Paying Guest
Part 1 Paying Guest
It was an upper-middle-class area in Delhi. A guy in his mid-twenties knocked on a house door. An old man opened the door and shrank back, his eyes widening at the sight of the guy.
“Who are you? What do you want?” he asked.
“Are you Jithendarji?”
“Yes…”
“I’m coming from Rampur. I got a job here. May I get a rental house here?” the guy asked. His slang sounded like village, and his voice was polite.
“Rental house? Are you married?”
“No…”
“Being a bachelor, how do you think you will get a rental house?” Jithendar asked.
“Yeah, everyone is telling the same. Someone in the shop told me you could help me. Please help me, sir. I’m here for a job. That’s why my mother sent me to Delhi. She didn’t want me to stay in the mansion. That’s why I’m searching for a house. Please help me.”
A woman came from inside and looked at the guy.
“Listen…” she said.
Jithendar looked at her.
“What about the next house? I think he will get the house.”
“But, I’m not sure. What if she doesn’t want a bachelor?”
“Give it a try. She won’t say no to you”
“Of course, she will… but I don’t know this guy. She is a strict girl. If anything goes wrong, she won’t forgive me.”
“Sir, please, get me the house. I promise, I will not make any mistakes. Please help me, sir.” The guy pleaded.
“What to do? When searching for a house, everyone talks like a saint. But after getting the house, they would show their real faces…” Jithendar taunted.
“Sir, trust me, you will not face any problem because of me…”
He sighed.
“I will try my best, but don’t be in hope. Because I can’t say she will agree to give you the house.”
The guy nodded.
“Let’s go…”
The guy lifted his belongings. Jithendar came to the next house with the guy and knocked on the door. The door was open, and a girl in her early twenties opened it. She smiled at Jithendar.
“Namaste, Uncle…”
“How are you, KHUSHI?”
“Mmm…”
“Why are you sounding weary?”
“I’m searching for a job and could not get one…” She sighed.
“I know you are struggling to get a job. Did you give the house for rent?”
“No, Uncle. Not yet.”
“A guy needs a house to stay. Until you get a job, give the house to him and manage your expenses with the rent…”
“Guy? Who is he?”
“He is from Rampur village, got a job in Delhi… he needs a house. Both of you are in need. I think you should consider. Your portion is so small. A single person can stay there without complaining. That’s why I say.”
“Where is the guy?”
Jithendar looked behind and beckoned the guy, who was waiting a little far away. Khushi saw the man in front of him tiptoe. His crushed shirt, old pants, and beard said how poor he was. Beyond all these features, she saw his eyes sparkling.
The guy was also looking at Khushi, who was wearing gold earrings with jumkas, draping a cotton saree, and tying her hair into a loose bun. She was so simple but looked gorgeous.
She looked at Jithendar and asked,
“What’s his name?”
That was when Jithendar realised he hadn’t asked his name.
“What’s your name, beta?”
“Arnav…”
“Arnav, she is Khushi.”
“Namasteji…” Arnav said, joining his hands.
“What did you study?” Khushi asked.
“Tenth… fail…” Arnav pressed his lips.
“What job did you get?”
“Call taxi Driver,”
“Oh… There are many mansions available in Delhi where a bachelor can stay…” Khushi said.
“No, Jee. My mother didn’t want me to stay there.”
“Why?”
“She thinks boys in such places would be with bad habits… they may force me to do them…”
“Oh, she is scared because you too will become bad?”
“No, no… she is scared because I will break the bones of those who force me to use them…” he said casually.
Khushi looked at Jithendar, raising her brows.
“That’s why my mother wants me to stay in the decent area…” Arnav said.
“It seems you are a rowdy…”
“No, madam. I won’t do bad things no matter what. I don’t like them.”
Khushi and Jithendar were amazed.
“Will you bring your mother here?”
“No, madam. My mother will not come here. She wants to be at the house my father built.”
“Then why did you come here, leaving her?”
“She wants me to see the world beyond our village. That’s why she sent me.”
“Mmm… This is the portion. See, you should not interfere in anyone’s matter. Should come silently and leave silently. Understand?” Her voice sounded strict.
“Jee…”
“You should not entertain any girls in the area. Is that clear?”
“Madam, I’m not such a kind of a man…”
“That will be good for you.” She warned.
“Come with me…” Jithendar said. Arnav followed him.
“See, Khushi is a strict girl. She won’t talk to anyone unnecessarily. You should be careful with her. She won’t mind throwing your things from her house if you do anything wrong.” Jithendar warned him.
“I will keep it in my mind, sir,” Arnav said like a good boy.
Khushi came with the house key and opened the door. Arnav entered the house that had two rooms. A wooden single cot was there in the main room. The house looked so blowy. He kept his luggage in the house and smiled with satisfaction.
“Can I use this cot?” he asked, hesitating.
“Mmm…”
“I like this house very much…” he smiled, and his smile vanished when he heard
“House rent is ten thousand,” Khushi said.
Arnav’s facial expression changed.
“What?”
“Can’t you lower the rent?” he asked, making a face.
Feel happy that you got a house. And this is so reasonable in this area. You will not get such a house in this area. Decide if you want it or not.”
“No no… I want it…”
“Two months’ rent should be paid as an advance payment.”
“Twenty thousand?”
“Mmm…”
Arnav sighed. He opened his old suitcase and removed the money. He handed it to Khushi.
“Thanks…” she said.
“Thanks to you too…”
“Don’t forget what I said. Be careful.” She said and left.
Arnav smiled at Jithendhar.
“Thank you for your recommendation, sir.”
“Keep your words. Khushi needs money. That’s the only reason I recommend you. Be a gentleman.”
“Sure…”
Jithendar left the place.
Arnav lay on the cot, feeling relaxed. He was roaming around Delhi for two days, searching for a house. He didn’t get one. No one was ready to have a paying guest, who was a bachelor. Thank God, he got one. Though the rent was high for his status, he knew it was reasonable. He would not get a house in Delhi at this rent. He knew that.
To be continued…
