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\u201cShanti. Shanti. O, Shanti, give me my new pajama kurta,\u201d Shastri called his wife Shanti in agitation. \u201cI\u2019ve repaired your kurta. Wear it for the time being,\u201d Shanti replied sternly from the kitchen. His sullen mood complained silently about his repaired kurta when he sat on the mat for dinner. Plain white rice, two thin slices of cucumber and a small bowl of yellow watery lentil soup in a shiny thali aggravated his anger. Shanti said before her husband complained, \u201cSimple food is good for you, it is still tasty.\u201d Shastri wanted to disagree but Shanti had anticipated his reply. \u201cI have an orange for you too.\u201d And that satisfied him. A fiction story by Nusrat Jabeen. <\/b>(LIFESTYLE, #NusratJabeen, @NusratJabeen, #Siliconeer, @Siliconeer, #Fiction)<\/p>\n
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Shastri and Shanti were blessed with three sons and a daughter. Their three sons had settled in the States after completing their education and their only daughter Padma was happily married to a nobleman. Shastri and Shanti bowed to their Bhagavan every day for being blessed, Ajay, Shanker and Arvind sent them money every month from the States and Shastri got his small pension as well. They were happy and contended.<\/p>\n
It had become Shanti\u2019s annual ritual to cut down the budget two or three months prior to their three sons\u2019 visit to India. Shanti wanted to serve her children the best of everything never compromising on food or comfort. She took new clothes for her and Shastri and new bed linen for her children. She replenished the fridge with fruit, vegetables, ice cream and jars on the kitchen were filled with homemade snacks for their grandchildren. She tried relentlessly to show her sons and her daughters in law that they had a surplus of everything. She often told Shastri, \u201cIf they know we are frugally living they will be heartbroken and cut down from their children\u2019s needs to giving us more and that I cannot tolerate at any cost.\u201d<\/p>\n
The last vacation their sons arranged for a maid and part time driver too. \u201cMata Ji, you\u2019ve worked endlessly all your life and this is the time for you to enjoy and take some rest.\u201d That one sentence had made them the proudest parents of the world.<\/p>\n
But that was a different story. As soon they left Shanti paid off the maid and the driver and told them politely that she would call them when she needed them.<\/p>\n
Since their sons had gone to the States, everything had become more expensive, but the amount their sons sent remained the same. Shastri wanted to ask his sons to increase the amount but Shanti always rejected that option.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about us? What about our expenses? We\u2019re old and need medicines and \u2026 and look at the prices of everything, ten times more than they started earning and sending us,\u201d Shastri \u2019s irritation did not bother Shanti at all. She smiled, \u201cShastri\u2026 We have everything we need. Let our children enjoy their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once again it was time for Shanti to reschedule her home budget. All her three sons and their families were arriving and she had two months to arrange everything…everything that could be a proof of their dignified living. But for that Shastri and she had to scarify some of their basic necessities.<\/p>\n
\u201cShanti \u2026. My vitamins and calcium tablets \u2026.?\u201d Shastri shouted entering the room holding the empty bottles in his hand. Shanti threw a glance and said softly, \u201cYou can survive very well without these supplements for a month.\u201d<\/p>\n
That reminded him the arrival of his sons next month. Shastri felt his wife\u2019s worries to his heart and he also knew her determination to provide the best of everything for her children and their families. He wanted to help but found him helpless.<\/p>\n
Finally, the day came. Ajay, Shanker, and Arvind were happy to see their parents after a year. Their wives, however, envied the glowing faces of Shastri and Shanti. Everybody enjoyed the traditional meal with hot chapatis served by the maid. Shanti and Shastri were bustling with joy to see all of their family sitting together on the dining table.<\/p>\n
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Shanti had called the maid and the driver temporarily but were told to give the impression of being permanent servants. However, Shastri was not happy with all false arrangements.<\/p>\n
Shastri took his sons for a walk and said humbly, \u201cYou see, sons, everything is very expensive…. it is very difficult to carry on these days with the amount you send us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Pita Ji,\u201d all said together but their looks were incredulous. \u201cWe\u2019ll see, what could be done,\u201d Arvind said and the other two nodded.<\/p>\n
Arvind, Ajay, Shanker and their wives were discussing what gift would be suitable for Padma, their nand.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery year we give so many gifts to Padma and that\u2019s not fair,\u201d Padmini said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne sari and one-kilo sweets and they are enough?\u201dArvind\u2019s wife decided finally.<\/p>\n
\u201cShanti,\u201d asked Shastri, \u201cDo they have gifts for Padma?\u201d<\/p>\n
Shanti smiled as usual and put several packets on the bed, six of them.<\/p>\n
Shanti explained, \u201cI\u2019ve collected all these for Padma, so you need not worry.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is just a formality,\u201d Shastri had sensed the unrest on his sons and their wives\u2019 faces.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Mata Ji, all this must be very expensive,\u201d the middle bahu couldn\u2019t resist.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, no,\u201d Shanti laughed and said with a little embarrassment, \u201cActually, I didn\u2019t buy anything. I got them all from different relatives on different occasions,\u201d Shanti cleared the doubts of her daughters-in-law in the most humble way. Shastri was appreciating his wife\u2019s crafty intelligence silently.<\/p>\n
It was midnight. All six of them were sitting and discussing something seriously. Their faces were dismal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s clear that we\u2019re giving them more than they need,\u201d said Padmini.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook at the extravagant lifestyle, wahoo… !\u201d The other one interrupted, \u201cScrumptious meals and full-time servants. Wah.. What a royal lifestyle!\u201d<\/p>\n
Kamini sighed, \u201cWe all work like mules and still cannot afford a maid. And all our saving is spent on this trip.\u201d The three ladies watched the reaction on the three obedient sons.<\/p>\n
The meeting prolonged for two hours. Finally, by two in the morning they reached unanimously to the final verdict.<\/p>\n
It was time for them to leave. They all touched the feet of their parents in sheer respect. Shanti and Shastri gave their asheerwad with moist eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cPita, we want to say something if you forgive us,\u2019 Arvind said politely.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, why not, Arvind,\u201d Shastri said cheerfully, thinking about an increase in remittance.<\/p>\n
Rest of them were waiting anxiously for him to blurt the verdict of last night\u2019s resolution.<\/p>\n
Arvind cleared his throat, \u201cMata and Pita Ji, you know we all are in debts. We have a home mortgage, car installments and need to save for our children\u2019s education.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone was listening silently.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, I know,\u201d Shastri was getting worried anticipating something inauspicious to happen.<\/p>\n
Shanker said, \u201cWe\u2019ve decided to reduce your monthly remittance. We know you understand. You see…..\u201d<\/p>\n
Shastri was about to raise his voice in protest but Shanti pressed his hand to remain quiet.<\/p>\n
Once again they touched their parents\u2019 feet and left.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you let me tell them that we\u2019re already hand-to-mouth. What will we do now?\u201d Shastri was seething in furry.<\/p>\n
Shanti smiled but her eyes welled up instantly, \u201cShastri Ji, you count every day for their next vacation. If they stop visiting us how will we survive?\u201d<\/p>\n
Shastri was deep in thoughts, \u201cBut Shanti, how will you manage the household now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll rent out one room, a paying guest,\u201d Shanti smiled. Shastri was over whelmed and turned his face to hide his tears.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cShanti. Shanti. O, Shanti, give me my new pajama kurta,\u201d Shastri called his wife Shanti in agitation. \u201cI\u2019ve repaired your kurta. Wear it for the time being,\u201d Shanti replied sternly from the kitchen. His sullen mood complained silently about his repaired kurta when he sat on the mat for dinner. Plain white rice, two thin…<\/p>\n