Hello ladies. Presenting my third OS which is again long. I am not able to shorten things. Hope you like it
Gautam Pandya has always stood strong against the storms in his life. Even now with announcement of Covid pandemic and lockdown, instead of drowning in despair, he thanked the gods that at least their business belonged to essential services and would remain open in the mornings of days of lockdown. Yet behind his optimistic facade, doubts were lurking at the back of his mind about this crisis. He crushed each of those doubts with the strength he derived from the warmth of his family. Since the store would remain open for only 3 hours, all his brothers were adamant that they would be there too so that they could handle the rush without sending any customer empty handed. They cannot afford to let customers go empty handed at this point. It warmed his heart to see his brothers standing with him. The warmth increased when he saw Rishita wheeling his mother away the moment they all returned insisting that only after they had had bathed and taken steam could they meet her else it is risky for her. Or he saw Raavi bustling behind Shiva making sure he was not neglecting to wash his hands or bathing or taking steam. Or he saw Dhara keeping haldi doodh ready and making sure Krish drank his before lying down on the cot.
However even seeing his entire family together could not give him the strength he required. A frown marred his face prompting Suman to ask him what the matter was. Looking up he saw Dhara's questioning glance alongwith concern on the faces of his brother.
Rishita spoke up," Haan Gaumbi, itna tensed toh maine aapko kabhi nahi dekha shaadi ke baad se ab tak ke beech mei."
Gaumbi was all set to vehemently deny being worried when he saw a cup being held out to him.
"Adrak wali chai Gaumbi jaisi aapko pasand hai. Ab iss ke saath aapko sukoon milega aur aap humare saath apni chinta baatenge toh humein sukoon milega." It was Raavi this time. Now seeing Raavi and Rishita worriedly peering at him was the last straw.
He came clean saying that their condition didn't look good now. Stocks were not coming on time. People stuck to buying bare necessities and essentials. Much of the packaged food items was closing its expiry date and there was no hope of it being bought. They were already in a financial crunch with the marriage then haveli stay and other functions. Dev had still not repayed his loan. Gaumbi looked like the weight of the world was on his shoulders when Shiva sat next to him saying not to lose hope; they would manage somehow. Gaumbi sighed and said he was trying to.
.......
Dev couldn't sleep that night. He felt like an utter failure. What good was his academic prowess? He couldn't take off the weight of responsibilities from Gaumbi's shoulders. Dhara bhabi was hiding her turmoil well but he could see the lines of worry etched on her forehead. Maa was worried. Krish was working in the shop instead of paying attention to his studies. And Rishita? She left everything to be with him and what is he giving her in return? Only adjustment. She could never have the kind of lifestyle she had dreamt of while growing up because she fell in love with him. However much he desired to, can he ever give her what she deserves?
Rishita could sense that Dev was awake. He kept on tossing and turning. She could feel his turmoil. Rishita loved Dev to the point of madness and couldn't bear to see him in such a state. She knew his family was his priority. Initially she had resented the fact that he had chosen Dhara bhabhi over her and had lashed out at the family. Yet however much she tried she could not remain aloof- all of them were actually a lovable lot. They maybe crazy but they were hers. More importantly if family mattered the most to Dev then Rishita would take that too. For isn't love all about giving? Rishita may not be Dev's priority but Dev was her priority.
.........
Raavi watched Shiva as he laid down on the bed too tired to even fight with her. She slipped her hands in his and was pleasantly surprised when gave a gentle squeeze instead of pulling away. Shiva smiled at her reassuringly.
" Mujhe pata hai tujhe bhi Gaumbi ko itni chinta mai dekh kar darr lag raha hoga aage ke liye. Par chinta mat kar. Agar kuch cheezon ki demand kam hui hai toh aise bhi cheezein hai jinki badhi hai. Sambhal lenge hum log milkar. So ja tu."
Shiva fell asleep almost immediately but Raavi didn't. She saw Shiva disturbed even in sleep. She knew the store mattered so much to Shiva. He was trying to be strong and be a rock for his family but she could feel his fear of the shop closing again. Their marriage happened in less than ideal circumstances and Raavi had no idea if ever they would have love in their relation ever. But she was determined to have trust and basic respect and make this marriage work. Shiva needed support right now then Raavi would give him that.
His words about demand for other things increasing kept echoing in her mind. She got up and opened youtube to see how masks are stitched. It seemed easy enough . With scissors, rulers and old clothes, she started her work.
As the sun rose, Shiva woke up from his restless and fitful sleep. He became a bit agitated not finding Raavi beside him. On getting up, he saw her on the floor holding needles and clothes.
Yeh gadhedi kya kar rahi thi? Raat bhar aise soi thi? Gardan akad jayegi.
And he went to her thinking he would make her lie down on the bed. However, the moment he touched her, she woke up alarmed and looked at her hands. It was then Shiva noticed that she had been stitching masks .
"Ay chipkali yeh kya kar rahi hai tu?" As he saw her fingers working furiously to complete yet another mask which had been half finished in her hand.
"Tune kaha tha na kuch cheezo ki demand badhi hai. Ab Corona ki waqt toh handwash, sanitizer, mask yeh sab ki hi demand badhi hai. Handwash aur sanitizer toh hum bech rahe hai dukaan mei par masks ke retailer ne Gaumbi ko zyada paisa bole aur unhone mana kardiya. Ab uski zarurat nahi hai. Mai bana dungi masks bech ne ke liye."
Pride shone in Shiva's eyes. This was his Raavi- so caring, so responsible. She was awake the whole night he thought looking at the number of masks that lay strewn around her.She deserved the best and what did she get ? Him.
.......
Gaumbi looked at the tired faces at the breakfast table. It seemed none of them had got any sleep at night. It hurt him to think that despite his best efforts, he was not able to keep his family happy. They were all too young for this burden. He should have protected them. He should have been silent.
"Gaumbi mai soch raha hun ki job ke liye apply karu. Abhi pandemic ke chalte sab kuch work from home mai ho raha hai. Mai dukaan mai madad karne ke baad yeh kaam bhi kar lunga . Ghar ke liye paise bhi zyada aayenge. Rishita mujhe pehle bhi bolti thi job karne ke baarein mai ki yeh family ko help karega par mujhe humesha laga ki woh selfish ho rahi hai- mujhe aap logon se door kar rahi hai. I am sorry Rishita."
Rishita teared up but smiled that finally he understood what she had wanted to day.
Gaumbi looked a bit relieved. This might work in their favour. He told Dev that it was a wise decision.
Rishita spoke up, "Mujhe bhi kuch kehna hai Gaumbi. Maine kal raat bahut socha. Yeh Corona ke waqt mei humein home delivery shuru karni chahiye. Aap log uss time mei dukaan mei busy rahoge toh orders mai, Raavi, Dhara bhabhi aur maa le lenge. Aur delivery ke liye ek Abdul chacha hai- auto chalate hai. Pehle mere papa ke driver the- mujhe school college drop karte the. Bahut achhe insaan hain. In fact mai Dev se mil pati thi unki wajah se aur uss din apni shaadi se bhaagi bhi unki madad se. Papa ne gusse unhe kaam se nikal diya. Maine unhe dukaan bulaya hai. Aap baat kar lijiye aur aage ka dekh lijiye."
"Rishita idea toh bahut achha hai par aise karenge toh hisaab idhar udhar ho sakte hai aur Abdul chacha achhe hai par itna saaman aur paise unka hawala karna sahi nahi lag raha."
"Toh hum online payment rakh lenge Gaumbi. Mai bhi kal raat ko soch raha tha. Waise bhi cash se payment lene se humein corona ki risk zyada hai aur change ka jhanjat bhi. Agar hum ek online payment option rakh lenge toh dukaan mai bhi easy hoga aur eiye home delivery walo nko bhi usmein payment karne bolenge."
Dhara's eyes were shining with tears, " Humara krish kitna bada hogaya hai."
Shiva nudged Raavi but she looked away. He narrowed his eyes. Why is she not speaking up? He held Raavi's hands and pulled her along with him.
" Gaumbi, Raavi ne bhi kuch socha hai. Pata nahi abhi lajwanti kyun ban rahi hai. Maine bola tha kal ki kuch samaan ki demand badh bhi toh rahi hai. Toh isske hisaab se corona ke liye masks ki demand zyada hai. Woh retailer nahi mana toh kya issme khud bana liye," and he brought the ones she had made.
Gaumbi felt a fierce pride swell his heart. For him, they will always be his children. Yet they have all grown up. He wanted to protect them but here they all were protecting him. He need not kindle the fire that provided the warmth to his family any more. They were themselves lighting the hearth to provide him comfort.
........
Shiva entered the room behind Raavi and asked her why she wasn't speaking up. She had been up the whole night and when the time came to put forth her suggestion, she was quiet.
Raavi had her eyes downcast as she said that her efforts didn't matter. Better suggestions had been put forth by the others. She was anyway stupid- her ideas wouldn't have merit.
"Kya bake jaa rahi hai gadhedi. Unka idea achha hai- iska matlab yeh nahi ki tera achha nahi hai. Yeh Somnath ki sabse sundar sundar ladki mai insecurity achha nahi dikhta. Aur mujhe tera idea pasand hai kyunki baaki ke ideas kaam aane mei time lagega. Par tera idea toh aaj se hi kaam aayega na. Ek baar chipkali ki tara hasegi tabhi mai dukaan jaunga aur tere masks bechunga na"
Raavi's smile lit up Shiva's world. She hugged him enthusiastically.
"Tu nahi hota toh mera kya hota Shiva. Har baar sambhala hai tune mujhe. Tere jaisa pati har ladki chahegi"
Shiva couldn't stop the hope from flaring in his chest as he heard her words. Maybe just maybe he stood a chance with her
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
