Educational and Artistic Writing Journal Vikram Karve: Redevelopment

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SHORT FICTION by VIKRAM KARVE

REDEVELOPMENT

A STORY

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REDEVELOPMENT

Fiction Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

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“I’ve determined to
give the bungalow for redevelopment…” his mom says.

“Re-development…?” he
asks – shocked.

“Sure – redevelopment
of our outdated bungalow into trendy high-rise residences – I mentioned it along with your
sister – she needs it too…” his mom says.

He seems at his
sister and smiles at her sarcastically.

“Oh – so this is the reason you
have come to Pune all the way in which from the US – after a niche of three years…” he says to
his sister.

“We have been busy…” his
sister says.

“So busy that you just
couldn’t come for father’s funeral final yr…?” he says in an accusatory tone.

“I needed to return –
however couldn’t – and also you have been right here to do all the things…” his sister says.

“Oh – Sure – I’m
at all times right here to do all the things…” he says with sarcasm in his voice.

His mom seems at
him and speaks.

“Let’s speak concerning the
redevelopment of our bungalow…” his mom says to him.

“I’m not
in redevelopment – I like dwelling on this bungalow…” he says.

“However your sister
needs redevelopment…” his mom says to him.

“What has she obtained to
do with this…?” he says, “father had clearly stated that this bungalow was mine…”

“No – however…” his sister
begins talking.

He gestures for her
to be silent.

Then – he seems at
each his mom and his sister – and he speaks in a agency voice.

“10 years in the past – on this
very room – father had stated that this bungalow can be mine after he died – do
you keep in mind…? I needed to purchase a flat close to Baner – and transfer out to dwell independently
– however father stated there was no want for me to purchase a flat – that I ought to dwell
right here and take care of him and mom – and after his demise – I’d be the proprietor
of this bungalow…” he says to his mom and sister.

“That was 10 years
in the past…” his sister says.

“So…? He gave me his
phrase. Doesn’t his phrase of honour have any significance to you…? In actual fact – figuring out
that I’d be dwelling right here completely – I obtained the bungalow renovated – I constructed
two additional rooms – improved the terrace – beautified the backyard – now – the bungalow
is in good situation – and – we’re fairly snug right here – so – there is no such thing as a
must demolish this lovely bungalow…” he says to his mom and sister.

“These are your views
– we really feel redevelopment is the most suitable choice – the builder is giving us a really
whole lot too – one 3 BHK flat for every of us – and fairly a pleasant quantity of
cash…” his mom says.

“What…? You’ve got
already talked to a builder for redevelopment…? You didn’t even trouble to inform
me…” he says – shocked.

“He had come right here in
the afternoon – if you have been at work – so – I’m telling you now – the second
you might have come again from work…” his mom says.

“You must have
requested me earlier than chatting with him…? And – did the builder wind up right here abruptly
on his personal…? Somebody will need to have spoken to him…” he says – curious – taking a look at
his mom and sister.

His sister speaks.

“My husband spoke to the
builder – he’s a classmate of my husband…” his sister says.

“Oh – so it’s your
husband who’s the offender – sitting within the US – and creating mischief right here…” he
says to his sister – contemptuously.

“Don’t converse like
that about your brother-in-law – he’s elder to you…” his mom says to him –
in a tone of admonishment.

“Then inform him to
thoughts his personal enterprise…” he says curtly – then he seems at his mom and sister
– and he says, “I’m the proprietor of this bungalow now – and I’ve determined that
there may be going to be no redevelopment – that’s last…”

His sister seems at
him and speaks.

“You aren’t the proprietor
of this bungalow – this bungalow was initially constructed by our grandfather – so –
it’s ancestral property – after father’s demise – the bungalow belongs to all 3
of us – mom, you and me…” his sister says.

“However father clearly
promised me that he can be giving me this bungalow…” he says – assertively.

“Father is lifeless now…”
his sister says – matter-of-factly.

“I do know he’s lifeless – I
was the one who carried out his final rites – however you didn’t even trouble to return
for his funeral…” he says reproachfully to his sister.

Their mom
intervenes.

“Please cease arguing…”
his mom says to him, “that truth is that your father didn’t make a will – and
even when he did – you received’t be the only proprietor of this bungalow since it’s
ancestral property…”

“However he promised me –
in entrance of you – doesn’t his promise have any credence…?” he asks his mom
emphatically.

“We have now to be
sensible in these issues – we really feel that redevelopment is the most suitable choice – we
are getting a very good deal – so – we should always go forward…” his mom says to him.

“I’m not
in redevelopment – I wish to dwell this bungalow…” he says.

His sister seems at him
and speaks in a combative tone.

“What do you imply “I
wish to dwell on this bungalow”…? You’ll be able to’t at all times dictate phrases and
bulldoze your method. I’ve an equal share – as a lot as you might have – so it’s a must to
hearken to my views too…” his sister says insistently.

He seems at his sister
coldly and speaks.

“Oh – “equal share” –
okay – so – any longer – you take care of mom…” he says to his sister.

“What do you imply…?”
his mom interjects.

“You retain out of this…”
he says to his mom sternly, “I’m speaking to her…” he says pointing to his
sister – then – he turns to his mom and says, “until now – I taken care of you
and father – now – father is lifeless – and – and also you say that his promise is lifeless
too – so – your daughter will take care of you any longer…”

His sister is taken
aback.

“How can I take care of
mom – I don’t dwell in Pune…” his sister says.

“Then – you relocate
to Pune and dwell right here…” he says to his sister.

“I’m an American
Citizen – I’m joyful dwelling within the US – why ought to I relocate to Pune – I don’t
wish to dwell in Pune…” the sister says.

“If you happen to don’t wish to
dwell in Pune – why would you like a home in Pune…?” he says to his sister.

“Why not…? It’s my
proper to have a share in my dad and mom’ property…” the sister says.

“Sure – and it’s your
duty to take care of your dad and mom too – I taken care of them for the
final 10 years – now – it’s your flip…” he says to his sister.

“My flip…? What do
you imply…?” the sister says.

 “Properly – rights and duties go
collectively – when you’ve got equal rights to your dad and mom’ property – you might have equal
duty of taking care of them too – I’ve carried out my bit – I taken care of
each father and mom for 10 years – now – solely our mom is alive – so – it
is your duty to take care of mom for an equal period…” he says to
his sister.

“And also you – what about
you…?” his sister asks him – questioningly.

“I’m transferring out of
the bungalow quickly – so you possibly can keep right here and take care of mom…” he says.

“Transferring out…?
The place…?” his sister asks.

“That’s none of your
enterprise…” he says rudely.

“What do you imply…?
How will you simply go away like that…?” his sister says.

“Don’t fear about me
– you are worried about doing all of your obligation – relaxation assured – I’ll be again after 10 years
as soon as your flip is over…” he says.

“I instructed you that I
can’t come and keep right here in Pune for such a very long time…” his sister says.

“Then – you possibly can take
mom to America to dwell with you – anyway – that’s none of my enterprise – it
is your prerogative tips on how to take care of mom…” he says firmly to his sister.

Then – he walks out
of the room – earlier than his mom can react.

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He means what he says
– and – he walks his speak.

A number of days later – he
strikes out of the bungalow and relocates to a different metropolis – taking on a brand new job.

His mom pleads
with him to to not go – however doesn’t pay any heed to her entreaties.

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In the meantime – his
sister has returned to the US – again to her husband and household.

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His mom retains
beseeching him to return again to Pune – however it’s of no use – he doesn’t come
again.

Then – just a few months
later – he migrates abroad for higher profession prospects.

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So now – along with her son
and daughter each overseas in overseas nations – the mom lives on their lonesome in
the bungalow – lonely and desolate.

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And – the bungalow…?

Properly – although his
mom and daughter are eager on redevelopment and constructing high-rise residences
instead of the bungalow – the redevelopment can’t occur with out his NOC – which
he persistently refuses.

He additionally makes it clear
to his sister that she is accountable for taking care of their mom for the
subsequent 10 years – when will probably be his flip once more – as per the “equal rights –
equal duty” speculation.

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Dwelling within the US –
the sister can’t take care of her outdated mom dwelling within the bungalow in Pune – and
– taking her outdated mom to the US doesn’t appear practicable – and – neither is
her outdated mom inclined to relocate to America – so – the outdated mom leads a
lonely existence within the bungalow.

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The daughter does
no matter she will be able to – remotely – from the US – to rearrange caretakers for her outdated
mom – who’s changing into infirm daily.

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When the daughter realises
that her mom can’t dwell alone – she strikes her mom to an “assisted dwelling
facility” – and the bungalow lies unoccupied – locked up – uninhabited.

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Expensive Reader:

I’m wondering what is going to
occur to the bungalow…?

Will the son come
again and dwell within the bungalow…?

Will the bungalow be
demolished and redeveloped into high-rise residences…?

I actually don’t know.

Let’s see what
occurs.

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VIKRAM KARVE