The Nameplate

For how long the calling bell was ringing. Arohi was in the bathroom. She came running and opened the door. The postman was standing outside.

“Is this the house of Arohi Sharma?” he asked

“Yes, I am Arohi “

“Well, I have seen the nameplate of Naman Sharma’s outside. You may be his wife. Please inform the sender to write the name of Naman Sharma, without fail, from next time. It becomes difficult to locate otherwise Now everyone knows him only. "

Today again, Arohi was late to complete her work. No matter how fast she worked, the work would not be completed before 12 O’clock. In a short while from now Aman will come from school. Then she will not get any time to complete her story.

Naman and Arohi had got married five years before. They had a four-year-old son, Aman. Naman worked for a multinational company at a senior position.

Arohi too was well educated, but could not go for a job because of the household responsibilities and for her of son. From her college days, she had a flair for writing. Whenever she got time, after marriage, she would write down on paper whatever came to her mind.

"Madam-Madam." Arohi came out of her mind hearing the voice of the postman.

"Madam had there been your nameplate I need not have asked people. I could have found out from the nameplate. See how many people of the flat I had to ask before coming here.…

"Thank you brother, I shall take care of it.”

Saying this, Arohi took the letter and closed the door. She had decided that when Naman comes today, she would talk about the nameplate. As soon as Naman came from the office he started playing with Aman. After dinner when Aman had slept, Arohi started talking about the nameplate.

“Naman, I was thinking about getting my name-plate fixed outside. There may be no difficulty for the postman if a letter comes in my name or someone coming to meet me. Today when I got a letter from mother then the postman had raised this point.

Naman kept watching her for a while. Then he started laughing. Arohi could not understand the reason for his laugh.

Looking at the curious look of Arohi, Naman stopped his laughter and said, “Sorry Arohi, did you think about it when you were sitting idle? Who comes to see you? All your friends know me. The rest of the people know you by the name of Mrs. Naman Sharma. And by the way, more people come to meet Aman than you. In my opinion, I should get a nameplate of Aman fixed. Let's go to sleep honey and let me sleep too. It's already too late."

It was definitely a stinging answer, but it was true and Arohi too knew it. Two years passed just like a flash. Much change had come in these two years. Things which had not changed were the daily routine of Arohi. Now she had a domestic maid to do the housework. Whatever little time she got, she used it for writing a story. Today her story was complete.

She could not decide what to do? She did not want to tell Naman. She didn’t have the trust in herself. She thought to leave it like that.

While turning the pages of a magazine in the afternoon, she saw about “A Story Contest”. The winner getting the first place was going to be awarded rupees fifty thousand as a cash prize. Apart from the name, the winner's interview was also to be published in the same magazine. Not only this, but the winner will also be given the opportunity to write a novel.

Arohi knew that her story was nothing special. Nevertheless, she had spent two years on that story. Suddenly the telephone rang. Father was on the line. He was the only person to whom she told about her story.

It was a Sunday. Naman and Aman were at home. The phone rang and then Naman picked up the phone. There was something important, so they kept talking on the phone for a long time.

The next day, when Arohi woke up in the morning, the house was absolutely quiet. Both Naman and Aman were not on the bed. As soon as she got up and came to the drawing-room she was welcomed with loud applause. Her house was filled with her friends..

Everyone was congratulating her. Today was Arohi's birthday. Naman was telling everyone proudly that the story of Arohi had got the first prize. The editors were saying that many publisher companies wanted her to write novels, but Arohi's that was her first novel …

Arohi was thanking everyone.

Arohi received phone calls from father, mother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother, sister-in-law and from many others.. After everyone had left, Arohi fell into Naman’s arms.

"I had known it yesterday itself. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. I wanted to tell you today with your gift”. ”Naman said.

"Gift, but why are you taking me out, Naman?" Arohi asked.

"Mamma please come," Aman said in his sweet voice.

Naman closed Arohi's eyes and after reaching the door he opened them.

Arohi saw, a beautiful golden-framed nameplate placed near Naman Sharma's nameplate. On that nameplate it was written - Aarohi Sharma (writer). Seeing this, Arohi's eyes became moist seeing it. This unique birthday gift became memorable for her.

THE END

कहानी- नेमप्लेट (Short Story- Nameplate)

USHA GUPTA

https://www.merisaheli.com/short-story-nameplate/

– पल्लवी