Opposite Poles..Part 31

Part 31

“Hey You!” Lavanya called her out.  Khushi got up and went to her cabin.  Two more typical bimbo girls were giggling sitting on her table. 

“Pam and Sim, tell her what to do and get the things set properly.  You know, keep a close eye on her…!” Lavanya would never miss the opportunity to throw insult.  Khushi looked down.

“Chalo..!” came a voice with disgust.  She went behind them into the studio.  

“Anytime the Models will arrive.  Keep the costumes ready.  “ They ordered Khushi.  There was another person doing the laying out of the props.  Khushi looked around.  She had never seen a place like this.  It was dark everywhere.  Quite a few white umbrellas were scattered all over the place.  Different funky props were piled up.  On one side the huge pile of fabric was kept and on the other side a huge red leather sofa with blue cushions was propped up.  The person came nearer.

“Here! I will give you the costumes and you label them..ok?” he told her.  She nodded.  He gave her the labels and staplers to pin the labels.  She started working with him. 

“Hey, Gupta…! Khushi!” someone called out.  She looked up pinning the label.  Regi  Thomas was in front of her.  She smiled.

“Would you like to try one?” he asked.  She shook her head.  He shrugged.

“But you know? I would like to see you in some of the dresses I designed..!” he said.  She smiled.

“These are not my types..!” she said looking up at him.  He grinned.

“That’s what you think…!” he blurted.  He had made up his mind to make her wear at least one of the dresses.  

“Yes! Done!” she said straitening up herself.  She looked around in satisfaction and turned to leave.  As usual, tripped over one of the open umbrellas and fell flat on face.  Someone lifted her up.

“Can’t you do a single thing right?” he asked with gritted teeth.  She pulled herself apart sheepishly and took a step to leave the room. A strong hand grabbed her.

“Not so soon, Ms Khushi Kumari Gupta!” he snarled.  She shuddered.  “Let me assess the damage..!” he looked around and found out the torn umbrella.  He picked  it up and gazed at her. 

“How much does it cost? Umm.. a thousand rupees?” he thought aloud.

“What? One thousand? We get it for hundred rupees at the corner!” she said loudly, sending waves of murmur. 

“Let me decide..!” he barked.  She went out of the room with fallen face.

“If this continues.. I will end up paying that monster at the end of the month!” she muttered realizing what he was up to. 

“Khushi Kumari Gupta, beware!” she said aloud and went back to her cubical.  

******   *****   ******

Arnav was back home in time for dinner.  Anjali looked happy to see the entire family present for the dinner.  They all had dinner peacefully.

“Saale Saab? What happened to the theft case?” Sham opened the topic.

“What? How do you know?” Arnav asked at once.  He looked at Aakash. 

“No! I mean… I heard you talking to someone…!” Sham said awkwardly.  He was caught on wrong foot. 

“No! You were not in town, when this happened…!” Arnav looked at Sham suspiciously. 

Sham looked away.  “Anyway, I just asked casually.  I have no business in your matters, Saale Saab!” Sham said slyly.    Anjali, sensing the tension, tried to divert everyone’s attention.

“Aree Chote! You were asking about the story, yesterday! Some King and the mouse”

“Oh! Yeah! Nani knows the story…!” Arnav too was interested in this subject, though he did not show any interest. 

“We didn’t hear bed time story from Nani in so many years…!” said Aakash.  Being youngest, he had the right to pester nani.

“Nani… we all are at home today! Nani, we want that story tonight!” Anjali said in a childlike voice.  Nani smiled and nodded.

“King and Mouse? Haain? Hello Hi Bye Bye? Kouno chuhe ko pakadawana chahate hon kya, Arnav Bituwa?” Mami asked loudly.

“Chuhe ko Naahi! Chuhiyaan Ko!” Mamaji pulled her legs.  Arnav looked away embarrassed.   “Do you know the story of the King and the Tiny Mouse?” two green eyes were gazing at him with mischief. 

“Khushi Kumari Gupta!” he clenched his fists. 

“Nani we will get our blankets…! Aap Bhi Chaliye na!” Anjali said excitedly clutching her husband’s hand.

“No Raani Saaheba.. I have some urgent work and tomorrow I have to leave early morning…!” Sham said softly holding her hand.  She nodded sulkily.

“Yeah Di! We will get our blankets and Nani will tell us the story!” Aakash was dreamy reminiscing his childhood.  Arnav refrained from reacting.

“Chote? You are coming, right?” Asked Anjali, suspiciously.

“Aree? He is the one who asked about the story.  He will have to come!” said Nani smiling at her grandchildren.  Arnav was more than eager to listen to the story, but he remained expressionless.

“So we will meet in Nani’s room at 9:30 ! “ Declared Aakash and went to his room.  

*********   ******   *********

Long long ago, there lived a King!  He was brave, kind and good hearted.  He looked after his subjects like his children.  He was fond of collecting unique pieces from all over the world.  Everybody was happy and prospered in his kingdom.

In his kingdom, there was a small hole, and a mother mouse with her only child lived in that hole.  The child was a good kid.  Mother called him Tiny.  Tiny used to play around and help others in their work, when his mother was out on a food hunt.  Everyone loved Tiny.  

Nani started off with the story.  Aakash was the first to reach Nani’s room for the bedtime story, followed by Anjali, followed by reluctant looking Arnav with their blankets in their hands.  They all had gathered on Nani’s bed.  Anjali was first to occupy Nani’s laps.  She rested her head on her lap.  Aakash was on the other side of Nani holding her hand drawing his blanket till neck.  Arnav awkwardly was sitting at the other end of the bed at his Di’s feet still with the folded blanket.  

Nani continued with the story stroking Aakash’s head.  

Tiny’s mother loved him very much.  She was proud of her child.  One day, she decided to give him a surprise gift.  She secretly started stitching a Amigo Cap for Tiny.  She finished it in a week with little white feathers, dangling beads and a string of pearls on a beautiful black satin cap.   She gave it to Tiny and Tiny jumped with joy.  He kissed his mother and wore the cap.  It fitted him very well.  He looked into the mirror and puffed his chest with pride.  He was looking like a prince.  He went out with the cap on his head, and wandered on the streets drumming his favorite beats with his little drum.  “DumDum Dumakk..DumDum Dumakk.. DumDum Dumakk …Dumm!

Nani stopped to sip water.  Arnav had already reached his Di’s side and resting his head on his elbow to have a better look at Nani.  

 Everyone looked curiously at the adorable mouse, Tiny.  They appreciated the workmanship of his mother.  They praised the cap and Tiny.  Soon he became the talk of the town.  Everyone was discussing about the beautiful cap!  The king came to know about the cap.  He too was curious.  He asked his men to bring Tiny to his Court.  His men brought Tiny.  The king looked at Tiny and his beautiful cap.  He liked it very much.  Even though he was a king and a noble man, he couldn’t resist temptation and wanted it in his collection.  Tiny refused politely.  “Your Highness, this is a gift from my mother…!” he said bowing down before the king.  The king requested him several times. But he refused politely.  The king got angry and snatched his cap away.  Tiny felt very sad.  But he was a cleaver mouse.  He knew, he cannot match the king’s power.  He went out with the dropped shoulders.

“hum… then?” asked Arnav eagerly resting his head on his Di’s shoulder! "I can resist temptation..!" he thought smugly.

“Tiny went out with his little drum and he knew what to do.  He started off loudly.  “DumDum Dumakk..DumDum Dumakk.. DumDum Dumakk …Dumm!”   “The King is a begger… he asked for my cap… The king is a snatcher, he took my cap… “DumDum Dumakk..DumDum Dumakk.. DumDum Dumakk …Dumm!”

He moved on all the streets drumming and gathering crowd.  Now the king became the talk of the town.  The King’s men told the king about the mouse again.  The king understood what he had done.  He called the mouse again in his Court and offered him a golden cap in lieu of his cap.  Tiny shook his head and went out again.

“DumDum Dumakk..DumDum Dumakk.. DumDum Dumakk …Dumm!”  The king is a bargainer, the king is a snatcher, the king took my cap and offered me the golden one Hoo!!…“DumDum Dumakk..DumDum Dumakk.. DumDum Dumakk …Hooo!

He went on streets again.   The King was frustrated now.  His reputation was at stake.  He called Tiny again and gave back his cap.  Tiny felt better. But he was not to give up so soon!  Tiny was all set to teach him a lesson.

Nani waited to catch her breath.  Arnav was too eager to stop.

“Then?” he asked holding his Nani’s hand.  “Wait Chote!” Nani took a deep breath and continued.

Tiny went out drumming on the streets.  “DumDum Dumakk..DumDum Dumakk.. DumDum Dumakk …Dumm!  This King is a coward,   The king chickened out.. He gave my cap back… Hoooo!  He gave my cap back… hooo! “DumDum Dumakk..DumDum Dumakk.. DumDum Dumakk …Hooo!

The king understood.  He understood that though he was powerful and almighty he should not trouble others and snatch away their belongings…! The king understood that his power lies in protecting and not in snatching.

He again called Tiny.  “Tiny, tell me what should I do to stop you from drumming on the streets?” he asked fondly.  Tiny saw kindness in his eyes.  

“Tell me Tiny! What will you take to stop drumming?” asked the king getting up from his Thorne.  Tiny looked up at the king and bowing down before him, said

“A place in your heart!” King was overwhelmed.  He lifted Tiny on his palm and placed him on his shoulder.  The king went back to his throne and said

“I confer knighthood upon Tiny, the mouse! He taught me an important lesson!  True power lies not in conquering but in protecting the poorer and weaker…!”

From then on… Tiny became Sir Tiny, The son of his proud mother….!”  

Nani finished the story and looked at her three grown up grandchildren aged 30, 26 and 24 listening to her like small children with their mouths open in a gape, eyes wide open and resting their chins on their fists lifting their heads on their elbows, snuggling and curling up in each others sides….!  

“Hmmm Now go to sleep like good children” Said nani caressing and running her fingers in their hair. 

Arnav looked hypnotized.  Two confused looking, smirking green eyes were gazing at him..!  “I said, you took my phone Sir..!” 

“Damn it!” he banged his fist on the bed.  “Khushi Kumari Gupta…! Before you even think of doing anything… I will crush you under my heels….!” He gritted his teeth…, slumbering on the bed beside his sister.