Bindiya.... A small town FBR

Rajat Gupta was a well off business man having business running in crores. Because of his well off status he and his family were enjoying a healthy living. Apart from him, his family consisted of his wife Malti, 15 yr old son Rahul and 13 yr old daughter Simran. All of them were living together in a grand bungalow in Gurgaon. Apart from family members, there were few servants as well who used to take care of family and house. The fleet included Radheshyam who was driver to Rajat Gupta, Murari who was driver to Malti and children, servant Prem & Meena who used to look after entire household activities. Mr Rajat was a busy man barely having time for his family, so always he was on some business trip with his driver Radheshyam, hence it left to Murari who used to drive the other car and take either Malti or children to their desired destinations. Murari was also responsible to drop and pick childe from their school. Every thing was going smooth and fine till one day when Meena announced to Malti that she will be leaving job very soon since she is pregnant and take the load any more at least for coming 4 to 6 months. She may continue her job after that. Nearly at the same time Prem also applied for leaves reason being he has to go to his native place in Khurja or yearly leaves. Malti hugely got upset since taking care of house in absence of both the maids is impossible since she is also busy lady engaged in several NGO’s. Meena being an understanding maid asked her sister Sheela to look after the house for some days till the Prem is back. Though quality of work done by Sheela was no where near to satisfactory, but there was no other option.

To add to their grieves, Prem called after 10 days and conveyed that because of his marriage he will come after another 15 days. Family had no other choice other tan to give acceptance. After 15 days Prem turned up to their bungalow and incomes his newly wedded wife Bindiya. Malti was more than happy as she was getting rid of Sheela. After initial exchange or greetings and some talk, Prem cracked his wish to Malti that since Meena is out for some time why not she keeps Bindiya on trial. She is perfect in doing household activities and can keep the house well as per the expectation level. Bindiya was 20 yrs lady with average looks and average body structure but one thing that her made her attractive was her height which was 5’7” even taller than Prem who was 5’4” and also taller than all family members of Gupta family. Rajat was 5’4”, Malti was 5’, Rahul was 5’5” and Simran was just 5’2”. Malti liked the offer partially because Prem was perfect in his work and partially because she was fed up of Sheela. She agreed to the offer and offered a salary which was 1 k lesser than what Prem was getting (3.5K). Prem readily agreed and this is how Bindiya was got introduced to the family and became a member. Malti told this news to her children when they came back. Simran least bothered while Rahul had mixed feelings. He only glanced at Bindiya while entering house but immediately noticed her unhidable height. Though he was happy that he will not have to tolerate Sheela any more but he felt his male ego hurting since till now he enjoyed the status of being tallest in the entire house. He was definitely not comfortable and even opposed his mother’s decision but Malti was adamant and he had no choice. Bindiya turned out to be perfect maid, doing everything to perfection, even perfect than Prem and hence was earning lot of praise from Malti. Malti even bought her good new Salwar suits so that she can match pace with Gurgaon. Rahul hatred went on increasing day by day and he was focused on finding her fault. Every time when he discovered even a slightest fault of Bindiya he used to explode like anything. One thing he shouted so much that it bought tears in Bindiya’s eyes. He didn’t even regretted on what he had done, but Bindiya was a sensible girl and never complained to Malti. This gave Rahul more leverage and he went to insult poor girl time and again.

Malti after getting some hint even warned Rahul, but Rahul was unfazed. But one day everything changed after incidence after the incidence quoted in next few lines. Rajat was as usual out of town while Malti had gone for some camp in Noida. Both kids along Prem and Bindiya were at home. Simran while playing got hurt very badly in her left arm. It was the bone dislocation and required immediately medical attention. Since both cars along with driver were out options were very limited. Rahul called his mom on cell, she immediately left the place but also told that it will take not less than 2 hrs to reach since traffic is heavy. Every minute was passing heavily. Prem even looked for Auto but nothing was available. In this crises situation Bindiya spotted a 180 cc pulsar that was standing idle in the garage. She asked Rahul why not he takes Simran to hospital on his bike. Actually this Pulsar was presented to Rahul on his 15th b’day by his father nearly 3 months back, but since his father had no time and even Rahul was busy in his studies least bothered to learn to ride the bike. He regretted for his mistake and enquired Prem if he knew how to ride. Prem shrugged his shoulders in ignorance. It was then Bindiya spoked out in a low voice “Rahul baba, if you allow then can I drive and take Simran to hospital”. Both Rahul and Prem couldn’t believe what they heard just now and look in great astonishment to Bindiya. Rahul who was waiting for another fault from Bindiya, shouted back that “it’s not a cycle and not meant for ladies, pls keep your mouth shut and refrain from cracking jokes in this crises situation”. But Bindiya replied “I am not joking and I am serious. I know how to ride bikes and has been doing in past in my home town, pls give me chance. Time is crucial & Simran pain is increasing”. Rahul after thinking for a while decided to give a try, after all this will give another chance to shout back and humiliate Bindiya. He went inside and came out with keys after some time. Bindiya after collecting keys went up to bike and after inserting keys pulled bike down from stand in one flow.

She dragged bike to the place where other 3 members were standing. She then swung her legs and sat on the monster bike. The confidence which she was showing while sitting on bike was explaining the entire scenario itself. She then gave a hard kick and bike roared into action immediately. This gave Rahul some confidence. Bindiya then said “I believe someone should sit with Simran to hold her since it would not be possible for me to do both the things”. Rahul who by this time was confident of Bindiya’s driving skills volunteered for the pillion. He then helped Simarn to sit first and then seated himself. Bindiya put the gears and drove the bike in the direction guided by Rahul. As they were progressing towards hospital Rahul was immersed in many thoughts, he was in all praise for Bindiya for helping him in odd hours, all these days he only went on to humiliate her and that too even without a cause. He was realizing that if Bindiya hadn’t volunteered than his sister would have went to suffer in pain for relatively longer period of time. He was such a foolish that he didn’t even tried to accept the fact the females can be taller and there is no harm in it, after all Prem is also shorter than her. Another thought which was going on his mind was being spotted by someone who is known to him & that too in a awkward situation in which a poor small town girl is riding bike and he is sitting like a fool behind her, for this reason he was also trying hid his face behind Simran’s. Though he was a big FBR admirer and used to stare any female riding bike till she disappeared. He always used to wish that one he will also ride pillion with some female and today when Bindiya is fulfilling his wish, he is feeling awkward. In spite of all this he was admiring each and every action of Bindiya that how efficiently she was handling the monster, the way she was applying gears, the way she was applying brakes, the way she overtaking other vehicles on road, the way her hairs and chunni were flowing out and hitting his face, the way every passerby is looking at her with dropped jaw, the way she is maintaining a perfect balance of speed with caution, the courage which she possess that even in a new town she is not afraid of taking out biking, almost everything and much much more which is impossible to explain. After some time he realized that all his ill feelings for Bindiya has evaporated and he has turned himself into a true admirer of Bindiya who is in all love & admiration for the courageous lady.

After 20 minutes or so they reached hospital and for sometime focus got shifted to Simran who was rushed to Emergency ward. After initial checks doctor announced that they are going apply plaster on Simran’s hand and till that time other two can wait in the visitor’s area. Bindiya as usual was smiling and consoled Rahul that everything will be fine soon. Rahul was so ashamed of what he has done that he was not even able to match eye contact with Bindiya, after collecting lot of courage he slowly came nearer to Bindiya and in a very slow voice keeping his head low said “I am sorry, I know I have humiliated you a lot and my crime is not excusable but still I begging you to apologize me. I promise I will be good to you and will never ever in my life I will do what I was doing all these days”, with that tears started flowing from his eyes. Bindiya put her hands on his shoulders and replied “No problem baba, I don’t know what was going on your mind but I was assure of my capabilities and was confident that I will win over your heart one day. Luckily the days come sooner than expected. I never minded what you said to me since I knew I was not wrong. Please don’t act like this since you are our master and we are simple slave. Pls don’t make us so feel so big”. Rahul on hearing this replied back “You are true kind hearted person and I am really impressed by you. So what if you are poor, if your heart is big enough it worth a lot and you are not poor by means”, he further added “Bindiya can we friends from today” still sobbing. “Yes, sure, why not, but I have a condition” came the reply. “What?” was Rahul’s immediate reaction. Bindiya then carried on “For God’s sake please stop crying and you will never do so again. Till the time I am with you can share your problems and we will solve it together”. Both friends then hugged each other a bit tightly to express the warmness. Rahul for one minute forgot that he is hugging his maid who is much lower in status but he was more than happy to find a new pakka friend. They then separated and sat down to wait for Simran’s discharge.
After some time Malti joined them and she too praised Bindiya for her timely courage. When she was trying to scold Rahul for what all he was doing, Bindiya interrupted and said not to say anything to Rahul and both are now friends. This gave Malti a much wanted relief that at least Bindiya is now accepted by the entire family. When Simran was discharged, Malti took her incar; while Rahul volunteered that he will prefer Bike to car and will come along with Bindiya. This time Bindiya as driving fast and to maintain balance Rahul didn’t minded to put his arms around her waist. Bindiya too was in seventh heaven that at least bike ride played the trick and her job is now secured in absence of any further resistance. When they reached home, Malti was already there and was praising Bindiya to Prem. Prem was also impressed by this unknown skill of Bindiya, but was founding hard to speak since his wife has done some thing which he has never tried in his life. He gave a hard look at Bindiya but Malti understood his intention and warned him if he said anything to her. He further added that he should be proud of his wife and there is nothing to ashamed about. He reluctantly agreed and promised he will try to live with the fact and will have cordial relation with her as before. This incidence changed Rahul’s & Prem’s life for ever.

To be continued....