InShi FF (Yeh Ishq Nahin Aasaan)[Till 5th chapter]

Chapter 1

The very thought of it was burning his soul somewhere inside. A moment of it, and he would lose all the positivity and sense of life. The night that changed his perspective towards everything. Or rather, dragged him away from the life he had been living. Rising away from all the worries, grave thoughts and questions... he was flying higher and higher. But, would he ever be able to drive away his guilt?

"Cover up your eyes with this, son. It will help you sleep comfortably in a flight...", a lady said from behind perhaps to her child. Ricky thought for a second if there was a cloth that could ever help cover up the scorching light somebody had thrown on his life. Everything around him seemed to bother his peace of mind now. He gave up the idea of sleeping. The step that he had taken was not bothering him. But, what can he make out of this step was more troublesome. He had never thought that life would make him so thoughtful. At one point, he couldn't decide whether black boots would go well with his purple T shirt. But, time changed so terribly for him that a drastic decision of leaving his home didn't seem to bother him now.

He was so much lost into his loneliness that a baby's sudden cry somewhere from behind got him out of his world. The flight had landed. Undoubtedly, his most forgettable flight. Still, nothing could be forgotten. After completing the formalities at the airport, he wondered what he would make out of this journey. He walked and walked to reach the taxi stand. Somebody said "Welcome to Dilwalo ki Dilli, saahab... Where do you want to go?". Ricky didn't look at his face. While he was struggling to find an answer, his right hand went straight to his wallet and he got that 'scary' piece of paper that read :

Sharma Nivaas

Gali no. 16

Chandni Chowk, Delhi 6.

Ricky kept staring at the paper as if the paper was waiting for the answer. Soon, some 7-8 drivers came around him and asked him to sit in their taxis. Maybe, they knew the address very well. Or, the money in this customer's wallet was a good temptation for them.

"A...an..any good hotel that u know in Chandni Chowk...a cheap one. Take me there.", he said in a soft wavering voice to one of the driver.

"What happened Sahib, you aren't going to that address?", driver said.

"N...no..". Ricky hurriedly went inside the taxi, looking very disturbed.

"Come sir, I take you to a very good hotel here sir. You will remember me that I got you to such a good place. Everybody who comes in Delhi never gets back disappointed. This city is everybody's first love.. You are new to India, sir?". Ricky least bothered about his blabbering. He chose to be silent.

The driver soon drove past the heavy and loud traffic of Delhi and was soon on a much smoother road. The noise was much lesser here. But, things were much louder inside the man sitting on the back seat. He questioned himself on why couldn't he go to the address on 'that' paper. The moment he had stepped on Delhi's ground, he had been feeling uneasiness. He needed some time before he could listen to his intent.

"Here, sir. This is it. The Ganesh Living Palace. The best ones for visitors".

"How much?", Ricky asked.

"Seventy rupees, sir'', the driver said after reading on the meter.

Ricky handed the money to him and went inside straightaway, without caring to have a look at the meter himself.

He went to the reception and waited for somebody to attend to him. The hotel seemed to be very noisy with plenty of on goings happening in the hall. Somebody was annoyed with lift not working and someone was angry with manager for a dead phone in his room. But above that, a loud ringtone was disturbing him.

"Main shayar toh nahin, magar ae haseen...". An old Rishi Kapoor's hit song. It kept ringing and ringing but the user seemed to be too busy in yelling at the manager.

Finally someone came at the reception and said sorry for being late.

Ricky immediately asked for a room without showing his annoyance. He had already spent half his energy fighting with himself. It was already 9:30 at night.

"Sir, your good name?", she asked.

"Ri...", he stopped.

"Pardon?".

"umm...I said Rishi. Rishi...Kumar", he said...thanking to the ringtone that was playing in the background.

He didn't want to reveal his identity. And after completing the rest of formalities, he went straight to his room upstairs.

The room was a middle-sized one with a single bed and a couple of chairs and a table lying in the middle. It was a neat one though. The best that he could get with a meager cost. He put his baggage on the table and lied down on the bed. It was too chilly and windy night outside. He closed his eyes. A sound came suddenly, and the window in his room opened with a bang. He got up and moved to the window. It was a very dark still beautiful view of this city from here. He never thought that away from luxurious and starry streets of America, he would have to come here. People lived here with almost no space whatsoever to breathe. He looked at the closely-spaced houses and wondered if they ever get a chance to witness the sky from there. But, inspite of these problems these people take birth, live, earn and die in these localities without a single trace of rejection. It seemed unbelievable to him. His life couldn't coincide with them, for sure.

He didn't notice that he still had the paper with Sharma family's address in his hands. He looked at the paper first and then at the city and asked himself..."CAN I DO IT???".

The silence of the city had no answer for his question.

Chapter 2

He didn't know anyone here. Time had suddenly alienated him and forced him to change the course of his life. He closed the window and went to take a shower first. He knew he wouldn't get warm water for him at this place. He undid his clothes. The current of the shower gave his body a shiver. It was very cold. Something disturbed him and he suddenly turned off the shower. He didn't know what happened. He moved ahead, and started it again. He saw his body shaking,,,, shaking for some time,,,and then it stopped.

The body fights against the difficulties and then after a limit gives up. He closed his eyes and had flashes of that dreadful night. A badly injured man, sitting in a car...asking for help. He was shivering with pain. Blood was oozing out from his body. He was tolerating as hard as he could... 'HELP!! HELP PLEASE...!'. He was shouting loudly in Ricky's thoughts... Soon his painful voice grew weak...weaker and then his body gave up.

Ricky opened his eyes instantly. He closed the shower. In the past few days he had the same horrible flashes of his past that would drive away his peace. He came back to his room looking far more tired. The clock struck 10pm. He didn't look to be in a mood of sleep. Sleep had deserted him everytime he had tried in the past days. He got hold of his wallet, locked his room and went down to reach the reception.

"Do u know any mobile showroom nearby?", he asked to the lady, who was confused to see him going out at this time.

"Ah, ya there is one just behind out hotel. But I am afraid it gets closed by this time... And I dont know if..", she was interrupted.

"Not a problem, I will find it myself. Thank you", he left the hotel premises saying this.

He remembered that he had to get a mobile connection first to get in touch with Rahul. He was the only one who could understand his state better than anybody. Ricky had dumped his old phone so that no one gets in touch with him. Searching through the sleek and rushy roads of Delhi, Ricky finally found a mobile shop. He purchased a good mobile and a new SIM card.

As the winds continued to make the city cooler, Ricky tried harder to get back to hotel soon. He still preferred walking. He was still in doubt whether his decision of holding back would change after talking to Rahul. He reached the road that had it end tied with his hotel. He couldn't spend all the time in that hotel. He was supposed to reach Sharma Nivaas and...and then? He didn't know either. He wanted to make up for his blunder. He wanted the guilt out of his every nerve. It was so difficult for a jovial, college going guy to do things of this sort.

He dialed Rahul's number but it said the number is busy. He dropped an sms for him writing that he wont be able to do what he had come here for. As he stepped further, he heard an old man coughing in a nearby cottage. A big car stopped in front of Ricky and a man stepped out. He yelled at the old man, "Where is that fat man who used to iron our family's clothes... You, idiot. See, I was supposed to wear the suit tonight and this is what you've done? ". He pointed at a black spot on the front pocket of the suit.

"Sahib, please excuse me. My son has died of cancer last week. Now, I iron the clothes...if you want I can..", the man was cut short.

"Huh, what you can do? Nothing. Keep wasting our time and money... You drunkards. Eat all our money, buy beer and then die of cancer. Good for nothing", the man went away without any expression of sorry. The old man didn't expect it either, and continued his work again.

Ricky came closer to the cottage to have a better view of inside. That man was possibly the grandfather of the three children sleeping unaware of their dreadful poverty levels. When their father would have departed, their would be no bread in the house. Their mother couldn't be seen, but she could only work in houses as maid to earn some money. Nobody gave up to the challenges of life. The picture was dirty. But, probably struggle is the DNA of our lives. Every body here lived with some sort of worries, economical problems and family issues. Ricky was not the only one who was made to live in stress. This story is repeated in every house. Ricky seemed to be surrounded by dozens of such thoughts. He never took life this way, or life never showed its ugly side to him before.

He was standing on a divider now. One way was to give up now, go back to America and let his guilt eat him up.

The second one was to take responsibily of what he had done and make his actions matter to a family in need. It sounded scary.

"It would be easier to go back. Go back and win over my nervousness. But then, every time I would look at someone like this old man I would feel defeated. I would get defeated hundred times in a day. I cant run away from everybody. If I do, I would be worse than this man striving hard to earn bread even in his seventies...".

Suddenly, Ricky smiled to himself. He had got an answer he had been waiting for. He started moving towards the hotel. His steps felt more assured than before. His breath felt warmer and shooed away the coolness of the night.

His phone rang just then, and he shouted out aloud on phone, " Ricky is going to the Sharma house tomorrow... Let Devil do what he can".

Chapter 3

It was a lovely morning today. It seemed the dew had softened the ferocity of Delhi to an extent. But people seemed to be very usual to this sudden foggy morning. Or, maybe didn't have time to pay heed to the whisperings of nature. It would be a routine for them to forget to welcome the winters. But Ricky kept driving his eyes to everywhere and ensured that he doesn't miss the chance of witnessing this subtle beauty which would disappear like fog by afternoon. He felt his taxi was virtually floating over the city.

His green bright eyes were a good contrast to the fading fog around him. He realized that he had somewhere cleared a similar fog of doubts in his mind. Having talked to Rahul, he had decided to convert his guilt into intent. An intent, so strong that would overpower somebody's helplessness and disappointment. Rahul, his closest friend of college days, was himself little afraid of what Ricky can make happen after reaching Delhi. He was never fully convinced with Ricky's decisions. He never wanted him to leave his house, find about Sharma family and make his way to Delhi. Then he wondered if anybody would have managed to live his life normally after 'that' incident. He knew that many things would change for Ricky. And Ricky was himself not fully aware of what he was doing, why and for whom. He had no time to think about and was being constantly forced to take instant actions. But, Rahul had never seen Ricky talking with such conviction yesterday. It made him realize too that a ray of hope can do wonders. Sheer conviction is all you need.

"How much more time would it take?", Ricky asked the driver.

"Sir, only 2 minutes... the traffic is always so heavy here..but we have almost reached".

Ricky wondered what he would do after reaching the Sharma Nivaas. His idea was to closely have a watch on the family and find a source from where he could help them financially or emotionally.

After struggling past the traffic, the taxi entered 'Gali no. 16'.

"Stop stop stop... stop the taxi here...get me down here only.", he said.

"What happened sir?", driver asked Ricky who was already down from the vehicle.

"Emm...I,,,I want to give them a surprise visit. So if taxi stands in front of their house, they would come to know that somebody has come...", Ricky said after hurriedly handing over the taxi fare to him. He wondered for a second if he would ever be able to reveal that 'horrible surprise' to them.

Ricky wore a classy black hat that he bought from America. He started walking slowly ahead, looking at the name plates of every house. It was a rushy place though, with plenty of local traffic. People here were very busy in themselves and ignored this stranger like another new comer. So, he too hesitated in asking the way for Sharma Nivaas. Children ran past him so speedily that he wondered if he could run faster than them! To add to his trouble, a Rickshaw would come dancing on the half-damaged road in every minute or so and force him to get cornered. He continued to scan for Sharma house on either sides of the road for sometime.

And just when he gave up and decided to ask the address from a ration shop, he found a sudden silence around him. The whole road came to a halt. Only one voice came with a bang :

" 30 Rupeees????".

Ricky turned his head swiftly towards this voice. He saw a lady in red suit, holding an office bag in one hand and her wallet in the second. She was facing her back to Ricky and soon gave another blow of words to her Rickshaw-puller.

"30 rupaye me poori dilli kharidoge kyaaa?? Kya soch ke rakha hai aapne hum chandni chowk walon ko? I go everyday to my office just in 25 Rs. from here only. We are living in this area since very long...you would be new to this place, but I am not. I'll give only Rs. 25. Not a penny more", she fired at him.

"Its only about 5 Rs. madam. I am a poor man...you are a working lady,,,,,I have to...", he mumbled in a polite manner, hoping to earn a piece of sympathy from her.

"So...So what? This money in my purse grows on a tree and only you work hard to get it? Is it so?", she said to him, literally showing her purse to him.

"I didn't mean that madam", he replied.

"Then what did you mean? Am I like the only person in the world who is paid for working?".

"No no, I didn't mean that too, madam".

Ricky seemed to be amused at this funny conversation. He took his hat in his hands and started moving towards them. He still couldn't see the girl fighting hard to save a meager sum of five rupees but saw the rickshaw-puller trying his best to defend himself.

"Then what the hell is your problem...? I tell you, you rickshaw-pullers have become very over-smart these days. You leave your houses every morning thinking that you will definitely rob atleast 20-30 pedestrians. Right? Now you listen to me, I have already wasted my 5 minutes in this useless argument. And now, if I miss my train at the station because of you...you have to pay me the compensation. And its not over, if I fail to reach my office today...I would avenge my one day's salary from you ..The choice is yours : 5 or... 685 rupees?", she said almost in one breath!

"errr...leave it,,,Leave it madam, it was a small issue...don't spoil your mood. I will drop you wherever you want to go... I will take only 20 rupees...forget it.", the man surrendered.

She finally expressed a sign of relief through movement of her shoulders. Ricky was stunned to see her dare-devilry and kept walking ahead to get a glimpse of this girl.

But before he could come closer any further, the man turned his rickshaw to face the far end of the road and waited for the lady to sit. She sat on the seat and soon disappeared through the crowd of the road. Soon, the surrounding resumed its earlier ongoings.

Ricky was left almost open-mouthed. Everybody around had paused to listen to the scenario. He thought if every Delhi girl here was this daring or is it that only this girl knows how to fight for her rights!

"That rickshaw-wala was new to this place?? Doesn't he know about her? Poor guy...". Somebody said. Ricky thought to himself and smiled, "Maybe this lady is very well known in her locality! Good going girl!".

As soon as he reached the place where she won her first battle of this morning, he was shocked.

"Gosh that girl ! Now she wont be able to pay a single penny to the rickshaw-wala!", Ricky said in surprise, looking at her purse lying there. She had unknowingly dropped it while sitting on the rickshaw seat.

Chapter 4

He looked up, ran a few steps ahead to find if her rickshaw was somehow still visible, but in vain. He picked up her wallet and thought for a second. It was useless for him to even try to find that rickshaw in the area which was completely new to him. He started running speedily backwards to where he had entered the road. The road ended on a wide main road that carried usual heavy traffic of the city. He stopped and took some deep breaths as he was exhausted. When he started to move, he saw a very strange scenario on the other side of the road. Four-five kids were pasting a big poster on an old school's wall. When they were done with it, Ricky noticed that it was a stern faced young woman's picture with two words written at the bottom : "HITLER DIDI!". The same posters were there on the other sides of the wall. He was confused but decided to ignore these mischeivious kids.

It seemed to be one of the busiest roads of Delhi and almost every auto was occupied with full capicity. He tried his best to get any one of them but they appeared to be least bothered. And after few minutes, one finally stopped. He asked the driver to take him to the nearby railway station, hoping to find the owner of the wallet there. That lady seemed to be working one and perhaps would be carrying identity card or something like that in the wallet. Ricky therefore, thought that it is better to return it to her in time. Although, he found it against his manners to open the wallet.

The auto sped against the traffic and soon reached the city's railway station which was not very far from that place. Ricky got out,paid him the fare and swiftly headed towards the platform. It was a very crowdy station, especially at time time of the day. Everybody seemed to be in a hurry. As soon as he reached there he started to look for her. The train had already arrived and plenty of passengers were moving in and out of it. It was so difficult for him to catch somebody with only color of the suit known. Still, he tried his best and kept looking for her.

"Where would I find her... I dont know her by face or name,,,I dont know if she even reached the station or went back because of the missing wallet..", he kept thinking to himself.

Soon, the platform was left with much lesser number of passengers. The noise level was lower than before. The very next moment, train whistled loudly and started inching ahead. Ricky decided to gave a last try to it. He paused and opened her wallet hoping to find some photo of her inside. He searched inside thoroghly. And to much his relief, he did find her identity on a card. It seemed to be an office-use ID card. The train was gone by this time.

"Indira Sharma", he called the name on the card. She was an employee of some travel agency. But the photo seemed to be known to him. He had seen it somewhere. And before he could guess any further, somebody turned his shoulders from back and gave him a loud slap on his face!

He was stunned to see a lady standing in front of him, burning in anguish.

"Theif!", she shouted at him.

"Hitler!", he said instantly after recalling exactly where he had seen her.

"You bloody... How dare you steal my wallet? I will sue you for this.", she said snatching her wallet away from him and started checking inside it if anything was missing.

Ricky was taken by surprise.

"Ah, excuse me? I stole your wallet? Sorry to say, but I am a graduate from The American State University and to the best of me knowledge, I think I am not a theif. I think there is some confusion... I was only trying to give it back to...".

"Shut your mouth, damn it. Just dont speak a word. I missed my train all because of you and have to wait for the second one. I know very well what you were trying to do, okay. Wearing good clothes doesn't make you a gentleman. You would have collided with me somewhere on the platform, took away my wallet and now when you are caught red-handed with my money...you are making excuses, right?".

"WHat the hell? Did you hear what I said miss...Indira (looking at the identity card in her hands)? I just said I did not steal it... Its a mistake. So stop blaming me like that. It was all your fault you were...".

"No. Actually its not your mistake. Its we people who should be blamed. We let you outsiders come to stay here and let our Delhi get polluted with CRIMINALS like you! Cant you all see that our Delhi is already so over-populated? Where the hell would you stay? Do one thing, get planted on our heads...idiot", she screamed.

" God! What kind of a girl you are? First, you fight like a tigress with a rickshaw-puller only for five rupees... but then carelessly drop your wallet on the road. And a guy wastes his all energy and time to follow you so far to a station only to return it back to you,,,,but instead of thanking him, you choose to insult him by doubting his dignity? No doubt, why people call you...", he stopped suddenly.

Indira was surprised. How did he know all this? Did he really followed her from that place to return it? Maybe this guy was right, but still she did not care to express her apology. She left the idea of further argument and decided to leave.

"But wait, tell me one thing.. when that rickshaw-wala would've asked for the money...didn't you find that your wallet was missing? Then why are you assuming that I would have stolen it here at station?", Ricky asked her for clarification.

She turned and replied, "I pay the fare before sitting in any rickshaw so that they dont argue later. What to do, these days people have become so over-greedy for money that they do anything to get it...Cant trust even you foreigners!! ", she teasingly hinted at him. This frustrated Ricky a little but he couldn't react as she soon went inside the waiting room located in the middle of the platform to wait for the second train.

"Such a thankless girl!", he thought to himself. He moved his way towards the exit of the station, resigning this incident as the worst welcome he could ever get in Delhi.

The taxi stand was just few metres away from waiting room. The passengers waiting at the back side of the room could very well have a view of the taxi stand. Ricky reached the stand and asked the driver for that same address. He had almost forgotten about his destination after this 'wallet fiasco'.

The driver said,"30 rupees". Ricky placed his baggage inside and just when he turned to sit, he noticed Indira sitting in the waiting room through the window glass. The Devil whispered an idea in his ear. He suddenly came out of his auto and screamed out to the driver, "What, 30 rupees? 30 rupaye me poori dilli kharidoge kya? I will pay only 25, not a penny more". He knowingly looked and smiled back at Indira, ensuring that she gets to hear these words. She looked at him in anger and closed the window. Ricky felt he had avenged his insult.

"Sir, this price is fixed...everyone here would demand thirty rupees only..", driver said.

He sat back in auto without a word. The vehicle started and took him back to the same road again in few minutes. He got down from auto at the same place as before and took out the paper containing address of Sharma Nivaas. He stopped at one of the houses and asked for the address.

"Oh, you want to go to Sharma Nivaas? Their new tenant? Ah,looking for a place to stay?", the lady asked looking at him from top to bottom.

Ricky was confused.

"Umm... go straight and take a left turn from that STD booth. Its a yellow coloured house. You will find Sharma House there. And by the way, when you have any plans of leaving that place then just let me know. My brother owns Krishna Staying House here. The best one in Chandni Chauwk. I'll give you a 20% discount. Just meet him when you'll leave".

The lady talked as if she knew he would have to leave.

Trying to clear the confusion, Ricky said "No, aunty. I am not their tenant yet...and,,".

"Well, good for you. They'll try everything to make you one. But once you enter the house, you will only find ways to escape.", she said mockingly before going inside.

Ricky thought perhaps she used to scare away everyone who wanted to stay as tenant in this area, so that her brother gets more customers. He was frustrated to see such weird nature of people over here. That... Hitler and now this weirdo.

But that idea actually seemed to be catchy. A tenant. Who stays with a family all the time. Could know them well. Their members. Their problems. Almost everything about them. Wow. He couldn't have found a better way of getting a zoomed view of Sharma family. A tenant!.

"Yes, a tenant!. Great Ricky. You just got it.", he said to himself. The idea was soothing. To stay with that family was the only way in which he could have tried to support them. And without wasting any moment, he headed his way towards the house as guided by the lady.

Walking for some minutes, soon he reached the residence. An old styled, two storeyed yellow colored house. The name plate was too old that the letters imprinted on it were hardly visible anymore.

He stopped at the gate. He felt uneasy for a moment. Being a tenant also meant that he will have to face every family member all day and night. He'll be living with this family for a long time. The thought was scary.

But he fought his inner feeling and stepped forward to ring the bell. Within a couple of seconds, door opened.

Chapter 5

[ NOTE : I am keeping all Sharma family members here in my FF. Their characters are exactly same here.]

***Sharma Nivaas **

It was a tall, middle-aged and humble lady who opened the door. She wore a black patiala suit and looked a bit confused

"Yes, what do you want?", she said to Ricky.

"Ummm,,Ma'am...Is it,,is it the Sharma Nivaas..??"

"Yes it is. Cant you see the name plate? Why have you come?"

"I am new to the city and dont know anyone here. I was thinking that if..."

"What the hell can I do about this? If you are new here, then you got only this place to disturb people...? Huh, silly idiots like you...find it amusing to tease people uselessly.. Now please excuse me, I have lots of work to do.", she said with weird expressions before going inside.

"Arre, please listen ...I am looking for a room to stay, ma'am..", Ricky interrupted as she started to close the door.

Suddenly the door opened and that same lady came out with an altogether different set of expressions!

"Oh, you..you want room here? Then why didn't you tell this before? Come, come inside. We are loking for a tenant too.", she said smiling at him.

Ricky felt a bit releived and stepped inside with all his baggage.

"Sunaina...bring a glass of water.", she said to her daughter-in-law.

"Oh please be seated here. Put the baggage down here...What is your name? Where have you come from, son?", she said to him.

"My name is Rishi and I am from America, aunty.", Ricky told her looking a bit nervous on her investigations.

Although, she seemed to be excited at this. An outsider..from America coming to stay as their tenant. The idea appeared so nice to her that she left the thought of asking further about his family background and all. Soon, another lady came from inside with a glass of water for him.

"She is my daughter-in-law. And my name is Kutumb. We both live only with my son, daughter and a grandson here."

Ricky paused to wait for another word from her.

"Only these people. Nobodyelse...", he asked doubtfully to confirm whether he had come at right address.

"No..I mean only we people stay in this house. I have another son who lives in America like you. He is working there...", Kutumb told him.

Ricky interrupted suddenly and asked for the room in which he would be staying. He told them that he was very tired and wanted to realx a bit.

"Oh yes...Come, I will show you the room upstairs. It is a very nice room. But it is a bit messed up. I hope you know cleaning..", she asked him.

"Oh, dont worry about it...not a problem. I can do it.", he said going upstairs with her.

She took out the room's keys, unlocked it and showed him his new residence.

This room appeared as if nobody had entered it since eons. It was all very filthy all around. Window glasses were covered a thick dusty layer that someone could write on it. A small painting was hanging on the front wall but nothing could be seen on it because of the dust. The furniture and bed was thankfully covered with newspapers.

"There is a lot of dust over here. Cleaning is required.. I know it would be difficult for somebody like you who has come from America...", she said, half-embarassed.

"Oh..no no. Not at all aunty ji. Its fine. I am prettty good at it. I'll clean it up... after all I have to stay here. So, when can I start living here?", he came to the point.

"Oh, whenever you like. You can start it from today itself but...", she stopped.

"But?...is there any problem?", Ricky enquired.

"Umm,,nothing as such. But, the last word would be given by my daughter only. She will come by evening today. You see, the previous tenant was a big drunkard...he would come late night and disturbed evryone including neighbours. It was so difficult for us to tolerate him. So my daughter has warned us that untill she doesn't approve anybody, he can't be our tenant. Dont mind son,

you have come from foreign and no doubt, look like a good human...but we have to assure that..."

"Thats alright, aunty ji..I am ok with it. Its your right to do that... Its better to take precautions in such matters.But believe me, I will never give you any complaints. You can trust me like your son..", Ricky said to her with glowing green eyes which had assurance in them.

Kutumb smiled back to him. She went out and brought a dusting cloth and broom meant for cleaning. She handed them to him and said, "Take this and you can start the cleaning. After you finish all this, I will send the pillows and bed covers... Do let us know if you need anything else, beta. And things regarding rent etc. can be discussed in the evening after you get the

approval. Till then, make yorself comfortable here."

She picked up some filthy newspapers and magazines lying on the ground and went downstairs.

Many insects crawled on the floor in search their meals. Few dry leaves and dust had entered from a hole in window glass. And to add to his problems, there was a very stinking smell coming near the bed. Maybe, the last tenant here never cared about a thing called hygene. Ricky put out his deodourant to get rid of the smell that was almost fainting him.

*** Downstairs***

When Kutumb reached her kitchen, suddenly Sunaina came from behind and dragged her inside the room adjoined with kitchen.

"Mom, what are you doing? This guy is from a foreign country...And looks like a bachelor. Is it really safe to keep him as tenant? And that he has green eyes... Elders say these people can be trusted for nothing...", Sunaina told her with wide eyes.

"Dont use your brain in useless matters. He is a well-mannered and educated boy from America. I am more experienced than you...so I know better. I can estimate someone in the first meeting itself. And what if he has green eyes?...it has got nothing to do with his behavior. You just stop discussing things and better waste your energy in doing work. The clothes are still lying in the veranda...start washing them before the water goes.", Kutumb said to her going inside the kitchen.

"Huh, dont beleive my words. Keep him as tenant...but then dont blame me afterwards. And by the way, its not you and me who can decide. When Indira will come today, she will decide what to do this man.", she said annoyingly before leaving.

***Ricky's Room***

Ricky picked up the broom and initiated his 'heavy' job. Removing newspapers, cleaning furniture and removing spider webs...evrything was required. He got hold of his headphones from the luggage and started doing it. A speedy brush anywhere would easily cause him to sneeze. It was so difficult to even breathe with ease inside. He would pop out of the room every five minutes or so and take a deep breath of fresh air. But still, he carried on the task of getting every trace of dust out

of the room.

It was only after a couple of hours that his hard work became visible to eyes. It seemed a far better place to live. Bright light coming from the window had brightened every corner of it. After putting bed and pillow covers, he just fell on the bed like a dead man. His back was paining hard and demanded some rest. Sunlight had warmed up his bed a little that gave him a soothing sensation. It was certainly not a bad shelter for him. His worries of staying in Delhi were all gone. He had heard

that living under a good roof is one of the scariest problems that people have to face in Delhi. He closed his eyes and fell asleep. And for the first time he could sleep peacefully...thanx to the cleaning job.

*** Downstairs***

Telephone rings and Sunaina picks it up. After talking to the caller, she looked frustrated. Kutumb asks her about the call.

"The same thing happened mummy ji, nothing new. The family which was supposed to come to see Indu today..they refused to come to our house. They demand that we should meet them in some restaurant. These big people...", Sunaina told while putting washed clothes on a rope tied in middle of veranda.

"Oh god..did they say this? Duh,whenever you pick up the phone..a bad news comes. Now what would happen? You didn't ask the reason behind this...?"

"No I didn't. But it will be the same reason. They are big rich people...after seeing Indu's education and profile, they send marriage proposals. But when they come to know about our condition, they refuse to even have a meeting here. Dont know what do they think of we Chandni Chauwk people..huh."

"Arrey, I had convinced Indu for this proposal after so many requests. She never listens to me and keeps avoiding it. But now when she had agreed, this problem has arised. What to do..."

"Whatelse. We cant do anything about it..We'll tell Indu about their demands..."

"No...have you gone mad? Dont you remember what happened last time? When the other family wanted to meet us outside, Indu created such a big issue about it. She had called them here and insulted in front of all our neighbours. What a big lecture she gave! Everybody had gathered around to see it. It was a big embarrassing moment for me. If that same thing happens again,

"Oh yes mummy ji. How can I forget it? You are right. She would get angry about their conditions. Its better to forget about this family...otherwise Indu would make an unforgettable moment out of it!", Sunaina affirmed.

Both of them decided against the idea of telling Indira about it and became busy in their own work.

Indira herself never cared about these marriage proposals and always looked for reasons to escape. She was the lone earner of her family and was burdened under responsibilities. Working in a travel agency, she earned about twenty thousand per month. But it was not enough to run a family of five members easily. Just after completing her education, she tried her best to grab a job that could bring income in the house. Her elder brother never cared about working hard. He was a man of his own decisions and was pretty happy in doing nothing. Her sister is studying in college and money had to be spent on her education too. Her brother had a son named Ishaan who is studying in school. Being surrounded by illimitable responsibilities, she rarely had any time to spare on herself. But she never thought about giving in. She knew that everything meant for her had to

*** Indira's Office***

She entered her office and after making her attendence, went straight to her cabin. She was half an hour late today as she had missed her first train, but nobody ever dared to ask anything about it. The reason was that those who disliked her were afraid of even questioning her. And those who knew her well..they also knew how responsible she was towards her work. So everyone trusted her work and dedication towards the agency.

And once she was in her cabin, her work continued endlessly. Attending to calls, booking the tickets, online registration, meetings with travel agents... it kept her busy all day long. She had no time to breathe untill the clock would strike 5 PM.

Finally after finishing all her work today, she left her office. The evening breeze was very chilly. She wore a black jacket and left for the station to catch train to Chandni Chauwk.

"Oh, good that you reminded me mummy ji...I had forgotten.", Sunaina replied from kitchen.

"And listen, dont talk about that tenant to her as soon as she enters the house. She would be already tired and is mostly usually very stressed after coming from office. So dont speak much...", Kutumb warned her.

***Ricky's Room***

Ricky was awake by this time. He had brought some snacks from a nearby shop to feed his starving stomach. He didn't know how to cook..and wondered what he would do tonight. But before that he was reminded of approval for staying in this house. He peeped downstairs from the window and just then saw someone coming inside. It was too dark at this time to recognize her, but

he could guess that this lady must be their elder daughter. He thought it was better that someone came up for talks regarding the approval...than going downstairs himself. So he waited back in his room.

***Downstairs***

Indira came inside and placed her office bag in her room. After changing her clothes, she came out in the veranda and asked,

"Ma, where is Ishaan?"

"He has gone to one of his friends for studying...".

Every time a family came to see Indira regarding marriage, her mother would send Ishaan outside. Indira thought to herself that this time too, he was sent outside so that his studies did not get affected. She was unaware that no family was coming today to see her.

She found something strange. Her mother was still sitting in the veranda sewing sweater for her grandson, wearing an old suit. Sunaina hadn't prepared any scacks for the guests. The washed clothes were still hanging on ropes and veranda had not been cleaned properly yet. Otherwise, if ever guests used to come to their house, there was a different picture altogether.

Nobody had asked her to wear better clothes yet. Everybody was in their own worlds and didn't speak anything about it. Indira was getting frustrated by this suspense.

She decided to talk about it herself and asked her mother, "Ma, what is wrong with you all? Why you all are behaving like...", Indira suddenly stopped as she was shocked to observe light coming from the room upstairs. Kutumb noticed what she was looking at.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you beta. A boy has come... He is waiting upstairs.."

"What? Waiting in that room? Then why didn't you tell me before, ma? And by the way,, Where is his family...?, Indira asked in surprise.

"Arrey beta.. I thought you must be tired right now, so it was better to talk about it after sometime.. And we can ask about his family and background later on na... Firstly, it is necessary that you approve him.", Kutumb told her, assuming that they are discussing about their new tenant.

"Later on means? Ma, family details are more important than the boy himself. Parents generally understand this fact better than us. And wait a minute...that room was very dirty ma! My god, how can you make him sit there?... We could have talked here too..!"

"Offo, the room is completely clean. I have helped him in doing this. And why are you asking so many questions? We have talked to him regarding this matter... Beleive me, he is a very nice guy. Only you need to take your decision...its a yes from our side.", Kutumb told her making weird face to Sunaina who had signs of disapproval in her eyes.

"I just dont understand you people. Sometimes I wonder what keeps cooking in your minds... You will make me crazy one day", Indira told them while going inside in frustration.

She took out her dupatta from almirah and came outside. Nobody cared about accompanying her upstairs. But somewhere inside, she felt releived. It would be very easy for her now to reject this guy. Nobody was present here to expect a yes from her.

Not her family, not the boy's family.

She went upstairs. The room's door was closed. She knocked and a voice came from inside, "Its open..you can come inside".

She stepped inside to find Ricky sitting on the bed, reading a magazine. When he got up to look at her, he found Indira open-mouthed...staring at him.

"Do you want to marry me????", she cried at him.

"What, you want to marry me???, he shouted aloud shockingly.

Kutumb and Sunaina downtairs are taken aback at this. They shout together, "What, Indu wants to marry him???"