The shop
Sheela was so upset that she never able to give anything to her son to start his life.Since childhood her son Mahesh was smart and he was good at his studies.She still remembered those days when Mahesh used to come home from his hostel.He was full of hopes.But that education didn't suit him.It proved hard for him even that hostel was worst experience for him.He never said what happened.But he just phoned Sheela that he wanted to come home.Sheela was a widow with only son. When her sixteen year old son phoned her and told her that he couldn't stay there.He wanted to come back home.She was forced to agree.She had heard many stories about ragging in hostels.But she thought that it would stop now because of serious laws.But when she heard her son's voice.She was sure that it was not stopped.She decided to call him back.When he came back,she saw there was strange change in him.When she tried to discuss the issue with him.He just didn't responded.His one year was wasted.But he decided to study in distance education.But until then he wanted some occupation with help of which he could make some money.But it was not easy for him to get any job.Then one day Sheela found a nice shop which was given to her by her Uncle.She was so happy to receive it from her Uncle.Sheela's father was rich man and he had many times helped his younger brother.Sheela had lost her whole wealth thanks to her bad luck.She was widowed on wrong time.Her husband had just invested lot of money on business and then he suddenly died without paying loan.Sheela didn't know anything about that business still she tried her best to survive.Now she was ordinary woman with normal wealth. Mahesh was her only hope.But since coming from hostel he didn't seem to show any proper interest in any thing.He was studying but his marks were not that good.She wanted some occupation for him.She was so happy when she heard about that shop.
As soon as Sheela entered in home,she started searching for Mahesh. Mahesh was cooking in kitchen. Mahesh never looked relaxed now a days either he was busy in cooking or studying. He was not much good at studies but still he was trying hard to score good marks.She wanted to give his some time to concentrate on studies.But he didn't seem to do achieve anything on that front .At first she was thinking about telling him to join her business. But then her manager advised her against it.After all her business was not that good just increasing staff would be useless for her.When Sheela came in kitchen Mahesh gave her nice smile. Mahesh"Mom how was your day?Do you like tea or coffee?Ohh,weather is so hot,may be lemonade will be better for you?"Sheela gave him sweet smile and said"Just relax and sit down."At first he just looked at Sheela with confused expression.Then when she forced him,finally he sat on chair. Mahesh sat there and started looking at Sheela's face with surprised expression.Sheela never showed that excitement to him before Mahesh could sense that it was some thing different. Mahesh started looking at her with curiosity.Sheela showed him keys.Sheela"These are keys to our new shop.""New shop??"Mahesh gave his relaxed smile first time until now his all smiles were just artificial. Mahesh" What kind of shop?""It is just place you can start which ever shop you want to start."Mahesh was now literally jumping with joy. Mahesh "Mom I wanted some thing like that for years.Can you imagine I can do anything there?I can choose a shop of my choice.I want to see that place..""Not so soon my uncle had to finish some formalities and then we can get possession."Mahesh looked little disappointed.Then he smiled once again and asked"Mom can I start planning for shop?""Of course.In fact you can also buy material for shop.You can always keep it in my godown."Mahesh smiled happily.
From that day every day Mahesh went to many parts of country and bought cheap and high quality dress materials for his shop.Then after some times he bought some ornaments.Slowly he bought shirts and jeans.Sheela was keeping watch on everything.One day her manager came in office.Manager"I must congratulate you because you have such nice and smart boy as son.Today I went to godown out of my curiosity.I looked at those things and their arrangements.Everything is perfect.I am sure shop will be a big success."Sheela was so happy.Her manager was perfect predictor and honest man.Many times he predicated Sheela's losses and saved her from disasters.But since she was in wrong business.He couldn't change her future and she didn't have enough capital to change it.She wanted to save her money for her son and his future.Now she was investing all her money in this shop.She wanted her manager to help her.She was so happy that he was doing it without request.After all her manager was not just manager.He was like Uncle to Mahesh. Sheela"Thanks,I want you to help him in every way like you normally do to me.""Don't worry mam.Your son is born businessman.He can easily manage."Sheela smiled happily.Finally her worries were reduced.She thought that this time she might be able to take retirement. She could sell this business which was hardly giving profits now and invest that money also in shop.She liked this idea.Then she had another idea.She could change this business in shop.Suddenly she began to think that how beautifully she could decorate her office as shop.She could stood here and sell goods.She really liked that idea.She wanted everything to be changed including colour and interior of her office.At that moment phone rang and she came out of her dreams.She picked up that phone.It was phone of lawyer who was telling she could come to his office to take possession of shop's keys. Sheela thought that she was dreaming for shop and she got possession of one.It must be a good omen for her and her son.She immediately left her office and went to lawyer.
When Sheela got those keys,she immediately phoned her son Mahesh to tell him about it. Mahesh immediately decided to meet her at lawyer's office. Mahesh talked to lawyer deal with everything in perfect way even lawyer was impressed.Lawyer"I must say Sheelaji your son got bright future ahead."Sheela smiled happily. Mahesh was impressing every one and she was sure that slowly he would manage nice shop.Then they went to that location. They saw that building.It was commercial complex full of high standard shops.Sheela's Uncle got this shop just because when that complex was made builder who had to promise shop owners on that land to give them one shop in complex.It was just matter of luck that area around that land was developed. They were so impressed by that building. Mahesh "Mom we can never manage to get better shop. We are so lucky."When they went near that building, they asked about that shop.The watchman told them that their shop was in basement.That moment first Sheela felt that her son shivered.Sheela "What happened?""Nothing Mom.I just don't like basement.""Come on.It is not scary basement full of dark.It is basement full of shops and lighting. When you go there,you will have to close your eyes because of too bright light."Sheela laughed. Mahesh gave her forced smile. But she could clearly see that he was scared so they started going there.As soon as she entered in lift,Mahesh began to back out.Sheela took hold of his hand.Sheela "Mahesh where are you going ?This is your shop.You have to go inside it.""No Mom I can't.I am scared."Sheela could clearly see that he was scared.He was shivering like leaf and he was sweating too much.In fact his shirt was wet due to sweat in two minutes.Sheela "You have to come.Come on think about your shop and your plans."Mahesh nodded and he tried to go inside.Then slowly lift came down.Sheela could clearly see fear on Mahesh's face.Then they came out of lift.Mahesh just began to look around in strange way.Mahesh started screaming "Mom that wall is coming near me."Sheela looked around that area was full of shopkeepers and their customers.Since it was evening it was too crowded.But every wall was perfectly on it's place.Sheela "Which wall?Everything is on it's place.""Mom can't you see them?They are coming from all sides.Mom I am going to get smashed between them.Help me Mom.Please help me."He was screaming so loud that all crowd gathered around them.But Mahesh pushed his way out of them and ran to lift.He immediately ran to ground floor.Sheela didn't understand what did she suppose to do.She just said'sorry' and followed Mahesh.
After that Mahesh never went to that shop.He made all plans.He did many drawings to explain Sheela how did she suppose to arrange that shop.He manage everything.He even convinced many people to come to that shop.He arranged everything on inauguration.It was so perfect.Every one was impressed.But every one also asked Sheela the same quesition. Where was Mahesh? Mahesh called them and arranged everything in perfect way.Many people even made purchases.They all wanted to thank him for inviting.It was so embarrassing for Sheela.She just didn't understand his problem.She wanted to talk about it. But he was not willing.He just preferred to ignore that topic.But Sheela wanted to know about it.This fear was destroying her son's future step by step.Every day she saw that her customers were sent by Mahesh. They all wanted to be attended by him. After all he was expert in all this. One day her manager came into office. Sheela signed the file he brought still he didn't seem to be willing in going out. Finally Sheela asked "What is it?What do you want?Just say it don't increase suspense.""Mam I know this is your personal matter still I like to ask your a question.""Come on.It's okay.You are like a brother to me."Then her manager relaxed little bit.Manager" Mam I know that you are trying your best to manage that shop.But please understand.I feel sorry to say but you don't got that salesmanship which Mahesh sir got.I think he must come and handle it himself.I am sure.He would handle it in excellent way and make more profit.After all he is young. He have to start from now then only he can reach on top. I know he is studying.But I think his business skill are more promising and he could study as well as work in shop.He is owner of that shop.He can take rest when ever he want but he must try."Sheela just kept quiet for some time.She was so confused.She didn't know that if she could trust this person with her son's weakness or not.After all it was risky.She didn't want expose her son's weakness.Sheela"He will join the shop after some days."Manager looked confused by Sheela's blunt reply.But he nodded and went away.
That day when Sheela went home, Mahesh started screaming on her angrily. Mahesh"Mom you showed all wrong sarees and dresses to that Lal Bangala's ladies.Mom they are rich.They want costly and designer.You show them those middle class sarees. They are good for us not for them.They were upset still they decided to give me one more chance after seeing sarees I put on computer."He showed her sarees."Mom show them these type of sarees. Why are you not paying attention to me?""Because it is your place and you should be there not me.I paid whole attention to you.But I just couldn't understand.Try to understand it is not my field.""Mom please don't quit.I need you.."After saying this Mahesh started crying at that moment.Sheela decided to share her problems with manager.After all she needed help.He seemed to be the best help Mahesh could able to get.Next day she just called manager and told him everything. Manager "This is strange.Mam can I suggest you something?""Sure.I called you for suggestions only.""May be you don't like my suggestion?But still.....Why don't you go to psychiatrist?""Psychiatrist!!But Mahesh is perfect in all other things.He is not even depressed..""Mam psychiatrist are not just for depression and serious problems.They can also treat these type of problem.Don't you worry.My wife know one nice doctor.We took our daughter to him when she got less marks just try him."Sheela nodded her head.Manager smiled.Then finally they got number and appointment. Mahesh was so upset by that setback in shop that he was willingly agreed to go psychiatrist.When they went there, psychiatrist told Sheela to wait outside.Then he talked with Mahesh for hours.Finally psychiatrist called Sheela inside and told her that Mahesh was suffering from specific phobia and he would cure her.Then he stopped for some moment and said "Actually your son was horribly harassed and ragged in basement of that hostel.""What?He never told me..""He was scared.Anyway you took the right decision of taking him out of that hostel on right time.He will be fine now.But I have one question do you think what happen to other boys and girls inside that hostel.Some are from poor families who can't effort to take their children out of hostel like that.I think you should try to stop it.You need to file a police complaint.Try to imagine your son suffering."Sheela didn't need to imagine it.She remembered clearly his restless nights and his strange nightmares.She also remembered his destroyed career.She didn't want to forgive and forget.She took hold of Mahesh's hand and said"Let's file complaint."At beginning Mahesh looked scared then he looked at his Mom who suffered so much after his father death and then when he came out of hostel with destroyed career.His Mom stood strongly with him so he decided to follow his Mom. Mahesh "I will do it." and suddenly he began to feel that he could smile freely now without being scared.
The End
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