Christmas gifts

Note:This story i wrote last December.Some of my friends had already read it. As the visits for my blog has increased somewhat,I am posting it now. Leave your valuable comments.

Rahul, a kid in 5th standard was having his last day of school before his Christmas holidays. The class teacher addressed the class, "Boys, when you come to classes after holidays you should submit a report on how you spent your holidays".

The whole class sang in chorus, "ok! Miss”

The bell rang; Rahul and his friends started walking towards home. All his friends had plans about spending their Christmas, but Rahul had none. As usual Rahul went to the nearby ice-cream parlor where his dad usually comes to pick him up. After few minutes Rohan’s car stopped in front of the parlor. Rahul went and hugged his dad.

Rohan bought an ice-cream for Rahul and they both got into the car. As Rohan drove, he noticed an unexpected silence from Rahul.

"What Jr. Rohan? Why so silent today?" Rohan asked as he tickled his son.

"Dad, from tomorrow holiday" Rahul with a sad tone.

"Hey Rahul, what happened with you? Two days back you were so eager about the holidays and now saying like this."

"Yes dad! But yesterday only I knew about your tight schedule for the week. Who will play with me then? "

"Hey Jr. your bro is there, mom is there Dhadhi ma is there. You can play with them. And I promise you to spend the nights with you".

"Who bro? Funny dad. He always thinks playing with me is like playing with some 2yr old kid and case of mama and dhadhi is so worse, they themselves have no time to fight with each other".

Rohan couldn’t stop laughing as he heard his son's view about everyone at home. "Then, I have one idea Rahul, and if you are willing to do that job, you will get daily payment".

Rahul was really excited to hear this; if he accepted that job he could manage his expenses on his own till Christmas. "Ok! Dad, I accept. You say what is that I am supposed to do?"

"Nothing much, you have to keep your ears open. I mean you have to update me with all that’s happening in our house, Got it?"

Rahul was overjoyed because he knew he could very well finish the task given to him. Rohan dropped Rahul in the house and promised to be there with him in 24hrs.

Rahul went in and saw his bro watching TV and his mom and dhadhi as usual. DISHYOOM!! DISHYOOM!! He usually called it "war of worlds".

The day went on; Rahul carefully took notes in a small parchment which he was supposed to say to his dad and night. He stayed in the hall till light in the every room went off except one (His bro's). He noted it in his parchment and went straight to his dad's room.

"Hi Dad, You ready to hear from me?" Rahul asked as he went through his notes one more time.

"Ready my boy! First have this 100rs with you. First day’s payment", His dad said with a smile.

Rahul took the money and carefully kept it in his purse. And went on to say what all he saw that day.

“Starting with bro... He is also having his holidays. When no one was there in the hall he kept watching a kiss scene. He spent quite some time chatting online. Tomorrow you will be updated with the names, dad. "

His dad couldn’t stop laughing as his son read his notes. As Rahul saw his dad laugh he passed and continued as his dad asked him to go ahead.

"Mom- mom prayed for everyone in the morning and continued with her routine works. She is worrying that you are not spending enough time with the family"

"And dhadhi??"

"Dhadhi ma. She is always worrying for everyone, especially you dad. She is very much concerned about your health. She says to mom that because of her food only you are not healthy and that’s where the fight starts" Rahul finished.

Rohan praised Rahul and asked him to continue doing this till Christmas and Rahul assured him with a Smile.

The next day Rahul was there in his dad’s room to present his work and to get his reward. “Dad, Bro asked some 300rs to mom and she refused to give, nothing new other than this today and the day went as usual”.

Rohan hugged Rahul and rewarded him with another 100rs.

As Rahul came out of his dad’s room a hand clutched him and pulled him inside a dark room. As the lights turned on Rahul could see the reddish face of his bro. Rahul knew that his bro was steaming inside and he could even see the steam taking an escape route through his bro’s ears.

“How long you been spying on me?” His bro roared.

“Just two days brother, this is my job and I am doing it”, Rahul tried to act cool.

His bro knew he could not prevent Rahul from doing it. He tried to act wiser. He let out a bargain. “See here Rahul, I am agreeing to give you 25rs per day and you are supposed to tell dad only good things about me”.

Rahul never thought he could get such an offer, “Ok bro, I am agreeing with you, but 25rs is not fair. Make it 30rs”. Rahul smiled within himself and walked away. His Bro was dumbstruck.

That night Rahul was thinking of his new fortune and his mind glowed with a new idea. “Why can’t I make a same bargain with dhadhi and mama?” Rahul thought.

Next day he gave information to dad in his mom’s presence and the trick worked. She caught him and fell for his bargain.

But He couldn’t do so with dhadhi as she slept pretty early everyday.

The day before the Christmas he went to his dad’s room.

“Papa! Tomorrow Christmas Na, so I need a day’s off with half of my salary”.

Dad was totally surprised by Rahul’s behavior but gave him what he wanted. Rahul thanked his papa and went inside his room and locked up. He counted his new earnings and his old savings. It rounded up to 1050rs. Rahul wanted to buy gifts for all four of his family members for this Christmas.

He took out his calculator to divide his money into equal shares. It came out as 250rs for each and he still had 50rs with him. He went out to get the gifts.

That was the night of Christmas and Rahul wrapped all his gifts carefully and wrote a note in a long parchment. He kept all his gifts and the note in the dining table and left the place.

Rohan was the first to get up that day and as soon as he entered the dining table his eyes fell on the huge package of gifts. Rohan read the label of the package, “For dad, mom, bro and sweet dhadhi, who ever sees first wait till all four of you are awake”.

Rohan couldn’t wait as he was so excited about the gifts. He went straightway and woke his elder son, his mom and his wife. They altogether opened the big package and saw four small packages each labeled with a note.

Rohan decided to open everything on his own as others dint protest. First he opened the gift labeled “Dhadhi”; it had a walkman with a bhajan cassette. Rohan could see the happiness in his mother’s face.

Next he took out the one which read “MOM”. It had a receipt for the subscription of her favorite magazine. Next was the one labeled “Papa”. It had a parker pen. “WOW! My son knew how much I loved pens” he exclaimed in excitement.

The last package read “Bro”. Rahul’s Bro took that package and went running towards his room. He opened the package. To his surprise it had a letter, 250rs and a purse full of coins.

“Dear bro, that day I don’t know why you asked 300rs to mom. As she dint give you, I know how much disappointed you were.I am giving you the money you asked enjoy”. The note ended with a smiley. After seeing Rahul’s letter he was moved to tears. He went to Rahul’s room and sat near him. Rahul was still fast asleep.

“Hey little boy, I never knew you loved me so much. From today night you not going to sleep here, we both are going to share the same room. This is what I can give you for this Christmas “, Rahul’s bro said as he caressed Rahul’s hair.

Wiping his tears he started to move. Rahul who was hearing everything extended his hand to stop his bro. They both smiled and hugged each other. Now Rahul had enough experience and information to go ahead with the report his class teacher had asked for.

For every Christmas after that Rahul received numerous gifts but his Bro’s gift meant a lot to him.