Award

Once an old man named Hari was waiting on the road to receive his grandson Pomu. As usual, the school bus was very late. He checked his mobile phone. There was no message or call from the school. He stepped forward to see if any yellow school bus was coming from the left. The road was empty. Occasionally, two-wheelers ran fast before his eyes blowing their horns. His heart pounded when any four-wheeler passed on the narrow road. He looked at his watch. It was already 3.15. In the meantime, Pomu's friend Munu waved his hand on the bike with his father. The little boy shouted, "Dadu, today also you are waiting. Pomu's bus will never come. Bye, bye." He replied annoyedly, "Munu, one day, you will also be late. See, what shall I do with you then." A yellow school bus blew its horn loudly from the opposite side and stopped on the road. Pomu jumped off the bus. He caught his arm and said, "Pomu, you will get hurt, get down slowly, give me your bag and water bottle." The little boy hugged him like every day and smiled, " Dadu, I won the first prize in the painting competition." He removed his certificate from the bag to show. Dadu patted on his back, " Pomu, very good, my Pomu. Now, keep it inside. I will see it at home. Now, let's go home."

At home, everybody was waiting anxiously to watch Pomu's role as Arjun in a drama in the school annual function. Dadu was giving special training to Pomu. Both memorized all the dialogues of the short play of Krishna and Arjun. His friend Munu was Bhishma in the play. Their rehearsal in the school was irregular. Before the final stage performance, they could get only four days. It was very little time. So, Dadu came to his rescue and agreed to help him in his rehearsal at home. With every passing day, Pomu was improving his performance. Finally, he could say every dialogue in an excellent tone. Even, he learned the movement and right body language on the stage. Dadu was fully satisfied with Pomu's preparations.

Pomu got up early on the day of the function. He got ready for school. Then, he walked into Dadu's room to call him. The old man had a high fever. He called his mother. She touched his forehead. It was very hot. She asked anxiously, "Papa, your body is burning with a high fever. Get up! Finish your brushing. I will get a few biscuits, milk, and medicines for you." Pomu looked sad and said, "Mama, Dadu is ill. Who will go with me to school? Without him, I will not go." The old man sat on the bed as his bones knuckled. He was sadder than his grandson, "Pomu, you are a very selfish boy. If you don't go then I will not take medicine. I will feel better, go and perform and win appreciation. Ask your Papa to record your actions, I will see it at home on the big TV." Pomu nodded his head. Still, he wished him to watch his performance, "Dadu, promise me, you will take medicine now only and you will come to see my drama if you feel better." He hugged him saying, "Pomu, I promise. Now, carry your bag, and move quickly as it's already 8:20 unless you are going to miss your bus." Pomu walked out of the house with a heavy heart. He waited on the road for his school bus with his mother.

Pomu's father took one day off from his office for the annual function. The plan to take Dadu was cancelled as a precaution as every time he fell ill he took a long time to recover. Dadu had to be left alone at home despite everyone's wish. He lied on the bed and read his old diaries of college days. Pomu requested him many times to read the diaries but he hid those under his bed. He knew, one day the little boy would find it. Sometimes he smiled when any interesting episode came. On one page, tears came down from his eyes when he lost his best friend in a road accident. He started dozing after reading a few pages. Then the sound of the ticking clock and loud snoring of Dadu filled the empty house.

The doorbell rang aloud. It broke his morning nap. Slowly he walked to the main door. He was taken aback at the strange scene. A boy wearing the costume of God appeared at the gate. His long white beard hid his face. A majestic crown covered his small head. A shining saffron robe was wrapped around his body many times. Dadu couldn't understand the reason why the strange boy was there. He tried to chase him away, "Stay away from our house. Now, beggars have found a new trick. If you want money, I will give you 5 rupees but leave this place now." The worried boy replied anxiously, "Dadu, I am Munu. Oh, you couldn't recognize me. I am playing the role of Bhishma." Dadu wasn't interested to listen. He thought the naughty boy was playing a prank on him. So, he closed the door and shouted, "Munu, I am not going to be trapped by your sinister plan. You, just leave. If you are a part of the drama then go to the school. Now, the function will start. It's already 10." The boy loudly banged the door for help but there was an equally louder negative reply from Dadu. Finally, the unbearable noise angered him. He came out and twisted the ear of Munu, "You naughty boy, do you remember, you were teasing me on the road yesterday. Now, why shall I help you?" Munu was apologetic. He regretfully said, "Dadu, sorry for my behaviour but help me this time." Dadu wasn't in a mood to forgive him, "Munu, don't expect any help from me. I don't believe you. Who knows, you might play another prank on me." The little boy folded his hands and pulled his hand, "Dadu, if you doubt me, please call my mother. She is at home." Then, he dialled his mother and came to know that his father had broken his leg in a road accident. So, there was no one to take Munu to school on the function day.

Dadu wasn't fully well. He still had body pain and high temperature. He saw the innocent face of Munu. He was dressed as Bhishma. Behind the godly costume, there was undefining helplessness. Two streams of tears spoiled his make-up. He wished not to help Munu but it wouldn't do any good to the unruly boy. Seeing no reply from Dadu, he removed the shining crown from his head and threw it on the ground, "Dadu, I don't deserve any sympathy. Yes, I have made mistakes, and I am a bad boy. So, don't help me." Then, he started sobbing. Dadu couldn't control his emotions and hugged him, " Munu, you are a small kid. Don't feel so guilty, it's not good for you. Now, you have realized your mistake, that's what I wanted." He picked the crown and put it back on his head and said, "You are Bhishma Maharaj. Come on, let's go to your school." He closed the gate and hired a taxi for the school.

The school gate was closed. Seeing Munu, the guard said, "Bhishma Maharaj, your name has been announced five times. Run to the stage." After he opened the gates Munu ran to the auditorium. He stepped onto the stage. He was panting heavily. It was his turn to deliver the dialogues but he wasn't able to speak. His fast breathing prevented words from his mouth. At the other corner, Arjuna said, "Your majesty Bhishma, I bow before you. I respect and revere you like a God but it's a battlefield. I have to choose between good and evil, and those who are on the evil side, I will fight with them, be it you my lord." Munu was still panting. There was pin-drop silence in the auditorium. The mic relayed only the fast breathing sounds. It sounded like the cyclonic winds. The entire audience rose to its toes feeling surprised. Still, the hissing noise continued. Then, one baritone voice came, "Arjuna, Arjuna, my adorable child Arjuna, I still recollect your tiny legs stumbling here and there, and I am holding your cute fingers balancing you to walk. Now, you are a fully grown man of wisdom. I mustn't dare to question your decision. I am no one to decide which side I am on. My destiny has already been decided. So, do your duty, as your lord Krishna says." Then, a loud clapping followed. Munu was clueless about the voice. He looked here and there, and up and down. The baritone voice was marvellous. The conversation between Arjuna and Bhishma continued until the last scenes where the ace shooter shot the first arrow. It hit Bhishma's chest, and he fell to the ground. A painful loud cry melted everyone's heart, "Oh, my Arjuna, finally, you did it, now I will attain peace." Arjuna's eyes filled with tears. He looked up, directed his arrow to the sky, and shouted in a warcry, "O God, give me the power to bear this pain." The whole audience was on its feet to give a standing ovation. The curtain of the stage fell. Munu could see Dadu leaving the stage area behind the sound system.

Bhishma won the best actor award. He wasn't happy with the award. The guilt of unworthiness filled his thoughts. While receiving the award he couldn't control, "I am sorry Dadu for hurting you. I don't deserve this award. The real winner is my Dadu. Please come on the stage, Dadu. It was Dadu's voice, not mine. So, this is his award." The old man walked to the stage. Munu ran towards Dadu and hugged him with tearful eyes. The audience once again rose to its feet for the second round of applause. Pomu was very happy. He was feeling very proud of his Dadu.