Part 12:
Arohi pov
Arohi was a simple girl with morals and values. She respected her dad a lot. Her dad Mr. Hari Prasad was one of the respectable person of the town. Arohi always wanted to become a singer.
"I would be a famous singer one day"….she thought.
This was her only dream. But she had to think about her family too. Her family did hold first priority. It came before everything else, even before her dreams and wishes.
Hari Prasad (HP) was a musical teacher at a school. He already had hints to the fact that the committee had decided to slack him out. They needed teachers who could teach to play modern musical instruments i.e. guitar and piano and not sitar and harmonium.
Arohi's mom died when she was young, leaving behind HP with the responsibility of two small girls.(Arohi, Kirti) HP had to face great difficulties raising two girls. Boys are ok, they need not any attention but girls, they have needs to attend to, some of the problems which only their mom could deal with. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to handle all that properly but he got help from arohi's bai ma (savitri) who was her mom's best friend. Savitri thought them music and also loved and cared for them as their real mom would do.
Arohi favourite moments with her dad would be when he would narrate to her about her mom. She was a kind hearted person and how she never let go of her values and did her best for her family. Arohi wanted to become just like her. Hari Prasad always found a glimpse of Arohi's mother's image in her. She also respected her values a lot.
She even loved her dad a lot. He was her favorite person in the whole world. Her sister Kirti was younger to her and was still completing her studies.
31st December
HP returns back home from the school. He had been called by the committee in the office for an urgent meeting.
Arohi: Bauji, what happened, you look sad?
HP: Well the committee decided to slack me.
Arohi: How could they?
HP: they want someone who can teach modern musical instruments, classical music is worthless they say.
Arohi: Non sense. These people who speak of music have no sense of music at all. One day I prove to the world what classical is worth.
HP: I am jobless now. I don't know what to do now. Kirti still has to complete her studies, the house etc. I have to search and take up a job somewhere quickly.
Arohi: Bauji, your health also getting worse by the day. You have done enough for us, now it's my turn. Let me do my responsibilities. I have anyways finish my studies. I will take up a job.
HP: but what about your dream? You wanted to be a singer na?
Arohi: So what bauji, my family comes before everything else. I will become a singer later on. For now my family needs me more.
HP: Only if I had an elder son then he would take up all the responsibilities and you would have been free to do what you like.
Arohi: Bauji, if you have me, why do you need a son. Trust me bauji, I will never let you feel the need of a son ever again.
HP: I am sorry beta, I didn't mean it that way. I have always brought you up like my son. I have always been harsh with you, trying to make you strong. You have always been my right hand. But it's the left hand I am always worried about, your sister kirti, she is so innocent. Sometimes I am afraid that this cruel world would take advantage.
Arohi: don't worry about kirti bauji, I will never let anything/anyone hurt her. I promise.
HP: I am not a good father, you are fulfilling the promises I made to your mother.
Arohi: You are the world's best father bauji
Both have tears flowing from their eyes as they hug each other.😭