The Family

This family was an enigma to the people of the colony earlier. Only an old man aged about 65 and a beautiful youth comprised this family.People knew the old man as Vinod Babu but no one knew the name of the youth. Most essential things necessary for making a home were missing.There was no “woman” in this family. A male cook was also as egoistic as his master was.

The peculiar human nature is to be more curious to know things about other family. Without showing any interest in the known things about the family people spend more time digging out the unknown.This was the reason for the family of Vinod Babu becoming the centre of any discussion.

The people of the colony spent more time probing into the mystery of Vinod Babu's family

Only three months back this family had come and settled down here. In a short period of three months, they had brought about a perfect bonding among the people of the entire colony, which was missing earlier .This family was one on one side and the entire colony was on the other.

My wife had send tea to develop intimacy with them but it was not accepted .The message was sent through the servant,Madan Ji who said in bitter tone “No member of the family drink tea”.

“Is it so”? Asked Gupta Ji, rolling his eyes in surprise.

Pawan Ji told that the invitation card sent to them for the birthday of their grandson was not accepted.

Some members came from the park after their walk and one of them told, “Hot topic has come out for discussion from the female side to the male side now ".

All were keen to know from where the family had came to settle down here and why was it so small with only male members .All attempts of the people failed to get nearer to that family. Neither had they gone anywhere, nor people went to them.The servant bought all monthly groceries and the young man went out probably for some job. He was not looking like a boy of school going age. He used to come out when the vehicle came at 9 O’clock in the morning and stopped near the gate. Without looking either left or right, he simply got in and disappeared. In the evening at 7 O'clock sharp the vehicle dropped him near the gate .Apart from this he was not seen anywhere except for a short period.

Sometimes Vinod Babu was seen strolling in his lawn. A few people tried to wish him Namaskar from outside the road but he either sat on a chair or went inside ignoring them. Gradually people started taking less interest in them even though they were curious.

Nikita, daughter of the owner of the adjacent house came on two weeks' leave. After her study for medical degree, she had joined a government hospital. While returning with father after a walk in the park, she asked inquisitively “Papa when was this house sold?”

“ Three months back” told Awasthi Ji briefly.

"Who are they?” Nikita asked curiously.

“ I don’t know , dear. They are strange people who do not mix up with others Neither they meet anybody, nor anyone goes to their place".

After reaching home Nikita told mother teasingly” Mummy, your spying squad sould have entered their house.Y ou make friends very fast".

“It is possible only when there is a woman in the family. But in this family there are three men – two are masters and one servant”, Mrs Awasthi told with a little disappointment

Nikita came to the dining table and asked,”Mother, what have you made ? I feel hungry.”

Mrs Awasthi got busy arranging meals. Leaving the topic of the neighbor, they enjoyed eating. After meals, Nikita went to her room without any discussion onVinod Babu. Two more days were left for Nikita to leave .Nikita saw the young man coming out of Vinod Babu’s house when she was strolling at the roof top. She got impressed with his personality. She thought that the family must be good .But she could not find reasons why they kept themselves aloof and did not mix with others. The servant came after the youngman. Vinod Babu was strolling outside. After seeing, the servant off by the wave of his hand when he turned to go inside he got entangled with the hosepipe used for watering the garden and fell down badly. Seeing Vinod Babu fall , Nikita shrieked and came down running and without telling anything to mother rushed to attend Vinod Babu . She asked, “Are you well Uncle?”

Vinod Babu looked at her with some pain and pointed towards his knee.Nikita saw the knee bleeding. By then Awasthi Ji had also reached the spot. Both father and daughter gave support to Vinod Babu and made him sit on a chair. Nikita fetched medicines from home and bandaged his wound.Madan Ji gave support to Vinod Babu and took him to his room. Later, he came down, thanked both father and daughter before they left for their house.

Nikita came to Vinod Babu in the evening and enquired,” How do you feel now?”

She had asked Vinod Babu but the reply came from Madan,”Now he looks better.Thanks Didi for the help.”

Nikita asked again, “Do you feel the pain? Should I give you painkiller?”

Vinod Babu was still silent.

“Do you have fever?” Nikita asked holding his arm which embarrassed Vinod Babu.From his look Nikita could understand everything and she asked Madan Ji , “Why , can’t uncle hear ?”

“Didi Ji , both Babu Ji and Bhayya Ji can neither hear nor speak. Only for this reason they sold their old house and came here to settle down amidst unknown people.”

Nikita did not have the courage to stand there and listen any longer. She ran towards home and narrated everything to her father. Awasthi Ji and his wife were shocked to hear it.They could hardly believe that this could have been another reason for their peculiar behaviour.This news spread the whole colony like a wild fire. Elderly people felt more ashamed as they had given a lot of wind to the rumour unintentionally.

“What to do now? “Asked Gupta Ji looking at Awasthi Ji who was sitting in a pensive mood.

Mishra Ji suggested that all must go together to Vinod Babu's house once. On return from park, they assembled together and reached Vinod Babu’s house. As usual,Madan opened the gate .He was surprised to find such a lot of people gathering at their house.

Awasthi Ji told ,“We have come to meet Vinod Babu” When Vinod Babu came out of his room they surrounded him there itself. Every one had come with their name written on a chit. Vinod Babu was moved to see their love for him.Although he could not give expression to his feelings, he stood there with folded hands and tearful eyes, which explained everything.

To bring people together the most essential thing required was speech, which was missing, but the hearts of the people had merged. Sometimes silence becomes more glorious than speech.

Even today, the family of Vinod Babu is the centre of discussion, not because of their aloofness, but because of their cordiality and belonging.

THE END

Original Story:- The Family - A short story In Hindi By Seema Singh in Your Story Club( YSC)

http://yourstoryclub.com/short-stories-social-moral/hindi-story-family/index.html

https://yourstoryclub.com/short-stories-social-moral/hindi-story-family/index.html