by Atul Sharma
“You can sit in our small library room if you want to study without any disturbance,” suggested Raghav.
“That will be better,” replied Michael.
“Are you doing some research work?” asked Raghav.
“I am pursuing doctorate studies in ‘Non conventional energy resources’ from the ‘Victoria University of Wellington’.”
“Are you satisfied with our services?” asked Raghav.
“I’ll give you ten on ten,” replied Michael. “Moreover the location, the architecture of the villa, the weather and these breathtaking views are unmatchable.”
“I’ll suggest you to visit Advance Studies Institute in Shimla. You may get literary help from there,” said Raghav.
“It’s on my itinerary,” Michael replied as he already knew about that place.
H.S. Dhillon was sitting alone in the garden in the evening. Raghav went to him to ask his well being.
“Uncle, is your stay comfortable here?” asked Raghav.
“Yes, my dear and by the way are you the manager of this hotel?” asked Dhillon.
“This villa belongs to my family,” replied Raghav.
“So you are the owner of this beautiful property,” said Dhillon.
“You’ll enjoy the calm atmosphere of Devpur,” opined Raghav.
“How’ll the outer calmness soothe if the inner tranquillity is disturbed?” Dhillon commented sadly.
“Whose brilliant idea was this to construct a hotel here?” asked Dhillon.
“It wasn’t a hotel in the beginning. It was constructed as a private villa by my grandfather,” replied Raghav.
“Grandfather!” Dhillon said and took a long pause before speaking again.
“I was also a grandfather once,” said Dhillon with visible pain in his eyes which made Raghav feel that some tragedy might have happened to him.
“Did something bad happen to your family?” asked Raghav.
“No, I happened to be bad for my family,” replied Dhillon.
“Uncle, what’s the matter?” asked Raghav.
“I have been thrown out by my family and can you imagine who pushed me out from my house?” Dhillon said with tears flowing down from his eyes.
“Who?”
“My grandson!” replied Dhillon leaving Raghav shocked.
“Your grandson!!!” Raghav was stunned as it was for the first time he had heard that a grandson had done this to his grandfather.
Raghav offered him water and calmed him.
“I shouldn’t interfere in your personal matters but my heart is insisting me to share your feelings,” Raghav said as he wanted to know the tragic story of this old man.
“By the grace of Guru Sahibs (referring to Sikh Gurus), I had a rich and prosperous background. I have two sons. My elder son has a son while my younger son has no child. I lived in Rajpura, near Patiala, where I had a big house and twenty acres of land. I retired from my job twelve years ago. Everything was normal till my wife passed away last year. I hadn’t even recovered from that setback when my family started harassing me. They wanted to sell our land to a multi-national company which wanted to set up a medicine factory there. They forcibly got the property papers signed from me and sold the land and the house for a whopping six crore rupees,” said Dhillon showing the dark side of the world.
“What did they do with that money?” asked Raghav.
“They bought properties in Mohali and have relocated there,” replied Dhillon.
“Why didn’t you approach the Police or Human Rights Commission?” asked Raghav.
“For a grandfather interest is dearer than the capital. And for whom will I get my property back. It was anyways meant for them only. I have no interest in those things now. My only wish left is to meet my wife up there,” Dhillon said looking at the sky.
“Where do you live now?” asked Raghav.
“Once during my job, I was offered a one room flat by the Punjab government under the employees housing scheme for a meagre amount of two lakh rupees only. I didn’t want to take that because I had a lot of property. But my wife insisted to take it saying that it may be useful during bad times. How right she was! It was really made for my bad time,” Dhillon said remembering his wife.
“But why did your grandson misbehaved with you?” asked Raghav.
“He wanted too much money too quickly. I loved him so much yet he was always uncourteous to me. Do you know I named
him . . .” Dhillon couldn’t complete the sentence before Raghav cut him short.
“Uncle, don’t tell me his name, otherwise in future I won’t be able to respect any man with that name,” said Raghav.
“My grandson got severely ill with jaundice when he was born. I went to Vaishno Devi barefoot with only one prayer to ‘Mata Rani’ that take my life and put it in my grandson. That grandson today took life out of me,” Dhillon said in pain which would have shattered even a steel-hearted person.
“How do you meet your expenses now?” asked Raghav.
“That’s not a problem. I receive a pension of thirty-two thousand rupees per month. I also have many fixed deposits in the banks,” replied Dhillon.
“Uncle, feel like at home here and don’t hesitate to ask for any help. My name is Raghav and I am also like your grandson.”
“I wish no one is like my grandson,” Dhillon said as he moved inside.
Raghav was jolted by the tragic story of a grandfather. He shared it with his mother. Dhillon’s face flashed in his eyes when he rested on his bed. His mind transported to his own past and he recollected the past few years of his life. While looking at the roof of his room, Raghav remembered his dear grandfather who was also like a roof for him.
2
One Family
“It doesn’t matter how poor you are. If you have a family, you
are rich.”
Two years back
“Dadaji, I am free now,” Raghav said to his grandfather Purshottam Anand, alias Bauji, after appearing for his last exam of B.A (Honours) Final from D.A.V College, Shimla.
“It means we’ll spend more time together,” said Bauji who was a big landlord and a respected personality in Devpur.
“I am going to Kasauli tomorrow with my friends,” informed Raghav.
“Will you stay there?” Neha asked while preparing lunch in the kitchen.
“No, we’ll come back by evening,” said Raghav.
“I have good news for you. Guess who’s coming here next week?” asked Neha.
“Buaji and uncle,” said Raghav.
“Anyone else!”
“Chachu and chachi! But they were to come later,” guessed Raghav.
“Aashish and Smriti,” Neha replied curtailing his excitement.
“Aashish bhaiya and Smriti bhabhi!” Raghav shouted as happily as anyone would feel in anticipation of meeting someone dear.
“I got a call from Rajni didi today and she said that they all will be coming together,” Neha said about Bauji’s eldest daughter. Aashish and Smriti were Rajni’s son and daughter-in-law.
“But they were supposed to come in December during Christmas holidays,” Raghav said about his cousin Aashish who was a software engineer in U.S.A.
“They felt that they’ll enjoy more now as everyone will be here in Devpur,”said Neha.
“Love you Aashish bhaiya!” Raghav said excitedly.
“Kamal jijaji is going to Delhi on 24th to receive them and they all will arrive here on 27th,” Neha said about Rajni’s husband.
“Smriti bhabhi is coming here for the first time and I am sure she’ll enjoy a lot,” said Raghav.
Aashish and Smriti got married six months back.
“Sushma is a bit sad as she may not be here next year,” Neha said about Rajni’s daughter for whom they were searchin
g a groom.
“Arrey bhai! Will you just talk or eat lunch also?” Bauji said, sitting on the dining table.
“Ask Vijay to remain here during lunch,” said Bauji.
“How many times will I ask him? He remains so immersed in the orchard that he forgets to take care of himself,” said Neha.
“Neha, tell Naren to come with his family when everyone will be here,” Bauji said about Neha’s brother.
“He may not come this time due to Parul’s coaching classes,” informed Neha. Parul was Naren’s daughter and studied in 11th standard.
“I don’t want any excuses. I want them here anyhow,” Bauji was adamant as he treated Naren like his own son.
“Leave it to me,” said Raghav. I’ll convince Parul that she can take tuitions from dadaji here.
“How’s the Big Boss?” Bauji enquired about Naren’s son Aaditya.
Aaditya was the apple of all eyes as he made everyone laugh and enjoy with his amazing sense of humour.
“He is always eager to come here,” said Raghav.
“Along with a great sense of humour, he has a sharp mind too,” Bauji said.
“So sharp that he has maintained his track record of getting a compartment every year since 6th standard,” Raghav joked.
“He’ll do business eventually,” Neha said as Aaditya’s father Naren had a bakery in Chandigarh.
“When will Raama and Maharaj come back from their homes?” asked Bauji.
“Maharaj will reach here by evening and Raama will come on Saturday,” informed Neha.
“It’s good that you sent them on leave before the guests’ arrival,” said Bauji.
“How’s your health now?” Bauji asked Haria, the gardener, in the evening.
“Bauji, with your blessings I am fine now,” Haria replied as he had undergone surgery for appendix. I can never forget that you paid my hospital bill.
Bauji was a generous man and spent a lot in charitable deeds.
“You have come to keep me out of the kitchen,” Neha said to Maharaj when he returned from home.
“How can I? You are the Grihalakshmi,” said Maharaj.
“Well said Maharaj!” Bauji agreed. He considered himself fortunate to have a caring and affectionate daughter-in-law in Neha.
“Vijay, you missed the lunch again,” Bauji complained when his son came back home.
“Work is worship and I have learnt it from you,” replied Vijay.
“How’s the crop this year?” enquired Bauji.
“Apple crop is bumper this year,” said Vijay.
“What about the vegetables?” asked Bauji.
“Sale of vegetables will fetch us a higher amount as compared to last year,” informed Vijay.
“Pratap, keep the papers in my room. You can leave then,” asked Vijay.
Pratap, a commerce graduate, looked after the accounts work of the farmhouse.
“Where is Sanju?” Maharaj asked when Pratap came to greet him.
“He is unloading packaging boxes in the orchard.”
Vijay’s friend Jagdeep Sahni arrived in the villa next morning. Jagdeep was a property dealer in Shimla. He was the langotiya yaar (best friend) of Vijay and an extended member of Bauji’s family.
“You have come after a long time,” Vijay said hugging his friend.
“I was out of Shimla last week,” said Jagdeep.
“How are Shilpa and kids?” enquired Neha.
“They all are fine,” said Jagdeep.
“Has your business improved after last year’s recession?” asked Vijay.
“I haven’t recovered from the loss that I suffered in the real estate business,” replied Jagdeep.
“Don’t hesitate to ask for any monetary help if you need for the children’s fees or for household expenses,” assured Vijay.
“How’s Raghav?” asked Jagdeep.
“He has gone to Kasauli with his friends,” said Neha.
Jagdeep went to Bauji’s room to meet him.
“It’s so nice to see you after a long time,” said Bauji.
“I was out of station for one week only,” said Jagdeep.
“We feel unfulfilled without meeting you regularly,” said Bauji.
“Bauji, I want to discuss a business proposal with all of you,” said Jagdeep.
“What business proposal?” asked Bauji.
“I met a friend of mine in Delhi. He has a mineral water plant in Uttarakhand. He told me that this business is very profitable and can be super successful in Devpur because the water here is in abundance and very pure too,” said Jagdeep.
“Why are you discussing it with us?” Bauji questioned.
“Because I want to do this business in partnership with you,” answered Jagdeep.
“Where?” Bauji asked with a frown in his head as if he anticipated what Jagdeep wanted to say.
“At your land near the Giri river,” replied Jagdeep making Bauji lose his temper.
“How can you think like that?” Bauji thundered.
The huge land near the Giri river was not only a valuable asset for Bauji but a place where he wanted to start his dream project.
“Cool down Bauji! I was putting up a proposal only,” said a scared Jagdeep.
Neha offered water to Bauji as she got worried about his blood pressure problem.
“He presented a proposal only. After all he is like our family member,” Vijay said.
“Bauji, I am sorry but my intention was not to hurt you,” Jagdeep said apologetically.
“Jagdeep, you are an insider to our family affairs. You know it very well that I want to make an orphanage and an old age home on that land. No proposal can lure me to change my mind,” said Bauji.
“Leave this topic,” Vijay said to lower the raised temperature inside the room.
“All the guests will come here next week. Do join us with your family,” Neha asked Jagdeep.
Raghav was painting the badminton court when Raama arrived.
“Raghav bhaiya, how are you?” Raama asked showing all his teeth while smiling.
“What a coincidence Raama! You always meet me at the badminton court,” said Raghav.
Raama had brought white and red sandalwood powder for Bauji.
“This is the benefit of having a south Indian guy. I get these precious items free of cost,” said Bauji.
“When will you marry?” Neha asked Raama which made him blush like a bride.
Kamal Shridhar, son-in-law of Bauji, was the first to arrive with his family. He was an accountant by profession and lived in Amritsar.
“Didi, you have gained a lot of weight,” Vijay said to Rajni on arrival.
“The people of Himachal are very slim and fit. We are not that fortunate,” said Rajni who was overweight.
“They are slim because they walk a lot but you need a rickshaw for going to the next lane even,” said Kamal.
“Let us welcome the bride first,” Neha said welcoming Smriti.
“No more a bride,” said Aashish. “Six months have passed since we married.”
“Then what! I am still a bride,” Smriti said showing her chura (wedding bangles that women in north India wear after their marriage).
“Once a bride always a bride,” Vijay commented while touching the chin of Neha.
Neha blushed at the gesture of Vijay.
“Di, what are you doing in the car?” Raghav asked Sushma who was weeping in the car.
“I may not come here next year as mummy-papa will definitely marry me this year,” said an emotional would-be bride.
“My sweet sister, you’ll not go to any other planet after marriage.” Raghav hugged his cousin.
“See, all the employees are waiting to meet us,” said Kamal.
“Bhaiya, I
missed you a lot. How’s your married life going on?” asked Raghav.
“Smriti is a nice girl. I am happy after marriage,” said Aashish.
“How long is your vacation?” asked Raghav.
“I’ll stay here for ten days. From here we’ll go to Smriti’s home in Jaipur.”
“Those were the days when you stayed here for a month. That was our best time,” said Raghav.
“Life changes when you do a job or get married. Even you’ll feel the responsibilities when your time will come,” said Aashish.
“We had planned a tour of Goa and Mumbai last year. It’ll remain a plan only. Why God upsets our plans?” Raghav questioned.
“God upsets our plan to set up his plan for us. We see our present and plan our future but God sees our future and plans our present,” answered Aashish philosophically.
“Maharaj, what’s special for dinner tonight?” enquired Rajni.
“All dishes of your choice, especially Aashish bhaiya’s favourite, Mushroom chilli.”
“I told Vineet to reach here by tomorrow,” Rajni said about her brother.
“Smriti, do you like our home?” Vijay asked when they dined.
“It’s an amazing place with classy interiors,” replied Smriti. You have made plenty of rooms here. In cities we have three-rooms flat at most.”
“These rooms are for you all to fill during your holidays,” said Vijay.
“Kamal, how’s the workload in office?” asked Bauji.
“It’s tight as usual. Aashish is settled and after marrying Sushma, I’ll quit the job,” replied Kamal.
Smriti was excited to see the lights in the hills seen from the balcony of their room.
“The lights that are seen are infact the city of Shimla,” said Aashish.
“I am feeling so romantic here,” Smriti said standing in the balcony.
“The aura of this place is casting its spell on you dear,” Aashish said holding her in his arms. “Let’s be one in this moment of passion and fulfillment.”
“Get up you sleeping giants. I want everyone down here,” roared Vineet on entering the villa at 7 in the morning.
Vineet Anand was the younger son of Bauji. He lived in Delhi and was an advocate in the Delhi High Court.