Chapter 4: chapter 4

Finally the wheels of the international flight from Australia landed on Indian ground, smoothly coming to rest at the bustling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, bringing a long-haul journey to a close and the start of something new.When the plane came to a halt, passengers waited anxiously to be reunited with loved ones, their expressions filled with longing . Prithvi experienced waves of nostalgia wash over through his veins. He had been witness to the breathtakingly beautiful sunrise by peeping outside from the windowpane alongside his seat, its golden light pouring a radiant sheen on his face. The longing increased in height to reunite with his family once again, breathing in the comforting smell of his nation, and relishing in the majesty of the Arabian Sea's blue waters filled him with immense happiness.After finishing the airport procedures, he proceeded to the arrival gate, where people stood in groups waiting for their family members. Some were exchanging farewell wishes with relatives and friends, while others looked through the groups expectantly for a glimpse of their returning kinfolk. The atmosphere of the airport vibrated with excitement over reunions, farewells, and new beginnings.An overweight, slightly above-average-height man wearing a clean white uniform and matching trousers stood out in the crowd. A black hat sat atop his head, adding a professional touch to his outfit. He was holding a white paper board tied to a thin stick, with Prithvi's name written in bold. When Prithvi approached, the man's expression brightened to a friendly smile.The man lifted his trolley bag, safely stowed away in the trunk of a sleek black BMW. He settled back into the plush leather seat, his black overcoat draped over his left arm. The driver turns the key with a gentle whirring, and the car glides smoothly into gear.IN THE ANOTHER CORNER OF THE MUMBAIThe day when she gave the news about getting a job in the company, her mother was very warm-hearted after hearing that. She blessed her with her watery eyes full of joy and pride.Sanyogita was in her room. Though the room was looking a little bit old with an unpainted ceiling, a bed near the window in the southern direction from where the playground for local school children had seen.She was standing close to the window by facing her back on the wall adjacent to the orange color iron rod grilles. She was reading some letters which were looking a little torn. Tears rolled down her cheeks, she was looking through the window. Her deep consolidation was broken by hearing the footsteps of her mother. She had come to reality and immediately hid those papers in her hands in the cupboard along with some precious accessories of hers. She wept.“Sanyogita”  a lady called her by her name, she was wearing a simple white cotton sari, though she still had wrinkles on her forehead and her cheeks, her face was looking healthy.  her hair was braided behind her back, there were some grey hairs over her front hair.Sanyogita turned around, she had a halved smile on her face ‘’Jii Maa, “ replied her [softly]“Kya baat hai beta ? her mother observed the face of her daughter carefully“Maa nothing, Sanyogita did not make eye contact with her motherHer mother moved close to her and made a seat on the bed along with her. She caressed the head of Sanyogita with her hand. Saynogita kept her head on the lap of her mother.“Mein janti hoon beta! Tera maan kyu udas hai?”Sanyogita opened her eyes and looked at her mother with shocking eyes, she  muttered something in her mind“Beta, aaj itna bara khushi ka din hai, har Maa- Baap ko garabh hota hai jab uski aulad Zindagi mein safal hota.Sanyogita did not interrupt, her mother continued,” Aaj tere Pita Zinda hote toh bahut khush hote, unka kandh khushi se aur bhi uncha ho jata”Tears came out from the corner eyes of Saynogita whose gaze suddenly fell on the family photo frame which had been kept on the table adjacent to the almirah  . In the family photograph there was a middle-aged man who was wearing spectacles and a normal full sleeves white shirt with black pants. He was sitting with a young woman who was wearing a blue sari and there was a presence of vermilion on her parting. Both the man and the woman were sitting on the sofa. At the back of them were standing two girls. Anybody could assume by their appearance that they were siblings, one with the age of 18 -20 and another around 13-14. All of them were smiling delightfully. They looked like a happy family. Sanyogita got up from her bed, moved close to the table, and took the photo frame in her hand “kon kehta hai Maa, ki Papa hum logo ke Saath nahi hai!  Woh toh hamesha mere saath hai, aur didi bhi, woh dono jaha kahi bhi hai har waqt hamare Saath hai , tumhe dekh rahe hai, humhe sun raha hai, woh humse hai hamare dil mein hai, yado mein hai, jaha se duniya ki koi bhi taqqat unhe humse aalag nahi kar sakti”.Sanyogita finished her words ,her hands were caressing the photograph.Sanyogita’s words made her mother emotional, she wept her eyes by the anchanl of her sari.She moved to the daughter and kissed her forehead.There was some emotional silence between the mother and daughter for some time, both of them were in each other's arms.“ arrey haan mein jis kaam ke liye yahan aayi thi woh toh bhool hi gayi! Told by her mother“ konsa kam ?’’  Sanyogita asked in confusion‘’Somalia aunty keh rahi thi unke kisi dur ke rishte daar ke bete jo bhot acha hai , ek  news  company mein job karta hai, dekhne mein bhi thik thak hai  , bass ..bass ..woh her mother was mumbling “Sanyogita was looking at her mother with suspicious eyes ,she had found something fishy in her tone bass..aur kya MAA?’’“Bass uske gharwale uske liye Ek achi ladki dhoon rahe hai!!’’“Toh yeh sab aap mujhe kyu bata raha hai?’’“Somalia Aunty ne teri baat unlogose  kithi toh , unhone teri photo mangi thi toh meine dey diya .. aur unhone tujhe pasand kya hai .. aur o ladka aaj tujhe restaurant mein milna chahta hai”“Maaa.. meine aap ko kitni baar kaha hai ki mujhe nahi karni Shaadi ““Padh beta ek baar milne se kya problem hai ?”“Maa mujhe nahi milna kisi se bhi..aap kyu nahi samajh te mujhe abhi shaadi nahi karni”“Padh beta shaadi abhi kare yaa baat mein kya problem ,mujhe toh samajh mein nahi aata .. pehle aati thi studies continue karna hai!! Phir jab ow hogya tab keh rahi hai job karni hai .. thik hai maan liya mil gaye job!!.. Itne sare rishte aye .. sab logo ne tujhe pasand kya!!Padh haar baar koi na koi bahana ..Mein janna chahti hoon aakir kar tu shaadi kyu nahi karna chahti haii??””Sanyogita did not say anything“Mujhe ek valid reason toh bata , kya tujhe koi pasand ?? Kya tere zindagai mein koi aur ladka hai toh mujhe bata mein baat karungi unlogose!!’’ (Give me a valid reason, do you like anyone?? If there is any other boy in your life then tell me, I will talk to their family !!’’)Sanyogita remained Silent,“Beta haar Maa- Baap ka sapna hota hai ki uski beti ka shaadi dhum dham se kisi acge ladkhe se ho ghar base, ow khush rahe !’’“Padh Maa mujhe abhi Shaadi nahi karni!!’’“Padh beta ek baar milne mein kya problem hai, thk hai aagr tujhe ow ladlka pasand na aye toh phir batana , mere khatir mille “ (but daughter, what is the problem in meeting him once, if you don't like that boy then tell me, meet him for my sake ")Sanyogita looked at her mother's face for a few seconds , she expressed a sigh of relief.. "Thik hai , magad uske baad aap kabhi bhi shaadi ka proposal nahio lekar ayengi!!’’ (Okay, but after that you will never come with a marriage proposal!!”)“Padh beta “ her mother was looking at her face with astonished eyes“Padh padh kuch nahi ..aap mujhe promise kijiye ‘’“Thik hai beta “..Nilima assured herSanyogita was thinking in her mind”yeh Somalia Aunty khud kyu nahi shaadi kar leti , aagar in hai it na Shaadi ka bukhar chadha haii toh.. Haar bar mere piche hi kyu padhi rehte hai “