Chapter 36

Part 37 – Ghar ki Safaiye

 

M: It's not much but at least you have some place to live.

 

The two couples looked at the little guest house beside the rose garden. Just when Nisha thought that she knew the vastness of Shantiniketan, she found out that there was more to it. They were staring at a little cottage-like house.

 

I: It's absolutely wonderful, Manthan!

N: Manthan, how much would this cost - ?

M: Nisha, you're a friend! I can't charge you!

N: But we need to repay you back somehow!

E:Well, Isha's going to be the bahu of this house so I don't think she needs to pay. Aur aapko bhi koi zarurat nahin hai pay karne ki kyunki you're Isha's sister.

I: (whispers to Nisha) Not to mention, Manthan's wife-to-be

 

             Nisha went pitch red as Manthan slowly opened the door to their new home. It was amazing how at even times like these, she could blush at thoughts of Manthan. As soon as he opened it, Nisha's jaws dropped. Everything was covered in white bed sheets, there was dust everywhere on the floor, the chandelier glass looked yellow, the painting were old and the glass on them had cracks on them, the fireplace looked permanently shut by the amount of dust clogging it, and Nisha could tell that the stairs would definitely creak if she were to walk upon them. Manthan saw Nisha's face and quickly tried to fix it.

 

M: Umm…We can help you – redecorate it. I guess the cleaners haven't come yet.

 

             Nisha smiled at him. She was so lucky that Manthan was helping her out. And here she was, looking at the house as if it was some kind of a creepy pest.

 

N: Don't worry, Manthan. This house will look new by today. Trust me.

E: I've already called the cleaners, plumbers and electricians to fix everything up. They'll be here in a few hours.

I: Ok, then I guess we should clean up everything first.

N: Ok. Manthan, thanks a lot for everything, really. I'm so lucky to have you as a friend. We'll call you when we're done cleaning up.

M: Don't be stupid! We're helping out!

N: Kya?

M: Ok, Isha, you and Eklavya clean up everything upstairs. Nisha and I will clean everything downstairs.

 

             Isha and Eklavya nodded and left the two to go upstairs. Manthan looked at Nisha.

 

M: Coming?

N: Manthan, have you ever cleaned anything in your life?

M: Yeah, I clean my room all the time!

N: Really? Tell me one thing that you use when you're cleaning up.

M: Uh… A broom?

 

             Nisha burst out laughing. Manthan had clearly never cleaned any house in his life.

 

N: It's ok,Manthan. You go sit there. I'll clean up.

M: Just tell me what to do. I'm a fast learner

N: (Bites her lip) Ok. But if you feel like it's too much, just let me know.

 

             Manthan nodded twice and the cleaning began. The four of them dusted, vacuumed, scrubbed the toilet, and scoured the kitchen floors. For Manthan, he truly understood what Nisha had meant now, cleaning was not easy work. But he didn't dare give up. He wanted to prove to Nisha that he could do this. Nisha got big yellow gloves, imperious to water, and began scrubbing the dishwasher with soap. Manthan took a pair of yellow gloves and wiped the stove tops for a good 3 minutes until he could see that it wasn't doing any good.

 

N: You need to take a little bleach. Soap alone won't work on these stains.

M: Oh…Thanks

N: (smiles at him) Thanks a lot, Manthan. I don't know how I could ever repay this favour.

M: You don't repay friends, Nisha. And friends don't do favours, they do their duties.

N: Phir bhi, it was sweet of you to – AHHHH

M: Kya hua?

N: A mouse!! Over there!! It just touched my foot! Manthan, do something!!! IT'S A MOUSE!!

M: (Laughs) First you're scared of a bike, now you're scared of a mouse?

N: Manthan, do something. I'm serious! It's right there! SEE!!

 

A small black mouse came out of one of the cabinets. Nisha clutched Manthan's hand very hard and hugged him hard. He smiled down at her.

 

N: Arree! Aap kade kade aise haas kyun rahe ho? Kuch karo na!

 

             Manthan put his arms around Nisha and gently lifted her up. Suddenly, Nisha stopped screaming. It was amazing what one touch of Manthan did to her. He laid her on the counter table.

 

M: Stay here ok? No mouse can reach you up here. I'll get rid of it.

 

She gave him a weak smile. After a while, Manthan came back saying the mouse was gone. They went back to their work.

             Then, they wiped the counters with soap and bleach. It was hard to believe that the counter tops were actually once pure white. They looked pretty brown and yellow to Manthan. They continued with their washing and cleaning. They washed the dish racks for 10 minutes straight. Nisha cleaned the refrigerator out which took her a good 20 minutes. They cleaned out all the cupboards and utensil drawers.

 

             Meanwhile, upstairs, Isha was having problems with the broom. She tired the vacuum but realized that there was no electricity. She and Eklavya had taken the broom and swept every square inch of the rooms and halls twice. After they were done that, they mopped the floors. This easily took them over hour because of the amount of dust and dirt clogged in the house. After they were done, they cleaned every cabinet and drawer, throwing out anything they found inside.

 

             Finally, when they were done, the whole house looked white, clean and sparkling. However, the house also smelled greatly of Lysol, Ajax bleach powder, deodorizers, detergents and other forms of cleaners. Manthan knew what kept Nisha fit now. This cleaning job was equivalent to a work out at the gym. He couldn't believe that he, Manthan Virani, who had never touched a broom in his life, had just done all that! It didn't seem possible at all. For Eklavya, it wasn't that big of a deal because when he was at boarding school, they had to clean everything themselves but still his arms and legs were killing now. They two couples met in the living room.

 

M: You guys can't spend the night here, it stinks of bleach. Plus, the plumbers and electricians are going to do their work so they'll make too much noise.

E: Ya, come on, the guest room is free I think.

 

             Nisha and Isha agreed. It was also going to be a long day tomorrow. Nisha smiled at having such wonderful friends.

 

Hmm...Not my best part...but there is one Manthan-Nisha scene for M-N lovers. But no Eklavya-Isha, sorry guys!

                                         -Pooja