Let me begin this story with a question. How far is a guest welcomed if a family member has problems with it? This incident took place a few days before.
“Guess what Shipra aunty is coming.” Ma said. Rocky wagged his tail because he liked people around him. I was also excited.
Finally Shipra aunty came clad in white churidar and light Yellow dupatta came in. She sat on the couch with a coffee mug. Rocky as usual jumped on the couch to welcome her.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAH. I am afraid of dogs. Take him down. I think I should better go to a hotel”
“No Shipra. Why would you stay in a hotel? Stay here only. Tara, lock Rocky and stay with him inside.”
The few things I noticed in her, I hated it. Rocky was a family member, how can one lock him for the sake of an aunty? Couldn’t she have directly gone to the hotel if she knew we had a dog and if by chance she didn’t know it can’t she make an excuse and leave.
“Rocky, we have to plan something to get rid of this aunty.
Listen carefully. Plan A: EMOTIONAL ATYACHAAR.”
I went out to meet them. “Ma, Rocky is crying. Actually he is never kept locked Na, but since aunty has come.”
“ I think I should better go to a hotel”
“No Shipra. Why would you stay in a hotel? Stay here only. Tara, lock Rocky and stay with him inside. I just said now.”
I came in. “Rocky, do not worry still 25 alphabets are left.”
Plan B: LEAVE ROCKY KNOWINGLY AND SO AUNTY WOULD GO SOMEWHERE ELSE FRIGHTENED.
I did it and pretended it was a mistake. She screamed as if she had seen a tiger or lion but Rocky was only a small, cute pug. Why couldn’t one behave like normal?
Ma came to my room. “Tara, you are my good baby. Why are you doing like this?”
“I don’t like Shipra aunty.”
“Do you know that guests are considered same as God.”
“Our house is a temple or what that all the Gods would come.”
“More will come. Tomorrow Uncle and didi will come.”
“They also hate dogs?”
“Yes.”
Mom left. “Rocky two more drama king and princess” I said to him.
Plan C: ROCKY WILL TEAR AUNTY’S CLOTHES AND SHOES.
Rocky fully co operated. But Aunty ended up calling him moody and ill- mannered. I flew into a rage and took Rocky in. Ma bought new clothes and shoes for Aunty.
Drama Queen came with her family, her husband Drama King and daughter Drama Princess. My house had become a battle field where everyone was against Rocky even Ma.
Rocky till yesterday was most important member of the family and now, no one cared to check if he had eaten. I also promised myself that till they learn to respect Rocky I wouldn’t meet them at all. I didn’t meet them.
Plan D: ROCKY WOULD TRY TO LOOK AS INNOCENT AS POSSIBLE SO THAT OUT OF SYMPATHY THEY LEAVE THE HOUSE.
Rocky somehow didn’t like this plan, he wasn’t ready to look even a bit innocent. Why should he? He didn’t like Shipra aunty and her family at all. The more we were trying to plan the more it harmed Rocky. Rocky was chained and even threatened to be sent to my friend’s house. All because of Shipra aunty.
Finally we relaxed when Ma went to drop them to the airport a few hours back. I could have adjusted but Shipra aunty kept screaming without understanding how much would it frighten Rocky. If she didn’t like dogs she could have gone to a hotel. However I think I was a bit too much. Why did I judge them on the basis of liking Rocky? Some people don’t like dogs and they have the right not to.
Even If I was wrong, they were also not totally correct. But finally the headache is over. That means no tying up Rocky, No obstacle in his freedom. After all he is a family member too. But the good thing was we decided to ask our visitors their views upon dog before welcoming them. I promised Rocky that there won’t be any such visitors from my side.
He licked me and fell asleep on my lap as if he wanted to thank me.
