Hello readers, The following story unfolds in a quaint village nestled along the southern coast of India. It centers around a city boy who embarks on a journey filled with rustic charm, orthodox traditions, and unforgettable experiences when he pays a visit to his uncle..
The story has no incest angle and it focuses on the journey of a young boy finding himself in unexpected situations. The story begins at a deliberate pace, carefully introducing you to the characters and their surroundings. As you delve deeper into the narrative, you'll find it gradually heating up, promising an intriguing progression.
Stay connected as this tale unfolds in a series, and let the adventure begin.
The story has a few words in Hindi and below is the meaning:
Beta - Son
Saree - A garment consisting of a length of cotton or silk elaborately draped around the body, traditionally worn by women from India.
Sherbet - A cooling drink of sweet diluted fruit juices.
Ghungroo - Small metallic bells strung together on the anklets worn by classical Indian dancers.
Sahib - Sir
Veranda - A roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor
Pallu - the loose end of a sari, worn over one shoulder or the head.
Part 1: The visit
Location: Mumbai
Jay returns to his empty apartment, the weight of his parents' recent tragic accident heavy on his heart. With no siblings to share his grief, he closes the door behind him and collapses onto the floor, overwhelmed by loneliness. Lost in contemplation, he remains there for an extended period, the eerie silence of the house amplifying his sorrow. Suddenly, a doorbell rings, followed by a knock, jolting him from his thoughts. He rises to his feet and opens the door to find the mailman waiting. The mailman hands him an envelope bearing his name.
Jay closes the door again, his curiosity piqued. He carefully opens the envelope to reveal a brass key, two aged photographs, and a typed letter. The key's Victorian design intrigues him, while the first photograph, in timeless black and white, features his mother alongside an elderly couple and a young boy. His attention then turns to the second photo, which depicts the same four individuals, accompanied by another family. Jay assumes the other family must be either relatives or close family friends. The discovery of the key and the photographs, unexpectedly, begins to alleviate his sorrow, leaving him eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the letter.
The Letter:
Hello Jay,
I trust this message finds you as well as can be expected during such a difficult time. I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of your dad and my sister, Jaya. Please accept my most sincere condolences.
I'm Sundar, your mom's younger brother. I understand that my existence may have come as a surprise to you. Your mom chose not to disclose much about her maternal family, which is why we may not have had the chance to connect until now.
I believe it would be more appropriate for us to discuss this matter over a phone call, as it is a lot to process. I've included my contact number below my name. Please don't hesitate to reach out, and we can have a conversation about the key and the pictures I've sent, which should help build trust between us.
I'm here and ready to talk whenever you are.
Warm regards,
Shekar
XX XXXXXXXXXXX
- X -
Jay filled a glass with water, his emotions a mix of shock and excitement. The revelation that he had a long-lost family member, Sundar, was both shocking and thrilling to him. Jay couldn't contain his eagerness to learn more about his newfound relative. However, he held onto the key piece of information for a few days, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to make the call.
One evening, Jay sat in his cozy living room, clutching his mobile phone in one hand and the letter from Sundar in the other. With a deep breath, he dialed the number listed in the letter and anxiously waited for someone to answer.
The Call:
"Hello, may I know who's speaking?" Jay asked politely.
"Is this Mr. Sundar?" Jay inquired.
"Yes, that's me," Sundar replied.
"Hello again, I'm Jay, your sister's son. I found your number in the letter. I hope this is a good time to talk," Jay asked with courtesy.
"Jay, my dear boy! What took you so long? I was worried the letter might have scared you off," Sundar said excitedly, relieved that his nephew had finally reached out.
"I apologize for the delay. I had a lot on my plate -- settling my dad's affairs at work and keeping up with my studies in business management," Jay explained.
"Please, don't blame yourself. I understand you had a lot to deal with after what happened," Sundar said regretfully.
"Uncle, you shouldn't blame yourself either. I want to thank you for reaching out. I had lost hope that I had any family left, but your letter was so encouraging," Jay reassured him.
"I am sorry for not attending the funeral in Mumbai. The circumstances wouldn't allow me to do so. I am paralyzed below my hip and I have been told to avoid long trips," Sundar explained.
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Uncle," Jay interjected.
"But why did Mom keep you all away from me?" Jay questioned.
"Beta, you see, this is a very long story, but I'll try to keep it short. Your mom was a rebel, a liberal-minded person born into an Orthodox household. She never took the rules and regulations set by our father seriously," Sundar explained.
"So, Mom has always been strong-willed and stubborn?" Jay inquired.
"Hahaha, it seems she never changed. Yes, your mom was very determined. She's the only member of our family who ever had a love marriage. She moved to Mumbai with your dad after they graduated. I regret not being able to attend my sister's wedding. Our father warned us not to make any contact with your mother. A few years ago, your mom and I reconnected on Facebook, but only after our father passed away. The three people in the black and white photographs are your mother, me, and our parents."
"That's very sad, Uncle. Mom was a strong lady, but I'm sure she missed you all," Jay expressed.
"I managed to find her on Facebook, and we communicated through messenger. That's how I got the address to your house."