Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 22 Sep 2025 EDT
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I've been a silent reader of PR Reloaded for a long time. I really enjoy the storyline and always look forward to a new chapter. đ
You are very gifted writer đ The way this story goes, its hard for me to pick a side-Archu and Manav both tug at my heart strings đđ Hope good times are in the horizon for them.
Part 61
It was a silent night. The occasional chirping of a cricket was the only sound that could be heard, apart from the creaking of the swing.
Manav tossed about on the swing, looking through the bars of the balcony on to the chawl below. It looked empty and deserted. A feeling of loneliness crept through his heart.
"Dada?"
He turned when he felt a figure near his legs. It was Sachin. "Arey Sachu!" he said, getting up to make space for him. "Why aren't you asleep?"
"I was talking to Sweety on your cell. Her Dad wants to meet me tomorrow. Maybe he will finalise the wedding date too."
Manav gave a wry smile. It seemed Sachin had taken an oath NOT to reconsider. "Sit." He said, taking his cell back from Sachin's hand.
"Dada, is there something wrong?" asked Sachin. "Ever since you came back after meeting Satishji, you seem very gloomy."
Manav looked up suddenly. "No, nothing." He tried to smile. "Everything's okay."
Sachin wasn't convinced. "I am not getting such a feeling at all." He said. "Tell me what is wrong, maybe I can help you.."
Manav looked at him, hesitating. Yes, he did need help, but was Sachin the right person to confide in?
"Come on Dada..!!!"
Manav tried to keep his voice cool. "You know na, what my plans were?- I was planning to restart the garage by the money sanctioned by the Insurance Company- 2.5 lakhs, and pay the remaining instalments to the bank..???"
"Yes..??" asked Sachin anxiously.
Manav gulped. "I can't do that anymore."
Sachin felt tensed. "Why?"
Manav did not say anything. He kept staring at the ground, his eyes soft and disheartened. Sachin clutched his arm. "Dada what happened?"
"I WON'T BE GETTING ANY MONEY." He said finally. "Not a single penny will be given to me by the Insurance company."
"How come?" asked Sachin, amazed. "What about the 2.5 lakh rupees they sanctioned." He shook Manav's arm again. "Dada- don't just say silent. Speak!!!"
"The money will go to the BANK- not to me."
Sachin was shocked. Manav let out a deep sigh and started explaining.
In ordinary situations, whatever loss was incurred to any insured object or property due to any accident, theft or calamity, was given by the Insurance company to the insurance holder'the person to whom the property belonged- after evaluation of the incurred losses. By this equation, Manav had thought that the money would come to him. What he had not known then, was that for an object or property UNDER LOAN- it was a completely different ball game. The insurance claim money DID NOT go to the CLAIMANT, it went to the BANK. The bank became the beneficiary.
"But.. but.." said Sachin, unable to comprehend this sudden twist in the tale. "But why should the bank get the money?"
"The bank has loaned me the money for the garage, Sachin." Manav explained. "Till I don't pay off each and every instalment, I am an owner only in name- the actual owners will be the bank only, and I'm only sort of 'leasing it' from them. As such, loss to the garage is loss to the owners- loss to the bank. The Insurance Companies consider this equation and give money to the bank. In fact," he paused. "The total damages are Rs. 8 lakh, they are giving Rs. 2.5 lakhs, so the rest of the money I'm supposed to give to the bank via instalments- since I did not take good care of THEIR property."
Sachin held his head. "So you are supposed to pay the damages to the bank, and in turn you will be getting no money from the Insurance Company?"
Manav nodded.
Sachin looked at him angrily. "And you didn't know of all this all these days? Were you sleeping???"
Manav looked uncomfortable. "Sachin, actually when we- Tarun and I- started the garage- he handled all the paperwork, bank loans, meeting executives and management work, since I wasn't familiar/confident with these things, and I handled the technical part of the garage. Later, when the garage burnt down, and the court matters got involved, Tarun's Dad asked him to join the family business and not get involved in these matters any more. Everything suddenly came in my hands'the loans, the paperwork, insurance claims'I didn't have any idea of all this at all'my interpretations were based on the BASIC KNOWLEDGE of how an Insurance company works. I didn't know of such minute details at all. Today, when I spoke to Satish, he clarified all these things to me and explained me everything in detail. I was literally shocked, but Satish was calm. He said that such a reaction is not unusual- usually these things are in fine print, and investors don't know of such details- and when they come to know during a crisis situation, banks don't offer any help but instead kick them harder- sad but true that the insurance claim will go to the bank and I have to pay, along with the usual monthly instalments, an additional amount for the damage that the garage has incurred.."
"So you will be paying for the losses you yourself have endured." Said Sachin angrily. "What injustice!"
Manav shrugged his shoulders. "Banking policies. We can't do anything. Anyhow, Satish has suggested remedial measures."
Sachin waited with bated breath for Manav to speak.
"He said that the monthly instalment sum can be reduced according to my convenience. A small additional sum will be added for the garage damage."
"But then you will have to pay instalments for a longer time! Interest will be much greater!"
Manav nodded. ""No other choice. Instalments have to be paid anyway. Else the bank may auction away the garage to the highest bidder."
"And now from where are you going to arrange for instalments?"
Manav looked thoughtful. "Girishji had offered me the post of Supervisor and raised my salary to Rs. 25000. I will get the instalment amount reduced to Rs.10,000. The house can run in Rs. 15,000."
"And what about more money?" asked Sachin incredulously.
"More money??"
Sachin gave Manav a frustrated look. "You will be spending money in the form of instalments to keep up the garage, but is it of any use? The garage is CLOSED, and basically useless, giving no returns until we spend some on it. Apart from that there are other expenses'Vedant-Vandita's expenses, their college fees, their marriages. How are you going to manage all that? We have no savings."
Manav didn't know what to say. "I'll make money from some other source too." He said. "I'll have to think."
"DON'T THINK ANY MORE!!!" said Sachin suddenly. He got up and started walking agitatedly. "You and your irresponsible Tarun have made a mess of this whole business venture- used up all the savings on OUR name for the court case, claiming you could get the garage back. What happened? NOTHING! And now turns out you have done a shoddy job of this insurance business too!!! You don't how to read English- you didn't read carefully the insurance documents? I'm sure they taught you to read in 11th class, didn't they?"
Manav was too shocked to react. "Sachin.." he said. "Where are you turning this matter? It was a mistake, as Satish said, it happens with people.."
"Don't make excuses. Even your useless Tarun didn't remind you of Insurance policies! Oh yes- he was too busy in wooing Vaishali, and even you helped him in that- you ran away to Mahabaleshwar when I had a meeting for MY business loan. What had you said at that time ha? 'Sachin, you need more exposure, you don't know about business!- Look at what you've done now! Sensible solution I had given you- take the money from Ajit and settle the matter- but NO! You only wanted to do what you wanted to.. and.."
"SACHIN!" said Manav in a warning tone. "People are sleeping! Go inside, we'll talk over this in the morning. There must be a way to raise money, to get out of this mess. We'll discuss it tomorrow."
"I don't want to discuss anything." Said Sachin sullenly. "And you please don't plan anything. I had told you once before also Dada- your years of working in the garage have made you short-sighted. You cannot see anything beyond the garage and your mechanic life. You cannot HANDLE anything beyond that. You belong to that world only, GO AND STAY THERE! GO BACK TO YOUR CARS! That's where your place is. Where the financial matters of this house and business are concerned, I will handle them in my own way now. Huh!!!"
And he walked away. "Sachin!!" Manav called out in a voice trembling with anger and emotion, but he didn't listen.
Alone again in the balcony, Manav lay down on the swing. Yet again, Sachin had hurtled his low life and his inadequacies on his face, said that he was not worth doing anything, that he COULDN'T DO anything, simply because his garage was the only world he had been in, because he was not well educated. Maybe Sachin could never see life from his eyes, bcos he had never had to face all that he had to go through.
A tear rolled down one eye. Why did his brother think so poorly of him? Why did he think him to be inferior? What would he have to do to make Sachin realize that in life, opinions were not made in this manner, and a book was never supposed to be judged by its cover?
He looked along the empty chawl. He wished he was more educated and confident and had been able to handle such paperwork and official matters on his own. He wished that he didn't have to be dependent on anyone, like he had been, sometimes on Tarun, sometimes on Sachin. He wished he had had more knowledge of banking and economics, so that he wouldn't have made the mistake that he had made.
It was all useless thinking however. What had happened, had happened. It was important to think of solutions now. It was important to make money and repair the garage. He couldn't keep paying instalments for the rest of his life to retain hold over a burnt garage. He would have to get money from somewhere.. anywhere. And this time, no dependence on anybody- he decided firmly. He would handle everything himself, he would LEARN whatever was needed to learn about bank policies, business and the works. A mechanic would not be able to run a garage, he decided. He would have to learn a lot if he intended to develop the business properly.
He looked out into the empty chawl, as the swing rocked to and fro. He closed his eyes. Archana's soft voice rang in his ears.
"Manav, please don't think yourself inferior, cos I think highly of you.."
She had said it when he had been moved to tears by Sachin's derogatory comments on his mechanic job. He still remembered how hurt he had been that day, he had not told her anything, but she had understood his silence. She had taken his head in her lap as he lay on the bed, softly caressing his hair, and had made him vent out all his pain and frustration, as she listened to him silently. He could still feel her soft hands in his hair, occasionally coming in contact with his face, her slender fingers touching him softly, with a feel like that of velvet.
He opened his eyes. It was the wind.
Yes, he reminded himself. There was no Archana. There never would be.
****************
"Yes," said Manav, holding the phone to his ears, waving his hand to refuse dinner, even as his Aai beckoned him to come and eat. "The garage will be cleaned in three-four days after that you can use it."
Voices came from the other end. "Rs. 15,000 is too less." Manav frowned. "If you want to use the garage as a godown, you need to give at least Rs. 25,000."
More furious discussion followed. Finally Manav kept the phone. The man had promised to call again the next day after confirming the amount with his boss. He hoped he would be able to bargain for a good amount. It was better for the garage to make some money instead of no money. At least he could save it to get the garage repaired.
"DADA!!!" he suddenly heard Sachin's voice. He turned to look, as Sachin entered the house stomping. He looked very angry and his face was red.
"What happened Sachin?" asked Manav. Sachin's temper did not look good. The others stopped eating and turned from the dining table.
"You know very well what happened!" Sachin shouted back. "No need to pretend."
"Sachin.. I.."
"Why did you do it haan? Why did you destroy my life?"
"But what have I done?"
"Why did you meet Sweety's Dad?" beckoned Sachin angrily.
Manav was taken aback. He tried to maintain his cool. "Sweety's Dad himself came here in the morning. He couldn't find the house, so someone guided him to the garage. I didn't go to him. He wanted to talk about your and Sweety's marriage with Baba. So.."
"So you should have let him speak to Baba na!!! Why did you butt in between???"
Before Manav could say anything, Savita and Damodar got up and came in the center of the room. "Stop fighting!! What is going on here?" shouted Savita.
"Baba!" Sachin turned angrily to Damodar. "Today Sweety's Dad had come to talk to you people about marriage, and I don't know what Dada said that he has BACKED OUT from the marriage!!! He says that both of us need time and should settle down first."
Damodar looked at Manav. "Is this true?"
"Baba, you were drunk at that time, so Sweety's Dad talked to me instead. He himself doesn't want this marriage. Sweety is only 18, just out of high school, quite pampered and childish. No doubt she's a sweet nice girl, but she has the mind of a teenager. Her father is scared about how she will adjust, and whether it is correct for her to focus on marriage, that too, with someone she has met hardly 10 days back, than concentrating on studies and career."
"And you asked him to cancel the wedding?" Sachin asked angrily.
"He himself said that Sweety is pressing for marriage so soon cos her sister's boyfriend dumped her after two years and her sister went into clinical depression for sometime. She is scared of the same fate and so wants to seal this relationship by getting married."
"So? I don't see anything wrong in that!!!"
Manav threw up his hands. "Sachin are you mad!!???!! Marriage does not guarantee that things will be absolutely alright. In fact, such rash decisions may prove costly for you. If she is not able to adjust in such a modest household, or with you, or with your conditions or joblessness, or both of you are not able to tolerate each other's natures, then what will you do tomorrow? You will simply get stuck!!! Do you know that Sweety attempted suicide once when her father refused to get her married to you so soon?"
Sachin was taken aback. "She really loves me." He said, hesitatingly.
"Sweety is insecure Sachin. She wants to get married cos she likes you somewhat and does not want you to get away from her. This mentality is not right. See, you can be with her, none of us have any problems, but using marriage just to seal this relationship like a contract without a thought about your future or the certainity of your feelings is not right."
"Don't start your preaching!!" Said Sachin. "One who could not save his own marriage is teaching others about marriage and love!!!"
Ouch. That hurt.
Manav looked away, face flushing with rage and embarrassment. Vedant Vandita who had stopped eating ever since the fight began, gave worried looks to each other, while Savita looked on worriedly, not understanding whom to support. She tried to diffuse the situation. "We can sit and talk about it."
"No Aai," said Sachin angrily. "Too much water has gone under the bridge. Do you know Manav Dada encouraged Sweety's Dad to be strict with her, convince her against marriage and even take her to a counselor if necessary??? Its good that Sweety ran away from home and came and told me everything instead. Her Dad has said that if she gets married without completing her education, he isn't giving her a single penny from his property. And now, I won't be able to get money for business as well."
"Is that why you want to get married to her Sachin?" asked Manav suddenly. "Don't do it- its not right."
"Don't teach me how to do business." He snapped back. "You don't know how to do business anyway- you've made enough losses for a lifetime and ruined this household, and all for that marriage and that woman.."
"SACHIN!" shouted Manav angrily. "I'm not silent cos I don't have anything to say- you say one more unpleasant word and I'll.."
"What will you do haan?" asked Sachin provokingly. "Will you slap me, like you slapped me once before? Come, hit me! See Baba, what days have come in this house."
"Manav didn't do anything wrong." Damodar said clearly, as Sachin stood shell-shocked. "If Sweety's Dad had come to me, I would have said the same thing to him."
Sachin was flabbergasted. "You're favouring him.."
"I'm not favouring anyone. Come and eat your food quietly. And now not one more word against Manav. The wedding is off for now- that's it."
"But.. but.." protested Savita. Damodar looked angrily at her and even Manav appeared very irritated. She fell silent.
Sachin gave Manav a dirty, angry look. "Happy? Got what you wanted? My marriage with Sweety broke and my business dreams have collapsed as well. Now who will invest in my business? What will happen to my dreams? You have shattered everything for me, EVERYTHING!!!"
Manav was hurt. "Sachin," he said, trying to keep his head cool. "Listen to me.."
"I DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO YOU!!!" shouted Sachin. "I know it.. you are JEALOUS of me. You don't want me to be happy."
"Shut up Sachin!!! Stop behaving like a fool. " said Manav, very irritated now. "Come and eat."
"I WON'T EAT!!! I know you must be rejoicing on the inside. But I will not let it happen. I will get married to Sweety in anyway. I won't let your jealous plans against me succeed. You got neither marriage nor money, but I will get both.. I won't let you succeed in your tricks. I should have understood your intentions long back, that you didn't care about me or anyone of us, when you stopped prioritizing us over that woman who has thrown divorce papers on your face. You deserve it, my jealous STEPBROTHER!!!"
Slap!!!!
The sound of the slap rang loud and clear. Everyone was shocked. Savita stood with her pallu to her mouth, very scared. Vedant and Vandita were shocked by such an outburst.
Manav could not believe what Sachin had said. But more than that, he could not believe what had happened.
Baba had slapped Sachin!!!
Sachin was now fighting angry tears, his cheek flushing red. "Get inside!!" barked Damodar. "Learn to respect your elder brother. I can't believe you've forgotten basic manners!!!"
"I can't believe you've slapped me for his sake!!" said Sachin, in an angry, emotional voice. "I never knew this could happen."
"Apologize Sachin!!!"
"No way! I'm not going to say sorry to YOUR selfish son. He has destroyed my life!!!"
"He has built this house, don't you realize that??" asked Damodar angrily. "Today you are laying blames on him, whereas he has always thought well about you."
"Baba please.." Manav begged, figuring out that the situation was going out of control. He tried to pull his Baba away. Savita tried to pull Sachin away. "Come inside. Chal!!!"
Damodar paid no attention. "What you have said today is unforgivable. Apologize to your brother. And if you want to live in this house, then you will go by what we say and what we decide."
"WELL, THEN I DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN THIS HOUSE!!!" Said Sachin angrily, glaring at Manav. "I'm LEAVING!!" And he walked away from the living room into the bedroom and started packing his things, leaving his family horrified.
*******************
"What are you all doing??" shouted Savita, pulling Manav's arm. "Talk to him!!! Stop him!!!"
"Aai," Manav tried to explain. "I have tried to talk to him so many times, he isn't listening to me at all. I don't know how to make him understand." He turned to Damodar. "Baba, talk to him.. please stop him."
Baba shook his head. "Its no use saying anything to him right now. He has gone mad."
"But Baba.."
"Manav." Damodar indicated him to stop. "Bas."
Manav fell silent. He turned to look at Vedant and Vandita. Vandita was sobbing and Vedant was trying to console her. Savita had gone inside again to talk to Sachin.
"Where will you go????" she screeched as he packed his bag. "Where will you live?"
"I will make arrangements for myself." Said Sachin grimly. "I will go anywhere but not live in this house with this selfish man who calls himself my brother."
"Sachin, I know you are angry with your father and brother, but please.. please don't leave this house beta.." said Savita weeping. "We will solve the matters by talking. I will get you married to Sweety. I will make Manav apologize as well. Manav always listens to me. Everything will become alright."
"No need to beg in front of that man for my sake." Said Sachin. "He might say something to you as well, or throw you people out. You, Vedant, Vandita are dependent on him, he is the only earning member right now- don't forget that. You need to keep peace with him. But I can't live here. I can't stand him."
"Sachin please.. he is your brother.." Savita wept.
Sachin came forward and held her hands. "You were right Aai." He said. "You remember, long ago, you had once said that he is a step son, now that he has grown up and has his own family and wife, he will never prioritise us or think good for us? It came true. What you said was right Aai. He didn't prioritize us, but prioritized his wife. He ruined my life. He doesn't think about us. And so I'm out of this house. Give me some time, then I'll take you and Vedant-Vandu with me as well. We have no future here. We must move from this place."
Savita slapped her forehead repeatedly as she remembered how she had poisoned Sachin's mind against Manav by using these same words. She had said it only so that he would go against his brother's decision and compel him to take money from Ajit. THAT had never happened.
But the poisoning had left its mark. Savita's heart shuddered as she realized the fact'HER FAMILY WAS BREAKING!!!
**************************
Sachin came out of his room with his bag. Everyone stood up.
"Sachin.. we can still talk. Please don't leave this house in this manner.."
"I don't want to talk to you." Said Sachin flatly. He caressed Vandita's head and told Vedant. "I will take you away from here soon. Just let my business start, I will buy a house and take all of you away from this HELL!!"
The kids were stupefied. They looked at Manav, very scared. Damodar stepped forward and spoke in a gruff voice. "Now Sachin, listen to me."
"There is nothing to listen." Sachin said rudely. "You favour YOUR son, okay? I am leaving the house, and soon I shall take my Aai and brother sister away. Till then, please take care of them, I beg both of you."
"What is this nonsense Sachin!!!" said Damodar irritatedly. "Stop all this now. You yourself know that you can't survive alone. You have neither money nor means and.."
"Oh yeah!!!" said Sachin. "I have nothing. But don't worry, I will be better than I'm over here. Your son too does not have anything much to offer anyway as of now."
"Sachin please.." Manav made one last attempt. "I'm sorry. Please stay back now. Differences always crop up between siblings.. you don't need to leave home for that.. how will you survive outside all alone. The world is very harsh.. and you have never lived by yourself.."
"No need to show fake concern. And don't consider me to be so weak. Your jealousy and desire to show yourself as good ruined things for me. Yes, the world is harsh, but now I shall come back into this house only to take MY family members away, I will come back only when I become a rich man, the type you could never become in life."
With this Sachin walked away as the Deshmukh women wept.
Below, the whole chawl stared from the windows of their houses as Sachin grumpily made his way out of the house.
Savita saw him walking away for a long time, then retreated to the kitchen, wiping away her tears, wishing that she had never poisoned Sachin's mind. Today was a dreadful day in the history of the Deshmukh family, when two brothers had fought so badly, she thought. She still could not believe how much things had changed. The four children had been bought up with so much of love and the bond between them had been so strong. And now, HER deeds had led to the band being snapped. She looked at Manav who seemed to be very guilty. Vandita was still crying and Vedant was tugging at Manav to somehow make her quiet. She saw the three siblings together, as Manav talked to both the kids, promising that Sachin would come back soon. His words only made her feel more guilty- since she was aware of the lethal poison she had injected and that it would be very difficult to overcome it now. She wept as she remembered Sachin, who had broken all relations and left home.
****************************
The sudden wildfire that had erupted slowly diffused out into a more suffocating and silent smoke, which seemed to envelope the Deshmukh house. Nobody talked to the other, nor did anyone want to eat anything that night. Everyone sat in silence. Vandita had also finally stopped crying.
"You must eat something." Manav said to the kids. "Eat and go to sleep- you have school tomorrow."
"I'm not hungry, Dada."
"I know you are sad, but.."
"Dada please.."
"Now you will quietly eat and go to sleep." He said in a stern voice. "No need to discuss this matter or think anymore on it."
Vedant-Vandita nodded and walked to the table. Manav felt frustrated with himself for being hard on them. He went to his Aai. "Come, lets eat Aai."
Savita shook her head. "God knows if Sachin has eaten or not. He has gone in such a bad mood, I hope he does not do anything foolish."
Manav's insides churned. "He will come back Aai, he is a little hurt and is not understanding that what we decided was for his own good. Earlier, once, I had slapped him when I had caught him gambling. He had been very rude and nasty then too. But later, he himself realized his mistake and apologized. He is a little angry now, but he can never hate me, he himself said that once."
Savita looked at his hopeful eyes and remembered how she had corrupted Sachin's opinion about his brother. She wanted to tell Manav that Sachin wouldn't return on his own now, since there was a big difference between the Sachin 8 months back, and the person he was now. He was someone else. SHE had changed him.
"What?" Manav shook her when she did not say anything for long. "What happened?"
"Sachin won't come back now." she said. "He won't come back."
"He will Aai.."
"He is no longer the boy who didn't take offence when you slapped him. He thinks you deprioritised him and all of us for Archana." She said coldly. "This is what has filled his heart with resentment. And over time it has increased. This is what led to such a serious outburst today, otherwise Sachin never took offence bcos of you earlier. Even though Archana left this house and your life, the influence of your disasterous marriage has still not weaned off. Look what has happened now Manav. That is why I warned you against her. But you never listened to me. You don't listen to me nowadays at all. You made a decision with Sweety's father regarding Sachin without talking to me even. And now Sachin has left home."
Manav lowered his head. He felt very guilty.
"Don't know in which unfortunate moment you met that girl." She sighed and went away.
He stood alone for a while, then sat down on the divan slowly. Things had become very messy and difficult and now he did not know how to handle them. Savita Aai was in grief, the kids could not handle this, and Baba had turned to alcohol again- ever since his divorce with Archana had been filed, Baba came home drunk late at night. Now this new tension at home would only push him more towards depression, Manav thought.
He let out a tired sigh and rested his back against the wall. He looked out of the window at the night sky. The stars were twinkling with all their glory, and the leaves were rustling slowly. The yellow check curtains of the living room window fluttered lazily. He relaxed.
His attention again went to his Aai's last words-' Don't know in which unfortunate moment you met that girl..'
***************flashback-- a little more than two and a half years ago****************
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL_PfwvZuQ0&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]
He waded on his bike through the narrow streets of the Railway Colony in Dombivili. Even though it was morning, the market seemed slightly crowded and full of activity. Shopkeepers were taking their goods in, hawkers were screaming at the top of their voices, children were playing on the streets and beggars were wandering around for alms. Add to that the hustle and bustle of the local people.
Although he knew since long that Girishji had a garage here, it was the first time that he had actually come to this area of Dombivili. The garage was having a lot of problems these days, and there was no one to manage it well. Girishji had wanted him to go and look into things for a while, and so, had shifted him here from the other garage close to his chawl.
He stopped his bike and waited for a couple of handcarts in the front to clear the route- the fellow mechanic sitting behind him was blabbering, but he didn't really pay attention to what he was speaking- he was more interested in grasping the surroundings where he had come to work. The place seemed like any other Mumbai suburb, yet it seemed different.
A sudden loud voice from a nearby chemist's shop caught his attention. "When you do not have money, why do you come here to waste my time?"
He turned to look. An old woman with ragged hair was bumbling with nervousness, speaking with harried expressions to the irritated shopkeeper, who was supervising the entry of new drugs and goods. Manav could see her pleading, and his heart melted on seeing her so worried and desperate.
"I'll just come." He told his friend. But his friend pulled him back. "The road will clear up now, drop me first then go where ever you want."
Manav protested, but then decided against it. He looked back at the chemist's shop, and was surprised- she was not there. He craned his neck to see where she had gone, and then cursed himself for not being quick. It was then that something caught his attention.
On the counter of the chemist's shop, was a puja thali. The flame of the diya was still intact. Big red hibiscus flowers were kept in the big copper plate. Something yellow was also there, maybe it was sheera for the Prasad. A thick red and yellow thread dangled from the plate. It was chaturthi that day, someone must have gone to Ganpati Bappa's temple, he thought. The plate reminded him of his own early morning trip to the temple, and the fact that he had forgotten to give Prasad to his family.
A pair of petite hands suddenly came into view, and his attention was diverted. Somebody was offering Prasad to the chemist from the thali. He couldn't see the face, but from the back side he could understand that it was a young girl. She had long black beautiful hair, and she constantly kept putting her hands in her hair to push locks behind her ear. She had no bangles on her hands, and she was wearing a simple yellow chudidaar salwar suit.
He could see the khadoos shopkeeper smiling at her, and he wondered how this girl had managed to bring a smile on the face of this heartless man who seemed to be in a foul mood this morning. He could see her walking with packets of medicine, and her plate, and to his utter surprise, she walked to the edge of the street where that old woman was standing dejectedly outside another chemist's shop, apparently having been turned down again. He could see her offering the packet to the woman, who seemed startled and shook her head at first, but then accepted the packet, blessing her tearfully by keeping a hand on the head. The girl in turn, gave her a piece of the red and yellow thread, apparently as good luck for whoever was ill.
He was touched. It was an extremely sweet gesture, and the sensitivity and large heartedness of the girl struck a chord. He looked back at the old woman, who seemed relieved now and was looking up again and again, thanking God. The girl meanwhile, started walking.
He followed her with his eyes. She stopped every now and then, talking to some Aunties who were bargaining with the vegetable vendor and children who were playing on the streets, who tugged at her dupatta, asking her to play along. She walked on and entered a house, and started putting water and food in a bird-bath. Birds came and flittered near her, sitting on her shoulder or on the bird bath. She did not shoo them away, and this led Manav to smile. The girl seemed to be a favourite with all- elders, children and even birds- he thought, and tried desperately to have a look at her, wishing fervently for her to turn. She didn't.
"Manav!" his accomplice shook him. "The road has cleared up. Let go."
"Uh?" said Manav, still waiting, his curiosity having caught hold of him badly.
"Lets go Manav!"
"Uh.. yeah!!"
He pressed the accelerator suddenly and the bike roared into life, he looked forward, but his attention was still on that girl who had mesmerized his senses like a scented deer in a sandalwood forest.
"MANAV!!"
He suddenly looked forward and impulsively turned his bike to the other side. He tried to control it, but it collided with a large roadside can of tar. The handle dashed into the can and it toppled a little and even started leaking. He stopped the bike and looked back at the child who had come in front of the bike- she was safe. His own bags had fallen, and his tiffin box was lying on the ground, its contents licking dust. People around him, however, were fuming.
"Don't you know how to ride?" they shouted. "Crazy, rash rider!! Someone could have got hurt."
He got down from the bike. "Uh.. sorry.."
"What sorry? Who's going to clean up this mess? And who's going to pay for all this?" Someone shouted.
"I'll clean it." He volunteered.
"And you'll jolly well pay for it too."
Pay for it? Why should I pay for it- he thought. "I'm not paying for anything." He said loud and clear. "You people did the mistake of keeping this can here in such an awkward place, almost in the middle of the road, and when someone collides accidently you fume at him. Is this a godown? Roads are meant to drive, not keep goods!"
"What the heck!!" a fat man said angrily. "Of course you'll pay, else I won't let you work or live here- who are you by the way- I've never seen you before."
Manav was in no mood to answer these questions. "See, my mind got diverted momentarily, that is true. But I collided with your can to prevent the accident, and you are at fault too for keeping a tar can at such a weird position. Not to forget that little child. Where are her parents? She is roaming here and there carelessly in the middle of the roads- everyone's mistake is there, so why should I pay alone?"
"Don't utter nonsense!!" said the fat man angrily. But by then, shouts of 'Where are her parents' had started.
The little girl seemed scared now. "Atya!" she shouted. "ATYA!!"
The onlookers turned and made way.
It was then that he saw her for the first time. And could not help staring.
Dark brown innocent eyes, a pale, fair face with a twinge of healthy pink in the cheeks, a beautiful straight nose with a tiny gold spud on it, long black hair which fell over her delicate shoulders in curves and over her forehead in little locks- She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. A tiny bindi adorned her forehead. She wore simple, everyday jewellery- a gold chain in her slender, fair neck and tiny gold ear-rings. There was an air of freshness and softness in her features and her solemn, intriguing beauty. He had never seen angels before, but today he suddenly felt he knew what they looked like.
'The angel' however, looked worried. The onlookers seemed miffed with her.
"How come you leave kids to play in this manner? They keep running on the roads!!"
"Don't you teach anything to your kids?"
'The angel' stared helplessly. "I'm really sorry." She said in a voice as sweet as nectar. "My family will pay for whatever loss has occured." She turned to Manav. "I hope both of you did not get hurt.."
"Uh??" said Manav, stuttering like a fool. "Umm..Yeah.. yeah..yes we're okay."
'The angel' gave him an embarrassed, rueful look. "Chalo Punni!" she said and tightly held the hand of the little child as she led her back into the house.
"And you Mister!" someone pointed a fat finger at Manav, who was watching 'the angel' disappear into a house on the street. "You'll clean this up!!!"
Manav grunted and nodded a yes. His eyes searched again for 'the angel', but she had disappeared.
***********************
"Then?"
"Then she went away with the child. And I didn't get a chance to compliment her on her thoughtfulness. She seems to be a very gullible person, everyone around her pressed her to pay, and she agreed at once. She didn't fight back saying that the tar cans were not meant to be parked in a busy street in this manner. Silly, innocent girl!!"
"Hmmm.." said Tarun, sliding down from the seat of the bike on which he was sitting, while Manav repaired a Scooty. "So did you get to know anything about her?"
"Not much, except that she lives in that house." He pointed to the house across the street.
"You have a good view from here." Grinned Tarun. "When she comes out, try and talk to her, and well, pay your compliments, or whatever."
"I don't think it would be right." He said quietly. "She or her family members might find it strange. This is a traditional society Tarun."
"Yeah.. her husband might find it weird.."
Manav was taken aback. "Husband?" Tarun nodded his head. "Didn't she take away the child?"
"But the child said Atya.."
"The child called out Atya in general. It doesn't mean Atya came out. She might be the mother."
"But she didn't seem married. She didn't have a mangalsutra or sindoor."
"She might be Muslim."
Manav gave Tarun an irritated look. "Why would a Muslim go to a temple?"
"Hmm.. maybe she is Muslim, but her husband is a Maharashtrian Hindu..??"
"Oh come on!" said Manav exasperated. "Why are you hell bent on proving that she is married?"
"And why are you hell bent on proving that she is UNmarried? Do you WANT her to be unmarried?"
Manav didn't know what to say. He stared at the Scooty again as Tarun gave a naughty smile.
"So.. was she pretty?"
"I won't tell. You will misunderstand."
"Aww.. come on.. don't worry.. I won't try and take chances with her."
"I don't want to tell. I didn't observe very well, frankly speaking."
"But you observed that she had no sindoor and mangalsutra..??"
Manav had no answer. He stood up angrily. "What do you want to prove?"
"Nothing." Said Tarun, enjoying himself. "I'm not here to prove anything. I was just asking generally.."
"Tarun.. I.."
"Hello uncle!!"
Manav turned to have a look. The child who had nearly come under his bike in the morning was standing with a plate.
"Yes?"
"This is for you."
"What is this?"
"Lunch." Said the little girl. "Your tiffin box fell in the morning today. So Atya sent this for you."
Manav was surprised and Tarun raised an eyebrow. Aha!
"Atya.." he said slowly. "The one who came in the morning..??"
"Yes." Said the little girl. "She is my Archana Atya." She kept the plate on a nearby stool. "Atya also asked me to say sorry to you. I'm sorry."
Manav gave a small smile. "Come here." He said, extending his arms. The little girl came and sat on his lap.
"What's your name?"
"Purnima. Everyone calls me Punni."
"Alright Punni, then please cross the roads carefully next time onwards. It is not good to play on the streets. Today everyone scolded your Atya because of you na? She must have felt bad. So don't repeat it again."
Punni nodded dutifully.
"And thank your Atya for all this. But there is no need.."
"Atya asked me not to bring it back." Said Punni immediately. "Can I go and play now?"
Manav let out a sigh. He nodded and she ran away.
"Wait a sec!" said Tarun. He ran and caught Punni. "I will give you a chocolate if you answer one question." He said, showing her a big bar of Cadbury.
Punni's eyes sparkled. "What is it?" she asked.
"Is your Atya married?"
Manav was horrified. He wrung his hands, worriedly looking at Punni, who was still eyeing the chocolate.
"No," said Punni. "But she will get married by the end of this year. That is what my Aaji says."
Her words took Manav by surprise. Tarun handed her the chocolate. "Okay dear.. bye then." Punni ran away with the chocolate happily.
Tarun grinned at Manav. "She's unmarried, kiddo!!" Manav hesitated. "Whatever!"
He uncovered the plate. The food was simple, but wholesome. He smiled at Archana's thoughtfulness and started eating.
"Won't you share?" asked Tarun, his mouth watering. "Looks yummy to me."
"No." said Manav flatly. "You almost put me in trouble."
Tarun laughed. "Well, so what next?"
"Nothing." Said Manav. "I'll work here. Bas."
"Nothing else?"
"No."
"Not even one attempt?"
"Don't be silly." Said Manav, frowning. "I'm here to work."
"But for the first time you liked a girl.."
"Cos she helped a needy person.. bas."
"Whatever.. there is no harm mixing business with pleasure. Make an attempt to know her more. At least go and thank her and introduce yourself to her."
"I'm a mechanic."
"So???"
"So??" asked Manav incredulously. "So??? Tarun, that girl Archana couldn't come herself to give lunch to me- she sent her niece. She knew people would gossip. She knew it would look weird if she brought food for a mechanic in a garage whom she does not even know. She knows what sort of people work in garages. Clearly no decent girl would want to hobnob with such folks. She understood everything. There is no better indicator of the disparity in the picture. And you're already spinning an imaginary story."
"Yes!" said Tarun dreamily. "I'm imagining a nice romantic story with an emotional angle and a social message and.. you better listen to me now.."
"You're impossible Tarun!" said Manav shaking his head. "You have made a whole love story out of one inciden just cos I said the girl seems to be very thoughtful. Things do not happen this way in life. They simply don't. Love stories are confined to dreams, and those who can afford to dream. They aren't meant for those, who don't dream, simply cos they don't have time to sleep. And anyways, I'm not interested in girls. You know that. I have a whole lot of responsibilities.. and.." he stopped short. From the window of the garage, he could see Archana working through the kitchen window. She was smiling and talking to Punni. He felt relieved that she was not guilty or gloomy any more. He smiled to himself.
He turned to see that Tarun was mimicking him. "Go on." Urged Tarun. "I know this speech by heart now.." đ
********flashback ends********
It still seemed yesterday that it had all happened, thought Manav, as he stared at the twinkling night sky. He vividly remembered each moment of his first meeting with Archana, it seemed like a dream he had seen so many times, but which still intrigued and excited him. It had been followed by two years of silently knowing more about Archana- the innocent, kind girl who was rejected by every guy- even while staying in the boundaries of their different worlds- he in the garage, and she at her home. From respect, his feelings had progressed to sympathy and with a deeper understanding of her character as he watched her every action from his work station at the garage, had come about a sense of protectiveness for her, an urge to somehow make her happy, give her a better life than the one she was leading, without knowing why or how to do so. Defences had followed when Tarun had accused him of being in love, inspite of that she had been an indispensable part of his mind and heart in the two years he had worked there, until finally he had been forced to accept that he could no more lie to himself.
As he lay down on the diwaan, he remembered how his family was displeased with Archana and regretted the day she had come in their lives. Did he regret it too?- he wondered- the moment he had first met her, the two years when he used to sit silently working in the garage, watching her get rejected by several boys and listening to the neighbours gossiping about her, the endless times he had tried to help her in little, forgettable ways? Did he regret the night he had pulled her from the brothel or stopped her from committing suicide- it was what had broken the ice and patched the disparity in their story- which could not have been done by any other means. Did he regret realizing his love for her? Did he regret his dreams to marry her- a girl completely not in his league? Did he regret trying so hard to save his marriage- even though he knew this marriage had taken away more from him than it had ever given him? Did he regret the two and a half years that had gone waste? Did he regret this marriage to her that had caused him financial and emotional loss, loss to reputation, loss of peace of mind and splitting of the family? Today when they were no longer together, did he regret having taken a bite of the forbidden fruit?
He did not have to think for long. The answer was crystal clear, and came straight from his heart.
NO.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
