Papa Ji, I got the answer!
I never saw Papa Ji excited on Holi. Although he was aware of the rituals and practices followed on this special day but hardly any sign of happiness or fun was visible on his face. I couldn't pay enough attention to this issue ever.
On 1st March, I decided to take both kids out by my scooty for having snacks. It was Sunday and I wanted to spend it like a holiday for them. Already examination season was underway and both were busy in exams so Sunday should ideally be a break and I wanted them to feel it.
Just after 100 meters, while taking a left turn from Bhootnath Mandir I saw a pichhkari shop. Kids got excited when I parked my scooty there. Gannu put a finger to a big gun shape pichhkari and I asked the price. It was 600. I had 1000 rupees combined in all my saving accounts and I had saved it for emergency. In this circumstance, 600 was like a lakh for me that time. The shopkeeper was a local and he perhaps read my face accurately. "Apne logo se jyada thode hi lenge", he said. I got surprised and asked, "aap hame jante hain kya"..."aap tuntun bhai ke damad hain n." I stunned because he was right. Now I found myself in a very complicated situation. To be fair, his cost was high but on the contrary I was not supposed to bargain because I was a Damad of Tuntun Ji. If I bargain, the image of my in law would be compromised. I regretted and told Gannu that we'll buy it tomorrow after his exam. After that I took them to a small restaurant and enjoyed Samosa and Rasgulla.
When I shared this with Bhagya and Ladli, both suggested me not to visit the shop again for bargain. I was so disappointed. On the next day I tried multiple times to visit the shop and request him to give it to me in 400 but I couldn't muster courage. I got fed up literally. The world was celebrating Holi but I was crying within myself because I was running out of pocket and couldn't give happiness to my kids. I reminded my PapaJi and I got the answer why he was never looking happy on Holi or any other big festivals. I don't remember if he took me with him for Holi shopping ever. He was not a rich man by pocket and perhaps that's the reason why he chose to leave us at home while going out for Holi shopping.
Anyways, finally on 3rd, I took my kids to Bhatta (a local market known for bargaining). No one was knowing me there. I visited multiple shops and gt a gun size Pichhkari (not the same one) for Gannu in 150. He was happy but I was sad because I know I have failed as a father.
Miss you Papa Ji.
No comments:
Post a Comment