Going to town

It was 7'O clock in the morning. Shastri was still sleeping hugging the pillow with all his might. Some murmuring could be heard under his breath," So you are here... I was searching for you all the time... wait a minute…I am coming to meet you...'."

Splash! A bucket full of water fell on shastri's face which made him fully awake. "What the hell…." Shastri yelled but abruptly came to stop. In front of him was his mother holding a broom in front of his face like a trident wielding goddess.

"Mom" shastri said awkwardly.

"Well yell at me now!" Shastri's mom thundered. Shastri sat meekly at the edge of the bed without lifting his head.

"What did you tell me when you left the job? That you will look after the household chores and do the temple work. And now, did you even brush your teeth? Always sleeping like a pig. You don't want to do anything in life right? At this rate, when will I see your marriage and when can I see my grandson?"

"But I was just seeing your daughter-in-law in my dream." Shastri blurted out.

Shastri's father sighed. The explosion was just cooling off when he had to drop another bomb.

Shastri's mom face turned red. "Yeah, how many times have you seen her in dreams? But have you ever brought her in reality? No. Anyway this is the last time. If I ever see you sleeping like this I will contact the police myself and say that you want your job back! Understood?"

Shastri nodded silently. Then with defeated face he began going towards the toilet.

He had solved a case yesterday. But he could not say it to mom. Otherwise she would start nagging about how good he is and he should continue doing it. And he was not going to continue doing investigation.

Today he had to go to the village town to bring cow fodder for the cows. The shopkeeper there was a friend of his father. His father would bring the cow fodder in his Luna (an old scooter). But he would never loan it to son. Shastri was grateful for that. The scooter had seen more repairs than it went out in the life.

As shastri was going to the town his mother gave him a list of items required for home. Then Shastri began walking to the bus stop.

As he passed by Baidajja's house, he saw him working near the gate.

"Good morning, Baidajja"

"Good morning son. So how was the mango fruits last time? Did you enjoy it?"

"Yes sir. So how is the work going on?" asked shastri.

"Many weeds have come up in the garden. I have to take them out. And then I have to spray pesticides. And then there are somany mango fruits this year. I have no idea how I am going to pluck them. The workers nowdays are all going to town to do constructional work. Even the one staying here have no integrity at all. They will charge 750/- rupees for one whole day. Tell me, isn't that looting? And still we have to provide morning breakfast and afternoon lunch to the laborers", Baidajja said in a sorrowfull voice.

"But ajja, you have also consider them, right? They have come to this place from far away and work there ass off for one full day. They have to also look after their family right?"

"Shut up. Did you think our old worker kuvi, did not have a family? Do you know at that time how much tough it was to look after a family-"

Baidajja began to drone on and on. Shastri regretted saying good morning to him.

After what seemed to be an hour, shastri had enough.

"I think it is the time for the bus to to come, so I will go now", shastri said. He felt that it is better to escape from this old man as soon as possible.

But baidajja said," Wait a minute. My granddaughter, Leela was also saying that she wanted to go town. She had some work there, it seems. There are many work to be done here. So I can't go with her. Can she go with you?"

"Not possible" shastri denied immediately." Besides how can you send your granddaughter with a youth like me?"

"Because I believe you" came melodious voice near his ear. But shastri flinched and jumped far away.

Leela turned towards he grandfather," Ajja, I have go to the town immediately. I have some work there. So please grandpa- either you have to come or I will go with him." Winking her eyes cutely.

Shastri stood at the side silenty. He already knew the end result.

As expected, once grandfather saw his granddaughter acting cutely, his heart melted. Then he turned to shastri," Please take leela with you and bring her back safely."

Shastri sighed. Then he began to go the busstop. Seeing that leela also said farewell to her grandfather and followed him quietly.

As they approached the bus stop leela could not bear following quietly.

"So how much time you will be here?"

No response.

"Uncle was talking to grandfather? He was saying you had left the job. Did you really leave the job?"

No response.

"It is not because of me right? Did somebody gave the news I am staying here so you left the job for me? I am just joking." Leela said smilingly.

Still no response.

As they neared the bus stop shastri took out his mobile phone and began scrolling through it. Seeing this Leela hung her head sadly.

"You said that you will not forgive me, but who would have thought you would be this serious?" Leela looked at the shastri's back and said in melancholy.

As the bus came they climbed and sat in different seats. Leela wanted to be sit with him but seeing his aggressive eyes she sat in a different seat.

After reaching the town, Shastri waited for leela to climb down from the bus. Seeing this she thought he was very concerned about her.But he just gave his phone number,"As the cow fodder is heavy I am going to go home by rickshaw. Once your work is over call me. Then we can go together"

Then without waiting for her response , he set off towards his destination.