Tere Bina/ Apna Sa Tu Ajnabi / Hi, do u want update ? 15 Sept

Bajwara, District Hoshiarpur ( Chosen Random Town from net info about HP District)

Bajwara, apparently was a small town but held great historical significance.Where hard working people live harmoniously peaceful life.

She belonged to this town. Her ancestors lived here from generations.. Earned great reputation. But her father's Uncle lost all riches in gambling. Nothing left for next generation. So family living an ordinary middle class life.

Her father, Inder Handa was a Junior Branch Manager in Local Bank. Didn't have family wealth..But earned same respect, which he inherited from his father.She was elder.. among two daughter's of Inder Handa n Randeep/Handa.

What was her name ?...Geet ! yes, Geet Handa...She had younger sister Raaji.

Geet was born n brought up here. Till 10th standard did her schooling here too .Inder enrolled his kids to best school in the down.It was 2 stops away from local bus stand. Their mother generally drop and pick them everyday.

She was in 10th grade..When Inder got promotion with transfer. He had no other option.. For the bright future of his daughters, he had to earn.Couldn't lose this opportunity.

So Handas shifted to Amritsar.With time they settled well..Where Geet completed B.Com & B.Ed with distinction. Rather to wait for Gov.Job .. Geet accepted good teaching offer from private school..Along side she planned to pursue her MBA.. Average in studies Raji raised hands up after Graduation.

Any day people came with marriage alliance for Geet..Why not ? For such a pretty n intelligent girl. Who was perfect in every aspect of her life.

Inder promised Geet, no one would compel her. Especially before completing her M.Com.

Life was going on good pace..But some where Inder's heart always ached thinking about his ancestral place. To which they belong actually..

His promotion was under consideration. As per seniority he had option to be in Metropolitan.When he learnt same post was vacant in Banwara too. He request his transfer over there.

Everyone was surprised why he preferred small place. When he could choose Amritsar Branch. He was worried , what would be his family's reaction ? He took this decision in hurry, even didn't get time to consult Rano n his kids.

As always Rano supported him..Geet was always aware of her father's hidden grief. Sincere girl had no problem. But Raji, she took whole roof over head. She left with no other option in front of majority.

How happy whole family was, except Raji. They were returning "HOME" after about 10 years.

On recommendation of Mrs. Kuljeet..Handas old neighbour and once Geet's school teacher..Geet got Senior Secondary teaching job in commence stream. In same school where once she was student

Teaching was her passion. Why not to accept it ? It was her second week n with her friendly behaviour n teaching skills. She started to make place in hearts of staff n students. Pinky her old class mate...She was her colleague for junior section now..

Friday 3:00 PM

After busy day. All students n staff was in rush to leave for homes... Geet n Pinky still to be there..Geet was taking 4-5 pm extra class. Especially arranged for students weak in accounts.Pinky, she was managing Adult Education Classes. As per her B.ED practical assignments.

In School Staff Room

"Arrey Yaar..You are still keeping cool..Isn't it hard to cover SSc. Syllabus ? More to add..these extra classes. Tum frustrate nahi hoti ?" irritated Pinky asked Geet. Who was busy with notes for next class.

Geet bounced her shoulder. Laughed inwardly.Pinky looked like a caged bird. Flittering her wings to set free."Pinky, this was my own decision...to be in teaching. No one compelled me...If I can distribute little from.. what I gained...Among these students ...Then why not ? Help to achieve their goals...to be good human beings..." she replied..

"My dream was to be a top Beautician...How could I dream of it ? When Mom , Dad n Veer Ji are all in teaching profession...I was compelled too be in same stream.Movies main bolte hai na , Parivaar ki Parmpara ( hereditary)" She sobbed loudly..Like a KG student..It was live demonstration of her everyday drama. Narrating her Dukh Bhari Kahaani/StoryWhole staff felt hesitant to be in one to one conversation with her.

Geet was very emotional n soft at heart...How could she bear her childhood friend in pain? She reached her n hugged Pinky " I am helpless ...Its not good...If I advice you to drop in mid of course...Yes I could have convinced your Mummy Papa..Agar course start hone se pehle hum milte..." sympathetically Geet tried to sooth her troubled mind.

"Oh yes, we can do one other thing " Geet's cherished mood confused Pinky. Instead of supporting her sadden friend...Geet seemed too happy.

"Haan..Haan...like others make fun of me..your childhood friend " Pinky felt embarrassed.

" Why you think so ? Instead I have a plan to boast you up..We can't change whats going on..What if we rewind this time?..Lets go back to those amazing childhood memories.. " Geet pulled her cheeks..

" How can I forget ? That was the beautiful phase..After school, hum apni mummies ka wait karte thay community park main. Exactly opposite to Karum Chacha's sweet shop. Main..Tum aur Raji waha se 2-2 samosa letay thay... Aur pay kon karta tha ? Hamari mummies.. When they came to pick us...Ha ha ha " She put finger on her temple...Her memory took her to flash backs..Forgetting her present day "Grief"... She giggled aloud in her trance...

Geet jerked her from shoulders "So you remember...But I always had one samosa...Coz you always had half of mine share...Making excuse that you lunch tasted bad.." she yelled in Pinky's ear.

Pinky felt giddy..Geet's shrilling voice...could have burst her eardrums ... Her heart was vibrating rapidly " Kya yaar...Who ll marry a dumb girl ? You are such a loud speaker." She gave Geet hard tug..Put other hand over echoing ear.

Geet giggled aloud "Tumhe shaddi ki paddi hai..Ek welcome treat takk nahi di tumne Apni friend ko ..Chal main deti hu Samosa treat...Lets go to Karmu Chacha's shop..We still have 50 minutes and I am feeling hungry too " she regretted , that her friend forgot, to welcome her back after years.

" Please don't feel so..yaar...I forget my birthday this year..Due to stress of these B.Ed assignments n classes ...What could be more worse than this ? " she pouted lips..Her jaws dropped in embarrassment.

" Oh ho..I was pulling your leg...Lets go..Otherwise we ll be late for classes " Geet grabbed Pinky's wrist. Picked up both of their purse n dragged her out.

Karmu's Chacha's Desi Sweet Shop was at little distance from main gate.They entered enthusiastically. Pinky was also feeling little better.

Age effect was visible on Karmu Chahca..His hair were all grey n had glasses too.. But Geet recognized him instantly.. After such long interval..This shop was known for best quality.Well famous in whole area too..

" Karmu Chahca, how are you ? " Pinky jumped in joy..

" Arre Pinky Betiya..kitne dinno baad aayi ho ? Karmu Chacha k Samose acche nahi lagte kya aab ? " teasing he replied expressing his happiness. He always loved this cubby girl like own grand daughter. With some other school students. Geet was one. But she never got chance in years...to taste snacks from his shop.

" Chacha kya aap bhi..Meri books , aur students mera itna dimaag khaate hai..Yaad he nahi rehta k mujhe bhi kuch khana hai...Aur yeh samose...inko kaise chod sakti hu ." She went gaga over uncooked samosas ..Waiting for the turn to be in deep fryer..Some had already jumped in..to be golden brown...for awaiting customers.

Silent spectator Geet was smiling...listening to their sweet conversation. Soon caught attention of Karmu Chacha" Are Beta tum iske saath ho ? Apni baaton main sabh bhul jaati hai..tumko bhi... Okey tell me which sweet or snack you both want ? "

He couldn't recognize her still. She was too young at that time. Slim and curvy Geet was chubby then.Too much talkative..Even today she was lively girl, love to gossip... But with time..her behaviour changed too.She was much mature and well mannered.. Comparatively Pinky.

She came front on the counter.She had a winning smile over her lips...Like they were playing guessing game. She won and Karmu failed to guess her identity.." Hey Baba Ji, yeh itni badi shop kaise chlate hai ? Ek ladki ko pehchan nahi paaye..." she looked upward..Both Pinky n Karmu Chacha did so..He was getting some clues...with her well know habit.. "Chalo chado..do samose de dejiye..aur aaj paise main laayi hu... Mummy ko nahi aana padega " she showed false anger...using her familiar words.

Karmu Chacha grinned ear to ear.Fixed his spects to believe his eyes "Arre yeh to apni Geet hai..Inder ki Bitiya...Never expected you here...After Inder's transfer years ago .. How's the family ? Aur tum to Beta pehchan he nahi jaati.." he placed hand over her forehead to bless her..

" Actually Chacha we talked on phone..My Nani is also in Amritsar. So we met once or twice in a year..I suggested her to loose weight.See how changed she is..But yes she is little taller than me.." Pinky interfered.

" I have changed..But this girl can't change.." Geet slapped Pinky's head slightly. Pinky bite her tongue

"Chacha, all are fine...Great news is...We have shifted back home permanently...Papa took transfer here.We were well settled in Amritsar. But could never forget our real home.Papa felt most happiest person ever. Top of it , I got job in my same school " Geet narrated each and every detail in one go..Glimpse of her joyous heart was there in her words.

Karmu had very good relation with Handa Family. Geet Grand Pa Chaudhary Handa was good friend of him. Even helped him in setting up this Sweet Shop. He was hurt when Inder moved to Amritsar with family. Today he again felt on top of world.

"What a good news you gave.. Ask Inder to visit me..I am too old to travel often..You wait for hot samosas ..Until I pack Barfi for you.." He asked worker to fry fresh samosas for two girlz . Then picked a box to pack Barfi.

"Ha main Papa Ji se keh dungi..Per aap barfi rehne dejiye " Geet said

"You came after so long..I want to share my happiness..What you told ? Yes.. you have moneyFor today keep ur money in ur bag..This is treat from your Chacha.." he declined Geet request. Again concentrated on his work.

A boy around 17-18, terribly frustrated entered in shop.. His was Lucky, Karmu's nephew.

" Lucky kya hua ? Aisa bandar k jaisa muh ( face ) bana rakha hai.." angrily Karmu questioned..

" Then what should I do Tau Ji ? More than nephew...You made me Chai walla in few days..Since morning to evening...I supply tea n samosas..then bring back empty glasses.." Lucky agonised about his changed status from owner to worker.

" Its you Kaam Chori...Owner shouldn't feel ashamed of serving a customer. Wo hamara customer hai...Saamne community park takk order nahi le ja sakta..How will you run shop later ? " He went furious over Lucky's everyday tantrums...To run away from work..

Pinky laughed aloud...watching Karmu n Lucky's bashing.. It was their everyday affair " Chacha, you have home delivery service for sweets n savories ...Do you have started Tea service too ?" she teased..

" Arre nahi beta..Since 4- 5 days..a man is coming to community park. He sits silently for whole day..Order Tea along with 2 samosas, 6-7 times...How could a shop keeper leave such customer ? Yeh Lucky-Tucky 2 kadam nahi chal sakta." sarcastically he looked at Lucky, who was buzy with Paneer Pakodas...Telling girlz about such a great customer..

When shop worker gave girlz parcel ..it was about 4 : 25..Both felt amazed about such a suspicious person..

" Chacha! Badaa ajeeb insaan hai..koi chor-wor to nahi ...Jo mauka dekh raha ho lutne ka.." Geet wispered near to him.

" Geet, its not like that..If he was thinking of robbery..he might have kept eyes on us ...hiding some where...But this man sits like a staute in corner bench of park..Koi 34-35 ka hoga...Never talk to any one.. Orders, pays bill and leaves around 5 to 5: 30.." he declined Geet's doubt.But her mind rejected Karmu's logic. She felt curious..

Girlz happily left after taking parcel..But that unknown, unseen stranger was attracting her toward him. She wanted to get a glimpse of him. First they decided to take food to school. But passing by community park Geet stopped Pinky "Come Pinky ,Hum park main chal k khaate hai..."

"Arre yaar its already 30 to 4 ..Just half an hour left for next class.." Pinky declined her suggestion..

" No, waha jaakar bhi khana hai na...We have enough time..Bus nahi leni humme..Just few steps have to cover." Geet dragged Pinky

...

Park was almost empty..Except 3-4 kids n two old ladies no one was visible. Instead of samosas Geet's interest was in that man.Her eyes searched for him.At last she found him. Sitting in a corner..

He was same as Karmu Chacha expressed his out look.. He had half eaten samosa in his hand. His face was down..like was staring the food...Looked gentleman from get up.Didn't bother who was happening around.

She stopped little far from his bench. Where Pinky was getting impatient." Geet kya kar rahi hai.." Pinky came back from her selected bench...To take Geet with..But she also startle looking at that man "Yeh to koi psycho lagta hai ? Instead of eating, he is gazing Samosa..tu chal chod isse " she pulled Geet toward bench...neglecting him.

" I don't think he is psycho..But an unknown storm was defiantly running inside him. Which only he knows..." Geet thought..Sighed deeply..She was stepping toward other bench ...But was staring him..Her eyes were glued to that stranger...Looking back again and again..

"Its been teen years...I am still waiting...With a hopeless hope.." that stranger mumbled..When a tear dribbled down on half eaten samosa.. He clinched a piece of newspaper tightly in his fist.. On which he might have taken his samosas..Instead of paper plate..

Piya Basanti Re Kaahe Sataye Aaja...

Kaahe Sataye Aaaja

Piya Basanti Re...

Sonia

Up to u want to read or not..I write what ever comes in mind..Don't know ll do justice to concept. Or reach your heats. Still penned down.I think just after one initial reminder... I ll not send pmz..Keep a check..This ll be on IF n Blog

Tense liberties always here..Editing mistakes also remain..I try to correct if I find any..