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 18: Life Sacrifice
3 days later, at the hospital.
“How are you feeling now? They allowed us to see you today,” Sagar asked.
“Sagar, I told you for me there is no reason to live now. Why did you do all this for me?” Karan said.
“Shut up. Do not think much, and say thanks to your kidney donor,” Sagar said.
“Who did it?” Karan asked.
“You, yourself, find out. Come, I will take you in the next room,” Sagar said,
Sagar helped him to sit on the wheelchair provided by the hospital; He took him in the next room, and stopped at the door.
“You both talk. You both need time. It’s been very long and you both have not spoken with each other, but I guess now there will be no more misunderstandings between you,” Sagar said.
Sagar pushed the door open and drove the wheelchair inside the room.
Karan saw someone was sleeping on the bed. He was not able to see the face, so he moved himself closer. He saw his Dad on that bed.
Karan could not believe that. He looked at Sagar with lots of questions in his mind, but he was not able to speak a word. In reply, Sagar just smiled at Karan, standing at the door with hands folded.
Karan looked at his father, and tears rolled down from his eyes. Sagar went to Karan, kept both his hands on Karan’s shoulders and told him “Yes, Karan, we have found Uncle and he is the donor for your new life.”
Karan kept crying silently and holding Sagar’s hand, he moved his face to Sagar. He tried to say thanks, but Sagar stopped him and left him with his father to talk.
Karan kept looking at his father’s face; he was now aged, wrinkles on his face, totally white hair on his beard, and weak body.
Karan felt his pain, as his dad was not feeling better after surgery.
Karan was waiting in his wheelchair near his father's feet to wake up.
After thirty minutes, his father woke up and they both looked at each other.
“Arey Beta, how’d you come here? You should rest. Are you ok?” Manoj Uncle asked.
Karan could not say anything and he kept his head to his father’s feet and started to cry. He was saying “Sorry Papa, I am very sorry; because of me, you all have to go through all these troubles. Why did you do this for me? I have no rights now to live in this world after what I have done to you, mother and Neeta. I am ashamed, I can’t even look in your eyes Papa,” Karan said.
“Beta, do not think much. I am your dad; I am not angry at you and you have done nothing wrong. In fact, I should say sorry that I behaved with you like an enemy. I am sorry beta,” Manoj Uncle said.
“Please don’t say that. Tell me how are you Papa? I think you are not feeling well.” Karan said.
"No. no. I am good; this is just weakness after surgery. But I hope you are ok now. It would be fine if I died now. Your mother must be feeling all alone, there beta, but now I will go and tell her that our Karan is fine,” Manoj Uncle said.
“Papa, please don’t say that. You are not going anywhere. Now I will live with you at our old home, at our Hometown Porbandar. We will go back to the Hometown.”
“Yes beta, I missed you a lot there, but it was Neeta who brought me here to take care of me,” Manoj Uncle said.
"Neeta?" Karan asked.
“Yes, your friend Neeta. She told me that you were out of the country and you told her to bring me to Ahmedabad,” Uncle said.
“What? Papa you take a rest, I need to talk with Sagar. Let us know if you need anything. Please take a rest,” Karan said.
“Ok, beta, but tell me are you happy now? And did you forgive me?” The uncle asked.
“Yes, I am very happy Papa. And please do not talk about all this. Please sleep,” Karan said.
“Yes, now I will get some good sleep. You take care. And be happy always like before,” the uncle said.
His papa moved his hand to Karan’s head and said God bless you and he slept.
Karan came outside the room and looked for Sagar.
Sagar and Manali came to him with smiles on their faces.
“So tell me Karan bhai. How are you now? How was the surprise?” Manali asked.
“Thank you so much. I have no words. How can I pay for all of this? After meeting my dad, I am so happy; I got a reason to live life back. And all of this happened because of both of you. Thank you so much,” Karan said.
“Do not say ‘Thanks’ to us. I think you should thank Neeta, and say sorry to her too for that day when she was talking with her daughter and you thought something else.”
“No Sagar, I am not able to face her. I know all that she did for me through my whole life, and in return what did I give to her? I am really not able to face her, but I am happy that she is okay. I thought I had killed her,” Karan said.
“We talked with her, she is fine. Actually, she was fine, even after that day when you did that. See, how much she loves you, and trusts you. I think you should meet her now,” Sagar said.
“No, I cannot. I will move with my dad to Porbandar and Neeta will be happy with her family and daughter,” Karan said.
“She is no longer married. She won the case, and she got divorced. I think she will not marry again with any other, but yes, if you propose to her, I am sure she will say yes.” Sagar said.
“Oh dear. Why did all that happen to her? She was going through pain already and I gave her new pain. Now she needs someone, but now I am not able to be at her side, not even as a friend,” Karan said.
“Do not think much, all will be ok. Just meet her. I will send her to your room, you take a rest there. Come, I will help you to get to your room and in bed,” Sagar said and drove the wheelchair to his room No. 101.
Sagar helped Karan and Karan asked Sagar to take care of his dad too. “Keep asking him if he needs anything,” he requested.
“Yes, Manali is there now, do not worry. He will be fine soon,” Sagar said.
“Thanks a lot yaar. Really both of you have done so much for me and my family,” Karan said.
“Take a rest. I will send Neeta in a while, and remember, propose to her again, but this time with this ring. She will say yes. I am sure. And we will have the marriage ceremony in Porbandar. Ok?” Sagar gave a ring to Karan.
“Are you sure, Sagar? Should I do this after so many things happened?” Karan asked.
“Please at least for god’s sake, do it as I say, at least this time,” Sagar said.
“Okay Bhai,” Karan said.
Sagar left the room, and met Neeta in the hospital canteen.
Neeta ordered one more tea for Sagar.
“Thanks, I was looking for you,” Sagar said.
“Oh, I just came here for tea. Now I’m relaxed; all went well,” Neeta said.
“You met Karan? How is he?” Neeta asked.
“Yes, he is fine. He just saw his father. Karan is emotionally hurt right now, but after knowing that his father is well and that you took care of him, he is happy, but with lots of regrets. He keeps saying that he did wrong with all of you, especially to you, and he is very sorry for all of this,” Sagar said.
“You should tell him, it’s all okay now. He should not think much now, life again came on the track, and we are all here now. No more confusion, no more hate, all is good now,” Neeta said.
“Hmm, I told him, but right now he is going through many things. His health is hard and at the same time, he met with his dad after a long time. And he came to know about you. Now, he is going through so many things in his mind and heart, but he will be fine.”
“I am really worried about him; I want him to be normal again, as soon as possible,” Neeta said.
“He will be okay very soon; if he comes to know that you are okay with him,” Sagar said.
“I am ok with him, you should tell him,” Neeta said.
“I told him, but still if you can go and meet him now,” Sagar said.
“I cannot go alone to meet him. You come with me,” Neeta requested.
“No, you both need time, you love him, right?” Sagar asked.
"Of course," Neeta said.
“Then this time, please make it simple. Just go and propose to him again. This time not with a letter, but with this ring,” Sagar said.
“What? Why this much filmy?” Neeta asked.
“It’s not filmy, it is very much needed. Just go and tell him how much you love him,” Sagar said.
“But will he accept me with my daughter?” Neeta asked.
“You know better, what do you think?” Sagar said.
Neeta stood up from there with a smile on her face, she ran towards Karan’s room with a ring in one hand.
***
Room 101
Karan was waiting for Neeta to come. He was ready with a ring in his hand. He combed his hair, tried to look good, and sat properly in bed with the support of a pillow behind his back. He was looking at the door, and the door opened with full force.
Karan’s heart was beating at full speed, and he was ready to welcome Neeta with a smile on his face and a ring in his hand.
The door opened and Manali entered.
“Karan your dad is expecting you. Please, let’s go to his room,” Manali said with worry on her face.
“Karan stood up with full speed and ran to his dad's room to check on his dad, but he did not respond to Karan. He was no more. Sagar too came into the room, and held Karan with tears in his eyes. Karan was still thinking that his dad would reply. Karan was shouting like a kid; he did not want to let him go.
“Papa reply, Papa Uthho. Please Papa reply!
***Chapter 19: Back to the Hometown
2 months later
Sagar picked up the mobile.
“Hi, Neeta, how are you?” Sagar asked.
“I am good. Where are you?” Neeta asked.
“We are at the hometown, Porbandar. We came to the Ganpati festival to celebrate with Karan,” Sagar said.
“How is he?” Neeta asked.
“That day, I could not meet him. And after the Uncle’s death, I could not even face Karan. I was not able to see his tears then. He already cried a lot in his life, and I do not know why god is doing all this to him,” Neeta said.
“But I think he will be okay now, so I am thinking to meet him now and it will be better if you are there,” Neeta said.
“Great Neeta. I was about to ask you for the same. He is fine, but now he does not talk much, just gives answers in yes and no. He feels like he should go to his mom and dad. He thinks he does not deserve to live and all. I think he is mentally disturbed; we are trying to make him happy again, like old times when he used to dance on Dhol,” Sagar said.
“We arranged Dholi and all for tomorrow Visarjan. It would be great if you can come by tomorrow. We all will celebrate it with faith in Ganapti, that Karan gets well soon,” Sagar said.
“God Have to. The first time I saw him was because of Ganpati, and now Ganpati will help us to meet again. I will reach there before Visarjan, tell Dholi to wait for me,” Neeta said.
“Yes, sure. See ya,” Sagar said.
.
Ganpati Visarjan- Porbandar.
“Sagar, Where is Karan? Did you tell him that Neeta is coming?” Manali asked.
“No, it will be a surprise for him. And Karan is at his home. He told me that he wants to get ready like he used to for Visarjan, so he is getting ready,” Sagar said.
“Thank god. Finally, he is coming back to a normal life,” Manali said
Karan knocked on Sagar’s door.
“Oh ho...Look who is here! Mr. Karan, with his blue jeans and white Kurta with gel in hair and cleanly shaved. My bro, now you are like my Karan,"Sagar hugged him.
“Karan Bhai really looking good and we are very happy to see you happy again,” Manali said.
“Thank you, Bhabhi. Yes, I choose to be happy because from today onwards there will be no more of those sad days, no worries. Everything will go well with Ganpati Visarjan. All my pain will go with Ganpati Visarjan. All those painful memories will be gone with Ganpati Visarjan,” Karan said.
“Yes, my friend. That’s the point. Now let’s celebrate with Dholi, and say goodbye to Ganesh,” Sagar said.
The three of them went out. Sagar gave Puja Thali to Karan, and Karan did Ganesh Puja. They all placed Ganesh on a cart, and Near Ganpati statue they kept Karan’s parents picture. All the neighbors and other people had gathered. Karan shouted out loud “Ganpati Bappa” and the entire crowd followed with “Maurya” and a celebration started.
Karan applied Abil Gulal to Sagar and Manali, all of them shouted again, “Ganpati Bappa Maurya.” Dholi started Playing Dhol and Sagar held Karan’s hand and brought him into the center of the crowd. Karan too started dancing like never before. Seeing this, Sagar and Manali joined him and all of them danced till they reached Chowpaty.
There were huge crowds, no place for keeping a step, but all of them were dancing, singing. Many people came with small home Ganesh and many came with huge Ganesh Statues in trucks. Many came with a DJ and many came with Dhol. Ladies were playing Garba; the gents were playing Bhangra.
Karan and Sagar were busy with other people dancing, and they were waiting for his turn for Visarjan. In between Dholi stopped playing, Karan and others stopped dancing. In a few seconds Dhol started again and all started playing again. Dholi came behind Karan while Karan was dancing with closed eyes towards the seashore. Dholi was trying hard to match Karan’s moves. Karan had more power with Dholi’s sound and he turned towards Dholi to dance in front of Dholi. He turned and he saw Dholi was non-other than Neeta.
Neeta was playing Dhol, wearing an orange turban on her head, and an orange Dupatta on the white dress.
Karan again started dancing with a big smile on his lips and tears in his eyes. This time, it was tears of happiness. Neeta started playing hard with closed eyes, and Karan saw tears coming from her eyes.
But she continued playing Dhol hard; again, both looked into each others eyes with tears in both of their eyes and smiles on their faces. In the background, there was a huge sound of Ganpati Dhol and other Sanskrit slokas of Ganpati.
Sagar and Manali also joined in the dance with Neeta and Karan. Neeta gave Dhol to Dholi again and all of them went towards the sea to do Visarjan as their turn came. All were shouting ‘Ganpati Bappa Maurya’. As Ganapti was going into the sea, Karan went to do Visarjan far in the sea with holding his parents pictures, people were saying bye to Ganpati and asking him to come again next year.
It was already late evening, all of them were going back towards their homes, Sagar, Manali and Neeta were waiting for Karan to come back from the sea. They could not find him in the crowd, now almost everyone had gone, but Karan was not there. They went to the home. There they asked for Karan, but no one knew where he was.
“I think I know where he is,” Neeta said.
“Where?” Sagar asked.
“Let’s go to the boat, Ohm," Neeta said.
The three of them went to the boat in Sagar's car.
Neeta ran towards the boat on the sand. Sagar and Manali followed him, running.
Neeta reached the boat and looked inside but there was no one.
“End”
“ 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
