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The Story Of The Hunter And The Hunted

Discussion in 'Stories (Fiction)' started by GeetaKashyap, Apr 20, 2018.

  1. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

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    A volley of words was exchanged between the Joshis and the Desais. Most members of their housing society had gathered. The October heat and sweat did not matter to them. Were they bothered? No, not at all, they were rather amused! During such fights generally bystanders get to hear many hitherto unheard of stories and accusations, this becomes the fodder for their further gossip, in the days to come. What is the use of staying in a housing society if you can’t find out the deeper and the dirtier secrets of your neighbours? Anyway, the reason for the fight was Joshis’ daughter Roopal and Desais’ son Jignes(h) were missing since daybreak and it was significant since everyone in the housing society knew that Roopal and Jignes (this is the way their community prefers to call :tonguewink:) were childhood sweethearts.

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    Joshis and the Desais lived in a modest apartment building for the last twenty years at Borivali, in Mumbai, which housed twenty-four families. All the houses in the building were of two BHK (bedroom-hall-kitchen) configurations except for that of the Joshis and the Desais. Both families lived on the ninth floor. While purchasing the flat in the building, Desais had purchased a three BHK flat, that is, they had purchased an extra room from the builder. The remaining one BHK flat was purchased by the Joshis. Jignes and Roopal were little children then.

    Kantaben Joshi knew very well the disparity that existed between them and the Desais in terms of money and status. Desais had the biggest flat in the building, two big cars and two motorcycles. They had a small-scale industry manufacturing machine parts, an artificial jewellery unit and they were also investors with some builders. Apart from this, Desais also enjoyed some political connections! In comparison, Joshis had to make do with a small flat and modest lifestyle. Vipulbhai Joshi had a small garment shop near the Charni road station. In spite of working hard, he had not been able to prosper much, in worldly terms. However, he had invested substantially in the Stock market but it was not something they would talk about with others. All said and done, despite the difference in their social status, Kantaben Joshi and Champaben Desai had become very good friends. Also, Jignes and Roopal developed a strong friendship and it blossomed into love when they entered their teens.

    Kantaben was Champaben’s best friend till a year back and the animosity developed between them because of Vipulbhai Joshi’s lack of shrewdness or worldliness. During one of the meetings in their housing society, when the other members pulled up Rasikbhai Desai over some parking issue, Vipulbhai had supported them instead of supporting Rasikbhai. This was enough for Champaben to feel betrayed. Thus a crack developed in the friendship between the two families. Kantaben had had a bitter fight with Vipulbhai over this issue. But what was the use? The crack in their friendship could not be healed. Kantaben was trying her best to befriend and restore their old relationship with Champaben and her family. Champaben was fully aware of this but she was not ready to give in without settling scores.

    Well, you will appreciate the issue better if you understand the real dynamics of this relationship better. Champaben had indirectly approved the beautiful Roopal for her son, Jignes. Their understanding was so clear that when Roopal was at crossroads after her S.Y.J.C (Junior college or 12th standard), as per Champaben’s suggestion Kantaben had admitted Roopal to a Home science college. When Roopal had to go for a study tour from the College, Kantaben had ensured to consult Champaben and take her consent, as she was to be the future mother-in-law of Roopal! Now Roopal had completed her degree and Jignes would hang around her always. As a girl’s mother, Kantaben knew that it was dangerous to let lovers stay so close to one another without marriage. And it was at this crucial juncture that Vipulbhai Joshi had committed the cardinal sin of not supporting Rasikbhai Desai, in the housing society meeting!

    As her daughter’s future was at stake, Kantaben had to make the first conciliatory move. So one fine day, along with Vipulbhai she knocked on Champaben’s door. Kantaben carried undyo and mutter dhoklas for Champaben’s family. Vipulbhai formally apologised to Desais with utmost sincerity and Kantaben assumed that with this move their differences had been put to rest. Wasn’t she Champaben’s best friend, after all? Everything seemed to return to the glory of the olden days. So taking courage, in the course of the conversation Kantaben brought up the proposal of getting the two youngsters married at the earliest. Champaben, who had already guessed the reason behind Joshis’ visit and reconciliation, smiled meaningfully at her husband and told the Joshis, “Oh! I never thought that you had this idea in your mind!”

    In shock, Kantaben asked, “Aren’t you aware, how much our children love each other? In the past, we had often spoken about getting our children married soon after Roopal’s graduation. Don’t you remember?”

    “Well, I was never serious and whatever I said was just for time pass. We have already got many proposals for our Jignes from many reputed builders. We have almost finalised Jignes’s wedding with Ramnikbhai’s granddaughter.” Champaben replied poker-faced and Rasikbhai acknowledged his wife’s shrewdness and strategy with a sly smile.

    Kantaben was now on the verge of tears and the ground beneath her seemed to give away. She knew that Champaben was trying to get even. She looked uncertainly at her husband. Vipulbhai sat there with his head hung and Rasikbhai was hidden behind the newspaper. Kantaben could not possibly break Roopal’s heart and her future. Kantaben thought frantically, society would easily forgive a boy but not a girl. Everyone in the neighbourhood and the housing society had seen the love-birds, Roopal and Jignes, exchanging glances, holding hands, stealing kisses on the staircase, in the lift, near the pump room, on the bike, in the car…… How would they all react? Kantaben’s mind raced; her daughter’s entire future depended on Champaben’s nod, she had to clinch this deal at any cost. Kantaben looked at Champaben and her mocking smile and with tears in her eyes she said, “Champaben, you know our children love each other very much. The entire society and the neighbourhood have seen them together. Our prestige is at stake. We have to get our children married. Please forgive our mistake. Let my Roopal be not victimised and even Jignes won’t be happy if this proposal breaks.”

    Champaben was now enjoying her game, the way a tiger enjoys playing with its hapless prey. This was the right time for her to show her might. She had to make Joshis pay for their mistake. She had to avenge her husband’s insult in front of the society members. So, in a leisurely manner, Champaben crossed her legs and said, “You see Ramnikbhai is a very big builder and we are too small in front of them. If Jignes marries their girl, our business will get a boost. You too are a Gujarati; you surely know the rules of trade and business.”

    Kantaben clearly understood Champaben’s game. As a prey, she had to be quicker now to escape with minimal damage! It was a do or die situation and her daughter’s future depended totally on her negotiation skills. Kantaben collected herself and pleaded, “We won’t be able to match Ramnikbhai’s affluence, but you know our daughter and our family. To get our Roopal married to Jignes, we will try to stretch all our resources and meet your demands. Please tell us, reasonably, what are your expectations? We will try our best to meet your expectations.”

    Taking her own time, Champaben thought over and quoted her steep expectations, keeping Kantaben’s family status in mind. She was more than ready to bargain and oblige the Joshis. Her whole intention was to harass the Joshis a little bit more, in order to make them regret their past action and to ensure their subservience forever, in future!

    But she was unaware of Vipulbhai’s investment in stocks! Suddenly Vipulbhai came to life and he said with vigour, “Done. We are ready to meet all your demands. Let us start preparations. Let us keep the wedding after three months, in December or January.” Kantaben beamed and she was proud of her husband for once! Champaben bit her tongue in shock. She had not expected Joshis to accept her steep demand so easily and she had obviously underestimated them! She looked at her husband for some support but he too was in shock! Desais were speechless now. And having clinched the deal, the Joshis returned to their flat triumphantly.

    Vipulbhai told his wife, “I have enough money in the stocks. On Wednesday, I will talk to my trader Virenbhai, who has now gone to Amdavad (Ahmedabad) and start the process of selling my shares. You start your planning.” Kantaben pinched herself. She couldn’t believe that shortly Roopal would be married to Jignes!

    ***

    But destiny had its own plans. The front pages of the newspapers on Wednesday carried the Breaking news - THE STOCK MARKET HAS CRASHED!!

    Unaware of the new development, Vipulbhai started his new day with the newspaper and a cup of masala chai. Within seconds, Kantaben heard the sound of falling cup and rushed into the living room. Vipulbhai was on the floor writhing in pain. Immediately with the help of their neighbours, he was rushed to the hospital; he had suffered a massive heart attack! Kantaben cursed her bad luck repeatedly. Her husband was bedridden, the stock market had crashed and her daughter’s future looked uncertain. She thought on various related issues; of all the issues, Roopal’s future was of supreme importance to her. That evening even as Vipulbhai was asleep on the hospital bed under sedation, mother and daughter debated in a hushed tone for a long time.

    ***

    A month later……

    Vipulbhai was on the road to recovery. He was now waiting for the stock market to recover. On the same fateful morning, both the families discovered that Roopal and Jignes were missing!

    After a bitter exchange of words, Kantaben and Champaben were consoled and advised by the members of the housing society to accept the inevitable. As all the housing society members knew about the youngsters’ love, with full gusto they supported the young couples’ decision to elope. Kantaben wiped her tears and tried to console Champaben, who was inconsolable. Her son Jignes, a proverbial golden goose, had eloped with Roopal. He had betrayed the family. He had turned the hunter into the hunted!


    ***


    By mid-day, after the registered marriage, when Jignes and Roopal returned to the housing society to seek everyone’s blessings, Champaben and Rasikbhai had no options but to welcome them as all the members of the society accompanied the newly wedded couple!

    At last, Roopal and Jignes were married!

    Kantaben heaved a sigh of relief and exchanged a meaningful smile with her husband. Readjusting the pallu of her saree, Kantaben phoned a relative to pick up and bring the sweets from the famous sweet shop at Malad, for which she had placed the order a week earlier!



    *********************END***********************


    ( Image has been taken from the internet for the representation purposes only)
     
    sindmani, HazelPup, NeetaR and 10 others like this.
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  2. shravs3

    shravs3 IL Hall of Fame

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    Interesting Geeta !
     
    GeetaKashyap likes this.
  3. Sandycandy

    Sandycandy IL Hall of Fame

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    Wah ! Nice story Geeta ! This is how life in a lot of housing societies in Mumbai and you describe it beautifully . Kantaben is the hero here ! Desperate times call for desparate measures ! Well played Kantaben :grin:
     
    sindmani, HazelPup, NeetaR and 2 others like this.
  4. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

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    Your comment is irrelevant here. If you wish to advertise your product, please find some other creative means.
     
  5. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

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    Thank you, shravs.
     
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  6. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

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    Thanks, Sandy. You said it, "Desperate times call for desperate measures!" Seedhi ungli se kaam nahi chale toh ungli teda karna hi padta hai.
     
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  7. Frangipani

    Frangipani Silver IL'ite

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    Very clever solution by Kantaben. Her hopes and anxiety are very understandable . Entertaining story, Geeta .
     
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  8. periamma

    periamma IL Hall of Fame

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  9. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear @Frangipani,

    When we look at her as the mother of a girl, we have to accept that all her anxieties are valid. In a do or die situation, there can be no rights or wrongs:)
     
  10. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

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    Thank you so much, @periamma, for your visit and comment.
     

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