C9 CHAPTER-9
“Son, I am going out for a walk. Get up and be ready for breakfast before my return”, Mr Arora said before closing the door behind him. Rajeev got up and went to his room. Akhil was still fast asleep. “Akhil wake up”, Rajeev said after tapping lightly on his shoulders. Rajeev picked up two buckets and headed straight to the bathroom. “Good morning Rajeev. Fill your buckets quickly as water supply has become very erratic these days”, Saxena ji said even as he hurriedly watered the potted plants. “Bathing early in the morning has its advantages. One gets to use a clean toilet”, Saxena ji said while Rajeev wondered what the other advantages could be.
“Come on Akhil, hurry up. We are waiting for you”, Rajeev yelled. “I will join you in five minutes”, Akhil replied even as he poured another mug of water over his body. “Son, I have made a list of the items you would require. Go through it and add if anything is missing”, Mr Arora said to Rajeev post breakfast. “Do you want to come along Akhil”? Rajeev asked as he stepped out of the room with his dad. “Sure”, he said and followed them outside.
“This place is so crowded. It reminds me of Fancy Bazar back home”, Akhil said while negotiating a crowded lane in Kotla Market. They continued walking till they came to a shop selling utensils and plastic items.
“Rajeev, let's go inside. I think we better purchase a large container to store water to last you a couple of days”, Mr Arora said. “How much does this one cost”? He asked eyeing a red and blue container. “Six hundred”, the shopkeeper said without getting up from his chair. “Three hundred”, Mr Arora countered. “No way bhaisaheb, pay five hundred”, the shopkeeper said. “Three hundred leave it or take it”, Mr Arora said and pretended as if he would walk out from the shop. The old trick worked. “Okay three hundred it is”, the shopkeeper said. “Sonu please pack the container”, the shopkeeper said and a young boy came running with a piece of cloth and after wiping the dust off it tied it neatly with a rope using several layers of newspaper.
“Boys, get back to the hostel with this container. I will buy the rest of the items and join you for lunch”, Mr Arora said. “Dad, Saxena ji enquired whether you want to go sight-seeing”? Rajeev asked after his dad returned. “No son, this is my tenth visit to Delhi. Moreover, I don't feel like going out anywhere in this heat”, Mr Arora replied. “Have you spoken to Saxena ji about changing your rooms? Shift immediately if the hostel rooms are ready otherwise footing your accommodation bills would become a tall order for me”, Mr Arora said. “At what time are you leaving tomorrow dad”? Rajeev enquired. “I am leaving by the 2424 Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express at 2.00 pm”, Mr Arora replied. There was a knock on the door. “Uncle Ji chai”, the servant said and placed a cup of tea and a few bread slices on the table. “Tell uncle that my dad wants to meet him”, Rajeev told him as he left the room. “Uncle will come downstairs at 10 am after breakfast”, the servant whose name was Chandra said. “Okay, we will wait for him”, Rajeev said.
