1. The guest

410 35 4
                                    

It was a chilly morning of November month which had enforced people to drape themselves up in the woolen clothes, but irrespective of the weather outside which can lead one to freeze, people in the two story house of nirmal Jyoti society were running here and there sweating heavily .

While one woman was busy in a kitchen another was wandering here and there checking on last minute preparations muttering under her breath about the sudden increase in work she has to do, her constant blabbering was disturbed by a loud sound of honk which all instantly recognised as it belong to the car owned by them. Thus quickly leaving all the work they gave a final glance to the arrangement and nodded in satisfaction.
By quickly pulling on the sweaters that they had discarded due to sweating while doing rushed chores, they descended down the stairs to welcome the esteemed guest they were attending for a day.

A man came out of the driver seat to open the back door of the car and then helped the guest to come out.

An old lady stepped out of the car drapped in a elegant beige silk saree, her white hairs were tied in a bun. She was wearing a heavy gold chain with the beautiful gold idol of lord Krishna stuck in it as the pendant and her ears were adorned with big circular earrings studded with precious stones.

Her look acquired a few gasps and stunned expressions from the the passers by and by the neighbors sitting in the nearby balconies of the houses enjoying the warm rays of the sun in the chilly weather.

Two ladys Who had came down to welcome the guest came forward, the lady which seemed more elder adjusted her pallu all satisfied with the stunned expressions of their neighbours, proud reflecting on her face of attending such a rich guest, along with the woman who seemed much younger than her bent towards the feet of old lady to take her blessings and exclaimed loudly, "oh Bai bua ji aap hamare ghar Aaye hamen bahut achcha laga, har bar agar aap chhote se chhote kam ke liye bhi yahan ahemdabad aati ho hamare ghar kabhi aana Nahin bhulti, sach me bahut achcha lagta hai."

Older women seemed not so pleased with it as her brows furrowed and opened her mouth to speak when the younger women interrupted her with the sweet voice," yah baat to aapne sach Kahi bhabhi ji, buaji jab aati hai tab bahut achcha lagta hai ab meri maa to rahi nahi, aap me hi apni maa dekhti hu mein,"; her voice with emotions which relaxed the brows of old lady, her lips stretched into a smile and she put her hand on younger lady's head exclaiming,"are beta tum sab mere bacche jaise hi ho maine aaj tak tumhen aur apne bacchon mein Kabhi fark nahi kara tumse milane to aana hi tha,"

As both smile the man who has helped the old lady to came down the car and now was supporting her from her shoulders interrupted," are bhai aaj bua ji ko yahi khada rakhna hai kya chalo sab andar"

Everyone smiled and the man along with another man who seemed elder than him helped the old lady climb up the stairs.

As soon as they reached, two womens rushed to bring out water and snacks. After having water and relishing snacks she sat with the family members chatting. After noticing something she asked, "Are, sab bacche kahan hai school gaye kya?" After confirming her doubt the younger woman rushed to the kitchen and older women again got engrossed in conversation with the other family members discussing about their business, relatives and other random topics.

Buaji then departed to her room to get freshen up and take some rest. Later when they they again sat together, Bela asked her to have lunch to which she denied, "Nahin Nahin bacchon ke bina khane ka Mera Man nahi karta pahle unhen school se aa jane do fir shanti se pet bhar kar sab kha....... the sound of foots heavily thumping on stairs and constant chattering interrupted her and soon a group of children stormed off the room making elders smile, buaji giggled, "Are are shanti se aao aisa lag raha hai Jaise koi toofan aa gaya hai, Naresh tumhare ghar ke bacche hain ya toofan?
As soon as she completed her sentence the set of children marched towards her feet to take her blessings competing among themselves to see who manages first to get her blessings, horrified bua ji pull her legs up and hit he backs of two boys and playfully reprimanded them, "Are shaitano, mere per todne hai kya? itni mushkil se to bechare doctor ne wapas jod Kar diya hai ab tum wapas todtoge to wo na jodne wala pehle hi bechara dar gaya he mujhse, aakhir itna daanta h mene bechare ko," Everyone laughed and thenshe blessed all children and then sat with them looking at their faces with confused expression exclaiming, "Are kitne bade ho gaye hain sab pichhali bar dekha tha to chote chote the samajh mein nahi araha kaunsa baccha kaun hai, chalo ab sab ek line mein khade ho jao ek ek karke mujhe apna introduction do, she teased them.

All stood in a line and started introducing themselves ,
"Mera naam Anmol hai aur mai ninth class mein pdta hu"
Another boy laughed, "yah jhooth bol raha hai iska naam pralay hai kyuki yeh kisi disaster se Kam nahi hai isko sab pralay hi bolte hai"
Seeing his son whining Beena quickly came to his side, putting her one hand on his shoulder and caressed his head with another and reprimanded the other boy, "Oh bai Arjun, kyon mere bete ko sata rahe ho, uska naam Anmol hai samjhe! Usko pralay mat bolo usko Bura lagta hai"

Arjun frowned, "Are taiji aap itni serious kyon ho jaati ho? Me to majak kar raha tha aur kya bua dadi aap bhi na, faltu me mujhe daant pdwadi..aapko hamara naam Nahin pata jo hamara introduction le rahe ho"

Phulla bua laughed saying, "Are baap re...maine to bas introduction dene ka kya bola, yahan to mahabharat khadi ho gai"

She stood up and came to them caressed their head one by one saying, "Me to bus tumko chida rahi thi, aise kaise main apne bacchon ko Nahin pehchanungi, yeh hai Mera Anmol,,,,; Yeh mera sabse bada Barhwi kaksha mein padhne wala Arjun aur yeh hai..meri sabse pyari meri bacchi Naina", she planted a kiss on her forehead she said looking confused, "Are me to bhul hi gayi tu kaun si class mein padhati Hai, Tu shayad 11 mein hai na?"

Naina's face paled, not knowing what to do next she looked at other family members and then nervously nodded her head.

Phulla bua then ordered them to come for lunch after changing their clothes and freshening up.

Soon they all came back after freshening up and set down at dining table to have lunch. Bela stood making hot chapatis while her sister in law Beena served everyone.

Soon Phulla bua noticed that Naina was not eating properly and was looking a bit uncomfortable...to ease her mood she said, "kya baat hai aaj to tu badi chamak rahi hai, kuchh baat hai kya jo itni chamak hai chehre par?"
But to Phulla bua's dismay she paled further.

Beena and her husband exchanged some looks and then she uttered, " Oh bai ab ham apne bacchon ko itna achcha rakhte hein, hamesha naye kapde pehnaate hain, har khushi puri karte hain to chehre per chamak to dikhegi na"

Not wanting to reply her, Phulla bua glanced at Naina again and found that she had not eaten anything, she again addressed her, "Beta kya hua tu kuchh kha kyon Nahin rahi hai? Kisi bat se pareshan hai?

As Naina looked more nervous and confused, Beena quickly looked at Bela calling her to which she nodded and went towards naina, caressing her head asked her gently, "Kuchh hua kya beta, tu kha kyon nahi kha rahi ? roj to itna acche se khati hai"

"O bai aur nahi to kya ...roz to 10-10 roti kha jaati hai aaj ek bhi nahin kha rahi , ne wahh aisa kya ho gaya," Beena asked showing her concern but instead acquired furious expressions from all...........each having different reason for it.

The Queen maker 👑Where stories live. Discover now