Chapter 1

Dheere Dheere Se

Monday Morning 7 am, sunlight hit the bedroom and broke his sleep as his mother had removed the curtain, to wake him up. December in Pune was not cold, it was pleasant. He tried to cover himself with a sheet, took turns and twisted to sneak from the bright sunlight but gave up after fifteen minutes.

By 8:30, he was stepping downstairs when his eyes scanned everyone on the dining table

“Ohh no, he has not left yet” he cursed in his mind seeing his father take the head seat with authority.

“Good morning Mom”, he said, hugging his mother ,very well knowing a pair of eyes looking at him keenly. He ignored them with equal intensity.

Sandhya ruffled his hair “Why do you wake up so late till night”

He made face “Work”

“Worthless work, to be specific” came the sour words from the mouth on the same face which held the eyes looking keenly at him

“Good Morning Dadima Good morning Bhai, Morning Vicky”

“Morning Maan” Morning Bhai. Greeted his elder brother Dev and younger brother Vicky. 

“Maa-aan” his Dadima called out with a little stern voice, yet filled with love. He looked at her and she signaled him towards his father. 

He nodded for No and looked at his mother, who signaled the same. He said No but was at last going to greet his Dad when he heard

“No worth teaching manner to someone who basically lack it” Said Rajendra not even looking at Maan

Maan looked at everyone other than his Dad, giving a look – See!!

Dev placed finger on his lips, and signaled him to the chair, telling him to be quiet and have breakfast.

But Maan was the son of his father, how can he listen to everyone’s suggestions? As per him he was nowhere wrong. Only because his Dad decided to make him a culprit, he was not going to take it.

“Why even am I expected to have breakfast with all, when I am hated to core”

“See this is what you all get from him after showering him with pampering” Raj directed his words to his mother and wife

Everyone decided to keep mum. Today was again a war zone day between the two and they all have learned to keep quiet in this situation. 

“No worries Dad, you balance it with your hatred”

“Maa-aan” Rajendra said in a strong voice. He was boiling with anger.

“I am sorry” Maan lowered his voice. He knew he went a little ahead. He was frustrated with his Dad’s frustration on him. He wanted his Dad to approve what he had decided for his life. 

Rajendra was leaving after taking his files from his wife “It was my mistake to wait for breakfast for everyone to arrive” 

Maan stood at the side, his mother signaling him.

He moved slowly to his Dad, then looked at his elder brother Dev. Dev too signaled him

“I am sorry,” he said in a low voice. Rajendra ignored him

“Dad I am sorry” “Sorry for what Maan?”

“For morning, I will watch out my words”

“What about life decisions”

“I am not sorry for that,” he said plainly. Rajendra shook his head and left.

Rajendra left and Maan turned to see his mother coming to him with his favorite glass of shake

“Mom, you are so sweet, how do you go with that bitter gourd” 

Maan she pulled his ears. He took glass from her and gulped it in a go “Yumm”

She took the glass from him “Maan, keep control of your temper around your Dad.”

“And he can keep showing me down anyways he wish”

“Maan, he is your Dad. I supported you in your career decision and he is not happy with me on that. It felt I did not trust his decision for you”

“But going further, any of life decision, it will be his word as last word”

“Mom it’s my life”

“And who gave you this life? Maan, I don’t want to argue on that. You can convince him of your point, if he agrees it is fine but his words will be final.”

“And what if you think I am right”

“If you want your Dad to feel, he has no right in your life. If you want him to feel you don’t need his guidance, you can do whatever you want” She turned and must have took few steps when he hugged her from back

“You know I can’t see you upset”

“You don’t understand Maan, I can’t see any of you getting upset with each other. Your Dad is pissed off with you, do you know how I feel?”

“Okay, now stop this emotional blackmail. I have a bid to prepare for” She turned and caressed his cheeks

“All the best. In this I believe you will make your Dad proud one day”

He shied “I hardly believe so but no harm in dreaming.” He kissed her cheek and flew away.

“Geet Di” “Geet Di” children surrounded her. 

“All of you stand in a circle” They did as she said. She then opened the sweet box and gave each one a sweet.

“Happy Birthday Di” they said together

“Okay, everyone, be a good kid today. Don’t trouble warden Ma’am and I will have samosa chaat party for everyone”

“Di, you are going home”

“I will be back in an hour with you all. Today is your test, remember?”

“So here comes your darling niece. I am the one to do all the cooking, cleaning. We are servants here of this Madam”

“Sorry Tayi Ji, just went to temple and then to Orphanage to distribute sweets to kid”

She did not say it was her birthday. Her Tayi Ji didn’t even remember when her birthday was and reminding her will only bring another row of taunts for her.

But she never missed celebrating her birthday. Her parents always made sure to celebrate her birthday, even if it was small scale. But they did something. 

Her terrane of thoughts were stopped by her Tayi Ji’s interruption

“And what was the special occasion for this charity? You work there for a salary, you are not rich enough to distribute sweets there.”

“Geet, your Tayi Ji is right. Charity starts from home. If you are getting more salary you should start contributing more in home expenses.”

Geet was working as a teacher in an orphanage, how much did she even earn. But even out of that half of it she had to place in hand of her Tayi Ji. It was her family for the name shake, she was a paying guest. But it worked for her as for the outside world she was staying with family, which helped her for praying eyes.

Geet only loved her cousin brother Titu here. She would share all her heart to him and he would keep their talks to himself.

Geet’s life was as monotonous as it could be. After her parents, her life has been tough. But she never left dreaming.

Geet was a dreamer and took her daily time out of all responsibility to Dream. The hardship of life had worn her but not her hope for beautiful future.

She dreamt everyday of the man of her life. She was optimistic, he will come into her life one day and she will get all love. She will even have her family, her in-laws who will love her. Geet was optimistic. Life has been tough for her, it can’t always be the same. She believed, one day the course of her life will change.

Geet settled on the bench in the park of orphanage and then was lost in her thoughts when her best friend Sheela patted her shoulder and sat beside her

“In your dream world again”

“This is where I get happiness. So I prefer to be there. If happiness is not there, I can imagine happiness”

“So what were you dreaming today?”

Geet gave a small laugh “I was just thinking…the scene from that Ad, he will take my favorite thing and I will run after him. Maybe I will fall and he will catch me”

“But Geet, why do you always try to find happiness in man’s love? You are sufficient to give yourself happiness and love”

“No, I want someone else to give me love and happiness. I love myself Sheela but I want someone to give me love. Is it wrong to expect love from someone else?”

“No it is not Geet. But don’t depend on other for your happiness, it can hurt you”

“But I want to find someone dependable, Sheela. If it is true love, it won’t hurt. My love will protect me from falling”

“I really wonder Geet, after such tough life, how can you be so dreamy”

“Life can give me hardship, I will never stop dreaming. Finding true love is one of my favorite dreams.”

They stayed quiet for a while and the Sheela spoke again “Apply for some better Jobs which give you a better salary. Office environment will give you chance to meet more people of same age, more friends and you can be yourself”

“We have just graduated Sheela. On top my grades are just Ok from a very average city college. Who will give me executive job”

“Not an executive job but even if it is some office job, you will get a better or modern environment. See I work as a receptionist but the office is big, people come all professionally dressed up, it gives me a different outlook to the world. Different than what world we live in the same city ”

“Hmmm… I will think about it and see if there is anything out for me. But I also like my teaching job in orphanage”

“Orphanage is just an NGO, they pay meager”

“But I like it here” “Because you correlate those kids with yourself. You are a dreamer, so work for your dream. At least see a new world. Or you are just sitting waiting for a man to come in your life”

Geet smiled, “That I will never stop. Even if I do what all you suggested, I am waiting to fall in love”

Geet got up “Ok, need to get going. Need to teach Titu his lessons.”

“You better charge your Tayi Ji tuition fees. She is saving on that”

“Shut up. I won’t charge to give tuition to my dear brother”

“Yes, why not. She can very well charge you your stay in your family house”

“Ok now stop poisoning my mind. I don’t want to be sady sady on my life.”

https://tellymeanu.wordpress.com/2023/02/23/dheere-dheere-se-part-1/

tellyme2023-06-17 02:24:34