One too many, Neighbours Part -1

 

When incessant knocking, awakened Raj from his Simran dreams, his very first thought was to kill the person knocking on the door. Why and who might be knocking, this thought came in second when suddenly he realized that he would really not like going to jail, where there are practically no doors. At the very least, he can shut his door to the world and go back to his sweet sleep.

As the knocking didn't stop, he got up, threw his pillow aside, and walked towards the bathroom...this was urgent, knocking is eternal, it will never stop, but he must visit the loo and freshen up...

15mins later when after being washed and brushed, he wiped his face with a towel and threw it on the bed, looked into the mirror. He realized that his eyes were frowning and they needed to laugh. Nevertheless, he put on a fake smile and walked to the door, whose hinges were now themselves irritated by knocking started shouting!

Raj opened the door and behold it was Sharma Uncle, At the age of 70 and 2 he had recently taken up a habit of rising early at 2am and when awakened and having nothing to do, this 70year old would go on knocking on the doors right and left, asking for any help his neighbors could provide for his little troubles like finding his glasses, his plant not getting enough sunlight and sometimes helping find his Asthama Spray...he would on occasion hide them on purpose, for he needed to be amongst person. Apart from such mischief, Sharma uncle was probably the best soul in the world, he would play with kids of society in the garden, tell moral stories, and kids loved to be around him. He would keep a keen eye on who enters and who goes out of society. In Sharma uncle, they would find the best CCTV camera ever, not only recording actions always but also the intention behind it.

"What do you want uncle?" Asked raj, he knew Simran has to wait for another night, since Sharma uncle has arrived it will probably take all morning to find the article he has hidden on purpose and claims to be lost.

"Have you seen a little boy that came into society yesterday raj? (enters the house without invitation) i think I have seen him somewhere, I really don't remember. (Scans the room for any actual evidence of some Simran coming in without his notice.)"

"There is no one inside uncle, I came late home from the office yesterday, are you satisfied?" 

"Why don't you young people trust us old men, I was curious if you slept well, now that I am satisfied do let me know if you find any little boy that came to society of ours" 

"Yes, uncle of course" (knowing this is just the start and Sharma uncle is not intending to make his visit short,)

Still not leaving the room, Sharma uncle pointing his index finger to the poster of Kajol on the wall opposite to the wall,

"Do you know she is married to that Devgan guy, the one who rides two bikes at a time, he should really think of buying a car, this way he can ride a four-wheeler." Scanning other random objects layouts about the room and not satisfied by finding nothing controversial he is a little irritated.

"Lost anything uncle?" Raj reminded him, that it was his home and he only entertained this old chap for he was also the honorary chairman of the society and it was due to his grace that he being a bachelor was allowed to live in the society.

"What must be done about the little boy Raj? You know I am worried might I use your bathroom?"

Raj knew where this was going and since he was used to this private CID of society he replied.

"By all means, but you are not going to find anything there?" smiling at this old fellow, who was as thorough as a Sarkari Babu when giving govt money to the poor.

After all his curiosities and questioning were satisfied, Sharma uncle made himself comfortable on the sofa cum bed that did the double duty of sitting as well as bed in the night.

"So Raj, when are you going to bring your own Simran? It's high time you get married, you have a nice job, time is by your side, you are young and seem, honest person, tell me what is wrong with you?" 

And like a soldier fighting a lost battle Raj sat near Sharma Uncle on the sofa, and started his explanation, which he knew would not matter much for Sharma uncle was already planning to visit Mrs. Gaikwad downstairs, she make good breakfast and there was something he needed to ask Mrs. Gaikwad also.

It was 8 and half hour on the clock in the morning when satisfied that all his scrutiny was over and the fresh smell of quickly made Poha, tingled his nostrils Sharma uncle hurried his question and by the time it was 8 and 45 mins on the clock, a frustrated Raj was locking the door behind him.

... When Mrs. Gaikwad opened the door, she was still in a half-awake state, a mother of two school-going kids, her usual day would start by getting her kids up and making them ready for the school, at the same time keeping a keen eye and ears to the kitchen where a pressure cooker whistled to her whims. 

When she saw it was Sharma uncle who came to the door, she knew she was going to be late at dropping her kids off at school, and as any lady who is efficient at the housework and knows when to delegate and when to micromanage.. she immediately called her husband to wake up. And as by practice her husband a menial office goer, knew he too can't dream of Simran today, she has to wait. 

"Have you seen a little boy in the society Manisha?" Sharma uncle asked entering the home he was so accustomed to that he actually thought Manisha Gaikwad was his daughter and always addressed her by the first name.

Manisha knowing this was another ruse to come in, did not get surprised by the question and answered that she hasn't seen any and she would surely enquire around if anyone has seen a little boy in the society. Manisha, she liked Sharma uncle, he was her partner in crime, when Manisha had her friends over she would just pick her kids up and drop them at Sharma Uncle's Flat, he never left society, he was retired from the army and would never leave society unless very important work. For Sharma Uncle, his society was his post, he would never betray his post. 

Manisha was always happy to welcome Sharma uncle at her home, a busy mother of two kids, she could take a breather and enjoy little moments of life with Sharma uncle as her aide. When one of the kids was sick with typhoid, it was Sharma Uncle who stayed with the kid at the hospital and Manisha prepped her other kid for the school. 

But intentions betray small and great alike and fresh aroma of Poha, tickling the nostrils of Sharma uncle made him betray his purpose.

"Are you making Poha today? my wife used to make very good Poha" 

and this was his excuse Sharma uncle was one of those army people who loved being on the front more than at home, he ate food made at mess most of his life, whatever his wife cooked he would hardly remember but still he efforts to salvage what he could to have his breakfast was applaudable.

Manisha knowing this already replied her usual.

"I know she must have been a terrific cook, why don't you come in and taste mine, and let me know how it is made..."

*** To be continued***

Not all neighbors are  Sharma Uncle, some are indifferent some are intrusive yet some are as good.

if you have some interesting neighbors, do send us your stories and we will include them in the upcoming blogs.

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