No matter how hard the situation is;
Follow your heart
No matter, how big the hurdle is;
Struggle hard.....
It's about a week, after Vijay came here. He spent most of the day time with his new mobile phone in his room.
He comes out only in the evening, after Arun had returned from the office. He felt embarrassed in the presence of anitha. So he avoided being alone with her. She observed it too. Maybe his age and hormones, she assumed. She even mentioned about it to Arun.
Slowly he used to get mingled with the family. Arun taught him, how to use the mobile as well as the laptop. They passed time by playing indoor games like cards and carrom.
They went to the hospital for Vijay's next check up. Almost all of his wounds got healed except his fracture.
After changing into cast, the Doctor said, it will take a month to remove his POP. Until then,he should stay like this. Vijay got annoyed by hearing this. He just got bored, by sitting calm and quiet without doing anything.
********
One fine evening, after coming home from the office, Arun asked anitha about Vijay. Anitha told, he had gone to nearby park.
The park was looking pleasant in the evening sun set. Children were playing happily, whereas above 40's doing exercises and walking, above 60's simply sitting and watching them.
Arun found Vijay, sitting alone, in a corner Stone bench. He appeared worried and his brows creased. Arun went near to him and sat beside him.
"What's up man?" Arun asked.
He nodded as nothing.
"Come out bro, tell me, what's been bothering you?"
After few minutes of silence, Vijay said, "it's killing me simply sitting and doing nothing"
My assumption about him, as 'determined boy' was correct, Arun thought himself. He remained silent for sometime. Then he said,
"Okay.... Tell me your qualification, I will search and find an apt job for you, once you got out of this big bandage, then you can join".
Vijay lowered his head down. He didn't talk for a while. After that, he slowly said,
Only 10th std.....
"Why? Are you not interested after that? Got failed? Arun exclaimed.
"No, I like studying very much, scored good marks in public exam too. Actually I dreamed of doing Engineering, even though not sure enough, how far it's possible..."
"Then, what happened?"
Vijay continued after a pause, "when I was doing my 11th std in the orphanage, I came to know about the 'cruel face' of the orphanage authorities.
Actually there was lots of funds coming to our orphanage, donated by the NRI's government helpline, and local business men. Most of the money was misused by the trustees. They were stealing our money for their wealth. Always they say, we are running sort of money. They don't even provide us, good food, clothes, books....our life has been ruined by them, in front of our eyes.
I raised questions about that, they warned me to keep quiet. But I ignored and tried to bring out their forgery, to the world.
To get rid of me, they filed a fake complaint against me, in the police that, I had stolen money from the office.
Somehow I escaped from there.....
After that I struggled a lot for food and shelter. I did variety of jobs, including newspaper distribution in early morning to the houses, server in hotel, petrol bunk, courier boy, even in a wine shop...
That was the time, I really got to know about the world... Really people....All of them were running behind the money... they can do anything and everything for the sake of money alone....
There were no love, kindness, and loyalty.....
Finally I landed with that lath factory. I wanted to complete my higher secondary and also start a small business on my own for living. For that I needed money. I worked hard and started saving money whereas my colleagues were spending their earnings carelessly. They enjoyed life in all possible way.....
when they came to know that, I have some amount in cash....he let out a long sigh.....then you know what happened....
There was silence...... everywhere....all people gone, the park was empty, it's about closing time....
"Too much hurdles for his age"- Anitha's words were running in Arun's mind. If she ever came to know this, she would definitely cry then, better not to tell, he thought.
"I am sorry bro" Arun broke the silence , and said in grief. He scratched his jaw thoughtfully..
"mm.....ok, now you first complete your higher secondary. Utilize this period to study. You can write the 12th exam directly as a private student. For that you need to join a tutorial center first. I will look into that", Arun said in a firm voice.
Then he started leaving, but Vijay caught his hand.
"All the money, you are spending for me- please keep a complete account of it, I will definitely repay it" Vijay said with a determined look in his eyes.
"Sure.... Now concentrate on your studies first man".
"In my life, the path was full of rocks and thorns, you two are the one showing me that there are some flowers also".
"Come let's go"
hands together, they left the place.
*******
To be continued.....
