Ganga (The impure) - Part 5

Part 5:

It's been a month since Ganga came to the US. Sheetal looked after Ganga as a family member. She never treated her like a maid. Ganga adjusted to the new environment. Rhea loved to be around Ganga. Rhea never troubled Sheetal now, Sheetal too was relieved. She concentrated on her work without stress. Her Managers appreciated her for finishing tasks on time and without hassles. Ganga looked after the house too, She cooked yummy meals. There was no reason for Sheetal to be upset. Rhea developed a good bonding with Ganga. Ganga would sing songs, rhymes and even narrated stories to Rhea while feeding her, She devoted her time to play with Rhea. Little Rhea was happy and joyful these days. The only person who was unhappy with Ganga was Yathish.

Yathish never spoke to her, he did not even look into her eyes. Sheetal thought Yathish was an introvert and he would take time to mingle with people, so she never bothered. One day Yathish told Sheetal " I think now Rhea can stay in Daycare. It's time to start teaching her to mingle with other kids. So let's enroll her in a nearby daycare. I think you can send Ganga back home, She might be missing her hometown, Soon winter is about to start and she may fall sick here".

Sheetal gave an angry look and sarcastically replied to him" Mr. Yathish, I can throw you out of the house but not Ganga aunty. She is taking good care of us and I am happy with her. Let me know if you have any intentions to move out". She walked towards the lawn without waiting for a response from Yathish.

Sheetal answered a phone call, Yathish overheard her talking to her Father. He understood that some guest is about to arrive from India and they will be staying here with them for a few days.

Sheetal ended the call, She looked at Yathish "Oh you are here!! Papa had called, He was saying that Payal's father in law is coming to the US next month, to attend some AKKA (Association of Kannada Kootas America )event, He is coming here to talk about organic farming and its benefits. Papa had requested him to stay with us.

Yathish felt some sort of jealousy about Payal's in-laws and their status. "Scientist in America are so brainless?? That they are inviting a landlord from India to talk about organic farming. Very funny!!! However, in the US hotel rates are very high, compared to India so your father is sending him here. Mufth mein khana,peena aur paisa bachana ". he told sarcastically to show his disapproval.

Sheetal was fuming "Shut up Yathish, how can you talk about a person whom you haven't met at all. He is wise a person and a perfect gentleman. When people can organize an event and send air tickets; don't they arrange a hotel stay as well. Don't talk rubbish".

Yathish did not stop "You don't know anything about these Indians. They do anything to save money. They come up with some Jugaad!!".

Sheetal frowned "Yathish !! You too belong to India, You are still a citizen of India. Don't forget that you are also just a migrant worker here".

Yatish in irritation "Oh common Sheetal, I am living here for 7 years and I have applied for a green card. Once I get a green card I will be a citizen of the US. Don't count me as an Indian. I don't want to identify myself with that poor country. The US is a land of dreams, it's heaven. Not like that stinking and poor country of yours.

Sheetal was fuming now, "Yathish, enough is enough!! Being proud of this land is like being proud of your rich stepmother, Shaming your own biological mother just because she is poor and old. All around the world, your identity starts with your own country. Where ever you go, people will ask you, Are you an Indian?? Have some courtesy towards the country that made you. This country may be heaven to you, but to me, it's hell. My parents, friends, relatives, and well-wishers are in India. Hmmmm.... What do you know about relations and relationship, you are an orphan. It makes no sense of talking to you about bonding and relations. Sorry to say this, I am thankful to God that you have no parents otherwise the way you behave would have hurt them very badly.

Ganga who overheard them arguing; felt deeply sad. She always wanted her son to be decent and good. Now she felt bad about her upbringing. When she was lost deep in her thoughts, Little Rhea walked towards her and held her cheeks in her little hands, and uttered Da...Dadi... !!

Ganga held Rhea in her arms and kissed her cheeks. She felt happy to hear those words.

Sheetal and Yathish continued their argument, Sheetal was really upset about it and she walked into Rhea's room. Ganga tried to pacify Sheetal, "It's ok Beta, calm down. Everything will be fine. here take this glass of water and sip it".

Sheetal picked up the glass and drank water in one go, "I don't know what's wrong with him Aunty, He was not like this when I saw him in college. How can a person change to this extent?? I really wonder is this the same guy whom I met 8 years back and fell in love with him".

Ganga wanted to change the topic; " So.. you never told me about your love story, I am eager to know. Tell me How did you meet?? Who proposed first? What made you like him? Everything I want to know?? ". She looked at her with curiosity and in a teasing manner.

Sheetal giggled and blushed thinking about her love story......!!!

Sheetal narrated her love story to Ganga.

It was around 13 years back. I was pursuing a degree final year. I was quite famous in my college, I was a rebellious character. one day, I was riding a new scooty that my dad gifted me doing a showoff in front of my friends. Suddenly I heard someone calling out my name Sheetal Pandey..!!! oye Mangal Pandey.... !!! I turned behind to see who it was, then I bumped into someone's bike that was coming in the opposite direction. It was an accident and we both fell down. My scooty and his bike both were damaged. I stood up on my knees and started yelling at the biker "Are you out of your mind idiot? Look what you have done. Have you kept your eyeballs in your back pocket or what?? The guy stood up and brushed his shirt and hands. He looked at me and in a stern voice " Hello!!! Who came in the wrong direction? You were the one who was looking behind while riding, what were you doing looking for your eyeballs that you left behind?? Look at my bike, It's damaged and you need to pay for this.

Sheetal thought in her mind, Arey what have I done?? How to get away from this? She looked at him, He was fair, charming and dressed in a blue formal shirt and jeans. he corrected his spectacles, He had attractive eyes and a clean shave. "She said Mister, I accept it's my mistake, but I don't have money now. I have to go to ATM to withdraw money, You stay here I will withdraw the amount and come back. By the way, What's your name?

Yathish lifted his bike, pulled it to the side, and answered her "Yathish, I am a new joiner." Sheetal gave a weird smile and thought wah, a good time to escape, college is closed for 5 days, and by the time college reopens, He would have forgotten my face, he may not be able to identify me. Even if he does, I can try to prove that it was his mistake. 

Sheetal with a smile on her face "Yathish, please wait here, I will go to ATM and withdraw money".

Yathish just nodded his head and was busy looking at the bumper of his bike. Sheetal picked up her scooty and escaped from the situation. Poor Yathish waited for Sheetal for more than 2 hours and then left the college premises. He thought to himself "What a fool I was, I should have gone with her or held back her belonging. Where will she go?? After college reopens, I will find her and teach her a lesson".

Sheetal drove to her friend Nayana's house and narrated the entire episode to her. Nayana handed over a pack of chips packet to Sheetal "Hey poor guy, it was your mistake. You should have apologized to him".

Sheetal said, "Aarey yaar I was looking for that idiot who called me Mangal Pandey, If I get to know who it was?? I will thrash him left and right!!".

Nayana "What if that guy finds you in college?? What will you do??

Sheetal " Don't worry, he is a newbie. Even if he trace me, I will shout back that it was his mistake and my scooty was damaged. He owes me money for repair work.

Nayana giggled "You are a cute criminal!!! ".

They both chatted for the entire day. They were best friends, who shared everything from childhood

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There was a continuous doorbell ringing, Sheetal was annoyed, she opened the door in a fury. Yathish stood there. She stood there her eyes wide opened. She composed herself and started yelling at Yathish. "Oh so you were following me, I had a doubt on you, Mister.

You purposefully bumped my scooty and it cost me 3000 to get it repaired. Actually, I was looking for you to get back my money".

Yathish stood there looking at her drama, "Hello Mam, Is this residence of Radhika Pandey? Someone had named you correctly, Miss Mangal Pandey!! ".

By the time Sheetal could open her mouth to answer, Radhika arrived " Arrey, Yathish!!! Please come in Beta. Leave those bags on the table".

Yathish pushed Sheetal aside, kept grocery bags on the table. Aunty, please check if everything is there in the bags.

Radhika checked the bag and handed over the money to Yathish,

"Thank you Beta, It was sweet of you to deliver items to the residence at the short notice ".

Yathish "It's ok Aunty, It's my pleasure".

He said so and left the place without even acknowledging Sheetal's presence. Sheetal looked at her mom and raised her eyebrows. As an indication to question her.

Radhika understood her gesture and replied, "That guy works at a nearby supermarket. I requested him to deliver a few items. So kind of him, He came all the way to deliver though it's not his job. very Good fellow!!". She said so and picked up the bag and went to the kitchen.

Sheetal stood there thinking about Yathish and his mannerism.

he is not like other men, who would try to woo girls. Seems a very decent fellow.

She went to the balcony and saw Yathish kick-starting his bike.

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Sheetal was awestruck when she saw Yathish in her classroom. "What are you doing here?? ".

Yathish Sarcastically replied "Why is this your college?? Do I need permission from you to attend classes??

Sheetal frowned " I did not mean in that way".

Yathish replied " Look !! is there any rule, that I should not attend college? I work in a supermarket on a part-time basis. I have my own dreams and destinations. So Miss Mangal Pandey, If you permit shall I sit down. Also, you owe me 2000 rupees for my bike repair. Ensure you pay me else I will ask your mother to pay.

Sheetal was irritated and angry, She went to her desk and sat next to Nayana. For some reason, Sheetal's eyes always followed Yathish unknowingly. She could not resist looking at him. Yathish was not bothered, he was interested in the lecture.

Slowly Sheetal fell in love with Yathish and his mannerism. He was quiet and was an introvert. Always busy writing notes or reading books. Many girls tried their best to get his attention but, None was successful. Sheetal dreamt about Yathish and was in love with him Head over heels.

Everyday Sheetal made excuses to visit the supermarket to see Yatish. She would empty tea powder packets, sugar, or some essential item and rushed to the supermarket".

Yathish never looked at her or acknowledged her in the supermarket. Sheetal tried her best to get his attention.

While picking up items, She was looking at Yathish and did not check what she was picking from the rack. The aged couple who stood there gave a weird look to her. The old lady asked her, "My child, Are you going to use all of them?? ".

That is when Sheetal looked at the trolley, She had picked up more than 30 condoms packets.

It was an OOOPPPS moment!!! :)

To be continued.....!!!!!!