An Engineer's Love

Raj was a Civil Engineer in Delhi who loved his work passionately. Sometimes when his friends asked him, "Hay Raj, you are not a married man. Why do you work so hard. Don't you have a girlfriend? Go enjoy with your love." Raj smiled and said, "Civil construction is my first & last love." Raj was the most hard-working engineer, working the whole night for the success of the civil construction projects that his organization assigned him. His organization felt very proud of him. One day his boss called him & said, "There is good news for you. We have recently finished a project & I know we all are feeling tired enough. I admit that all of you people have burnt midnight oils for my project. The entire success of my project was because of you. I admit I did nothing except maintain the documents.

So the good news is, I am going on leave to a hill station for 30 days to relax for a while & I am sending every Employee associated with this project on a leave of 30 days. This is the reward that you people have achieved for making my project successful. Just Enjoy." Listening to the boss Raj said, "Thank you very much, Sir. You are the greatest boss ever." Raj's boss said, "I know that, & in order to maintain this greatness, I must keep giving you 30 days of holiday every month." Both of them started laughing.

Raj packed up his bag & went to his village. His village was a very beautiful village full of greenery. Reaching home Raj's family greeted him warmly. Raj's mom & dad were happy that their son will stay with them for 30 days. The next day Raj went to the sarpanch. The sarpanch greeted him warmly & his wife prepared lunch for him. Raj said, "No formalities Sarpanch ji." The sarpanch said, "No you are our guest & having lunch together makes the relationship more strong." Raj was so happy to hear that. After leaving the sarpanch's place, Raj was on his way when he saw a man selling beautiful oranges. Raj purchased 2 KG oranges but as he was about to pay money, the fruit seller said," No no! I will not take money from you. If I take money from guests, God will punish me for my sins." Hearing this the love for his people & village grew more in the heart of Raj. Raj said to himself, "We humans keep searching for true love without realising it is all around us."

But the people of that village used to face a very severe problem. All the necessary household goods they used to purchase from a nearby town. But for that, they had to cross a small river by swimming. There was no boat either. Crossing the river, reaching the main market, purchasing the goods & then again crossing the river to reach home. Life was very hectic for them. With one hand hanging up in the air, holding all necessary goods in that hand, the villagers used to swim with one hand. Raj could not see the pain of his people. 

One day, Raj called his boss. He said, "Sir you were discussing a project with me that we have to start." The boss said, "Yes Raj, it's a very crucial project of the Central Government for the welfare of the village people. It is about constructing brides in village areas. The location will be as we decide because we have to take this project pan India. You see that way we can select many locations & earn huge profit." Raj said, "Will you please give me the location of my own village?" Raj's boss said, "Sure. Go ahead, Raj. Your project starts today. Charity always begins at home. Analyse the site & whatever money, manpower & machinery you need, I will provide you with that." Raj heartly thanked his boss.

Just the next day his boss sent all the necessary things to the construction site & Raj started his work. Whenever he was working, villagers surrounded the site & with sweet smiles on their faces, silently watch Raj & his team working hard. They used to do it every day, arriving in the morning & with smiling faces keep looking at the workers. Raj knew they were behaving like this because they knew Raj will change their lives. One day Raj went near them & said, "All of you please go home. This is a construction site. An emergency can happen. Please be safe at your home." One of the villagers said, "No sahab. You are working so hard for us, without bothering about your health. Can't we just stand for you for a few hours?" Raj got tears in his eyes. 

Every day villagers repeated the same act. Raj realised how much his village people loved him. Once a little girl came near Raj when he was analysing the site. She gave a steel container to Raj & said, "My mom & dad have given this dahi with gur for you. They said Raj bhaiya will feel cool in this hot weather after drinking it. Please have it." Raj looked at the little girl, bent down to his knees & hugged her tight. Tears rolled down his eyes to see the unconditional love of the villagers for him. Looking at the innocent face of that little girl, he cried a lot. The little girl wiped his tears & said, "Don't cry. I know you are acting. You see, when I don't like the food my mom gives me, I also act like crying." Hearing this, Raj hugged the little girl & started crying bitterly. Later he gave some chocolates to the girl & she returned to her home.

Raj became more determined to complete the project. He & his team worked in a 24x7 mode without bothering about breakfast, lunch & dinner and within 10 days the project was complete. A beautiful & tough bridge got constructed over the river which the villagers used to cross by swimming. Many times they got hurt, and many times they received wounds when their bodies used to be struck with big bricks inside the river but they never complained, thinking that it is their destiny. But that happiness was short-lived because Raj knew that the project was over & he will have to report to his office the very next day. 

With a heavy heart, Raj returned to his home & packed his back. In the evening, a villager came to Raj's home and said, "We are celebrating your success today. Please come with me." Raj followed that man. He took Raj to the sarpanch's home. The Sarpanch's home was fully decorated with lights & delicious food items were lying on a big table. Seating arrangements were there & everyone was enjoying. Raj asked, "Sarpanch ji. Is it your birthday today?" Sarpanch said, "No Raj, this party is in your honour. You are the chief Guest of this function. You are a corporate person. But just because you love us, you solved our biggest problem. I know Raj, the village bridge was not your official project. That day I heard you talking to your boss. Thank you for doing so much for us." Sarpanch honoured Raj with a garland & also gave a speech in his honour. Everyone was thanking Raj. The same little sweet came near Raj and said, "Raj bhaiya. You are an engineer. Please help me. My brother Raju broke the neck of my doll. Can you fix it please?" Everyone around started laughing listening to the sweet innocent girl. Raj took the girl in his arms & hugged her tight. Tears rolled down everyone's eyes.

Suddenly there was a ring on Raj's mobile It was his boss. Raj realised the project was over & now the boss will ask him to return. Raj stood silent. The villagers understood that it was Raj's boss & now he will have to leave. For a few minutes, the entire celebration stopped. Raj slowly lifted the phone & put it on Speaker. His boss said, "Raj, the project that you finished was a highly successful project. The inspection team from the Government of India that visited your village said that the land of your village is perfect for civil construction work. We are planning to bring more innovative things over there & we are making you, the representative of our company, at that location. So just enjoy it for a few days. Very soon you will be handling a new project in your own village." Raj said, "Thank you so much sir for giving me this golden opportunity. Thank you so much." Raj's boss said, " Actually thanks to you. It is because of your hard work we earned more projects in the same location. Ok, Raj, you just keep working hard & I will keep counting the money." Both of them started laughing.

As Raj turned back, everyone rushed towards him & hugged him. Tears of happiness were there in everyone's eyes.

Who says Engineers are machines? They too have hearts. They too fall in love.