Saritha did not stop her mouth once they were out of the home, she kept tugging at Arjun's pants asking where her surprise was to which Arjun did not say much and just followed along Pratap to call out Kavitha.
Once Kavitha came out Arjun hurried them to the parking spots where they parked the car and showed it to both Kavitha and Sari while Pratap was away dialing to Bhargav to pick up the jeep.
The mother and daughter stood there for a while not understanding where Arjun was taking them. When Arjun showed the car once they reached both could not understand what Arjun was pointing at.
What do you want to show us Arjun? Kavitha asked
The car Amma!!
Seems like a new car, did Madan buy a new car? i don't think anyone else in the village can afford to but one Kavitha still did not get it.
No maa it's our new car!!
Wait what?
Yes maa i've ordered it a couple weeks ago, it arrived last week and we received it just today Arjun mentioned.
Sari hearing the conversation started screaming circling the car and soon ran to Pratap who was just entering the scene asking him to take her on a ride.
Kavitha meanwhile was still standing there with tears in her eyes. It had been over ten years her mind began reeling back.
Pratap who could see his wife's expression from far away could understand how she felt very well. She left everything for him but this was the most he could do. He understood she was not really enjoying her life in the village but this was the best he could do especially after that incident.
But not once did she complain about their life to Pratap. All she asked for was her kids to have a good life and the best education they could provide. Now seeing her son who was still only ten years old buying a new car for their family she was still wondering if this was true or not.
Even though these days she could see that the press was successful and how much Pratap and Arjun worked for the press she never looked into the finances. She was sure Pratap would never allow the purchase if Arjun was taking a risk.
It seemed finally their money troubles were over, she thought and this relieved her tired brain to no small extent. Looking at her small kid running around in excitement Kavitha could not stop the grin coming on her face and for the first time in a lot of years finally smiled whole heartedly.
Pratap who was already getting tired by the kid's nagging got dragged into the car, Sari then ran to her brother and mother and pulled them inside the car too and the whole family took a couple rounds around the village.
By now most of the village seeing a new car in their village came out to see who it was and seeing it was Pratap's family most of them were happy for the family.
People back then were much purer in heart than today, even though there were some of them who felt jealous most of them were routing for this family. Especially after the recent news from Madan that Arjun was going to start a new factory and would probably hire around fifty workers from the village not many had bad things to say about this family.
Pratap was very friendly and would help his neighbours out when they were in need so him getting rich was another kind of relief for them as they were sure he would help again if they were in some serious trouble.
By the time they returned home most of the kids from the neighborhood surrounded the car praising Sari and asking her for a ride.
Saritha's face was very interesting to witness at the time. She had never been in such a situation before. Before this it was always her asking others for their stuff but this felt completely different.
Sari hurriedly asked them to get on board after dropping Arjun and Kavitha and started pleading her father for a couple more rounds around the village. Pratap seeing his child's expression could not really say no and obliged.
Kavitha meanwhile went inside the house to bring out a plate with a big piece of camphor in it to offer Harathi (Hindu ritual of worship) to car as this was considered to be a good ritual to do after purchasing a new car or house or anything of significance.
Even though Arjun kept on insisting they had already done the Puja once at the town Kavitha was still adamant in doing it herself so Arjun let it go.
Once Pratap returned in the car, Kavitha did a small ritual while Arjun handed sweets to all the kids who surrounded them. Saritha who was smiling from ear to ear joined the line and got herself a couple of sweets too.
After all if she had have them before her mom spots her so she hurriedly stuffed them into her small mouth while her mom was still busy circling the car offering Harathi.
When Arjun asked her to check the dashboard in the car, Sari did not understand what he was getting at but still opened the dashboard to take a look.
She unwrapped the box inside to find the cutest bangle she had ever seen. She glanced at her brother and back at the bangle a couple of times before realizing this was her surprise which made her scream even more. It was even of her favorite color too!!
She hurried to Kavitha and her friends showing off her new bangle and wore it on her hand admiring how beautiful and translucent it looks.
Kavitha who returned after throwing away the camphor saw the bangle and liked it a lot too. She wanted one like that too but felt this was more suited for kids like Sari and shut the thought off.
She knew even though lac bangles were way cheaper this bangle was probably not made of it but still looked like one. She admired Arjun's thought process while gifting the bangle to the kid.
Had it looked like a expensive gift she would never allow Sari to wear it outside or on normal days but this was okay since it was very unique as well as looked cheap.
She asked Arjun for the price but noticing his silence she did not say much but began reconsidering her decisions. But seeing how much Sari liked the bangle Kavitha did not have the heart to take it back and store it and just went with the flow.
By then Bhargav had arrived at the scene bringing Madan and his family alongside him. He already knew about the car getting delivered this week as he was with them on the trip when Arjun had ordered the car.
Madan's family along with Bhargav congratulated the family who were joined by Balram and Lalitha who just finished freshening up.
All of them headed to Arjun's home where Kavitha together with Lalitha and Pramila prepared a sumptuous dinner for all of them. It was already late night by the time everyone returned and Arjun went to the beachside to have a small walk.
He never had the chance to enjoy such a feast with his family or his well wishers in his previous life. Just today alone made all his past month's effort worth the while to Arjun.
Arjun promised to himself to have more of these meet ups and enjoy along with them and especially his sister as much as he can. Pratap too joined his son on the walk but did not know what to say.
He wanted to thank his son but did not really know whether he as a father could thank his son who was only ten years old.
Arjun noticing his father's dilemma laughed inside and stayed silent for a while. He knew his father inside out, even though he seemed to be very outgoing he was a very shy person but only people who were with him for a long time knew about this.
So dad, Enjoyed the ride and dinner?
Yes kiddo, it was the most fun i had in a long long time, the expression on your mother's face was worth watching you know.
Alright dad i know what you want to say, let's go on as many tours as possible in our car whenever we can Arjun proposed which Pratap agreed immediately.
They roamed around for a while, Balram too who saw them on the beach joined them and asked Arjun what his job was going to be, After all even though he arrived at the village Arjun had yet to tell him his job and he for one did not like to idle at home.
Arjun thought for a while but could not come up with anything and he asked Balram to go alongside his sister to the press and help them if needed and stay there until it closed down for the day.