PART 3: THE TALE OF THE JUGAAD
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Twenty minutes after the previous pot was broken, Sahiba had managed to turn a normal unpainted pot lying around at her shop into a masterpiece such as the one she had made for the Gurdwara.
“You should sign up for the Guinness world record, for most work done in under an hour.” Kulche said as he concentrated on the pot he had been given to paint, his tongue slightly sticking out from the side. It was a simple job – one could never go wrong and that was the only kind of job that Sahiba ever left in the hands of Kulche and Keerat. The only other person who she would allow to do fine detailing on her works was her father, an amazing artist himself.
“And you should get a record for the most words spoken within an hour.” Sahiba rolled her eyes as she used her blow-dryer to dry out the paint on the pot.
“Mein toh tareef kar raha tha.”
“Mein bhi.”
“Didi, you are always making fun of me!”
“Kyun? Meri Kulche ko bura laga?” Sahiba mimicked the pout on Kulche’s face.
“Hello ji!”
The duo turned to the source of the chirpy voice and it was none other than Mr. Sunshine, the guy she had met along with that stupid ATM who refused to say a simple sorry.
“Hello ji. Sat sri akal ji!” Sahiba got up from her spot with her most professional smile on her face. “What may I entertain you with today?”
“I searched the whole bazaar and finally found what I was looking for!” Veer exclaimed, pointing at the mud and mirror work that was in progress, with both his hands out and the brightest smile in place.
“It’s not for sale.” Sahiba said flatly. It wasn’t.The gurudwara administration had asked for a simple yet delicate work to cover up one of their windows and Sahiba had happily complied. She did all works for her Rab for free. No questions or remunerations asked.
Sahiba fished out the five thousand rupees she had taken from Angad.
“Veer, mila khoyi?” Angad joined his brother and stopped in his tracks when he saw Sahiba. “Tum?”
“Haan mein.” She mimicked his tone and turned to her assistant.
“Chal Kulche, tu yeh matka gurudwara pe le jaa.” She held out the money. “And give this as offering. Bol dena ki mein kisi ke sadhbuddhi-” She said eyeing Angad. “- keliye dua kar rahi hoon.”
“You!”
Veer had to press his fist against his mouth to stop himself from showing any reaction. Angad stood there fuming with anger, knowing very well that he would be proving her right if he said something then.
“Now as I said, that work is not for sale. So move along!” She gestured them to go with her hand.
“Woh nahi hai ji, we wanted you to decorate our Paath room just like this.” Veer gestured to the beautiful work that was in progress.
“Veer, humein iski help nahi chaahiye.” Angad said stubbornly.
Sahiba smirked, as she waved Kulche goodbye. “Good luck finding another mud and glass artist here. Maybe you should go look somewhere else.” She gave Angad a sugary sweet smile before she turned to the hundred million orders she had yet to complete. Of course she would complete all of it in time but it did always seem next to impossible when she looked at it all lying there.
“Tum humein jaanti nahi hoon.” Angad said arrogantly. “Hum Brars hai Brars. Ek chutki mein Ludhiana ke best artists ko laake line mein khade kar sakte hai hum.”
Sahiba raised a brow when she heard the word ‘Brars’.Brars as in Brars Mommy wanted passes to? Suddenly she didn’t feel sorry for the people her mother and sister would go and do all the drama with. They were dramatic everywhere they went.
Sahiba took a step forward and snapped her fingers in front of Angad’s face, tilting her head as the man stood there confused for a moment. “Toh aap kahi aur jaake chutki bajao na? Mujhe baksh do.”
Veer knew that he had to step in and diffuse the situation. Of course his brother was not wrong – he could get just about anyone he wanted in any other situation. But time was the factor here and it was not in their favor.
“Paaji, listen to me. I know you both started off on the wrong foot but really, even you have to agree that she is really good. And time is of the essence. We need to act quick otherwise bada siyappa hona hai!”
Angad hated how right Veer was – as always – and he turned to Sahiba knowing her to be the last resort.
“Paath room sajane keliye kitna leti ho tum?” He asked.
Sahiba raised a brow. Maybe she would get her mother those passes after all, and maybe she will never have to hear the rest of it if she did.
“It’s a very complex job but I will do it for four passes to the function at your house.” She shrugged.
“Excuse me?”
“I am not in the mood for any explanation.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“Okay ji!” Veer jumped in before Angad could object. “Four toh kya? Eight deta hoon!”
“Veer!”
“Please Paaji!” He grabbed his brother by his kurta's sleeve. “Maan ja.”
Angad let out a sigh of exasperation and looked over at her, his eyes blazing with anger. “Fine.” He gritted out.
“Toh kitne dhin mein chaahiye work complete?” Sahiba asked.
Veer looked at his watch and then smiled at her sheepishly. “Dho hours ke andhar.”
Sahiba looked at him disbelievingly. “Kya?”
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Jhanak
O Humnava Tum Dena Saath Mera
