Gathbandan Ki Ek Ajeeb Kahani – Jabir ShreZain – Prologue

Hello guys, I am back with a new Short Story with an adorable couple ShreZain. The FF is based on Rom-Com. I am dedicating the Short Story to my friend Jasminerahul as she had asked me to write a FF on Shrenu Parikh – Zain Imam of Ek Bhram Sarvagun Sampanna. Let us start the story with a prologue which gives an insight about one of the leads’ childhood. The FF contain six to seven episodes excluding this Prologue.

Prologue

2012, May 10th

A regional author Mr. Rehaan Suryavanshi is on his way in the car to Nainital to attend his close relative’s wedding. He is busy reading a book while his driver is driving slowly let him enjoy the cool climate of Nainital. The air breeze makes him serene and peaceful. Suddenly, a boy with a basket stopped the car waving his hands. The driver moves away from him and continues driving, which disturbed Mr. Suryavanshi, asking him to stop the car. Following his order, the driver stopped the car. By waving his hands, Mr. Suryavanshi called the boy. The boy come near him in a cheer. He is holding a basket with full of strawberries. He understood that the boy stopping him to let him buy something from him.

“Do you want strawberries, sir? It is fresh and economical”. – The boy spoke actively . Mr.Suryavanshi is not so fond of strawberries, but he decided to buy at the fourteen-year old boy impressed him with his speaking skills. His driver didn’t approve him to buy – “Sir, there are better strawberries in the city”. The boy is wearing a loose white shirt where the torn sleeves were folded with a shabby military green shorts. Without giving second thoughts, Mr.Suryanshi bought some strawberries and paid him. He asked the boy’s name. The boy replied that he is Kabir.

In the following days, he see Kabir doing many odd jobs like shining shoes, selling fruits, guarding shoes at temple, hawk newspapers, conduct tourists round the town and run errands. Kabir also helped Mr.Suryanvanshi in many ways like buying tickets for opera, film, suggesting good hotels, suggesting special meals and bought him good wines of the city. Mr.Suryanshi’s interest on Kabir grows. Even though Kabir works relentlessly and earns a handful of money, he eats only dry bread and jam which shocked Mr.Suryavanshi. Mr. Suryanshi himself directly asked – “You are getting good amount of money, then why couldn’t you afford a good food and clothes? Do you want to shift somewhere like Mumbai?” Kabir – “I like to shift to Mumbai but I have other plans”. Kabir said it with a warm smile wiping his sweat and then indulged in his own work.

Kabir’s maturity attracted Mr. Suryanshi very much that made him to know more about Kabir. Kabir is a government (free-education) school-boy who completed his Grade 9 in the March. He is rank-holder and always in teachers’ good books. His brown eyes had a depth of emotions which are never shown. Mr. Suryanshi also afforded some good food and dresses to Kabir. He developed a bond of friendship with him. Kabir was not so fond of him as treat him just as a boss, but he didn’t want to hurt him by saying something.

Six days passed by, Mr. Suryavanshi would leave the city within two days. He wished to fulfill any one of the wishes of Kabir. He asked Kabir regarding that, Kabir thanked him but denied his offer. As Mr.Suryavanshi compelled him, Kabir reluctantly says – “Can you please take me to a village Baluti tomorrow? Usually I would travel by train every month”. Mr. Suryavanshi was happy and also surprised why he was going to a village. He didn’t ask any questions – “Be ready at tonight 7 pm. I am going to drive myself”. He leaves with a smile.

Kabir and Mr. Suryavansh travelled to Baluti and reached the place Kabir mentioned. It was almost noon when they reached the place. It was a small hospital/nursing home surrounded by greenish trees and grasses. Kabir – “Sir, there is a park and hotel if you walk 5 minutes at right. You can spend your time there. Please spare me one hour, I would come soon”. Mr. Suryavanshi nods and Kabir enters into the nursing home.

Mr. Suryavanshi waits for sometime in the car and gets inside the nursing home. He see through a glass door, inside the cubicle, Kabir is talking cheerfully to two ladies with enthusiasm. He chuckles, smiles, laughs while talking to them. One of the two girls is, almost twenty years of age and another lady is almost fifty years. Kabir didn’t saw Mr. Suryavanshi as he is hiding from his view. A nurse comes near him – “Sir, Whom do you want to see?” Mr. Suryavanshi – “Who is the boy, Kabir? He came with me so I wish to know”. The nurse remained silent. “I won’t harm him as I am his well-wisher”- he said reassuringly.

The nurse – “The old lady is his mother Suman and the another girl of age 20 is Shivli, kabir’s sister. His father Shekhar was a lawyer and a regional singer. Two years ago, their house undergone a fire accident. His father managed to save the three but he died in the incident and the house was totally destroyed. They were rendered homeless and exposed to cold winter in outside and also suffered from starvation. This made his mother and sister a patient of tuberculosis. His relatives leave them after looting their money illegally. To pay for their medicines and a comfortable food and life, he decided to work attending his classes. Also, his father taught his sister how to sing and sings extremely well. Though his mother’s condition is not improving faster, his sister is improving health wise. If she gets well, she could able to save the family by singing. For their well-being, he is working hard for days and night. Shall I call him, sir? But please don’t tell that I told this to you as he promised me not to tell anyone. But as you are his well-wisher and you  may help him,  I told him” she ends.

Mr. Suryavanshi – “I don’t want to intrude into their privacy now. Don’t tell that I knew about him too or I come here”.

He leaves outside and sits in his car. He wondered, inspite of his tragic past and still, he didn’t seek sympathy from others showing his pathetic state. What a man he is! His hatred for relatives, passion, determination, kindness and love towards his mom and sister made him work so hard. He admired all his qualities and thinks – “Though he is a boy, he has the quality to be called as gentle-man”.

After few minutes, Kabir comes out and sits in the car. He didn’t speak anything nor Mr. Suryavanshi. He drives his car to Nainital.

To be continued…

Drop your precious comments and reviews below.  The next episode marks the beginning of Jabir’s journey.