Homecoming

Shastri's house was situated near the forest. The house was in the forest area and neighbourhood houses were located at least half kilometer apart. There was no road available for transport and the nearest bus stand was 2 kilometers away.

"Do I have to go to the house?", Shastri began to ponder. He did not want to face his parents to begin with. If his mother heard about his choice she would be silent to begin with. But within time it would be turned into nagging. His father would also non challantly brush of his words but over the time he would begin to explain the responsibilities of the man to his family and society- which shastri was not keen to listen to.

As he was in route of his home he came across the house of his neighbour, Baidajja. He was the only one residing in the house as his son had opted to go to the city rather than staying in the village. He had one granddaughter. There was always an argument between the old man and shastri's father who is superior-whether his granddaughter or Shastri. Because of that Shastri had always endured scoldings from his father. So he had no good feeling for the old man.

But just as he was about to move further, Baidajja came out from his house. Seeing shastri he said" I was just about to go to your house. We had many mangos from the backyard mango tree this year and I wanted to share with your family. Can you take these mangos home?".

Shastri sighed"Ok then".

"Than just come to the house and wait for a bit. I will just place the fruit in the carry bag",then he turned around and went inside the house. Seeing that Shastri also went inside.

As he sat on the couch, he saw a young lady looking at him from the kitchen. She was beautiful.But Shastri just looked at her nonchlantly. Then he ignored her, and begin checking the things in the hall.

As he was about to fall asleep there came a voice ,"Please have some water." Shastri took the glass from her and began to drink. But she still stood there. Then she hesistanly asked,"Are you still angry about..."

Suddenly Baidajja entered with two carrybags. Shastri insisted on one bag of mango instead of two to which Ajja refused. With drooping face shastri lifted the bag full of mangoes and with the heavy suitcase began to walk towards his home. Seeing him off, Ajja went inside while the beautiful lady stayed watching shastri's back with eyes full of remorse...

As he was about to reach his home, he saw his father picking grass near the tree. His father was considerably aged but still insisted on doing this chores. His theory was that it would make him more self reliant. But shastri's theory was no worker wanted to come to the village and work because of which he was forced to do the chores.

Seeing Shastri, his father bundled the grass which had been cut. Then together they began to walk towards the house. Along the way they did not talk to each other. Upon entering the gate his father went to feed the cows while Shastri went to wash his feet. Then his mother came out.

His mother was also silent while giving him the towel. Shastri knew his situation was like waiting an volcano to erupt. So he did his chores silently. After saying the prayers he slept in his room till afternoon without coming out. Only when he heard the sound of plates, he sat down and began to wait for lunch.

As the family was seated, his father looked at him and said,"So it is true. You have left the job their and have permanently come to settle here, right?"

"Yes father. I will do the spare chores here and will also do the temple priest work. It will be ok."

His mother suddenly said " But it was such a good job! You could have atleast waited for us to search a girl for you, married her and then left the job!"

"But mom, my job was such a pain in the ass! I have to investigate, go rounds and again investigate! Sure, I got a bit famous but I sacrificed my sleep because of it. Because of that, I have decided to stay here. I will not go to Bangalore no matter what you say!"

Saying that Shastri began to eat without any other word. Seeing that his father and mother looked at each other and then began to eat. His parents were thinking of a way to convince him to go to city while Shastri was thinking how to escape from nagging in the coming days!