The
Hometown
Ssandeep B Teraiya
DEDICATION
I am dedicating this book to my lovely parents and my whole family.
Thank you so much for your support.
Love you all.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Heartfelt Thanks to my wife Poonam, for keeping me motivated.
And
Thank you Dr. Sushma Gupta, for all your support.
सर्वतीर्थमयी माता सर्वदेवमयः पिता ..!!मातरं पितरं तस्मात् सर्वयत्नेन पूजयेत्..!!
To get the same virtues as one would, on visiting all holy places, all he has to do is, revere his mother.
Father is an embodiment of all the deities themselves.
They are the sole cause of us being here in this world today. It is hard to imagine one's life without them, their nurture and care. Parents constantly strive to provide the best that they could possibly give, for their children at all times.
There is no well wisher better than parents!
Chapter 8: Happy Birthday
“What are you thinking Sagar?” Neeta asked me when she entered into our living room.
“Oh Neeta please come. Nothing, just watching TV,” I said and switched off the TV.
“I was getting bored, so I just came to watch TV here and you switched off it,” Neeta said. “Huh.”
“Oh, I am sorry. I will switch it on again, but before that, I want to talk with you about something,” I said.
“Sure, tell me,” She said.
“As you know, Karan is going to Ahmedabad in a few days, and I think you will also be gone very soon. I was wondering if we could celebrate Karan's birthday together. I don't know when we all three will meet again. What do you say about it?” I asked.
“That is a great idea buddy. Let’s go to Karan's home and we will plan everything today,” she said in excitement.
“Wait, relax. The problem is that Karan does not believe in celebrating his birthday because he wants to save money. He doesn’t want to waste any penny. And this time I want to celebrate his birthday with you anyhow,” I said.
“Oh, I see. OK, tell me his birth date,” She asked.
“It's the day after tomorrow,” I said, the 29th of November.
“Oh is it? Wow,” she said.
“What is “wow” doing here in the birth date discussion?” I raised my eyebrows.
“It's my birthday too, it’s the same date, the 29th of November,” she said.
“What, Really?” I stood up.
"No, not really, but we can tell him that it’s my birthday celebration. He has to come to my birthday party, right?” She explained her idea.
“But why would you want to lie about your birth date?” I asked.
“Actually, I do not know what my real birth date is. We used to celebrate our birthday at the orphanage many times in a year. People used to come to give us chocolates or cakes for their kid, so it is a not a big deal in lying about my birthday,” she said.
“How nice yaar? Thanks a lot,” I said.
“Don't thank me; he is my friend too now,” She said.
“Yes, yes, you are a closer friend than me,” I said.
“What? She asked.
“Nothing,” I said.
Ok, so tell me how we will tell him about it?” She asked.
“Let’s meet at the temple after dinner. You can announce about your birthday there. Simple,” I said.
“Hmm, ok,” she said, “See you then after dinner. Bye for now.”
“Bye.” I switched on the TV.
.
“So, Karan, how is your preparation going to move to the big city?” Neeta asked as she came to the temple. Karan and I were already there.
“Going well. Thanks to you. I will soon be in Ahmedabad,” Karan said.
“You are going on Monday right?” Neeta asked.
“Yes,” Karan said.
“Thank God,” Neeta said with folded hands.
Why thank god?” Karan asked.
“Nothing, actually. My birthday is coming. I celebrate it every year with friends and Papa, but this time my friends are not here and Papa also went to Baroda, so I wanted to celebrate my birthday with you both, my new friends” Neeta said.
“Oh, that's nice. Sure, let’s celebrate! When is it?” I acted and asked.
“It's the day after tomorrow, the 29th of Nov.,” Neeta said.
“What? The 29th of Nov.? The day after tomorrow?” Karan asked and looked at me.
“Yes, the 29th of Nov. The day after tomorrow. We will have a party at my home,” Neeta said.
“Neeta, you are kidding, right?” Karan asked and then looked at me.
“Kidding? Kidding about what? Really, I will give you a party. I’m not kidding,” Neeta acted like a real actor.
“No, not about the party. You are kidding about the birth date,” Karan said.
“What are you saying Karan?” Neeta asked.
“It's my birthday too. The 29th of Nov.,” Karan said.
“Now you are kidding me, I know,” Neeta said.
“Oh, yes, how can I forget that? Yes Neeta, it's his birthday too? That's really amazing. Wow,” I said with some over acting skills.
“I still can't believe that we have the same birth date,” Karan said.
“I know you both are pulling my leg, but I am really serious. It’s my birthday the day after tomorrow and we will have a good party,” Neeta was still acting very well.
“Neeta, really, you can ask my mom about my birth date. It is the same date,” Karan said innocently.
"Really? Then this is an awesome coincidence, we can have a double party anyway,” Neeta said.
“No, I do not celebrate my birthdays,” Karan said.
“Okay, but you can come to my birthday right?” Neeta said.
.
Birthday Evening
Karan and I knocked on the door. Neeta said “Coming!” from inside the room.
“Oh welcome to my birthday party,” Neeta welcomed us.
“Happy birthday, Karan,” Neeta hugged Karan.
“Happy birthday to you, too!” Karan departed himself and said.
I also wished Neeta the same and Neeta hugged me and whispered in my ear to not do over acting today. She said “Thanks.” loudly.
“Come have a seat,” Neeta said.
We sat and we saw she did some decoration with multi-colored ribbons, with Blue and pink balloons and a Happy Birthday Banner which was stuck on the wall. Below there was a cake on the table with some candles.
“Here is your gift Karan,” Neeta gave a small gift box wrapped with shining red paper.
"Oh Neeta, it was not needed. We are friends. It's fine if you don't give gifts, and by the way, it's your birthday party, not mine," Karan said.
“I wanted to give you a gift; it's not about whose birthday party it is. Please accept it,” Neeta requested.
Karan received it with both his hands and said “Thank you so much.”
“I am sorry Neeta; we do not have a gift for you,” Karan said.
“You both are here at my birthday party. It’s a gift in itself for me,” Neeta said.
“Now put that gift aside, and let's have some cake,” Neeta served us cake first and she gave a small piece of cake to Karan with her hand. We did same with Neeta.
“Okay guys, now the real fun is going to start,” Neeta said and went to her room.
She came back with a vodka bottle in her hand. At first we did not understand, but later we understood that it was vodka in a white liquor bottle.
“What is this Neeta?” Karan asked in surprised.
“It's vodka, my dear,” Neeta said, standing in front of us holding the bottle with her both hands.
“That means liquor?” I asked.
“Yes, I do not celebrate a party without vodka.” Neeta said, and served in three glasses.
“Hello. Are you out of your mind Neeta? It's not allowed here, and how did you get it?” Karan asked.
“It's mine; I keep it with me always. I got this one from Ahmedabad, when we went to my friend's flat. She gifted it to me,” Neeta said.
“I think you should not drink, Neeta,” Karan said.
“Do not say anything about it today. We will just focus on our birthdays and we will enjoy like never before. What do you say, Sagar?” Neeta asked me.
“Of course, but everything should be in limit,” I said.
“Yes, do not worry,” She offered glasses to both of us.
“Thank you,” I said and took the glass from her hand.
“I am sorry, but I am not going to drink it,” Karan said.
“Okay, so you are not happy on my birthday,” Neeta said with a sad face.
“It's not about that, Neeta. You know that. It’s just I don't drink,” Karan said.
Neeta kept her glass on the table and sat on the sofa, and said “OK, so I am also not going to drink,” and turned her face.
“Neeta please you can have it,” Karan said.
I am watching all of this with a glass in hand. I wanted to drink it, but Karan was spoiling the fun.
“Karan, it’s OK sometimes, don’t spoil her birthday. Let’s enjoy at least once with all three together. You are going away from me, and I don't know when we will meet again like this. All three together, and it's your birthday too. Come once have it for her and for me. Please,” I requested.
Karan looked at me and then looked at Neeta. Neeta's eyes were wet.
“Oh dear. OK, only one,” Karan said to Neeta.
Neeta stood up and said thanks in happiness. She served sprite and filled the glass with vodka and Sprite.
“Cheers for our birthday! Cheers to your job. Cheers to your dreams. Cheers to our friendship.” We touched our glasses and we started drinking.
Neeta finished it in one go; I was second, and Karan was the last. He took 20 minutes to finish it. He found it not that bitter and said “OK, done for me. Now you enjoy.”
She filled three glasses again, and gave us some snacks on plates, and said “Now we will drink slowly.”
With some more convincing Karan was ready for his second glass and then a third.
Neeta turned on the music player, and played a track.
“ Ek pal ka jeena, Phir to hai jana.” It was from the movie “Kaho na pyaar hai.”
She started dancing with her glass in hand; she was matching her steps with the way Hrithik did in the song. Karan and I were watching it with a smile on our faces. She pulled Karan to dance with her and both started dancing. We were a bit high with alcohol and we three of us were enjoying it like it was our last day. We had an awesome time that night. After some dance, we drank a couple more, and I started to feel sleepy, while Neeta and Karan were talking nonstop and laughing.
Neeta poured one more glass for herself. Karan tried to stop her, but she said “Let me live my life today; I don't know what will happen tomorrow. Please let me enjoy today,” Neeta said.
I stood up and checked other tape recorder cassettes. I found one, Gujarati Dandiya mix, and I played it.
“A Halo...!” Neeta screamed, as she stood for the Dandiya songs playing. Karan too joined in and we three played Garba in that small room. We all laughed a lot that day while playing Garba in the room. Neeta was enjoying it a lot. She was too high with alcohol; she was not even able to control her legs. While playing, she fell on the sofa and Karan immediately held her and asked her if she was OK.
“Yes, I am okay,” she said and hugged Karan. She started singing “Happy birthday to you..! Happy birthday to you..! Happy birthday to Karan... happy birthday to you..!”
“Thank you Neeta and same to you,” Karan said. “Now let’s go home, Sagar. Let Neeta sleep now. The party is over now. It's too late. “
“Okay. Yes boss. Let's go home,” I said.
“No, no wait. Please, the party is not over yet.” Neeta tried to stand up but couldn’t.
“It's enough, dear, now you should sleep. You drank too much. Come on, stand up, close the door, we are going.” Karan gave her a hand to stand up. “It's 11.30 at night.”
Neeta came to see us off at the door. We were standing on the balcony.
“Karan!” Neeta said.
Karan and I looked at Neeta. “What?” Karan asked.
“You take care in Ahmedabad, and keep in touch. Do not change yourself. And after enough saving come back to Hometown to take care of your mother, and marry soon with someone who can take care of you,” Neeta said with a low voice. Her eyes were wet. “I will miss you.”
“Oh, Neeta, thank you so much for everything. I will miss you too. And I still have a day before I leave for Ahmedabad. We will meet tomorrow again. Now please you sleep,” Karan said.
Both looked each other. They were completely silent, both wanted to say something, but both were not able to.
Neeta closed the door with wet eyes, and we came downstairs.
“Sagar, I want to tell you something,” Karan said.
“What?” I asked.
“I am in love with Neeta,” Karan said finally.
“You are too much Karan. Why are you telling me this? I’ve known it since long ago. You should say this to Neeta,” I said in anger.
“Yes, you are right, but I was not sure. But now I am sure that Neeta is the perfect one for me. I don’t know, whenever I get this thought that I am leaving our hometown, it starts to pain me here in my chest. When I think that she will get married to someone else, I feel weird. I mean I think about her so much through the whole day. I was trying to focus on my career, but now I think I should say it before I go to work town,” Karan said.
“Good, come. Let’s go and tell her now,” I said.
“No, she must be sleeping now; we have the whole day tomorrow,” Karan said. “I will write a letter tonight, and will give it to her tomorrow morning with the newspaper,” Karan said with a big smile on his face.
“I am happy for both of you.” I hugged Karan.
.
“Aunty, do you know where Neeta is? Her room is locked.” I heard Karan talking with my mother. I saw Karan wore Neeta’s favourite white shirt, a gift wrapped thin letter was in his hand.
“She left for Baroda early in the morning,” my mother said.
“What? Baroda?” I asked as I reached near them.
“Yes, she said her father will come for their luggage. She said goodbye to me as she is not coming back now. I told her to wait, let me wake up Sagar to drop you at the bus stop, but she denied and went in a hurry,” Mother said.
“Did she say anything about me?” Karan asked.
“No,” Mom said and went into the kitchen.
Karan looked at me asked me to meet him.
“Yes, coming in 15 minutes” and I went to bathe.
.
“Did she say anything to you? I could not ask there as your mother was there,” Karan said.
“No, I didn’t even know when she went and why she went?” I said.
“I wrote this letter to her all night. This is not a letter but it's almost a book of 20 pages.” Karan had gift wrapped letters. “I was waiting for the morning; I could not sleep the whole night,” Karan said.
Karan’s eyes were getting wet, I could feel his situation.
“Don’t worry brother. She will come back. There will be some urgent work. Don't think much,” I said.
“She said that her dad will come for the luggage. That means they will not come back, why don't you understand?” Karan said.
“I will ask her daddy everything, and we will come to meet you in Ahmedabad,” I said to make him happy.
“Please, Sagar, do that for me. I will wait there for you both. Please ask her dad everything about her so that we can contact her if she does not,” Karan said. “I was very happy. I saw her dreams and now she is like a dream for me. I did not expect this from her; I am really feeling angry at her. She could have at least told us last night. Now I feel like she was treating me just like normal friend; she did not even care about me and left.” Karan was very disappointed in his talk.
“Don't worry Karan. I will solve everything. You just focus on your career,” I said.
.
“Karan, this gift is for you my son. It’s a white shirt, your favorite. A white shirt suits you. You look like an officer. It's from your mother and me.” Manoj Uncle gave him a brand new shirt as a gift.“Thank you so much Papa and Mummy. I will wear it when I go to Ahmedabad with your blessings,” Karan said.
“It is always with you my son,” Shanti Aunty said.
“You still have that gift there, who gave it to you?” Manoj Uncle asked.
Karan gave that gift to me. He said to keep it in her room with the letter. He said he didn't want it anymore.
.
At the railway station, 7:45pm Porbandar
“Karan are you sure you do not want to take Neeta's gift with you? At least check what she gave you,” I said to Karan at the railway station.
“No, I don't think I should keep her things with me. I want to focus on my career now. It was my mistake that I took her friendship too seriously, but anyway, whatever happens, happened for good. I learned how to ignore things and people, as she told me once. So forget it,” Karan said.
“Karan, please take your seat now. The train will leave at any moment, it's already late,” Manoj Uncle said.
Karan took his seat near the window. Manoj Uncle, Shanti Aunty, and I were standing near the window.
“Please Karan, you take care of you, and do not worry about me and my health. Everything will be ok, and we have Sagar here. He will take care of me,” Shanti Aunty said with her hand on Karan's head.
“Yes, Karan, we are here to take care of your mother. Let us know when you reach there and get accommodations and tiffin suppliers and all the other stuff,” Manoj Uncle said.
“You will save money, but it does not mean you do not have good food or a good stay. First, find good stay, and good food for you. Then try to save money. Okay?” Manoj Uncle said.
“Yes, sure Papa, but you both don't worry about me either. And Mummy, if you need to press your leg please ask papa for it. I know you will never ask Papa to press your leg, but, still I am telling you. If it gets too painful, please tell Papa. I know you need me at night to press your legs, but I won't be here for a few months, so please do not suffer. Papa, please take care of Mummy”
“And give her medicine on time. I wrote timings on the medicines, so it will be easy for you to give, Karan said.”
“Sagar you also please keep visiting my home. If they need any help, please do it for me,” Karan requested.
“Don't worry Karan. I am here with them,” I said.
The train started to run slowly.
“Bye son. Take care.” His mother started crying, Karan told her not to cry. Karan’s eyes were also getting wet, and his father was holding Shanti Aunty with one hand and waving with the other hand to say bye. I was walking by side the train to talk with Karan. His last words were “Please, take care of my parents.”
.
Chapter 9: Meeting
2005 Porbandar
Next day in the Morning
Sagar and Manali were having breakfast at the dining table in the morning.
“Sagar, did you sleep well?” Manali asked.
“Yes, I always get a good sleep in this house. I feel like it’s a real home here. It’s so peaceful here, no worries, no job, nothing, just memories of childhood” Sagar said. “I wish I could come back here, but life is so hard sometimes. It will not allow you when you want it most.”
“Hmm. True that, but I am sure if you come back here, you will do just one thing, sleep,” Manali said.
“Yes, TV, Sleeping, Eating, Chowpaty and again sleep. An awesome life,” Sagar said.
“Who is stopping you? Come and live as you want. I will be with you wherever you go,” Manali said.
“Thanks dear, but it's not easy. Anyway, pass me the bread and juice. I’m damn hungry,” Sagar said.
“Here you go. You want anything else for breakfast? I thought bread will be easy for you today as you ate lots of Pakoras last night,” Manali said.
“Yeah, right, bread will be good enough, and by the way, last night I talked so much, for hours and hours, so there is no tension about those Pakoras anymore. My talks helped me to digest it,” Sagar said.
“Did you sleep well?” Sagar asked.
“Not actually,” Neeta said while applying butter on bread.
“There must be mosquitos,” Sagar said.
“No, actually I could not sleep because of your talk about your friends and family. There are a couple of questions that were not going out of my mind. First, why did Neeta leave all of a sudden?”
“Why did Karan become like a beggar, and you are saying he is the reason behind his mother's death. I mean, how can that be possible?” Manali said. “For the guy whose family is everything to him, how could he be the reason behind his mother's death? And where is Manoj Uncle? I want to meet him. I want to visit his home.”
“I almost asked everyone in this area. No one knows about Manoj Uncle, and they all told me then that it was because of Karan that all of it happened. No one wants to talk about Karan,” Sagar said.
“Oh dear, I am sure there is something wrong here. I can't believe this can happen to people like Shanti Aunty, Manoj Uncle and Karan. I think we should know what actually happened. And you are his best buddy, Sagar; it's your duty to bring Karan on track again.”
“Actually, I was thinking the same thing after telling you everything about my friendship with him. I am again feeling like he is my best friend. He needs me today, and I fought with him yesterday. I am feeling very guilty now,” Sagar said. “I want to help him.”
“Yes, Sagar, that's your duty, but before anything, we need to know what actually happened to him. We need to give him time; we have to hear him. We have to make him comfortable with us, and only then will he be able to say everything,” Manali said.
“Yes, let's get ready and bring him back to this house. Let's go to Ohm, he must be still be there.” Sagar stood up.
“But finish your breakfast first,” Manali said.
“I will have breakfast with my Karanya. Come on, let's go,” Sagar said.
“Okay, let me wear a raincoat at least,” Manali said.
“Okay, wear it. And I will go to Neeta's room, for those two gifts which are still waiting for Karan and Neeta,” Sagar said.
“What? Do you still have those letters and gift?” Manali asked. “I love you Sagar. You are really a true friend.”
“Thank you. Let’s go.”
.
Sagar and Manali parked their car and walked towards the boat. Sagar saw Karan, sitting near the boat with relaxed legs on the sand and his back leaning on the boat. Karan was sleeping with folded hands; he was shivering with cold, and had a bad cough.
Sagar sat on his knee in the sand, near Karan. He kept his hand on Karan's shoulder. Karan opened his eyes, and look at Sagar and Manali.
“Hey Karan, how are you brother?” Sagar asked.
Karan was still watching with wide open eyes towards Sagar.
“Sagar, Bhai you came, I was waiting for you. “I thought you would come last night only, but you did not come. How are you Sagar?” Karan asked.
“I am Good Karan,” Sagar hugged him.
“Oh Bhai, it’s been so long time,” Sagar started crying. “I am sorry Karan I did not come yesterday. I missed you much Karan. What happen with you? Why are you staying here? And look at you? I am sorry I slapped you yesterday,” Sagar said and wipe his tears.
“It’s Okay, Sagar, don't cry.” Karan stood up while holding Sagar's hand.
“Karan, this is my wife, Manali,” Sagar introduced.
“Oh, Hello Bhabhi, how are you?” Karan asked.
“I am good.” Manali smiled with happiness in her eyes. “But I think you are not well. You are shivering with fever,” Manali said. “Let's go home Karan Bhai and have a rest there.”
“Yes, let's go Karan.” Sagar held Karan's hand and walked towards the car.
“No, I do not want to go to that area. I can't, please. I am okay here. Let me die here. I came here to die. Please. You both go.” Karan took his hand back.
“Why Karan? Why do you want to stay here?” Sagar asked.
“Why? Don't ask me why? I am still searching for answers about my why myself. We never get answers to every why. I am hiding myself from those “why” questions.”
“What are you saying Karan?” Sagar asked. “I am not getting this.”
“Sagar, leave me on my own.” Karan sat on the boat.
“Karan, don't be stupid. I will not let you stay here like this. You have to come.”
“Think about your mother. She must be watching you from heaven; you hurt her by staying like this,” Sagar said.
“Sagar, I never wanted to hurt my mother ever. Do you think I can hurt her? That was not my fault,” Karan said with painful voice.
“I know. That's why I am telling you to come with me,” Sagar said. “If you don't, then she will be hurt by you.”
“Please Karan Bhai, come to the home. We want to know what happened with you. We can't see you like this. At least come for your mother's happiness,” Manali said. “Please come.”
“Karan, what is wrong brother? Please come with me. You can come back here again if you wish,” Sagar requested.
“Okay, but I will come back here tonight,” Karan said.“Okay, we will come to drop you. Now let's go,” Sagar said and they all walked towards the parked car.
.
Sagar welcomed Karan into his house and Manali served water in glasses as Karan sat on the sofa.
“Karan, you go in my bathroom and get fresh. I give you my T-shirt and track pants.” Sagar gave the towel to Karan.
“I am sorry Sagar,” Karan said. “I am giving you all these troubles.”
“Oh, come on Karan. You know that this is your home. Please don’t say sorry and all,” Sagar said. “You will feel better. And after breakfast, I will give you medicine, and then you take proper rest.”
Karan was quiet while having breakfast; Manali asked what he would like to have in meal Karan Bhai?
“No, No, I will not have a meal here,” Karan said.
“Don’t be so formal Karan,” Sagar said. “You are not going anywhere. We need to talk, but before that, finish your breakfast and take medicine and sleep.”
“Okay, Sir,” Karan said.
Manali sat near Sagar and all of them had breakfast together and lots of talk. Manali gave medicine to Karan and said “Now you rest in the upstairs room.”
“No, Bhabhi, if you don’t mind, I would like to sleep here on the sofa only. I do not want to go upstairs,” Karan said.
“Why? What's wrong upstairs?” Sagar asked.
“I don’t want to go there, please. I will not be able to sleep there. You know the reasons,” Karan said.
“Okay, no problem. You sleep in our room. Close the door, no one will disturb you. Go and sleep as much as you want, and we will not wake you up. You need rest,” Sagar said.
Karan went inside the room and slept. Sagar and Manali got relaxed on sofa.
.
“ When there is no hope, Remember
There is a Hometown.”
Ssandeep B Teraiya
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ssandeep B Teraiya is a Bcom LLB by education, a wedding planner by profession and now an author by passion. Born and raised in Porbandar, Gujarat and now settled in Rajkot.
Email: Thessandeep@gmail.com
