The Fire

Amidst the chorus of the prayers, the screams for life started to overlap. A fire broke out in this historical religious place. The once in a year festival had attracted lot of people and the entire place was jammed with humans all around. The cry for help was heard in many languages. The little kids were the ultimate victims of the chaos. Mothers shouting out their loved ones’ names, kids crying, people flocking here and there, the entire scene was pathos.

Seven hours earlier. The climate was much more serene in Sanjiv’s house. His parents were busy in last minute packing. It’s the time of festivity in their religious home place. Sanjiv, 12, was in no mood to get ready as he didn’t want to miss Suraj’s birthday party scheduled for the evening. But his mother was very stubborn of his presence. ‘Every year we are attending this function. What will happen if you two alone go this time? God will understand. Please ma.’ Sanjiv’s pleads were never given attention. His mom replied ‘We are going there only for the past three years. This will be the fourth time we are going and the third time you are coming with us. Now get ready sweetheart. We have the train in another thirty minutes.’ Sanjiv feared the crowds, people. He thought those were the signs of bad omen. He always avoids jam-packed places for he is quite aware of the consequences. The only thing he loved was the train journey. Reluctantly he got up and started the ten minute walk to the station.

Though the train journey was to last only two hours, he was excited. His father was the architect in chief to find him a window seat. Hands on the window grill, face closest to it, mouth smiling, his train journey started off. He loved the air dashing his face, trees running backwards, little people waving hands at the train, the rumbling sound of the train, he loved them all. He forgot all his memories and was immersed in enjoying the travel. The father and mother were contented enough in seeing this boy smile. They reached the place of worship and got refreshed in one of their relative’s house there. Off they were to be present in the once in a year event to thank their Lord.  Suddenly there were shouts of fire from all over the place. People started to run for their lives. Sanjiv accompanied by his parents started to run for safety. Amidst the chorus of the prayers, the screams for life started to overlap. A fire broke out in this historical religious place.

Three days earlier. ‘Are you sure you want to go to this place this year also?’ asked Mukesh to his wife. ‘Yes. I want to.’ She wanted to go. Mukesh didn’t want the place to rekindle the unforgettable memories that they are trying hard to get rid of. ‘Fine. I am not stopping you. Go.’

‘What do you mean go? We are going.’ Geetha exclaimed. ‘Listen Geethu. My first name may coincide with the name of a top billionaire, but that doesn’t make me one. I can afford for one. Enjoy the trip. Pay my obeisance also to the All Giving God.’ He sounded satirical. Clearly he hasn’t overcome the disaster that happened at the same place four years ago. Neither was Geetha. As she insisted, she set off the journey to this famous Holy place to pay her respects to the Lord.

It was an eight hour travel in bus from Geetha’s to the shrine. She had a relative there and would be staying there. The function would take place for three days with the third day being more special. In the course of the travel, memories flashed upon her. Four years earlier, at the same place and same occasion that invites crowd like ants for sugar, she lost her son. The crowd was so intense that her search was in vain. Her complaints to the local administrators and police yielded no result. All she could do was cry to the Lord. This incident turned the life of Geetha and Mukesh upside down. They lost their only asset. Her son was eight when she lost him. The parents had so many plans for the young man but were shattered to pieces by this disaster. Since then she made to this place every year hoping to find her son. She was accompanied by Mukesh previous three times but slowly Mukesh had started to lose hope in finding his son here. Geetha valued her prayers and hoped to find her son at this time around.

The celebration started off with fireworks all around and Geetha was there pleading the Lord. She had eyes on everybody in the crowd hoping to see her son. But the end result was something she is now getting used to. The next day was a carbon copy of the previous. The third day, which draws people in huge numbers, had Geetha in rigorous search. Just then this happened. Amidst the chorus of the prayers, the screams for life started to overlap. A fire broke out in this historical religious place.

People started to run directionless. Screams and shouts were all over. The scene was chaotic. Geetha had to run for safety. She somehow made it to a safer place. Sanjiv and co were still searching for a better place to escape the fire. Geetha could still hear people crying for help. After much ado, Sanjiv’s dad found asylum. Just then Geetha saw something she had seen for eight years but not for the last four years. The next thing what Sanjiv saw was something he never imagined.

Mukesh’s happiness was unbounded. His only treasure had returned. He thanked God for making it all happen. Geetha was the happiest woman in the world. She fondled and embraced Sanjiv with so much love and affection. After all, the mother had missed all the warmth of her son.

The next day newspaper read “Over 500 hurt in Fire!!! No Deaths reported.” He closed the paper to see his son. But could not be found. His wife reminded him of what happened the previous day. ‘Hopefully, he is happy with his family’ he said to his wife. She turned away with wet eyes.

Out of a hundred temporary cries, there was one permanent happiness.

I Lost But I Won

It was a rainy day and Arjun had to walk all the way to his office. Though he had the umbrella to protect him from severe drenching, it was tough because of the wind that accompanied the rain. There were no buses or autos for him to reach for it was 11oclock in the night. Since his was a shift based work, he had all such odd timings for office. He knew he was going to have a tough night at the office but little did he worry about the weather or the screeching sounds of wheels he heard. He had another half a kilometer to cover in order to reach the office. His pants under the knees were already wet. As he was struggling with the umbrella against the wind, a car stopped by him. “Mind a lift?” the guy at the wheel asked.  Arjun was confused whether accept the offer or not. “If you work for the same company mentioned in your bag, then I am also going there” the guy added. Happy was Arjun as he entered the car and occupied the front seat. To his surprise he had companions in the back seat. The sense of fear gushed through his blood. “May be I should have continued walking the remaining distance to office”, he thought. As his senses suggested, the car did take an unintended turn. “Where are you taking me?” he screamed, with prayers in his heart. The driver, who was in his late fifties, did not speak a word. “Keep calm sir, we aren’t abducting you. But we need you” said the man from behind. “Whatever it is, I have an important meeting at the office and I can’t afford to miss it. Now stop the car and I will walk” he ordered. None listened and the motion of the car never deteriorated. “Please I am getting the employee of the year award tomorrow and the clients are at my office today. Please let me go. It is my dream.” He was still worried, for his absence today will automatically promote Stephen for the award. Stephen was his arch rival but worked from a different place. He has hardly seen him but heard that he matched Arjun word by word. He had the same skills of Arjun and both of them received enough compliments for the prestigious award. In fact Arjun was qualified for the award and Stephen was extra-qualified for it. “Yes sir. We will do as you please. But did you note the other guy in the rear seat hasn’t spoken a word?” Just then Arjun realized the unusual silence of the other man. His head was leaning on the other man’s shoulders as if he was sleeping. “Ya. But what is wrong with him?” Arjun enquired. “Arjun, I don’t think you heard his cry few minutes before. This guy met with an accident and has a broken leg that needs medical attention. He is bleeding and may require blood. I thought that being A+ you could help.” Arjun was still hesitant to continue the journey. His heart longed for the award. Arjun’s absence today means that Stephen would be walking away with the award the next day. With all these thoughts mixed in his mind, a reluctant Arjun got down, as the car had reached the hospital. “God bless you my son” said the driver and he wheeled off. By now Arjun had made his mind for his Blood Donation. All the emergency arrangements were done and the patient had to undergo the surgery. The doctors had no pain in searching for the blood as long as they had Arjun, who was now a willing Arjun. The surgery was all success. And also the doctors had enough time for the operation as they needn’t have to search for the blood donor. Arjun spent the entire day in the hospital along with the patient and his relatives, who were all gratified at Arjun’s kindness.

The occasion where the winner was to be announced was scheduled at 5 in the evening. And Arjun, though realized that he may not win, got ready to attend the event. His team was surprised to see Arjun as they were still recovering from the shock of his abstinence from office the previous day. His colleagues rushed to enquire the same. Arjun calmly said “I had better works yesterday.” He didn’t disclose the events that took place. Finally the award was announced and it was Stephen as expected. Arjun was the first one to stand and applaud the winner.

He may have lost the award, but he won so many blessings from the other family. He felt much happier though he didn’t get the award. Little did he know that he received the blessings of the Lord too. The driver’s identity is still unknown. Guess Who was the chauffeur for “Arjun”?