The early morning sun poured its golden light across the vibrant lanes of Gokuldham Society, and the chirping of sparrows echoed between the buildings. The air smelled of freshly brewed tea, and a few early risers were already sweeping their balconies, starting their day with routine precision.
Inside Flat No. B-12, Jethalal Champaklal Gada sat on the couch with a cup of tea in one hand and the other hand buried deep into the morning newspaper. His brows twitched as he read an article about increasing mobile rates. "Uff! These telecom people are robbing us blind!" he muttered under his breath.
Just then, Daya, his ever-enthusiastic wife, entered the living room, humming a garba tune as she dusted the photo of Lord Krishna.
"Jethaji!" she said brightly. "Aapne sunaa? Aaj society meeting hai!"
Jethalal groaned. "Meeting? Phir se? Kya milega yeh sab kar ke?"
"Arey, Tapu ke papa," Daya said cheerfully, "Aap ko toh chhutti milti hai ghar ke kaam se. Sab logon se milne ka mauka milta hai. Aur haan, main special thepla banane wali hoon."
"Meeting mein thepla nahi chahiye mujhe, shanti chahiye," he sighed.
Meanwhile, Taarak Mehta, the society's calm voice of reason and Jethalal's best friend, was sipping tea on his balcony with his wife Anjali. She had, as usual, prepared a healthy green vegetable juice, which Taarak was struggling to finish.
"Anjali, mujhe poison dena ho toh bas yeh juice de do," he said jokingly, making a face.
Anjali frowned playfully. "Taarak ji, health ke liye compromise toh karna hi padta hai. Aapko toh diabetes ka bhi khatra hai."
He sighed, "Aur stress ka bhi, jab Jethalal har roz nayi museebat leke aata hai."
Just as he said that, his phone rang. It was, of course, Jethalal.
"Hello, Taarak bhai. Aapne suna meeting hai? Mujhe toh kuch samajh nahi aa raha. Kal TV repair ki complaint ki thi, par TV society meeting se pehle repair nahi hua. Toh log bolenge Gada Electronics ka kaam slow hai!"
Taarak laughed. "Jethalal, TV repair aur society meeting ka kya sambandh?"
"Sab kuch sambandhit hai, bhai! Mera naam stake par hai," Jethalal exclaimed dramatically.
As the day progressed, residents of Gokuldham began preparing for the meeting.
Aatmaram Tukaram Bhide, the ever-disciplined secretary of Gokuldham, was already in the society compound with a register and a file. His daughter Sonu helped him arrange plastic chairs under the banyan tree where the meeting was scheduled.
"Discipline, punctuality, and progress," Bhide muttered. "Aaj ki meeting mein yeh teen vishay honge."
Soon, members began gathering.
Popatlal, the ever-suspicious journalist, walked in waving his umbrella, muttering about corruption and injustice.
"I will raise the issue of security. Society mein CCTV cameras kyun nahi lage ab tak?" he announced.
Dr. Hathi came in with his booming laughter, and his wife Komal followed, carrying a box of samosas.
Roshan Singh Sodhi entered with his energetic "Oye balle balle!" and hugged everyone like it was a party. His wife, Parsi Roshan, came right behind with a slightly annoyed face. "Sodhi, behave! This is a meeting, not a disco!"
Iyer and Babita, the modern couple, arrived in their usual stylish manner. Jethalal, upon seeing Babita, immediately adjusted his shirt collar and stood upright.
"Babita ji, you are looking like a Bollywood heroine," Jethalal said, starstruck.
Babita smiled politely. "Thank you, Jethaji."
Iyer, rolling his eyes, pulled Babita closer.
Bhide clapped his hands to call attention. "Sab log shant ho jaaiye. Let's start the meeting!"
Everyone settled down. Bhide began reading out points.
"First, water shortage. Second, late night noise from certain flats. Third, cleanliness in the common area."
People started murmuring. Popatlal stood up. "Main ek zaroori mudda uthana chahta hoon—security. Society mein koi bhi aa jaata hai. CCTV cameras ki zaroorat hai!"
Sodhi agreed, "Oye haan Bhide bhai, main bhi keh raha tha ke koi bhi gate khol ke ghus jaata hai!"
Bhide nodded, "Main already builder se baat kar raha hoon."
Then Dr. Hathi added, "Aur society ke medical emergency ke liye ek stretcher hona chahiye."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Then, the moment of chaos arrived.
Jethalal suddenly stood up. "Mujhe kuch kehna hai!"
Everyone turned.
"Mere TV ka kaam pending hai. Electric board ka kaam bhi slow hai. Aur builder sunta nahi. Sab mujhe bolte hain Gada Electronics slow hai. Main akela kya karoon?"
Taarak whispered, "Phir se drama shuru."
Bhide tried to control the situation. "Jethalal bhai, yeh personal issue hai. Meeting mein society ke common issues discuss karte hain."
But Jethalal was fired up. "Toh main kya karoon? Builder se milne gaya toh bola 'Secretary se baat karo'. Aap hi toh secretary ho!"
Bhide looked exasperated. "Arey bhai, personal kaam main kaise kar sakta hoon?"
Now Daya also stood up, clapping her hands. "Ae Maataji! Toh kya hamare ghar ka TV kabhi theek nahi hoga?"
Everyone laughed at her sudden involvement.
Sodhi said, "Oye tension na le Jethiya. Main kal electrician bhej deta hoon."
"Thank you, Sodhi bhai," Jethalal said, finally calming down.
Taarak added, "Chalo, ab muddon pe vapas aate hain. Meeting ka main point yaad hai—unity."
Everyone finally agreed. After a little more discussion, tea and snacks were served. Daya's theplas, Komal's samosas, and Anjali's juice made the ending perfect.
As everyone laughed and chatted, Taarak's voice-over came in:
> "Gokuldham sirf ek society nahi hai. Yeh ek parivaar hai. Jahan har problem milke solve hoti hai, aur har meeting ek yaadgar ban jaati hai. Kabhi musibat, kabhi mazaak—par hamesha pyaar."
The sun began to set, casting a warm orange hue across the buildings of Gokuldham. Another day had passed—chaotic, dramatic, and full of heart—just the way the residents liked it.