Behind the rigidity

Ch 5 : Sabki Holi

Bhavani just wiped her hands after handing the wallet to Samarth,while he was getting ready to leave for the late schedule at work.Atul,a neighbour of them ,walked in,with three other boys of his age,Ved and his group of friends.The older boys were fuming in anger and the younger ones let themselves getting dragged with a determined face.

"Bhavani Aunty,Bhavani Aunty !Where are you?" Atul yelled at the top of his voice
"Dekh,Shanti se han ! Don't you dare shout at my house" Ved literally spat at his face
"Teri toh- " Atul raised his hands but was interrupted with the sharp voice of Bhavani

"One minute! What is happening here ? Is this the way to converse?Calm down all of you and tell me the matter"
"Just have a glance at Vedant,Aunty and you'll now how rebellious he is !"
"What happened Atul ? "
Samarth had by then joined the discussion too.
"Oh uncle, you're here as well, that's excellent!Look what your son has done"
The couple saw the bruised elbow of Atul.
"Last time also he did the same with Harsh,haina ! And you even threw him out of the house" Atul and his group's smirked
"Ab iss bar what will you do? Because he did the same thing again" this time their smirk turned into a full fledged laughter
"Quiet! All of you !" Bhavani admonished and all of them fell silent

"Will you all please tell ,what's the matter? because as it is I'm getting late for work so I don't have the whole day to spare"

"There's nothing new, certainly .As it's the season of holi,we were just playing with colours amongst ourselves when this caterpillar came out of nowhere and pushed me by my face landing me on my elbows.First he started then like obedient students came the other caterpillars and messed up with my group"

"First and foremost Atul there's a way of talking to people.I agree you're a grown up boy,but not enough to walk straight into such rowdy mannerisms . Neither Archana bhabhi,Ayan Bhaiya and any of your parents would be proud,nor do we allow anything similar to this,So I suggest you all to behave."

"Very true Bhavani.And I,very rarely, jump straight into dishing out punishments.So,I would like to hear Vedant,Daksh,and others too, this time."

Bhavani turned to their son
"Ved,Omar,bolo beta,are the things Atul saying, correct? Kya hua hai? Please speak -"
"What do you mean by truth Aunty?Why would we lie?" Atul interrupted
"Do not speak in between Atul" Samarth scolded
"Yes Aunty yes uncle,all these happened..but.."
"Kya but but ? Can't you tell all of them the actual thing " the blazing little volcano Ved who was silent till then erupted suddenly

"I didn't hit them purposely.Many of us were playing with water and colours,when this," he glared dangerously at Atul and continued

"started splashing colour with pichkari at Ruby and her little puppies.We tried to stop them,even requested them many times but they didn't budge.Instead to the doggos further they caught the pups and started applying more of the powder.Ruby protested by barking but they still continued,and then to stop all these I pushed Atul and Abhi,Om,Saanu dragged them out of the way."

By the time Ved finished,the younger clan looked at the older one with a disgusted face recalling the situation,Bhavani and Samarth's eyes were red in anger;whereas Atul and group stood as if they did nothing wrong.

"So what ? We were just having a little fun"Atul shrugged," Whatever might be the reason,who gave you the right to push us like that?As it is my elbow is hurt,what if something dangerous had happened "

"And what about the harm you caused those poor animals who cannot speak?Do you know how dangerous it can be for them,it is even more than just a little scratch to your body"
"What's the big deal Uncle?Kutte hai jhaar lenge "
" You all have applied the same colour to your bodies right.Then do one thing,tum log bhi bas jhaad lo,no need to take bath.Let me see if you tell the same thing about yourselves,just after a few hours"
"Why won't we bath ? Of course we are now going to our houses and get fresh"
"And who takes the responsibility to wash the dogs regularly? Do any of us help them out ? Or do they have the capability to do that on their own?" Bhavani said
The older group's head bowed down for the first time today.

"Beta,if we cannot help somebody then we've got no rights to harm them as well unnecessarily.Not just dogs but anybody,okay? Am I making sense?"
"Yes Uncle"
"Festivals are for everybody and hence it should only bring happiness upon others.So would you all repeat this?"
"Never"
"Good,now atleast help the babies out this time, and wash all the colours you've put on them like responsible kids okay.Will you ?"
"Okay uncle,surely" All of the older boys said together
"Can I trust you all with the work,or do I have to keep somebody to supervise you ?" Samarth asked sternly
"Don't worry Papa,Hum hai na" Ved said with pride
"I think we all should do it together,this way Ruby and her pups will be washed quicker" Saanvi,from Ved's group suggested
"Yess,great idea,chalo let's do it together" the others agreed
"Han han maza ayega" both the groups now shouted.
"If you all had sorted it among yourselves then I wouldn't have been so late today" Samarth heaved an annoyed sigh while looking at his watch and literally started running after taking his bag kept on the table.
Everybody chuckled at him
"Bachcho, never forget what we discussed today.And chalo go now and no more ladai." Bhavani warned and all of them left to bath the paw babies.

~ ✿⁠ ⁠♡ ✿⁠ ⁠♡ ✿⁠ ⁠♡ ~

Hey guys Happy Holi🌈💖
here's a quick update to remind everyone that the festival of colours should fill colours in everyone's life in its literal sense
Hope I could do some justice.
Every kinda suggestion is always welcomed
I'll be back with another chapter soon, till then,
Enjoy heartily and responsibly ❣️