Monday 16 September 2019

The Tenants from Flat no #2 - Part 5

Everything was happening too fast. Zain was confused. He had to do something. He had to tell Mahesh to change the lie. Instead of making them siblings , address them as married couple. "So I will get your deal papers by end of this week and you can move in here that time." , Mahesh said excitedly. He couldn't contain his excitement in finalizing the deal. He didn't let the two parties speak and that was his plan. If he had, this deal would have also not materialized.

"One minute, Mahesh Bhai !" Zain interrupted, holding his hand. Mahesh was surprised. "What now?", he wondered. "Any problem?", he asked immediately cursing himself for asking that question. "I need to speak to you privately.", Zain said softly. Usha Tai looked at him suspiciously while Jasmine was relived. "At last some sense went to his head.", she thought.

Mahesh didn't get time to say anything. He was literally pulled by Zain to a corner where both the ladies couldn't hear. Zain glanced at Jasmine before speaking to Mahesh. She was smiling nervously at Usha Tai. "Why did you say that I am fine with Rs 20000 per month as rent ?", he asked. Mahesh pasted fake smile on his lips and replied, "Didn't you mention you were okay with the rent ranging between Rs 10000 and Rs 20000?" Zain replied yes but when he was about to give explanation, Mahesh interrupted, "You have seen the house. It's cleaner than previous houses you have seen. It's in posh locality. Anyone would have paid Rs 30000 as rent for this property. The landlady is herself charging the house for Rs 25000. But I reduced it to Rs 20000. If you want, you can ask her."

Zain looked worried. The price Rs 30000 was too high for the house. Jasmine had warned him about Mahesh. He was too shrewd.  "Ok fine ! But why didn't you introduce us as married couple. I had told you before looking for the houses. We had agreed that we would be introduced as married couple. I also made payment for the fake marriage certificate through one of your agents. ", he said. 

"Usha Tai doesn't want any married couple. Last time one couple came and they argued too much. Hence Tai decided not to rent to couples except if they are siblings. Now you tell me where you will get such clean house?", Mahesh argued. "But you should have told that before. We could have discussed on this. Maybe we wouldn't have seen this place.", Zain protested.

The argument went on. The ladies could hear hush voices behind them. "So what do you do ?", Tai asked. She didn't know what else to do. The men were discussing something. Maybe it was about rent or something else which she didn't care. "I am a hair stylist.", Jasmine replied with a smile. She loved her profession unlike many of us. She always felt proud to say what she did for living. "Hair stylist? Like the barber for high society ladies.", Tai said in mocking tone. Jasmine felt bad. This wasn't first time anyone had teased her about her profession. "My downstairs neighbour's daughter owns a parlour. So she told me. By the way, my son is Vice President in company in USA and my daughter is doctor in renowned hospital.", Tai continued as she proudly spoke about her children's achievements. Jasmine smiled pretentiously. She only wished that the deal never happen. She was starting to hate her landlady.


(To be continued)

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