Packing Time
1516 Words
Chauhan's Villa:
"Did you notice Swar's behavior, papa?" asked Pratap in excitement.
"I told you, give him some time. See how he behaves now. Pratap, scolding your kids doesn’t make any difference. Make him understand by being soft with him," said Vishambhar.
"Papa, are you the reason behind Swar’s influence? What did you say to him?" asked Pratap.
"Honestly, I revealed my past to him — I revealed my regret," said Vishambhar.
Pratap already understood what his father might have shared with Swar. He smiled at him and said, “Thank you.”
"What past? Which regret?" Sunaina eagerly asked.
"Nothing. When your time will come, I will tell you too," Vishambhar assured Sunaina.
---
At the River:
"Hey brother, how are you up so early?" a funny voice exclaimed.
"Oh Ladoo! I thought of jogging today," Swar smiled in a funny way.
Rakesh visits the riverside every day to do yoga and meditation. He was shocked to see Swar at 7:00 in the morning.
"What’s wrong, Swar?" Rakesh asked, surprised.
"What? Nothing is wrong," Swar frowned.
"No, something is absolutely wrong, buddy. First of all, you never wake up so early. Then, on top of that, you’re jogging, you didn’t smack me, and above all, you’re jogging in a shirt and jeans. I mean, are you ok?" questioned Rakesh.
"I am very much ok. But you know what, manners have happened to me," Swar laughed.
"Manners and you — there’s no connection, bro. It’s next to impossible for you to be sensible. I know you very well," Rakesh resisted.
"Hey! That’s enough, Ladoo. I’ve taken so much effort to be like this. Please let me be — don’t say I can’t do that," Swar pleaded, joining his hands.
"Haha, whatever," Rakesh laughed and continued jogging ahead of Swar.
"You fatty! I’m not gonna leave you. Wait, I’ll come there," Swar groaned, running behind Rakesh, trying to catch him.
"I think I should tell you about my changed attitude, Ladoo," he said in a serious tone, sitting on a bench by the river.
"Yeah, yeah, I’m already anxious," Rakesh said impatiently.
Swar shared the whole story of how he had this transition.
"Oh! So displeasing to hear that," he consoled Swar.
"I know," Swar’s face showed sadness.
"You know, Ladoo, why I’ve changed my attitude? It’s not just because I heard this saddening past — like, I mean, often we hear such things in books or movies. But I don’t know, man, something deep in my mind made me care for my loved ones. I can’t say exactly what it is. My father has shown me these rich days, so I’m carefree — no worries, no struggle for life, etc. I have to behave sincerely for them after all," Swar explained.
"I know, bro. You continue. What are you thinking of doing?" asked Rakesh.
"I’m thinking of visiting Purakhpur," he quickly replied.
"That’s great! I’m coming with you too," he said, sounding joyful and excited.
"Seriously, you will come?" Swar asked with a delighted face.
"What bro? You don’t know your friend or what? Have I ever left you alone? We’re always together and will continue to be," Rakesh said emotionally. He’s always present wherever Swar goes.
"Come then, let’s do packing."
"Yes, I’ll first pack my stuff and then come to your house to help you," said Rakesh.
They both dispersed.
---
Chauhan's Villa:
"Mom, Dadaji, I will leave for Purakhpur tomorrow," Swar called out, opening the huge doors of his bungalow. He didn’t waste any time throwing his words out. Hearing his loud and clear voice, everyone came into the hall.
"Tomorrow? So soon? At least let them reply," said Lata, keeping her point.
"Mom, my main motto is to visit the place, and after all, when I go there, I’ll automatically come to know their answer — as simple as that," he replied unworriedly.
"But… ssss…" Lata was about to speak hurriedly, but Pratap interjected.
"Let him go, Lata. If he’s so eager to visit, then let him."
"You go, son. Go pack your bags," Pratap smiled.
"Yes, Dad."
"He’s going so early; I haven’t done any preparations either. I have to pack food for him, there’s loads of work," Lata breathed heavily and moved toward the kitchen.
Everyone was happy as Swar was finally dedicated to being a sensible human.
Pratap and Vishambhar felt relieved and pleased.
---
Swar’s Room:
"What shall I take? Mmmm… this and this and that. No, no, not this," Swar pondered. He took out a sizeable bag from the top panel of his cupboard, which had enough space to store his stuff.
He packed all his items — a few shirts, jeans, shoes, his favorite perfumes, toothbrush, handkerchiefs, towels, a razor, and of course, his guitar.
Lata entered,
"Hey, take this too," she said, showing boxes filled with sweets, sandwiches, and cut fruits.
"Mom, so much! There’s not enough space in my bag," he said, showing the packed bag, where only two more containers could fit.
"I don’t know about that, take this. What if you feel hungry? Take out some stuff from there and make space for this," she commanded, widening her eyes.
"Typical Indian mom, huh?" he grinned.
"Not only Indian — every mother does this," she said, giving him a pat on his cheek.
Swar displaced some items from the bag to make space for the new ones.
"Where’s this Ladoo? I told him to come help me, but as always, he’s late," he fumed.
"Here I am!" said Rakesh, who was out of breath from climbing the stairs to Swar’s room.
"Are you done with your packing?" asked Rakesh, breathing heavily.
"Yeah, almost," Swar sighed.
"Then what’s my requirement now? I’ll sit here. Aunty, please get me mango juice," Rakesh requested.
"Yeah, son," said Lata.
"No, don’t sit! We still have to discuss a lot of things," Swar spluttered.
"Now what? We’re done with every damn thing," Rakesh said sluggishly.
"You know how to get there?" asked Swar. Rakesh gave him an idle look.
"No, right? Then listen. We’ll go there by train, not by car. We’ll get down at Purakhpur railway station, and from there we’ll hire a bullock cart. Then we’ll ask people about Shamsherji’s house — anybody there would know, right?" Swar explained enthusiastically.
"But why do we have to make so much effort and travel with such difficulty when we can hire a cab from here that’ll directly drop us at their house?" he said, still sluggish.
"See, that’s why I call you Ladoo. You’re of no use. Are you mad? What’ll be the fun then? We’re going there like it’s a trip or something. If we go by car, there’ll be no adventure — how will we discover things, man? Just imagine: the cool breeze while we travel, the night in the train, lots of people, the bullock cart ride, etc. etc. These things we can’t get by car. Understood?" Swar said, resenting Rakesh’s thoughts.
"Your mango juice is here," Lata entered with a tall glass of juice.
"Thanks, aunty," Rakesh sighed, as if he had been needing it for years.
"I heard you don’t want to travel by train. Why, son?" Lata asked.
"Nothing much, Mom. This Ladoo just wants to sit in one place and get fatter, that’s all — that’s why he doesn’t want to take effort for inconsistent travelling," Swar said with a silly smile.
"If that’s the case, then I’ll prove you wrong, buddy. I’ll show you I can do the things you fit people can do," Rakesh said, pointing his forefinger at Swar.
"Let’s see, buddy," Swar cackled.
---
The night before visiting Purakhpur was not usual or regular for Swar. He kept dreaming about his stay there — the people, the food, the fun-filled moments, and of course, Bela.
“How will she be? I don’t care if she’s educated or not — most people in villages aren’t. But yeah, she should be beautiful. If Dad’s saying so much about her, she must be carrying some charm. I want to see her myself. I’ve never flirted or hung out with any village girl because I’ve never been there. It’ll be great to be in a relationship with one. Let’s see what happens.”
"Good night, Swar!" he said to himself, turning off the lights.
Finally, he slept...
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
"Wow! Today’s morning feels so blissful," he yawned, rubbing his eyes.
He gazed at the wall clock.
"It’s 6:30. I’ll call Ladoo, see if he’s up."
"Hello, Ladoo."
"Yes, this is Rakesh Agarwal speaking," he replied drowsily.
"Wake up, you fat Ladoo!" screamed Swar, piercing Rakesh’s eardrums.
"What happened, what happened?" Rakesh woke up hurriedly, his ear still ringing.
"Why are you still sleeping? You’re always up by this time, aren’t you?" asked Swar angrily.
"I was watching a movie till late, brother," answered Rakesh, now completely awake.
"I don’t want any excuses. Come to my house by 7 — you have half an hour," Swar hung up.
........×××........×××..........
- Writer
