C6 CHAPTER-6

“It took us forty-five minutes that day”, Rajeev said. “And listen son, you don't have to come to the station to receive me, I will manage it on my own and will contact you in case of any difficulty”, Mr Arora said sternly. “Good Night dad, try to have a good night's sleep and see you tomorrow”, Rajeev replied.

“So your dad will be here tomorrow”, Saxena said. “You should book a room for him if he is planning to stay for a few days”, he continued. Rajeev nodded his head but refrained from making any comment. “Good Night uncle”, Akhil said as he took a few steps in the direction of his room waiting for his friend to follow. Rajeev followed knowing well that the portly man was feeling slighted as he did not get a proper reply to his query. “Don't think too much about what he said, ever since we landed up here I have lost count of the number of times he has talked about his list of clients and his good contacts”, Akhil said angrily. “750 per day for the luxury and 550 per day for the economy room”, mocked Akhil mimicking the voice of Saxena ji. “I am switching off the lights, let's go to sleep. We have to wake up early tomorrow and arrange our clothes & other items properly, our room is in a mess”, said Akhil.

For a change, Akhil was the one who woke up early the next morning and after a light breakfast got busy in cleaning up the almirah where his clothes were lying in a heap. “What a surprise? You are actually trying to tidy up the room, unbelievable”, Rajeev said as he got up rubbing his eyes in bewilderment. “Now cut the crap man. I could do with some help from you so if you are not planning to go out anywhere please go and brush your teeth and have your breakfast and after that if you feel like joining me

you are most welcome”, Akhil said. The clock had struck eleven by the time they had finished and both of them were admiring their good work and thanking each other when they heard a car come to a halt followed by the sound of heavy footsteps walking up to the reception.

“Saxena ji Namaste,kya haal chaal hain aapke? Kuch mehmanoko leke aayan hoon”, a man said in a gruff voice. “Yeh log kahan se aayen hain”? Saxena Ji said without any change of expression. “Afghani hain, treatment ke liya aayen hain”, the man said in a muted tone as two burly men made their way towards the counter, one supporting himself on crutches and the other pulling along two huge suitcases. “Pehle Dekh leta hoon, kis kaam se aaye hain phir room ke bare mein baat karenge”, Saxena Ji said in a very matter-of-fact manner. “I am Nasir Mohammad and he is Kasem Mohammad Nur, my father. We have come from Kandahar to consult a doctor at the AIIMS. My dad sustained a splinter injury during a brutal terror attack in Kabul and the doctors there advised us to consult a specialist here”, the man pulling the suitcases said. “May I see your passports if you don't mind? You will have to give me photocopies so that I can deposit the same at the Tourist registration office”, Saxena Ji said. “In addition to that there are two rules, consuming alcoholic drinks and indulging in any form of objectionable behaviour is strictly prohibited here”, Saxena Ji said. The two Afghans nodded their heads in unison without replying.