen and placed all her bags on the floor. A small little dog suddenly appeared by the doorway. Isha smiled at it.

 

I: Come here, Rani!

 

             The dog jumped up in her arms. Eklavya came in to the kitchen, shocked that there was a dog there.

 

I: She won't bite! Come here, Eklavya! Pet her.

E: Uh, no, I don't like dogs very much. Listen, I'm going to put everything in my car, ok? We don't have time to arrange a moving van or truck so I'll just go and put everything in my car. You can come with Manthan and Nisha on his bike. Ok?

I: No, Eklavya. I'll come with you.

E: Isha, zid mat karo.

I: Eklavya! Someone should sit in the back to watch the stuff, don't you think? What if a bag rips or something?

E: (reluctantly) Well, I guess you could –

I: Good! Bye, Rani! Here girl! Tell your master to feed you these dog biscuits. He gives you the cheap kinds, doesn't he, Rani?

 

             Manthan and Nisha walked into to the kitchen, with the rest of the luggage. Nisha's eyes teared up as she saw Rani.

 

N: Rani! Come here, girl! We're going to go now, ok? So you be a good doggie? And don't eat too many dog treats, or you'll get fat, ok?

M: Rani? So I ate her dog food?

N: (Smiling) Yes, she's our landlord's dog. If we ever had anything close to a friend when we were small, it was Rani. None of the kids played with us. Rani was the best friend ever…

I: We're going to miss you, Rani…

             Suddenly a heavy woman appeared at the doorway. She looked at Manthan and Eklavya and then at the twins. She raised an eye brow at them.

 

I: (bitterly) Mrs. D'Souza

D.S: So, you decided to leave?

I: Yes, you didn't really give us any choice, did you?

D.S.: Well, just clear out all your junk before 4:00, I have tenants coming here to look around. Rani, come on!

 

             But Rani didn't move. She stood there by Isha's foot. Mrs. D'Souza looked at Isha and then at Rani. She walked over and grabbed a whimpering Rani.

 

I and N: Bye Rani…

M: (Puts a hand around Nisha) Come on, we have to clear out before 4:00

N: (Nods)

 

             Manthan and Eklavya took the luggage outside and started putting it all in Eklavya's car. Isha and Nisha took one last look at the home – or rather their former home.

 

I: Come on, di…It's time to go

N: Ok…

 

             As they walked out of the house, every memory of living there came to them like lightning. The twins had lived there for a long time and they had never considered having it taken away. Ever. Now, the bitter truth was before them. Their home was no longer theirs…

                               -Pooja