Ajoba's mustache!


 "Uthale re Deva! Mujhe nahi, isey!"...said his ajoba to Ajay. Ajay, his  college going grandson, had just returned from salon. He had shaved off his mustache.

Ajoba didn't like this new version of Ajay. He kept saying things to Ajay. Finally Ajay got frustrated and said, "Thappad se darr nahi lagta Ajoba, apki badbad se lagta hai!".

Ajay and his Ajoba had a jovial relation. Ajay's working parents were always busy with their jobs. Aaji had left this world, when Ajay was very small. So, his buddy home, was Ajoba. They both loved to watch movies together. And later would converse using the movie dialogues. They had a fun relationship!

Ajoba earnestly said, "Bade bade deshonmei sirf chhoti chhoti baatein nahi hoti, Ajay!, Are you free? Let's have some tea and will tell you my love story". Ajay gladly said, "Neki aur pooch pooch!".

Ajoba filled the milk pan with 2 cups of water and put it to boil. Ajay kept the sugar and tea dabbas ready, on the kitchen counter. While crushing elaichi,  Ajoba smirked and said, "Masaledaar love story nahi hai, but pyaar bharpur hai!"

"I was in college, when I first saw her, your Aaji", he began. "She was the most beautiful girl, I had ever seen. Yes, in today's norm of white beauty, she wouldn't have blended in. She had a darker complexion, hazel eyes, sharp nose. I had fallen for her at first sight!"....

Ajoba checked, the water had started boiling....humming the song, "Raat kali ek khwaab mei ayi...", he added tea powder, elaichi and sugar.

Ajay was watching Ajoba, with an electrified face. They had never discussed 'love' before.

Ajoba added some milk, filtered the tea in 2 cups. Carrying the cups, Ajay and Ajoba settled on their sofa, in the living room.

Ajoba continued, " Nalini was a bright student, at college. She was found either attending her lectures or in the library, regularly. At that time, girls used to wear sarees, in college. That day, Nalini was wearing a lemon yellow, floral print saree. She stepped out of the library with books in her hands. She was wearing heels. I was standing there, just to get a glance of her. Her beautiful feet made my inner voice go....Apke paair dekhe, bahot haseen hai, inhe zameen pe mat utariye, maile ho jaengey!.....At that moment, the saree border entangled in her heels and she was about to trip over the stairs. I rushed to help her. I held her hand, with my one hand and her books, with other. Nalini looked up, her deep hazel eyes, staring at me. Shyly, she turned her gaze".

"I helped her take the books to the professor's cabin. She thanked me, politely and went in".

Ajay kept his cup down, with a clink. Ajoba's attention drifted from the story. Ajoba lifted Aaji's photo frame, from the side table and said, "Tum nahi samjhogi Nalini, kuch kuch hota hai!"... He and Ajay had a good laugh.

Ajoba continued with his story...."We fell in love. After finishing college, I got a job in marketing company. Nalini became a teacher. We got married. On our first night, She said, Nathulal, I fell in love because of your 'English mustache'. She thought I looked manly with them. That's the reason why Ajay, I haven't shaved my mustache still"....he gave an impish smile.

Ajay's parents returned from work, in the evening. His dad observed carefully and asked Ajay, "Did you shave off your mustache?".

Ajay, glancing at his Ajoba, giving a mystic smile, said, "Baba, moochey ho to Nathulal jaisi, varna na ho!".


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