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What a Day !!! (Water Day)

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Since day before yesterday water was the only thing I could think of !!! But my friends as I write this piece I'm happy  Let me first introduce you to my "water system". Water comes through a pipe into our underground reservoir. Then we lift the water to the overhead plastic tank and use it for our daily work.If any of you had visited my home 40 years back you will still recognize it.But the place is now dotted with multistorey apartments which has caused a shortage of water to the existing dwellers.Against a population of 500-600 now it is over 3000  New,colourful characters abound the place now.Some are indeed nice.Most aren't.I'm NOT a likable character you know.

A concrete jungle has grew around my humble home.Nonetheless the strrets are now far better with bright neon lights,underground drainage,et al. Presently my home is the only one which still sports the luxury of a garden where ants,birds,rats,pigeons,butterflies,dragonflies,cats can still be seen. Some greenery still around which has become an eyesore (?) for my neighbours who prefer a "clean" home."Your property will be worth more than XXXX if you make it an apartment building.You can have 3 flats. We'll also pay you cash of Rs.xxxxxx  Readers ...... what are memories worth ? What is nature worth? What is peace worth? Yes, I admit that I have to spend quite a lot of humble money for keeping the home in good shape.But again what does an old man need???? 

Now .. now.. now !! Marks will be deducted for such a long introduction. Justify the title QUICKLY!! Now ..let me see ..yes 28th September around 6.00 p.m.-local time.Sun had set.Electric pump was switched on. But.... can you guess ?? !! No water was pumped up.. my underground reservoir was EMPTY !!!  I went to the nearest pump house where I was informed that some "valve" had become "bad" which would take the whole night to be replaced/repaired. Water supply would become "normal" next morning. A "friendly plumber" suggested that I could carry water from the water tank direct supply in buckets/containers to my home.Someone at the pump house suggested that I employ the services of a "bhari"(water carrier) The "friendly  plumber" offered to visit my home the next morning and "see the situation" I took his cellphone number and made a beeline to the local grocers. Purpose ? To buy 20 litres of drinking water and look for a "friendlier plumber" who could offer his services.If any reader is from Kolkata he/she'll know the level of temperature and humidity at that time .

Ah.. I'm happy to state that my son had come home for Puja and was with me all the while guiding me and helping me. Are you listening son !!! I'm proud of you. Anyway we stood before the Haru plumber's modest home. He assured to fetch water enough for washing and cleaning for the night.He came !!! took all my empty buckets,pots and pans.He asked if I hade any more water containers.When I said "no" he gave a large bucket of his own. I had to shell out Rs.100/- which is way too much for the services rendered.In any case I was at the receiving end.My "wonderful" tenants anxiously went on enquiring "What happened.Will we get water tonight?" My lovely dutiful able son and me went to buy drinking water which we brought home in a cycle rickshaw. "You have to pay me Rs.30/- Puja time you know!" 

Next morning still no water in my tankI woke up at almost dawn and went to Haru's slum home.He wasn't at home.Montu(grocer)'s shop was open and the nice fellow told me that Haru goes to some place to have tea and some morning gossip. A place where I'd never visit normally.But I went or rather had to go.No Haru.Again I went to his home... still no Haru.I didn't take his cellphone number so..... waiting patiently was my only option. I saw people collecting water at roadside taps.People were happily bathing.I was quite jealous of the as the sun began beating me with a strip of bamboo.Mentally and physically bruised I was!!! I must however admit that my friendly neighbours in apartments offered that me and my family could bathe luxuriously in their "beautiful" bathrooms.I smilingly declined their offers with  polite "no thanks'"

Oh.. I totally forgot to tell you .. My whole family (my darling wife,son,daughter, daughter-in-law) were invited for "lunch" which in our city extends to 3 p.m. Haru arrived and gave a long list of plumbing materials to be purchased.My son accompanied him to the nearest hardware store and bought material worth Rs.2000/- I had taken care to visit the ATM at 7.00 a.m. to keep cash ready. A hefty sum but again as I said "receiving end" with demonic tenants always at my heels trying to overhear what conversation was being exchanged.But the neighbours find our tenants to be the "nicest people " always neatly dressed,clean shaven ,powdered,perfumed and so on.By the way I'm NOT complaining against them  I had to "buy" water but my tenants didn't have to do so..... I'm thinking of appointing a detective agency to find out how. 

Haru with three assistants worked from morning to 5 p.m. with a l...o...n...g lunch break.My dutiful son and me sat on the front porch stricken by mosquitoes and ants.No lunch till 5 p.m. for both of us.Thank you again dear son for your selfless company. May you ever remain like this.So at 5 p.m. water collected in the underground reservoir though only two feet or so.My son and I shaved,bathed,donned our Puja new clothes and went happily in a taxi to our "lunch"  which happened to be the home of my daughter-in-law.Apart from my son and me the rest had gone well in time for lunch.I had advised my dear son to accompany them."Why should you miss out on the fun !?" But he softly declined. So a third "thank you" goes to him.

The streets which took us to Dil's house were lit up and swarming with Puja revellers.Both me and my son were in a very very happy mood with a feeling of wonderful togetherness. So.. "lunch" at 6.30 p.m followed by visiting my "yearly fiance Durga" and back home happy but totally spent. Haru's labour costs was a whopping Rs.3500/- of which I've already paid him Rs.2000/- and I'll pay Rs.1500/- today after he completes the work.My underground tank has now two feet of water after filling overhead tank.Haru and one assistant is putting finishing touches now(30th Sep) I'm in front of my PC typing happily and eating puffed rice(muri) happily. Anyone who has read Thanks .... for ending Waterday  Bye till my next episode of marblessity.