Chapter - 18
Flora's mother welcomed me and asked me the reason for my arrival. I told her.
"Today is our Rakhi festival. I consider her a sister and because of that I came to bond with her. "
"She has just gone to her aunt's house."
I was leaving the house saying, "It is o. k. "
Then she stopped me for tea. She also gave her sister's address.
And immediately rushed to her house and faced another disappointment as it was wednesday- the day of Novina and she had gone to church.
For a while I had a feeling that it was not the part of my fortune to let Flora tie rakhi on my wrist..
Why I had gone out that day, Aarti knew about that, so questioning from her most likely. I simply explained her that, due to her ill health, she was not at home and gone to mother's house.
As soon as they entered the house, both of them sincerely apologized to me again. And it was not their fault. Perhaps it was destined to happen. I had longed for a Rakhi so much, I had wandered around searching for one. This is where my yearning for a Rakhi was finally fulfilled. I hadn't formally asked her to tie a Rakhi on my wrist. Seeing this, Flora became emotional. She even chided me.
"What was the need for all this running around?"
She applied a tilak on my forehead as per the custom, tied the Rakhi on my wrist, and put a piece of sweet in my mouth. I reciprocated her gesture. Later, like Bhavika, she bowed down and touched my feet. It became a golden moment for me.
After that, when I tried to give her some cash as a token of appreciation, she refused. I held her hand and, while giving her the money, explained :
"This is a sister's right on Rakhi day; you shouldn't refuse it."
She then accepted the money. However, on Bhai Dooj, she started a new tradition of giving me something in return.
Many days passed.. and one day Parmeshvar told me.
"I have got a fixed employment in Dubai. I have to join him in a week time.
They have sent Xerox copy asked for money. We were all very happy with the news..
He immediately transferred the money. And three days later went to see him off with a group of family members and friends.
At that time his daughter Muskan cried a lot. Flora did not like him going to Dubai. But her husband's will was to give best of every thing to his family, supported him against her with will.
Many people did not appreciate his idea to move long distance to earn money. No body dared to stop him in his mission. He respected my father very much. He too did not stop him either.
And the flight took off. Muskan cried a lot for that time. But for his golden future, he had to leave them for a while
He took the flight and everyone came home. On flora' s appeal we to her home. No one had slept. Everyone was busy in conversation till morning.
Only Flora got sleep enabling muskan to sleep. At that time, the telephone rang. It must be Parmeshvar, it was every body's guess and that was true
I picked up the phone and casually asked him something and he heard a voice crying from his side.
He told me: "Sambhavi Bhai, I have been robbed, I have been ruined!"
Hearing his story, I was totally bemused and not knew the course of action. Before I could utter any thing he burst out the truth.
"There is no employment placement agency of that name in Dubai, nor is there any company of that name, which has given me an appointment letter.. Dubai Airport Port Customs Authority has detained me on the air port and confiscated my passport along with so many people, for not holding visa to enter Dubai.
That time I got અંગ્ર્ય for him within me for the first time. Like me, he also used to act very quickly. He did not think anything. He blindly trusted the Dubai company and employment agency.
Because of which he got into a lot of trouble. That time I remembered.
'Sheth brother's commission agent Abdul Bhai was a citizen of the city and his business was running smoothly. Sheth brothers most of business was done by both of us.
He had full trust me our co ordination was unique lot. I told Parmeshvar to wait for some time and I immediately called Abdul Bhai.
It was early winter morning and I felt the need to call him. He immediately recognized me.
"Say Mr. Sambhav Desai. "
I hurriedly narrated entire story in one breath. He listened to me and boosted my morale.
"You don't worry.. I am going to the airport right now and I will relieve him of their custody. And ask him to call you with good news."
And line was disconnected at either ends.
As soon as I had put down the receiver, numerous quesstuonaire began to flow from his relatives and assured them soon every thing will be fine. Flora was kept away from this news.
Exactly after two hours phone started ringing again. This time also I picked up the phone. Parmeshvar was on line. He appeared to be jubilant.
I was anxious to know the change I noticed after two to three hours.. He was very joyous. He started on his own :
" sambhav bhai god is great and your Abdul bhai ranks second in the list. He has not set me from the grip of Air port customs officers, but has hired as me as his permanently basis, also provided residental facilities. How I would repay the debt to both of you. "
" I have done nothing. It is all done by Almighty God, it was made available to you by him only. If you want to thank any body you should thank him only. "
Parmeshvar was in the safest place after facing lot of problems and was restored to better stage because of me. They counted me for his better future.
0000000 (to be continued)
