Navalika: Gold bars

Balveer Singh Jadeja

Divya Lakshmi, who was on the flight from Madabad to Hyderabad via Hyderabad, was thinking of how to go home and talk to Ani with her grandfather and family, while Ani was lost in his thoughts of where to find Manjulafoi, where to find the Kadla Joad. It was there that two young collegians, settled in the seats next to each other and started talking in Kutchi language. Ani's attention went towards him after hearing his language. 'I want to meet one of your elders. Need some info. If you give me the address, I can come to meet you in the evening or at night.' And Jakhou, the village of the youth's paternal grandfather, was eager to learn about Manjulafoi and the family. Young Kiran gave a 'Family Traders' card with his name on it. Rudraraju Lakshman, Divya Lakshmi's grandfather, the one-time Rajasaheb of Rajgharana, granddaughter Divya dearest. After he was posted in Gujarat, he was called on leave after six months. Divya said that she has called Dada as a young man might have come to her mind. When Divya and Ani reached home, everyone was happy to meet Ani, but Dada was most happy that Divya was working with a high-ranking officer, a handsome, confident personality, and also a servant of a Jagirdar of Kutch. Called both of them in the evening thinking that 'perhaps there is a suitable person for my work'. After a formal conversation said, 'Divya, I have kept one thing to gift you on your wedding, tomorrow I will fetch it from the bank locker. I will talk about it later. Now you and Yuvraj Anirudh Vizag, come and see the city again.' And he was reluctant to go to the 'family store'. Both reached there directly and showed Kiran's card. 'I have to meet an elder of Kiran's age, personal business.' A staff member, sitting in a glass cabin and watching CCTV, led the elderly owner, wearing a white cap and a plain robe, and spoke, 'This sir and madam have come to see you on personal business.' Ani and Divya joined hands and saluted. 'Speak sir, what can I do for you?' 'Sir, I am a native of Kutch. Kiran told me that your hometown is Jakhou. I want to know about the members of Lalji Sundarji's generation, where they are or where they can be found.' 'Members of Jakhauna Lalji Sundarji's generation!' After speaking with a look of surprise, the elder asked, 'Who do you want to know about?' 'About my Manjulafoi, the daughter of Saibgarh village.' 'You… you… whose son? what is your name What will happen to you, sir, brother-in-law?' 'My grandmother. I am Aniruddha Singh, son of Parakram Singh. But… you ..!' 'I am the son-in-law of your village, Manjula's householder, Vitthaldas.' 'Oh..! Vitthaldasfua!' After speaking, Ani got up and was going to fall at his feet, but Vitthaldas caught his hands. Then he called his wife, 'Manjula, your pier's guests have arrived, I am bringing them home.' So far Vitthaldas did not pay much attention to Divya in the talks. Now he asked, 'This madam!' 'This Divya Lakshmi is with me in Gandhinagar, I have come to her house.' Ani said the same. Vizag's famous Chopati was lined with palatial bungalows. A car stopped near one of the big villas. Divya saw that her grandfather's palatial palace-like residence could be seen at a little distance. As the carriage stopped, a majestic, fat, old Manjulafoi stepped out. And stooped down. Divya also imitated Ani. 'Fui, I Aniruddha. Jijama's grandson, Pakubapa's son.' As soon as she heard, Manjulabai was so happy that she had thirty-two lamps. 'Hey! This is my nephew! Where are you from?' Saying and embracing Anin. 'When did you come? Why do you know I'm here? Who is this?' 'I will keep you standing here, I will ask everything, I will also take you home.' Vitthaldas said 'Come! Come, come in!' 'Ani spoke of recognition through Kiran. That's where the ray came from within. 'Do you know who this is Kiran? I have a nephew. This ray is my grandson, the third son of my eldest son. How do you know Kiran! But whatever we are today, we owe it to our elders.' 'Glory to my elders! In what way?' 'How do you know brother! It's a long story. Only your fua will tell the whole story.' 'Yes, so Fua you tell me the history, I want to know, which I don't know.' After speaking, Ani Fua spoke. The thing is, there was a drought in Kutch. Our Jakhoon Lalji Sundarji's generation did all the trade with Karachi and with the majority of the Muslim population. After partition, Muslims left for Pakistan and trade with Karachi stopped. All our efforts got stuck. The generation fell raw. Sold jewelry or gold and silver, paid off debt. What to do now? The three brothers decided to leave Jakhou and start a new business elsewhere. But! Capital was not, now? Your Foi Manjula remembered that, a few years back, Jijama had taken back a heavy gold necklace that we had pawned there but for some reason did not take it back. We have it. In the name of God, I made a pledge to the Sharaf of Kutch in Mumbai, with the condition that I will continue to pay interest and will get rid of this debt as soon as possible. You must return it to me, as it is. So I took two lakh rupees and started a grain grocery business in Mumbai. Then our decade started that Kadla's Pratap, within two years we left Kadla and handed over the Mumbai business to my younger brother, now I had to start a new business somewhere else as a middle brother. From there we went to Pune and took four lakhs from the same Sharaf again by pledging the Kadla and set up the business in Pune in two years for Wachet Bhai. Two brothers became businessmen because of you.' 'Then why and how did you get here Fua?' 'The two younger brothers were very close. I decided to come here to Vizag because of your foi. But Sharaf of Mumbai was not willing to lend money so far. now? Thinking that there were no men from Kutch here, he decided to pawn this stone to a member of the Rajgharana and investigated.' After speaking Vitthaldas stopped to drink water. Ani and Divya were looking at each other wondering who would be the member of the royal family. 'That Rajasaheb immediately agreed to give the required amount after seeing the bitterness. We took ten lakhs and with the cooperation of A Rajasaheb took this place and started this 'Family Traders'. In five years we have become the number one business in Vizag. Now we want to return the amount to Rajasaheb but Rajasaheb is not ready to take it. He says, I don't even want the money back, Vitthaldas, whatever you want, at whatever price you want, bring me another piece of this joint. Manjula and I have been confused for two years that when to meet Jijama and how to talk. We are tired of explaining to Bhai, Rajasaheb that this is a kadalu reserved with us, which we have to return. Barakat ne Jahojlali, attributed to this Kadla. We do not charge principal or interest from those who deposit with us. Rajasaheb wants to know whose reserve it is, but we do not tell him who is the owner of Kadla.' 'Why, don't you say fua?' 'Because if it happens to my brother-in-law, my brother's daughter Manjula's gift has gone bad and by taking a piece of cake from me, this Rajasaheb will not have to give it to Manjula and Vitthaldas! Do not doubt that brother! Tell the truth!' 'Who is that Rajasaheb, Fua. What is his name?' 'Rudraraju Lakshmana.' 'Hey…!' Both Divya and Ani spoke together. 'So that bitter Rajasaheb has, M!' 'Yes.' 'Now if the bitter Rajasaheb gives it to his brother-in-law instead of you, then your worries will go away, right, Fua?' 'If that happens, all our burdens will be lifted, but will it happen a little, madam?' 'Become. Why not?' 'But how can it be madam?' Foi and Fua looked at each other in astonishment, not understanding anything. 'I am the granddaughter of Rajasaheb Rudraraju Lakshman. He must give me that necklace as a wedding gift for me. This is your nephew and I are about to get married. After that, Ani's father is going to gift me that pair of kadlas. If my grandfather gives it, mother-in-law gives it, I am to get it, ask your nephew Aniruddha.' Manjulafoi, who was listening to Divya, stood up and embraced Divya. Just then, Ani's mobile rang, 'Ji Bapuji.' 'And where are you? Didn't even tell me that you are going out! There is a holiday in your office. Where have you gone, your father worries.' Everyone heard the phone put on speaker. 'Bapuji I am at Jakhouwala Manjulaphui's house, Vizag- Vizag. Listen now! I am booking air tickets for you, my bani and jijama, three days later, in mobile. All of you come here but don't forget to bring kadla from Bana's locker. Its link has been found. Why it is necessary for you all to come here, you will know only after you come here.' * * * The vevishal of Ani and Divya Lakshmi was celebrated by Rajasaheb Rudraraju Lakshmana, grandly and with much fanfare, but no woman could walk wearing a pair of golden anklets. Divya Lakshmi underwent intense physical labor during her IPS training. Jijama knew after meeting, that Anithi also practiced privately in the 'gym', so when she walked in the presence of everyone wearing heavy kadals, Jijama hugged her and cried and the packed hall continued to burst into applause. }