Saturday, March 3, 2018

Adventure story 334. Second hand book

                                                                  Second hand book
Raj was studying his book carefully. It was second hand book gifted to him by Mom. He started watching it's yellow pages. It was not like new one. He looked at his elder sister Reema. She got another second hand book too. But she was happy with it. Reema was always happy when she get some gift. But he was not like that. He could see difference of status in that old book. He decided that he had to discuss it with Reema. Raj " Did you notice yellow pages?" " Yellow pages?!! Do you need any information from them?" " I am not in mood to joke. Tell me can't be that hard to understand why I am so upset regarding pages of those books. I mean to look at those pages." Reema came near him and took his book in her hand. She looked at it. She felt that it was interesting. In her eyes story mattered most. She started to sense that his book had better story. She wanted to have it but she knew that it was not fair. Reema " Actually I like your book lot more than my book." " Really then you can keep both I don't want any of them." He just  pushed that book towards in such anger that few pages managed to come out. Reema was so angry. She loved books. She hated when some one managed to destroy them. She felt so upset when some one torn them like that. She started to sense so much anger towards Raj. He never understood Mom's financial problems. Raj always wanted every thing like rich kid. They were not poor but they were not rich too. Reema knew that it was not easy to convince him but still she wanted to convince him. Reema " Why don't you understand? At this point Mom don't have enough cash." " Why? We are not poor." " No we are not poor but Dad is gone abroad on business trip." " So?" " So we can't have money now." " But why? Why don't our Mom bring money for us from bank or use credit card?" " Since she don't want to disturb our financial planning." " Really? Or she is scared of Dad?" Raj started laughing. Reema always hated his this attitude. Reema   " Why are you laughing this way?" " Why shouldn't I laugh? Mom who told me every day that I must not feel scared of anything herself feel so scared of Dad that she don't dare to take out some money." " She is not scared. She just don't feel it is needed." Reema was so scared that Raj might instigate Mom to take out some money. She still remembered that day when one day Mom took out money for her birthday present. Actually Dad was on foreign trip even that time. She wanted a costly Barbie Doll. Mom bought it for her. It was most wonderful day for her. But suddenly it all became nightmare. When Dad came, she ran towards him. She showed him that wonderful doll. Dad took it in his hand. He turned it around and checked it's price. He screamed" You stupid girl how could you waste so much money on this useless doll? Don't you understand value of money? This Doll is nothing but ugly piece of plastic." He started to look at her in such way that Reema began to feel her Doll was totally ugly. She started crying then Dad called her Mom. He started abusing her. She kept telling him that she never spent money in such way. This time it was Reema's birthday so she spend it. It was entirely worst day. Reema still hated that Doll. Reema didn't want Mom to spend any amount in Dad's absence now. She knew if Raj kept insisting then Mom would do it again. She screamed on him. " Stop it. If you don't want to read book then give me both books and you can eat my ice cream instead." Mom bought two ice creams too. Raj was interested in Ice cream every time. Reema knew that ice cream was his weak point. Raj was confused. He wanted to argue with his Mom and wanted to force her for purchase. But he was never fond of book and when his Mom would see that damaged book. He knew that his changes of getting anything new was equal to nil. Reema would hide everything. Raj nodded. Reema was so happy. She immediately went in kitchen and gave ice cream to him. Raj smiled and gave her his book. It was perfect deal for him. He just never understood why did she had to keep those books which were useless in his eyes. It was so frustrating to pretend like it. He started eating his ice cream while Reema started reading book after making to make it perfect again. They both lived together in that house but they both stayed on different planets. Reema loved book and Raj hated them. He just never understood why did his Mom gifted him book. He could have taken small chocolate instead of it. His Mom never had sense in buying things. He just hated her choice. But then his Dad was not that much better. His Dad always kept taunting all. He just went in hall and sat on sofa while watching TV.
     Seema was confused when she saw her son Raj was eating ice cream again. Raj was always fond of food but he never took any thing from his sister. He always had that much manners. But he had already eaten his ice cream so it was shocking for her when she saw him again eating. Seema " I thought you have eaten your ice cream?" " Yes this is Reema Didi's ice cream. She gave it to me." "Why?" When Raj heard suspicion in Seema's voice, he became angry. He decided that he might just taunt her. " Mom she loved that second hand book you gave us as gift. I never saw some one in such love with something. I mean after all it was just second hand book." He kept stressing on second hand again and again. Seema knew very well what was his intention. But she knew how to handle him. Seema " What is difference to you? You never care for book. In fact you never showed any interest in even your studies I don't know where you land in future." Suddenly Raj seemed to lose interest in talking with her. That was perfect trick for Raj. Whenever he tried to act extra smart Seema use his habits of not studying as excuse to divert conversation. Then soon Raj managed to vanish from room. She was so pleased when he ran away. She decided that she could give extra ice cream to Reema. Raj always kept taking things from her. She could easily imagine how did he managed. Reema was so scared of her Dad. Seema knew that her husband Tarun was too aggressive. Her married life was not happy one due to his angry outbursts. But she never sensed it when she got married. On that time he seemed like nice man. But any way at that time she hardly had any option. She had to marry him. She was from poor family background. Her parents were trying hard to find either job or husband for her after all she had three siblings. She couldn't demand more from her parents so she decided that marrying Tarun was best option. He was nice man at beginning. But when they got married, soon she sensed that he didn't like to give her any freedom. He forced her to ask him for every purchase. It was so odd. Specially when every one around her was using money so freely. She had credit card. But it was useless since her every transaction was told to him. She had to explain every deal. She didn't want to waste money. But he was so strict than she never went on shopping with her friends. It looked so uncomfortable when they could spend money as per their choice and she couldn't. It was not about lack of money. It was about his attitude. But then she was not earning so she thought that she could adjust but then when kids began to grow slowly their demands were increased, she began to feel restless. She began to feel that Tarun needed to change his attitude. She was about to go inside room to chat with Reema. When her mobile rang, she took call. It was her brother. She sensed one thing that it was not going to be friend conversation. Her brother  was never positive about her life, She was so angry with Tarun every day. Seema just hated to take his call. She knew that he was going to increase her anger. But it was useless for her to increase anger specially when she was not going to find any way out of this. She was so upset. She knew that she could left her husband. If it was possible then why did she married to him. Still she had to take his call. Since she loved her brother. Her brother started talking about other things at beginning she was so happy. She silently prayed to God that he would not return to Tarun. But finally her brother came to that subject. " So Tarun went on business trip?" " Yes." " So you are living in poverty again." " Stop it. I am fine." " Okay..okay I just want to tell you give me call if you need money bye." Then he disconnected call. She was so upset now. But she knew that she must talk with Reema so she went inside room. She noticed that Reema was reading book. She knew that she had to discuss regarding her fear towards Tarun. But when she saw her so happy, she decided that she would do it later. She closed door and went away. Reema sensed entry of her Mom. But she didn't want to discuss so she pretended that she was busy in reading. She knew that Seema never disturb her while reading. She was so happy when she was alone again. She was so glad that her Dad was not returning home today. She didn't want to see him at all. She knew that it was wrong but it was her feeling. Her Dad always managed to spoil everything in house. He earned money but he never let them spend it as per their desire. She didn't like his presence. But she knew that she had to like her Dad since he was bread earner of family. But she hated him.
     Seema was feeling strange frustration regarding all. She was getting taunted again and again from every one for not taking money from Tarun. But it was not possible since he never let her took hold of any money. She was always suppose to take it from him. She never managed to earn any money so she could have money which she owned. Once she thought idea of doing some job. But it was impossible since who would take care of household. She didn't want to keep maid since she was going to cost her more.  She didn't want to waste her money. She wanted to live her life happily and with job she was going to get so frustrated that she didn't have time to breathe. She knew her many friends did jobs but their family was reasonable. They helped her in many ways. But in her house Tarun didn't help her at all. He just kept screaming. She decided that she could adjust with her limited money. She knew that it might be frustrating. But she didn't have much option. She sat down and began her budget. This time she got less amount. Tarun didn't understand increase in prices of commodities. He just kept giving same amount. She began calculating. She needed to do some purchases for herself too. She needed to socialize little bit and shopping was one of her need. She just couldn't help it. But she needed to keep budget for kid's shopping too. She needed to move ahead with proper thinking. She needed to plan. She started writing when suddenly Raj came from behind. Raj" Mom I want at least new android." " But you have purchased new one few months ago." " Mom? Are you alright? Months? Years?!! Mom years?!!" " Stop it. It was purchased 6 months ago. Don't use year ending as excuse." " I am not giving any excuse. Mom all my friends have new android long ago I am just using old model. It was not about style. It didn't have all functions which I need." Then he started explaining her about mobile which went over her head. But she knew that he was telling truth. Raj never lied to her. He just wanted money to stay connected with friends. His all friends were using some app he needed it to stay connected. He wanted to watch movies & songs on it. She knew that she also needed money for her luxuries. She knew that she had to reduce her expenses but then she felt desire to purchase too. She was so confused. Seema " I don't have money. We need to ask Dad.." " Stop it Mom. We know that he would never let us. We need to manage by ourselves." " But how?" That answer went out before she could stop it. Raj " Mom my friend's sister work from home. She had to work too hard so she need a partner who could type with her. So what do you feel are you ready for this challenge?" She was shocked and confused. She never sensed that her son had became mature enough to find ways of earning for her. But then she sensed that she needed to work with logic. She was not that much good at timing. Seema " But I am slow in typing." " I know Mom. But no one is born with typing skill. I will teach you." At beginning she felt scared but she nodded. She went to computer and started typing. It was not easy but Raj was not like his Dad Tarun. He taught her very nicely. Then he gave her those papers. She felt so hopeful. He started encouraging even when she was slow. Then Reema came out. Soon she started encourage her too. She started helping her by dictating. Seema just loved typing. She began to feel strange obsession towards it. She felt that she loved that typing. She started doing it. Soon she got tired but Reema decided to take over it. She smiled and let her daughter do some typing. She felt that it was okay. Little bit of typing would not harm her daughter. She went in kitchen to arrange for dinner. She was so happy that finally she got one way to earn money. But somewhere in her heart she knew that it might prove just useless. She was so slow in typing. She couldn't hope that she could manage to do all that papers. She smiled at that thought. But she saw Reema was doing fast and much better than her. Raj was dictating every word to her. It was nice family project. Seema started laughing at that thought. She never thought her entire family would do something like this to earn money. She easily manged to exclude Tarun from her family. She didn't remember him at all on that point.
    Slowly Seema sensed that it became favorite job for kids. They kept typing on each day.  She knew that it was slowly becoming obsession but it looked okay on that point. It was all so perfect until Tarun didn't return. One day finally Tarun returned from business trip. By then Raj managed to store their entire work on one floppy. When Tarun opened computer, he immediately sensed that something was wrong. Soon he sensed that his computer used a lot when he was not there. Normally kids played on his computer but never touched his key broad but today his key broad was clearly used. He even sensed that some keys were dirty due to some sticky stuff which must be on fingers which used it. He was upset. He screamed " Are you using my computer?" Seema was so shocked. She never thought that this computer belonged to just him. Seema came out. She wanted to talk with him. But suddenly she began to feel strange fear in her soul. She started to feel scared. She suddenly began to remember strange things. She didn't understand what it meant. She started to see caged bird then some one hitting some other person and then blood. She saw pool of blood. She started shivering and screaming. Tarun was so shocked. He just dropped his coffee on floor. It was so strange. He needed to calm her but instead of that he began to scream loudly on her. She started screaming loudly. She started to run in house with fear. She began to bang on things. She was not in her control at all. She was screaming like some victim running away from murderer. Tarun was so angry. He started running after her. Soon kids came out. They understood every thing in wrong way. They saw Seema was hurt since she managed to harm her while running around house. Reema started shivering and crying. Raj was so shocked. Raj " Dad you hit Mom." Tarun screamed loudly " Shut up. Don't you dare to talk with me like that." Reema started to scream and call for help. Tarun was so scared now. He went ahead and tried to close Reema's mouth. It put him in worst situation. Since while doing it he managed to hurt Reema, he pushed her towards wall. Raj was so scared. He sensed one thing that he didn't have enough threat to stop father. He ran towards door and ran out of door and started calling for help. Soon many people from society began to come down. They might had closed doors but still his screams managed to reach watchman who immediately came running. When he sensed that Tarun was trying to hit Raj, he just began to press door bell of all flats for help. Tarun was so confused. He was not intended to hit Raj. But he was trying to stop him. Then he wanted to stop him. But Raj tried to resist. He managed to hit Raj too. Then every one from society came out. They all started screaming on him. Men ran to take hold of him. Tarun kept screaming " I didn't hurt Seema. She is mad." But that entire scene was showing that Tarun was the one who was mad. Then Police were called. Tarun sensed one thing that he had to talk to Seema. He tried to talk with her but she just kept screaming. She just kept accusing people whom he had never seen. He had never saw her like that. She was talking about strange thing. Reema came out running. Reema tried to calm down her. Seema slowly began to relax in her arms. She stopped running. But she kept calling her Mom. Soon other ladies from neighborhood came and took her to bed. They called Doctor. When Doctor began to check all, he finally checked Seema. Doctor " She looked fine. It might have happened due to her husband's angry bust out on her." They all nodded. So Seema went to sleep and Tarun went to jail. Every thing was perfect for society but Reema and Raj were so tense. Reema " Now how could we survive? Dad is in jail. We might suffer trouble while running finances of home." Raj " Stop it. We can't keep that mad man just for money. You have seen how did he was hitting Mom." Reema " No I didn't. I was inside. But you have not seen Mom like this before." " Mom like this? What did you mean by that?" " Well Raj you were too small at that time. One day Mom came out of bedroom screaming like today. " " So Dad hit her on that night too." " I thought same way at beginning but then I suddenly remembered Dad was on business trip. She was screaming and talking without reason. Something about blood." Raj was so shocked. Raj " So you feel Mom is mad." " Possible." " So we have mad parents?" Reema didn't say anything she started crying. Immediately Raj started calling his Uncle. Raj was so scared. Raj told every thing to Uncle. Uncle seemed so angry. Finally Raj asked "Will you come here?" " I can't take long vacation. But I can take you with me." Raj agreed. But he was too scared. He sensed that his life was not as easy as he thought. Reema immediately began to pack things. Reema didn't want to face her father again without Uncle. When Seema woke up, she smiled and asked " Did your Dad return from trip?" Reema started to shiver. Now even Raj was scared. He sensed that their Mom would not remember their tale. They tried to tell her but she started to argue with them that they were lying. She screamed " Tarun never touch me. You have done this to grab his money." She didn't listen to them. She just got dressed up and went away to take him out of jail. Raj and Reema started shivering. Reema immediately called Uncle. She told him all. Uncle " But I can't take you away against your parent's wishes." Reema began to shiver. She didn't want to face her father's anger. She was so scared when their phone rang. It was Seema. Seema " Police said that they needed your statement too." Reema was confused. Raj snatched phone and screamed on it " I will not change it. He hit me in worst way and he also hit Reema. We are not going to change statements." Seema started to sound confused. She asked " When?" Then her call got disconnected. Raj and Reema decided that they were not going to live in this house if their Dad was going to come back. They didn't want to face him again.
     Seema's brother was so tense. He knew from beginning that his brother-in-law was not nice man but they didn't have much option when Seema supposed to get married. Seema was not mentally sound. They tried to hide it their best. But it all came out when one day they went to one marriage of their relative. They needed to stay overnight until then their parents thought these fits were just bad dream. That day every one was enjoying but Seema told mother that she wanted to sleep. Mother nodded. They were enjoying when they heard her screams. Seema's brother still remembered that horrible day. She was running around room screaming about blood. Every one was so scared. They thought about every supernatural factor. They investigated every spot for blood wherever she pointed. It was mad hunt but it made that night a thrilling game every one just loved it. At that time it was okay but it became horrible when she started to claim it even in home. Soon she started chatting with her friends who were invisible. It was totally crazy. It was no longer thrilling. Finally they took her to Doctor who diagnosed her with schizophrenia which was worst news for him. She was so sweet and nice but her dreams were making her worst every day. Mom started to find it hard to control her. Mom had other responsibilities too. Slowly he took Seema under his wings. He learned step by step how did he supposed to handle her. Psychiatrist taught him many things. It helped her a lot. She began to act like normal girl at least before public. But Psychiatrist didn't advice her marriage with Tarun since Tarun was worst choice. Tarun never married Seema for love. He married her for money. He was burden in his eyes from first day. He never lost any chance to show it. She was getting better step by step but her marriage to Tarun was her worst mistake. When she started to talk on phone, her brother started to sense signs which were indicating her problem would come back. She was so tense. Once he even took her back to her psychiatrist. Psychiatrist suggested that she must start her treatment again. But Tarun was not interested in starting it again. He felt that he could handle her by giving strong pills which used to make her sleepy. But Seema's brother sensed from first day that finally it was going to add problems. Still it was not useful after all Tarun took hold of Seema's money. He never let her spend anything without consulting him. It was right in normal cases but then soon he sensed that Tarun was getting more and more hard about it. He was not even permitting her to buy costly doll for Reema. From that day Seema's brother sensed that their problems were going to increase now. Today after chatting with Raj he sensed that they went above their head. Kids didn't know any thing properly about their mother's problem and Tarun was also having some mental problem of anger. He sensed that he had to interfere now. But he had to talk with his family too. He went to his wife and told her all. His wife was really upset with idea of bringing Seema in her home. " It's their problem let them handle it. I have already finding it hard to manage my own problems." " I know but she is my sister." " I agree with you. So I tell you take one week off go to her and you can spend as much money as they need but don't bring their troubles here. I request you." She literally bowed before him. He had to agree so Seema's brother took ticket and money to help Seema and her family. But he knew from heart that he couldn't let them stay with him. He felt so sad. He knew this wasn't going to happen because he got married and Seema got married too. But he couldn't avoid any of them. Since after Seema's marriage for few years every one felt it was perfect and they forced him in marriage. Now he had to handle both fronts. He knew that now he had to handle Seema and her family too. He called Boss and asked for leave. Then suddenly his phone rang. It was from Police. Tarun started requesting him to help him to come out of jail. Seema's brother sensed that this was best opportunity to get rid of him. Seema's brother " I will convince kids but you must give divorce." "But Seema didn't want it." " Fine then stay in jail." Tarun looked confused then he said " Fine take away your mad sister." Seema's brother felt so hurt. But after this he called his lawyer who began discussion. He took immediately plane. When he entered in Seema's home, kids were nervous and crying. He explained them all. But when Seema returned, she started to create drama. Seema's brother was already called psychiatrist. She kept crying and screaming until ambulance did come. Kids were so scared. When she went away, Seema's brother came near kids. Seema's brother " Don't worry kids. She will be fine." Reema " But who will take care of us now?" Seema's brother introduced them to an middle aged maid. She smiled. Seema's brother " She will take care of everything while staying with you. I will stay for week." Reema and Raj nodded. They knew that their Uncle would not offer more than this. They were glad that they at least managed to get rid of their horrible father. They sensed that they could move ahead in life in their own way. Then suddenly Raj put that question before which Reema feared most. Raj " Do we get this madness from Mom?" Reema gave sad smile and said " I feel it is better to inherited Mom's madness instead of Dad's cruelty." They both laughed on that joke. They knew now that they just had each other and responsibility of their Mom. But they sensed only smile could manage to take them ahead. They went ahead and started giving instructions to their maid.
                                                                          The End  

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