PART IV
(HISTORY)
She was
screaming, screaming as if her bones are cracking all at once. Kaminibai was
lying on a bed holding a firm grip on the bedsheet. Tears were rolling out of
her eyes, she was told to give a push, a strong push. Yes, Kaminibai was giving
birth to her second child. Shantaram and his brothers along with the villagers were
waiting outside, worried as to what’s happening. They all could hear her
screaming, but Shantaram kept his cool and waited for the moment. Suddenly all
the screaming was gone and it was quite, Shantaram got tensed and was going to
run inside. He then heard something that
brought smile to his horrified face and hugged his brother. The voice of his
just born made everyone happy and that everyone screamed in excitement. A lady
from inside brought the child and handed it over to Shantaram. Shantaram was
happy to see his child and announced everyone standing out there, “It’s a BOY.”
Whole of the village started dancing to this and were very happy for Shantaram
and they came to see his child. Shantaram gave away his child as everyone was
eager to have a glimpse of the boy. Shantaram went inside their house to see
how Kaminibai is, to his surprise; she was very happy and had no issues after
the delivery. “Congratulations Kaminibai, a wonderful baby boy. You seem to be
proud and happy.” Said Shantaram in Kaminibai’s ear while giving her a hug.
“Hahaha!!!! It’s a gift for Shobha, she will be very happy to know that she is
now having a brother.”
Shantaram
brought Kaminibai back to their village as it was time for her delivery and
that there was no one around in the city to take care of her properly. He took
a long holiday from his company, so that he could take care of her wife and
also said that he will be returning after the Ganesh Chaturthi. After having
that first day experience Shantaram accepted the fact that it’s not easy to
stay here in this city and for that he needs to make some rules and planning.
So he equally included his family in it and discussed with them as to how they
are going to stay and what should be the schedules. Early morning Kaminibai use
to get up and make tiffin’s for Shantaram and Shobha, Shantaram then use to
drop Shobha at her school and then use to go to his factory. Kaminibai then in
the afternoon goes to pick up Shobha from her school and then they both have
lunch together. After lunch, while Kaminibai gets a nap, Shobha use to go and
play along with her friends. Then in the evening Shobha use to come back and
start studying and Shantaram would also land up during that time. Shantaram use
to help Shobha a lot with her studies.
It was exam
time now, Shobha was worried about what would happen if she brings less marks,
and it was showing on her face that she was worried. Shantaram saw that worried
face and gave her a hug. He said, “Don’t worry my child, you have prepared well
enough, now just go there and write it down properly.” Giving a peck on her
forehead. She ran towards her class and went away. Shantaram soon left for his
factory, he was worried about his daughter as to how will be her exam and was
not able to concentrate on his work that day. He came home and couldn’t find
Shobha, he was very eager to know from her how her paper was. Soon Shobha came
running towards her dad and hugged him with happiness and told him that she
wrote her paper so well that she expects to get full marks. Shantaram was very
happy and then told her to start with her next day exam paper. All the papers
were proper and it was the time of result. Parents were called to collect the
result, as well as to see their Childs paper and also they were going to get
the feedback from the teachers about Shobha. As soon as Shobha entered with her
father, teacher gave a very broad smile and welcomed them and told them to sit.
She announced in every one that Shobha scored a very good total and that she
was first in the class. Shantaram was very happy and that he kissed her girl in
front of everyone. Soon they returned home and everyone congratulated Shobha.
On that evening group of parents came to meet Shantaram, he was happy as he
thought all of them came to congratulate Shobha, but that was partially true.
They came not only to congratulate her but also to ask for a favor. He was
surprised and asked what the favor was. One of them said, “We know you are
educated more than us and that you helped your daughter to come first, will you
please help our children too? We are not able teach them and hence want you to
do so, we will try giving you the fees as well, please.” Begged the crowd. Shantaram
was speechless he gave a look at Kaminibai and asked her from the expression as
to what should we do? She gave a nod in acceptance, Shantaram smiled and
accepted the offer. Everyone was happy and all were trying to touch his feet in
respect as he accepted their offer. He also made a shocking announcement that
brought tears to everyone’s eyes, he said, “There’s no need to pay any fees,
I’ll teach them for free.” Everyone did a Namaste and left the place. He gave a
hug to his wife and his daughter and soon left his house for the evening aarti
at the mandir.
All of such
incidents were told by Shantaram on the night of his new born baby boy.
Everyone was eager to know how Shantaram was spending his days in the new city.
Everyone was gathered near the temple as it was a feast announced by Shantaram.
Kaminibai was watching from their house how happy Shantaram was to meet his
friends and to tell them about the city life. All the ladies in the house were
happy for Kaminibai for having a baby boy and also to have got settled in the
city. Kaminibai too was feeling a change in the behavior of everyone and that
everyone was behaving very properly and showed their love. They even told that
they were missing her very much and that it was very difficult for them to remove
their starting days without them, and also agreed to the decision of Shantaram
to leave and that this was the only thing that brought some responsibilities on
the shoulders of these men in the house. All of a sudden everything seems to be
perfect. Kaminibai was smiling and again was looking at her enthusiastic
husband.
After some
days it was the name keeping ceremony, every single person was invited to this
ceremony. Whole village was being decorated for this and that all of them were
waiting just for the baby boy to get ready and bring him outside. The ceremony
was kept at the Gaura’s house and it was decorated in such a manner that anyone
could say that there was something special happening in this house. Soon the
boy was brought and he was been blessed by everyone in the village, but the
special moment came when the roar of the Tiger was heard. Everyone was quiet,
as he roared and welcomed the new born. It was clear that this boy was not any
simple boy and that he was special. Soon the roaring stopped and all of them
shouted in unison, “AAI JAGADAMBECHA UDO UDO, HAR HAR MAHADEO.” Soon the
rituals were performed, Aunt of the baby i.e. the sister of the father would
decide the name as per the rituals and would first tell it to the baby in his
ear and then would announce, it was SANJAY. Every person was smiling as they
loved their name. They also appreciated their chimney for keeping this
beautiful name. After this ceremony all had their dinner and went on to their
own houses, satisfied. The Gaura’s were very happy as the program went properly
as planned. After some days, the big event came, it was Ganesh Chaturthi. Every
year Shantaram was the one to take up the responsibility and all were expecting
to be the same this year, but Shantaram was a man full of surprises and he gave
the honor to his big brother. He was shocked and very happy, he hugged
Shantaram and accepted the responsibility. Those were the amazing 11 days of
Ganesh Chaturthi and soon it was Anant Chaturthi. It was time for Bappa to
leave, everyone were sad and were shouting, “GANPATI BAPPA MOURYA, MANGALMURTI
MOURYA, PUDHCHYA VARSHI LAVKAR YAA, LADOO MODAK GHEUN YAA.”
After the
Ganesh Chaturthi it was time for Shantaram to leave and soon get back to his
schedule. His students were waiting for him and his factory too made and an
urgent call. Some serious issues had been created in the factory. Shantaram
along with his family was welcomed by the people of the chawl. Everyone was
looking happy and that were impressed on the boy for his looks. He was healthy
and milky. Everyone was playing with him, many of them use to visit the house
just to play with him. The neighbors use to take him and keep him at their
place so that Kaminibai would get some time to work. Soon Takedi came to know
that Shantaram teaches for free and he landed up there with his kid. He
requested to teach him too, Shantaram accepted that and also suggested Takedi
to leave this Vasuli business. To that he gave an angry look and went away
saying nothing. Some years passed by in tension, Shantaram’s factory was
removing their workers as the company was going in loss and hence couldn’t
afford to pay all of them, but Shantaram was still their because of his
performance. Sanjay also started to go to school. He too was brilliant as his
sister. The best subject of both these Gaura’s children was Math’s, which
always is a subject of worry for most of the students. Shantaram also use to
visit his village, Sanjay and Shobha love it, and so they use to spend their
vacations here in the village. Now Gaura’s family was too big as these brothers
had 6 children in total and 9 including the chimney’s 3 children. They all came
together during their vacation time and had great fun. They were also trained
during that time like the fighters they are. They were told about their
Grandfather and Great-grandfather and also about their wars how they fought as
in inspiration. Sanjay was very sharp from all the others and also was the best
in them. But none of the brothers were feeling jealous or fallen out as Sanjay
would love everyone equally and was also being good to everyone.
They grew up
fast, it was time for Shobha’s big test, and she was sitting for the Matric
Exam and it made her real nervous. All eyes were on Shobha, will she pass? As
she couldn’t afford to go for any classes.
Shantaram
was also worried but had lost most of his interest as he was unstable because
of his job. His job was on stake, he was worried as how will he be managing his
household stuff, he was not least interested in getting social. Shobha didn’t
even complete her Matric and her marriage plans were on round. How will
Shantaram manage to collect money for her marriage? How will Shantaram manage
to complete Sanjay’s higher studies? What should be the next step to earn?
Should he set up any business? But who would help him for doing that? Sanjay
was worried about his father. As his father had changed along the way, he was
not the same person as he was. Shantaram was not even sharing his feelings with
his wife. Everyone was worried, but no one had the guts to ask Shantaram. What
will Sanjay do to end this dark time? What will be the situation in the coming
days? All these questions will be answered in the next series ‘IDEALLY NAUGHTY –
2’.
THANK YOU
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