Parag Modi

Parag Modi

Parag stared at the paper in his hands. He couldn't believe his eyes. After such a long time he felt alive. Pinched himself to see if he was not daydreaming. Ouch! That hurts! He let out a shout of joy. He read the document again & again. Joy welled up in his heart. Tears of joy fell down his cheeks. He felt like a child on his first Disney trip. Disney trip! Kokila would skin him alive if he mentioned Disney! He always felt like a child at heart. The whole family joked and had fun always.Baa loved to joke and wanted her family to be happy together. The arrival of Kokila changed things. They were childhood buddies as Baa and Revathy were best friends. He remembered her as a tough child who stood her ground. Though she was black he loved this Koyli of his. When Baa suggested the match he was over the moon. Little did he realize his married life would become a thorn of roses.

Koki walked into the room like a Major general in the army. Seeing him holding the paper she got angry, pulled the pallu of her saree and said: Sit and waste time like a wastrel. U will never change. Mere Bhagya hi kharab hai.Mera Dhikra Ahem nahi hota to muje iss ghar me khoi izjat nahi milti.

Parag: Koki suno. Ek khush khabri hai.

Koki: Aap aur khush kbabri! It will be when pigs fly! Rolled her eyes and walked off in anger.

Parag came down to earth with a thump. Some things never change. He dreaded talking to his bossy wife who pulled him down always. Both his children took after the mother. He always felt Jigar was more like him. To avoid his pain of dejection from his own flesh and blood he turned to music. He got along well with his brother (in awe of Chirag Bhai) Mota Bhabhi and Baa. They understood his artistic soul. He shared a wonderful camaraderie with Mota bhabhi For Koki and kids he was a failure. He felt less of a man before them. He had tried to stop Ahem from marrying Gopi When he noticed Ahem's unhappiness during the ceremony he had tried to talk to him but as usual he was ignored. He mused that families should lean on crisis together but not this one. Each one followed their own lonely path.

The ringing of the telephone interrupted his thoughts. Mani came upand said the phone call was for him. He wondered who it was. He identified himself to the caller as Parag Modi. The caller said he was calling to congratulate him on winning the Jnanpith Award in Gujarati literature for his musical novel about Ajit Merchant. He was asked to come to New Delhi to collect the awards.Parag barely could vocalize his gratitude; he was speechless. Lots of telephone calls came congratulating him on his achievement. News spread like wild fire. At last a writer from Gujarat was being honored. TV channels and reporters camped outside the compound wall. The ladies in the house wondered what the commotion was outside. Parag broke the news to Baa first. Baa was speechless and lifted her frail hand to bless him. MotaBhabhi walked in with Gopi and he shared his good news with them.Motabhabhi was beside herself with joy. She shouted to Koki. Koki couldn't believe her ears. Somebody would have pulled a fast one on them. Parag looked at her disbelief and grimaced. No use it's difficult for pattardil to melt. He looked away.Bhai walked in followed by Ahem and Jigar.Both brothers hugged one another.

Parag: Thanks Bhai for having trust in me and giving me money to publish this book. I've dedicated this book to Baa, u and Bhabhi.

If looks could kill surely he would have gone under because his wife was glaring at him. There, too the credit went to his brother and family Koki thought. Koki was fuming. A knock sounded. Mani went & opened the door. The Police Commissioner was at the door. Parag walked and invited him over