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 6: Work town
Karan I read one advertisement before a few days ago in Baroda's newspaper while looking for job openings in Ahmedabad.
“I think you will get that job. I just need to make a couple of calls to Baroda to know more about that advertisement and then you need to go for an interview,” Neeta said.
“What is it about? What do I need to do there?” Karan asked.
“It’s a domestic call center. All you need to do is answer calls or make calls, and they will give you training. Don't worry,” Neeta said.
“What will be the salary?” Karan asked.
“It may be more than 10,000 at first, but soon they will give you more. It depends on your performance,” Neeta said.
“Oh a nice, good amount,” Karan smiled.
“How do I get a job? I do not know anyone there. What about my accommodations? What about my meals?” Karan asked.“You just do not worry. For the interview I will come with you, and we will settle everything there. I have many friends there. They will help us” Neeta said.
“I will also come; I have never been to Ahmedabad,” I said.
“Sure. It will be fun.” Neeta said.
We boarded the train, I got a window seat, and Neeta was sitting opposite me near the window. Karan was sitting next to me.
“At what time will we reach Ahmedabad?” I asked.
“We will reach there in the early morning,” Neeta said.
“Yaar, I am worried. What will happen in the interview?” Karan asked.
“You will get the job in the interview. I am sure,” Neeta said.Our train started with a loud whistle, and we left for Ahmedabad. We had our dinner with us, Shanti Aunty made it for us: some Thepala, yogurt, oil less potato curry and pickles. We talked a little about the Ahmedabad life style, then about office culture. We played games in between and then we had dinner.
They both were busy within their non-stop talk, and I was feeling invisible again. I decided to sleep and gave my seat to Karan so that they both could talk proper and could enjoy the air coming from the window. There was love in the air. I think they both talked the whole night.
We reached Ahmedabad at 6 in the morning. We had breakfast at the railway station. Neeta took us to her friend's flat from the station by an auto. She was aware of the city. She even suggested to the auto driver use short cuts to reach Mithakadi 6 lane, even though the auto driver was trying to take the long roots.
We reached the Mithakadi 6 lane area; she paid the auto driver as per meter and told him not to cheat newcomers in Ahmedabad. We went into the big gate of flats society. Neeta talked with the watchman and then he allowed us to go towards the lift. We three came out of the lift on the 7th floor. Neeta rang bells and her friend opened the door wearing a nightdress. She welcomed Neeta with a hug and asked us to come in; we followed Neeta with small bags in our hands. Neeta pointed to a room and asked us to go and take a rest in there and get fresh. We both went in that room, closed the door, and I ran towards the attached bathroom.
“Are you ready guys?” Neeta knocked on the door and asked from outside.
Karan opened the door as we were ready to go for the interview.
“Wow, Karan you are looking good in this white shirt, white color suits your personality. Good. Let's go to S. G. Highway,” Neeta said.
We took an auto to S. G. Highway; Karan was sitting in between Neeta and me.
“Who was she, Neeta?” Karan asked.
“She is my school buddy. She lives here and is doing a job here in some advertisement company,” Neeta answered.
“Oh, but it seems she did not have much time for you. She left for her job. She did not even stay for a couple of hours with you,” Karan said.
“It’s Ahmedabad dear. All are busy here, but we will talk tonight as she has to go to work and I can understand it as I am also coming from a big city. People are practical here,” Neeta said.
“Oh, it means Karan will also get busy and he will not have time for us. Right, Karan?” I asked.
“Let me get the job first, and then I will think about it,” Karan said.
We reached S G Highway in some 25 minutes.
“This is called the Pakwan area, as that is one of the famous restaurants here. Opposite that is the corporate house where we are going for your interview,” Neeta said while walking towards that building.
We arrived on the 4th floor. Karan gave CV to the receptionist, and she told Karan to wait for his turn. We all settled on the big black sofa in the waiting area. A peon came with glasses of water on a tray; Karan drank two glasses of water.
“Are you nervous Karan?” Neeta asked.
“Yes, I am,” Karan said.
Neeta smiled and said that it is normal for the first interview. “But I am sure you will come with a big smile on your face after the interview” Neeta said.
“I hope so,” Karan said.
“Mr. Karan Joshi,” the receptionist called Karan after some 20 minutes of waiting on the sofa.
“Okay, so it's my turn,” Karan said and stood up.
Neeta and I wished him the best of luck as he left for the boss's cabin for his interview.
He was looking very smart in a white shirt and gray trouser with clean shaved.
“I am sure if the boss is a lady, then she will keep him at this job for sure,” Neeta said.
“A lady Boss? I never saw a lady boss in my life,” I said.
“Yes, you also want to give interviews for a job now?” Neeta teased me.
“No, Ahmedabad is too small for me. You know, I prefer a city like London,” I said.
“Oye, enough. Let's go down and have a tea,” Neeta said.While drinking tea she was talking about Karan only, so finally I asked her.
“Why don't you get married to Karan?”
“Ha… Ha… Ha... are you out of your mind Sagar? What are you asking? We all three are good friends. What is this marriage word doing in between our friendship?” she laughed again.
“I felt, so I asked. Sorry,” I said.
“Don't say sorry, its ok,” she said. “But there is nothing like you are thinking. Chill.”
“I knew she was lying as I felt there is something in her own life is going on, but she did not want to share it with us. But I was not sure. So I never asked about her.”
After some 30 minutes Karan came downstairs, he found us by the gate. He was coming towards us with a big smile on his face, his smile was telling us everything that he got the job; he came and hugged both of us at the same time on the road near the canteen and said, “Yes, I got the job friends. We both congratulated him as we came out of his wide hug. We saw his eyes were wet with tears of happiness.
Neeta held his face, pressed it with her palms and said, “Great Karan, now everything will be good in your life, many worries will go away with this job,” I found wetness in Neeta's eyes too.
“Thanks a lot Neeta! All of these things are happening because of you only,” Karan said.
“Now, be happy. Don’t get emotional,” I said.
Karan hugged me again and said “Sagarya I will get 10,000 per month brother.”
“Oh wow,” Neeta and I both said same time.
“First, they said 5000 and all of a sudden, they changed their mind and said 10,000.”
I was like, “Oh my god, what a big jump from Rs.1000 Income to Rs.10, 000.”
“My mother and dad will be very happy; I want to tell them as soon as possible,” Karan said.“Hmm... But remember you also have to do hard work; making calls, receiving calls, and keeping your mind calm. People on the other side may say abusing words too, but you have to talk with manners,” Neeta advised “Yes, they told me the same thing in the interview,” Karan said. “Let's have tea.”“You both please carry on with tea; I’ll just come back in a minute as I forgot something upstairs in the waiting area,” Neeta said and ran towards the office.Karan and I were laughing when Neeta came back.
“What are you both laughing at?” Neeta asked.
“Karan offered me cigarettes today. Can you believe it?” I asked Neeta.
“Why Karan?” Neeta asked.
“I am happy today, so just to celebrate, I allowed him,” Karan said.
“See, Karan, whatever happens, do not change your nature and principal of life okay? I do not want you to change yourself in this city life,” Neeta said seriously.
Karan pulled a cigarette from my mouth and threw it away, and said sorry to Neeta.They both looked at me and laughed at me. And they made me laugh too.
Neeta took us to Iscon mall from there, we had lunch at the mall and then we saw a movie. Karan and I were feeling like we were in some other country inside the mall. There were huge showrooms, expensive clothes, shoes, jewelry and it was full of beautiful girls and stylish boys. After a long day in Ahmedabad, we reached Neeta's friend's flat.Neeta went to washroom directly, Karan and I lay on the sofa facing each other legs.
“What the hell Karan? Behave yourself, what are you doing? Go away from me; just keep your stinky socks away from my nose,” I said
“It's nice! Please smell it, you will love it,” Karan threw one of his socks on my face.
“Yuck... I feel like vomiting Karan. Please, throw it outside and wash your legs now,” I said.
“Oh shit. Whose socks are stinking?” Neeta said as she came out from the washroom.
Karan threw another sock on Neeta. Neeta ran back into the washroom.Thank god for Neeta's perfume. We were somehow able to take a breath. Neeta's friends came with food parcels. We had Pav bhaji and Poolav rice all together. She congratulated Karan, and we both went to the room to sleep. Neeta and her friend went to another room for a long talk.
The next day, early in the morning, we left for Porbandar.
***
Chapter 7: Happiness
Shanti Aunty gave sweets to all the neighbours and the kids playing at the temple, and Aunty invited Neeta and me for lunch.
Neeta went to the kitchen to help Shanti Aunty; Karan and I were talking with Manoj Uncle.
“So, at what date will you get a salary?” uncle asked.
“They will open my salary account and they will deposit salary there at the end of the month. It will automatically come to my salary account. But why are you asking about date Papa? Karan asked.
“I wanted to know the date so that I can tell my friends on which date I will give them their money which I have borrowed from them with interest,” uncle said.
“Yes, Papa. As soon as I get my salary, I will send here as much as possible. I will need to keep some amount with me for my stay and food,” Karan said.
“Yes, of course you have to keep some money with you for any emergency and other expenses, but keep the control in your hands; do not waste money on watching movies or going out with friends.”
“Did I ever use money like that papa? Don't worry; I will save money for all of us.” Karan said.
“No, you never waste money on useless things. I know, but it's a big city, people waste money there like anything,” the uncle said.“No, Papa, I am not one of them, and I’ll never be one of them. Do not worry, I understand that we need money for my mother's health, and we need to give money to your friends who are asking for it since long,” Karan said. “And if you need any help you can ask Sagar.”
“Yes, Uncle, I will be there for any help. Do not hesitate to ask me for any kind of help,” I said.“Yes, and after some saving, I will be able to come back here to take care of both of you,” Karan said.“You don't worry Karan. I will take care of everything here, and you just focus on your work there and take care of yourself too. I am a very happy son. Come sit near me,” the uncle said.Karan got a small smile on his lips. He stood up and sat near his dad. His dad put a hand on Karan's shoulder and looked at me.
“See Sagar, I am so lucky to have Karan as my son. Your friend is not less than a hero for us,” Uncle said.
“Yes, Uncle, he is a hero, of course,” I said. I kept watching both of them. They were very happy.“Lunch is ready, wash your hands,” Aunty said from the kitchen.
We went to the kitchen and sat on the floor, with steel plates and bowls.
Aunty served us Puri, Sabji, Daal, Khaman, Sweet and fried Papads, with a milkshake.
“What are all these? Mummy, how many times have I told you not work so much. I told you to make a simple regular meal,” Karan said to Aunty.
“Beta, we have a guest today at home,” Aunty said. “How can we give them regular food?”
“Even I told Aunty not to make this much food, but she said no. She is saying that you are going for a job in Ahmedabad. What will you eat there? How will you manage breakfast?” Neeta said.
“Mummy, there are many people working like me. I will manage everything. Don't worry,” Karan said.
“Who knows what kind of food that will be? I am really worried and I am still telling you not to go. Live with us! All will be good soon. You would find job here. We do not need money. We need you son,” Shanti Aunty said while serving hot Puri.
“What is the use of such money when we can't live with our only child? What if tomorrow I died and you were not here to give me water?” Shanti Aunty asked.
“Mummy, please, I told you many times that I do not like such talk. Please never use that word again,” Karan said in anger.“I am not going for life time. I will be back as soon as I save some money so that we can go to a better doctor in another city. And in fact, I will find the best doctor there in Ahmedabad for you.”
“Shanti, do not worry. He will manage everything. He is not a kid, and he is young enough to manage everything. And give some sweet to Neeta and Sagar, just serving your son only,” The uncle said and laughed.
Aunty served Neeta and me forcefully; I could see her eyes were wet with tears. But there was a smile on her face.
After all, his only son is going for the first time away from her. Karan also noticed her fake smile with tears in her eyes and lost in some thoughts.
“Karan, do not worry about your mother; I am here to take care of her,” the uncle said. “And what is this Shanti? He is still here; you have still many days before he leaves his hometown. Keep some tears for that day.”
“Yes, mummy, I am still here for a week, and I will visit Porbandar regularly. Now take this sweet from my hand, wipe your tears and give me a big smile.” Karan gave sweet to her mother; her mother moved her hand on Karan's head while eating sweet. Aunty too gave a piece of sweet to Karan, and both smile each other.
“Both are very filmy I must say,” the uncle said and we all laughed.
“ 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
