PART-3
So what happened later'''.Surya and his family settled in New Jersey City and started their new life together'''Surya took some accounting and other classes, to get a good post in the company he worked'..They rented a small 1 bedroom apartment . Kripa was initially grouchy about the move, as coming from the huge house with so many friends and relatives, it wasn't easy to adjust'..But once Gayatri and Surya got her admission in the school and she started her schooling, she was over the top'.It was difficult at first as she did not know English, but had picked many words, as Surya and Gayatri teached her in their spare time too''Slowly she was well established'.and teachers said she was brilliant and had no problem adjusting and was picking up fast''.Gayatri learned to drive, with Surya's help and was independent'..she joined Indian society there and started participating in temple activities'..
In India, Surya's big brother and sister-in-law were very dissapointed'..They missed their kids and Kripa especially'''.The big house felt empty without them'.....But life has to go on'.though Surya called them every week and filled them with all the news about their new life, it wasn't the same any more''
Dilip.... started exporting local Art products and soon was more than successful in it.... His branded items....were popular all over India....He opened his own shops in many cities and was recognized throughout the country.....he coordinated with local artists.....grouped them and formed several companies....many poor artists were well settled due to him and treated him with lots of respect.....Surya's brother Krishnakanth assisted the villages near by and built schools on Surya's recommendation....Dilip had one more daughter, who was named as Aliyah.....They got busy with their own families.....
But 2 years after Surya left everything fell apart..... His elder brother and sister in law were killed in an accident after their car collided with a camel during a Sand storm...... Surya's family came home immediately for their last rituals......Surya and Gayatri were devasted.....Dilip then told them about how depressed Krishna was, after they went away'...
D: Surya, mujhe maaf kar de yaar''.Mein ne bahot baat karne ki koshish kit hi unse''tumhare ghar jakar thodi din raha bhi, taki woh thik ho jaye''.par uss ghar ka suna pan shayad unse dekha nahi gaya''..he said regretfully''.Unhone tumhe bhi phone karne ke liye mana kar diya, Kripa ki kasam de kar''..Ma bhi Nandini ko bahot samjhati thi'.par''he said looking down''..Rathod family had tried their best to be with them during this time, when Surya had left the country''.but Krishna and Nandini slowly started getting more and more depressed''They were simply unaware of what was going on around here'.They had not seen the news about the big sand storm coming and had gone to Ranakpur for some satsang, where they started going every month'..And got killed'''
After the rituals, Suryabhan went through property details and completed all the formalities.... Dilip was very helpful and assisted him with all the matters.....the huge house was difficult to manage and the taxes were more.....when Surya started thinking about selling, Dilip suggested him to rent it to Local Hotels for 10 years or so and see...even Gayatri agreed saying the ancestral home should never be sold.... Surya agreed and went to meet the Mittal Groups CEO - Ashok Mittal.....After looking at the property and discussing the renovations needed, the Mittal group proposed for 20 year lease during which they would renovate the old house and rent the rooms to the visitors......Surya's family would get 20 percent profit sharing and the house will be theirs again after the given term, if they want it back.....Surya was satisfied with the terms and signed the contract, and gave his account details for wire transfer......
They all returned back to US with heavy heart, especially Surya who felt guilty about leaving his brother alone....he wished the clock to turn back to the day when he left his home......he could still see the pain on his brothers face when they were ready to leave.....but the time which has gone by never comes again......
15 years later(after Surya's brother and sister in laws death)......
Nothing remains the same...... Sometimes it feels like, just yesterday we held these little kids, and now they are all grown up....it is ironic that looking back through the years which have long gone, how we wish we would have done some things differently.....but no matter what.....we are humans and we learn by making our own mistakes.......if we want roses, we have to learn to get through the thorns.....that is life.....
Dilip Rathod......who was he today.....well known business men, who not only owns arts and crafts gallery in many countries, but has become even famous since his sons Kartik and Angad joined him and proposed internet marketing.....it not only helped them grow, but made their work cut short.....many nearby artisans worked for Dilip Rathod....and treated him like God'..
Angad: Angad is ambitious 24 year old young man, who graduated from Oxford university of London.....with honors.....he was offered amazing opportunities with many companies, but he was a village boy at heart and missed his mother land.... He is on his way back to India to join his dad in his company, though through the years, it was his suggestions and hardwork, which increased there sales dramatically'..Official web sites and Internet marketing, was launched when angad was in 2nd year of college and it bought a huge success to the company.....Now,after staying two years apart from his family, he is more than ready to go back.......he has an excellent mind for new business opportunities and was planning to modernize and expand.....so, does he remembers what happened? Then the answer is no.....after a few days when everything was normal he remembered and asked about why he and Kripa exchanged garlands '.....Avantika had said that it was just some puja and dadaji wanted to bless both of them.....and he accepted the explanation without any other questions, as that is what his dadaji had said too.....No one spoke about it after that'''
Kartik: He never left his dads side after graduating from college and co-operated with local artisans and buyers.... He is very good at heart and loves his family. He got married a year back to Divya, who he loves dearly....it was love marriage and divya came from a poor family, but Dilip and his family accepted her whole heartedly....she was a daughter of local artisan but, Dilip and Avantika married them very grandly, without any hesitation'Angad had come for the wedding for 5 days and hurriedly went back, as his exams were nearing''.So, he doesn't know his bhabhi very well.......she is equally artistic and is good with making bridal ghagras, which had jari and mirror work''She is an ideal bahu and learned all the traditions of the house soon.....In the spare time she still does stiching, but as a hobby''..
Aliyah: She is still in 10th grade and was very much loved and cherished member of the famiIy.....Kartik hovered and protected her as the elder brother should and Angad always showered her with gifts and hugs and a hearing ear when she complained about Kartik's protectiveness......he would laugh at her pouting and hug her for comforting.......all 3 had a unique bond....
Devyani: Devyani is still waiting for her youngest grand-daughter-in-law to come back and take her rightful position..... She thinks it's time to tell Angad the truth......she spends most of her time in the temple doing her srinathji seva......Doesn't much interfere her kids in their daily routine and started being more open minded than she was previously.....she even started going for walks with her bahus and teased them like a friend, instead of being a strict old mother-in-law....everyone loved this side of hers and that was the reason, they all loved her and accepted her decisions at times in the house hold matters.....
Dilip was sitting on the sofa with eyes closed......
D: Aa gaya tu beta....bahut thaka huva lag raha hai.....ruk mein abhi chai bhejti hun...
Dilip: Na ma.... uski jaroorat nahi hai.....Avantika chai lane hi gayi hai....he said smiling at his mother....
D: Acha thik hai.....pata hai na tumhare babuji ki barasi aa rahi hai.....agle mahine....
Dilip: Haan haan ma, app chinta mat kijiye....sab tayariyan ho jayegi.....
Avantika bought tea and kept it in front of Dilip......she did not wear her ghunghat, now a days as she did before, on Devyani's insistence....
A: Ma app ke liye chai laun?
D: na beta....mujhe nahi chahiye.....
Dilip: Avantika jara sir dabake do na....he said looking at her
Avantika smiled and went and started massaging his head and shoulders......since after Dilip's dad's death......everyone in the house hold became quite casual to each other and showed affection more often...........they adopted all modern technologies to make life easier.....but the respect and old important traditions,like Thakur seva, festivals,etc were always followed as per religion.....
Dilip: ma aap se baat karni thi..... Aaj bache bhi ghar par nahi hain to....he hesitated'.
D: haan bolo bete.....kya baat hain
Dilip: Ma woh Angad ki shadi ki baat........He looked away, a little uncomfortable'..then looked at his Mom'...aab aur hum kitne din rukenge, ma.....gaon mein sab puchate rahte hain......aur bohot sare rishtey bhi aa rahe hain.....Gaye 14 saal mein Surya ki koi khabar nahi......Mittal ji se bhi baat karke puch liya.....magar unhe bhi koi khabar nahi..... He said sadly'.He was little bit angry about it too'..but did not let it show'..
Avantika's fingers tightened on his shoulders and Dilip looked up..... She swallowed hard and looked down with glistering eyes.....he patted her hands with his and looked at Devyani....
D: Devyani sighed and looked down....she knew Dilip was right....but she kept dreaming of the little kids exchanging Jai mala and Angad filling kripa's mang in front of her dying husband and God....she was in a delima where she was not finding a way......Tumhare babuji ki barsi ke baad sochte hain Dilip.....
D: jee ma ....Jaise app kahe....he said sighing.....
K: dad....Kartik said comming inside the house....bahar aap se milne kuch kalakar aye hain....
Dilip: Unhe under kyun nahi bullaya....
K: mein ne to kaha par woh keh rahe the ki woh bahar hi thik hain.... Dilip sighed and got up....some artisans thought they were from down cast and should not come in....even though Dilip had told them many times....that he did not believe in all that and they are welcome any time.....
D: mien dekhta hun....tu kahan se aa raha hai...?
K: mein to Aliyah ko College se lene gaya tha.... Par woh kisi saheli ke sath padhai karne gayi hain....board ke exams paas aa rahe hain na...
D: haan haan....Acha hai'' maan laga ke padhai kare to jara Acha hoga......pichle do mahinon se to sirf melon mein aur shadiyon mein waqt bita rahi hain.....na Jane college jana chahti bhi hai ki nahi....
A: aap kyun chinta kar rahe ho.....Aliyah jaror ache number leke pass hogi'..Dekh lena.... Aur Kartik bhi to use padha ta hai.....Avantika said picking up the tray and going to the kitchen....Dilip just shook his head and went out....
Kartik smiled inwardly and grinned at their usual battle.....
He went near dadi grinning and sat down keeping his head in her lap.....
D: mil gayi pursat kaam se.....dadi se milne ka to waqt dhoondna padhta hain na.... she scolded gently caressing his hairs.....
A: Sorry dadi.......ab don-teen din ap ke sath hi rahunga.....kaam hi itna tha ki
D:haan haan rehne de......saab pata hai mujhe, sare logon ka kaam jo apne sar le rakha hai'... koi baat nahi she smiled at him'..ab chal mujhe jara Srinathji ke mandir to le chal.....kitne din ho gaye unke darshan nahi hue....Mere Angad ke sahi salamat loutne ki mannat mangungi''do din mein humare sath hoga''..
K: ji dadi'.mein abhi hath muh dho kar, kapde change karke ata hun....he said running up to his room
D: Sun, teri biwi ko bhi bula la'..bechari akele upar bunai karte baithi rahti hain'..tu to dhyan hi nahi rakhta'..jab dekho kaam kaam''she said mischiviously.''He grinned and ran up to call Divya'..
K: Je dadi'..he said'..
Divya was immersed in her work and did not notice Kartik''he grabbed her from behind'..
D: Oh '.Ma she shouted terrified'''..Kartik started laughing'..
K: Kitni darpok ho'..apne hi ghar me itna darti ho'..he said kissing her cheek'..
She looked at him and smiled'.
D: Bas dhyan nahi tha'..aap kab aye'.chai banaun?
K: Na, abhi pikar hi aya hun'.dadi mandir jane ki baat kar rahi hai'.tum bhi chalo'.
D: Thik hai'..aap muh hath dho lijiye'..main abhi ayi'.
K: Thik hai'.jaldi ana'.he said once again kissing her on her other cheek'
Divya blushed and nodded'..
He changed and was ready in minutes''Divya directly joined him in the living area with big puja thali'.
D: Ma nahi aa rahi? She asked him'..
Devyani: Nahi beta Avantika ko kuch kaam se bahar jana hai'..parsun Angad aa raha hai aur ghar mein dawat bhi to hain'.she said coming to her'..chalo abhi jaldi chalo, nahi to bahut bhid ho jayegi'..
They went to the temple, where devyani insisted on sitting for an hour for the bhajan'..Divya started sitting'when dadi stopped her'..
D: Jau'tum dono kahin ghum aoo tab tak'.she said mischievously laughing at them both''Divya blushed'.but Kartik grabbed her hand thanking dadi'with a grin'they went out and spent an hour roaming around the nearby sights hand in hand, eating kulfi and buying some bangles..''..
Meanwhile, Devyani's mind wandered off to the subject brought up by Dilip''
D: He thakurji'..aap hi koi rasta bataiye na'''aaj pure 21 saal ki ho gayi hai meri kripa'.kisi ko yaad rahe ya nahi'..par mein use kaise bhul sakti hun''Use lambi umar dena'....Angad bhi 2 din baad pahunch raha hai''.Akhir aap ke samne, un donon ki jodi bani hai'..Inki bhi yahi iccha thi'..mujhe rasta dikhaiye'thakurji'.She prayed with tears in her eyes'...She asked the pujari to do puja on Kripa's behalf and took the Prasad and waited for Kartik and Divya near the entrance'..
Kartik and Divya came back after an hour to pick Dadi and then, they all went home after taking Prashad''
Back to US'.Suryabhan's house'..
Suryabhan : He is working in a well know bank in accounts department'..He is quite settled''.Even did Masters in Finance''Purchased a nice house'.Earning a good income and is happy with his little family'..His little girl is his life'..After coming back from India, Gayatri insisted on having one more baby, so Kripa would have a sibling. Surya was reluctant, but atlast agreed to it'..They had a Son, after couple of years and named him Arjun''..He is 13 years old'..Studying in middle school and is full of mischief'..He still is the disciple of Srinathji and follows many of the festivals and traditions of his family''..
Gayatri : She came a long way from what she was when she was in India''.She, is independent'..does most of the work herself''.takes care of kids'..participates in all the Indian society activities'.organizes many functions of the temple and is the caretaker of the Indian Temple Library''She is the major decision maker in the family and opposes, if someone is wrong, including Surya at times''He trusts her completely to do what is right for their family''..She is strict about daily rituals, like morning puja and evening puja and kids participating in all the festivals and Indian functions '..and both Kripa and Arjun listen to her, without argument''
Kripa : She is studying International Art and Architecture and is in her final semester...'..Kripa is a wonderful and beautiful girl who is very open and full of laughter.''She is very close to her dad and always takes her responsibility very seriously'.Though bought up in US, she is well aware of all their ancestral background and traditions and follows it with all her heart''She is also a good classical singer, as she had taken classes for last ten years in the temple''.She loves her brother very much'.but his mischievous nature sometimes makes her crazy'..She has lots of friends and is good at her academics'.Her teachers have very high ambitions from her as she is very talented in her field''.She was the youngest student in the college, as she had jumped couple of classes by giving exams and went forward'.. She has gone to few European countries for couple of months to get extended knowledge through scholarships from her universities '..She had written detailed discriptions of those trips and was awarded with many awards''She had toped with honor in all four years of her college and is in final year'...She is still unaware of what happened in India, which forced her dad to come to US forever and never look back'.But is disappointed, that even after lots of plea'.they never went to India even for a visit''.
Last but not least Arjun'..full of mischief, doesn't leave a stone unturned when it comes to playing pranks on his sister and friends''But is good in his studies and kind hearted'..He likes Indian tradition and participates in dances and other activities in Temple regularly'''.
Edited by vamita - 14 years ago
Current Affairs
35