A winter day...

He never liked the Rainy season very much. Always used to be upset of wet clothes, mud on the street which sprinkles when bicycle or a vehicle running ahead of you runs all over you. Often his important plans were screwed up because on untimely rains. Still all his primary school days teachers used to force him to write "Rainy season" as the topic for essay writing.

Living in Central India summers were always agonizing and to heal all pain came rain followed by the lovely winter. He loved winters the most. It was unlike all other kids. Although he was above average in studies his grades used to change drastically in all tests during and after winter. He used to do excellent in second half of the educational year. It used to start with biggest festival for Indians "Diwali" then came X-Mas followed by new year. Everything taught to be optimistic and be hopeful and so was he in his life. At least he use to tell himself always to be hopeful and good will follow.

That day the sun started its walk from the east it was yet another lovely day for him. He was all excited about his elder sister's marriage. He had lot of things on his agenda to do. He had to find a good marriage hall, pick up all invitation cards and in the end pick up new mattress for guests coming for the marriage. They had already started arriving and with each arrival there was jubilation. Everyone was hugging each other and dancing with joy.
All the relatives used to ask--

"Where is your son ?
How old is he?
Is he like his father ?
Self made man? "

It is always difficult to reach the top but to stay there is more difficult. Similarly to be a star is difficult but be a star son is more difficult. He was affected by the same syndrome. His parents were very kind and supportive who allowed him to be himself but anything he used to do would be taken as his parents must have told him hence he did that. Oh! his elder sister is matured and she must have suggested him. Let us see how he fares in the long run, will he remember the sacrifices his parents did for him ? Will he give them a good and healthy life when they grow old ? on and on and on .. he was grown all the way till now listening and facing these questions.

With all these questions at back of his mind he started his day looking for marriage hall. He narrowed down to couple of them and was going to discuss with his parents to select one of them. It was almost dusk time when he marched towards old part of the city with narrow lanes and bazaar area to pick all printed invitation cards. He scrutinized each and every card and diligently counted both numbers of Marathi and English cards. He came back home with them and everyone got busy writing address and posting them as soon as possible.

"Do carry your jacket, its pretty cold outside" shouted his mom as he was marching to complete his final task of the day. He unwillingly took his jacket, kick started his scooter and drove towards the mattress store. It was dark and winter was gearing up to play yet another innings. It was pretty cold and he was feeling its severity. It was difficult to breathe while driving when wind was directly hitting your face. He took 3 stops in a journey of hardly 5 kms to gasp up some deep breaths. There was hardly anyone on the road that day. He picked up the mattress and started looking for a tempo for a delivery. No luck ! even after waiting for 30 mins there was no sign of any conveyance.

Just then he saw a overly old aged man may be in his late 50's on his cycle rickshaw trying to cover his entire body with a simple scarf,through which you could see the entire sky. No way the intensity of this winter was going to be countered with that scarf but still he was holding onto it yet shivering. Momentarily a thought popped his mind bout asking that man to rent his rickshaw but then he walked without disturbing him. A voice came from behind.



"beta, rickshaw chahiye ?" (Do you want me to drop you ?) "Yes", he said.

He loaded the mattress in the cart and asked the old man to follow him while he will be driving at a slow pace parallel to him. All different thoughts came to his mind about that poor rickshaw puller.

"How hard is he trying to earn his living and support his family.
He must be having a family at-least, yes he must be !
He must be doing for his kids so they get food and good education, else who would work in this killing weather."

He saw the rickshaw puller pedaling his way through, taking breaks for a moment at times and continuing to complete the task he had undertaken.
They reached his home, where he quickly unloaded the mattress and his uncle came to help. He was thinking twice how could he help the poor old rickshaw puller and say thanks for dedication and devotion to his work.

"Bhaiya, yeh rahe appke paise... " he paid the rickshaw puller the decided fare.
"betaji, Rs. 10 jyade ho gaye, wapis le lo" He was amazed, he had hardly seen this honesty from anyone in recent past. He had purposefully give him more money to compensate all extra he had to go through in this bad weather.

He was watching old rickshaw puller walk back with his cart, when he shouted, "Bhaiya !!"

"yeh jacket rakh lo, bahut thand hai.." (keep this jacket, it pretty cold out). He sensed denial from the old man and before that guy said anything he said,
"aapke bete ke liye.. " (for your son)

That old guy immediately looked up and tears rolled down from his eyes....
Rolling his hand over his forehead said, "jiyo betaji, bahut bada naam kamana" ( long live son, earn fame for yourself).

His uncle was watching him from the courtyard and quickly went inside before letting him know he saw it.

As he entered, he heard his uncle telling his parents his uncle said,"Your teachings will pay you one day, you are lucky to have a good kid". It was smiles all across.

He pretended as if he did not hear that came back whistling a good old melody.

"What happened ?" asked his mom.

"I just lived moment of my life" he replied..

-- Cheers
Kalps