The story : See-Saw.
It was close to evening time. The sun was already set. Still its presence was there in the sky. Few cloud blocks were changing their heavenly colurs frequently, as if a child was using it's paintbrush with lots of confusion. Birds were returning to their nests. The air was filled with their chirping. Many of them were already home. They were exchanging their experiences of the day. Altogether it was hectic time for them before they all settle down to take rest and rejuvenate for the next morning.
Saurabh was sitting in the balcony of his flat on sixth floor oblivion of all these. Though he was observing everything, however, they did not create any impression on his mind. Saurabh is otherwise a very romantic person. On any other day, he would have sang a song of Tagore seeing this natural beauty. But, today is not the day he would have dreamt of. To understand Saurabh better, let us explore him a little bit.
Saurabh was a moderately brilliant student. He completed his MCA from a highly reputed university and secured a job of everyone's dream in one world famous MNC. In no time he climbed the ladder of success and reached a top management position. It took him only five years to reach there. Everyone in his family were so happy, actually felt proud, his parents and sister, especially.
Actually, Saurabh was so busy in his career that he almost forgot the incidents that changed his life ten years back. Did he actually forgot or did he conveniently forgot? It's not really clear to me. Well, in this story I am there as an observer. Let me be known as Saurabh's conscience. That suits me better. It's amazing that along with Saurabh his parents and sister, everybody washed off their memory of ten years back. Intentionally? May be. What actually happened ten years back?
Let us go a decade back.
Saurabh and Amit were friends; not any normal friends. They were actually two persons with one soul. They used to share all their moments, be it sad or happy, be it rough or calm, be it romantic or erotic, together. So much so that, they used to spend nights at each other's home without any second thought. Amit was only child of his parents. Saurabh's sister Swati was literally treated by Amit's parents as their daughter. Amit's father, Sudarshan was a well established businessman of the town. And Saurabh's father, Animesh was working as a manager in an engineering company. Both Amit and Saurabh's fathers were childhood friends. They were happily settled in their own way. The financially disparity was not any hindrance to their happiness.
Suddenly, the situation changed. Saurabh was studying in class eleven and as usual he was brilliant in his results. Amit was average in his studies. It was month of June, rainy season was awaited with great aspiration. Animesh came back from his office and kept himself confined to his room for the whole evening. Saurabh's mother, Jayshree was anxious. But she did not disturb her husband. Next morning Animesh went for his job on usual time. Same thing happened that day also. Jayshree was restless and could resist herself from asking her husband that what was the reason for this unusual behaviour. Animesh replied to her query: "company has gone on lock out. It is very unlikely that it will reopen in near future". His small but straight statement numbed Jayshree. So many questions were floating in her mind. "How we will run the family? What will happen to the studies of the children?" And many more possible calamities those will pour down on the family. She was actually clueless. So was Animesh. Next evening coincidentally, Sudarshan visited his friend's home and he was also shocked hearing the news. He, however, took control over the situation and tried to make Animesh and Jayshree cheer up. Sudarshan suggested: " Don't you worry. I am there. I will definitely find out some way. Animesh, you do one thing. Tomorrow you meet me in my office and let me see what best I can do. After all, you are my family, in fact more than that." Saying this Sudarshan left for his home. Animesh was again trying to hope against hope that things will change for better. Next morning Animesh reached office of Sudarshan. After waiting for so.e time in the reception he was called in the chamber by Sudarshan. He gave a piece of paper to Animesh. An address was given there with a name. Sudarshan asked him to go to that address and meet the person. He also assured Animesh that his problem would be solved. Animesh took the piece of paper and rushed to meet the person. Reaching the address took him an hour. Mr. Kapoor called him in his chamber and after some discussion he offered Animesh to head his Kolkata unit of garment manufacturing. It was like a blessing of God for Animesh. He became speechless for some moments. His eyes were moist. He will earn almost thrice than what he used to get in his last job. He said thanks to Mr. Kapoor and assured him to take charge from the next day itself. Animesh was so happy that all black clouds of uncertainty was gone. Sun was shining on his shoulders once again. Time changes. Animesh had heard that. But he never experienced it. And this was a sheer shock to him. What he forgot in this happiness was to call or meet Sudarshan and express his gratitude. He reached home and shared with Jayshree what has happened throughout the day. She was also overjoyed. But she had her senses back and asked Sudarshan: "Have you conveyed this to Sudarshan?" Animesh was feeling awkward saying no. But somehow he understood his fault went to meet Sudarshan to update him and to say thanks.
Animesh started his new job and he was involved into his work so deeply that his daily meetings with Sudarshan reduced to almost nil. Days went by. In the meantime time again changed. This time it was the turn of Sudarshan. His company failed to execute one huge order due to material shortage and union problem. As a result Sudarshan's company became insolvent. They had sell each and everything of their belongings to meet up the loans. Still there were burdens on him. They shifted to a rented house. Sudarshan was frantically trying to get a job. Amit left study and started a small time job to support his fighting father. It was horrible time for them and their most close frinds that is Animesh and his family was oblivion of the fact. As if they never knew the Sudarshan family.
After an year and half Animesh was relocated to Germany to look after his company's export business. They purchased a nice duplex flat in a posh area. A nice car also was there in the garage. Saurabh also completed his studies and got the prized job. Swati also got married to a well settled boy.
Let us jump cut to present time. Saurabh is out of his mind. As if he is shocked and something has shaken him so badly that he is unable to come to terms with what has happened. Jayshree came to the balcony with cup of tea for her son. She saw Saurabh sitting numb. She asked: "what's wrong with you, dear? Why are you sitting like this? Is anything wrong?" Saurabh answered: " Everything is wrong, Ma! You know Ma, we are sinners. We have committed crime." He almost cried. Jayshree is absolutely confused. She does not have any clue as to what actually went so much wrong that Saurabh is talking like this. Saurabh slowly opened up. He elaborated " you know Ma, while I was on my way to office I stopped at a signal. A man was standing on the footpath. He was very known to me. I was unable to recollect. Suddenly it flashed in my mind it's Sudarshan uncle. I jumped out of my car and reached him. Asked him ' what happened to you? Why are you in such a shabby condition?' He smiled. The same smile. Only the glitter is off. He was not opening up. He was talking about our family. I insisted to know what has happened. He explained. " Saurabh your aunty has expired of a brain stroke few months back. Amit was doing a job. But he lost his job last week. I am also suffering from chronic asthma. Amit is frantically searching for a job. Actually, I am clueless as to what should I do to mend the situation". Jayshree was stunned to hear this. Both son and mother was sitting in the balcony dumb and thinking how selfish they were to forget the person and his family who stood by them when they were on the verge of capsizing in the turmoil of life. Hours were gone. It was 9 PM in the clock. The car of Saurabh's father was honking at the gate of their house. Animesh came upstairs. After some time Jayshree told him about the whole thing. Saurabh entered the drawing room. He said " Ma, Papa get ready. We are moving". "Where?" Asked his mother. Saurabh did not reply. Only asked them to come down fast. In some time the parents were downstairs. Saurabh was ready with the car. They went off. After three quarter of an hour's drive they reached a narrow and dingy lane. They got down and Saurabh knocked on a door of a very old house. After couple of minutes the door opened. Amit was very astonished to see Saurabh and his family at their door at this odd time. He was silent with queries in his eyes. Saurabh opened up. " Will you not allow us in?" Amit was ashamed and asked them to get in. Sudarshan shouted " who is it, Amit? By the time Amit could reply they all entered the room where Sudarshan was sitting. Animesh and Sudarshan looked at each other for long time. No one was saying anything. The eyes of Animesh was filled with tear of shame, anger and repentance. Sudarshan's eyes were also moist with happiness of getting back his childhood friend. They threw themselves at each other and hugged as if they would never be separated again. Amit was also in the arms of Saurabh. They also were crying. Jayshree was also all tears. Animesh spoke up. He asked Amit to join his company as a senior manager. " Look Sudarshan, it was a day when you pulled me up from getting destroyed. Today I have to play the same role. I should have done this much earlier. Affluence had made me blind. I did a sin by forgetting you and your family. In fact my family did this sin. I don't know actually how to get myself amy family clear of this sin. At least let me do as much as I can. It's better late, than never." Jayshree said " Dada, let me make dinner. We will have together tonight. Tomorrow will be brighter one for all of us!" Everyone smiled wide.
