Charana's Blind Love

Charana's journey began in a remote village of Odisha, where he grew up with big dreams and an even bigger ego. He left his village and moved to Bhubaneswar, determined to make a name for himself. The city, known for its rich history and vibrant culture, was a far cry from Charana's humble beginnings. Upon arrival, Charana stayed with his distant relative, Anadi, an auto-driver who was more interested in his next drink than in helping his relative. Despite the ill-treatment, Charana stuck around, cooking for Anadi and buying provisions for him. He would save a little money each day from the grocery budget, dreaming of a better life. "Hey, Uncle, can I have some more money for vegetables?" Charana would ask Anadi every day. "Take it, take it, but don't waste it," Anadi would reply, barely looking up from his drink. Anadi's girlfriend, Sona, would occasionally visit, and the two would celebrate late into the night. Charana would be forced to sit on the veranda of a nearby shop, cursing his luck and calling down evil on the couple.


But he persevered, and after a year, he had saved enough to start his own vegetable shop. The shop was a modest success, and Charana gradually saved enough to open a grocery store, "Charana Grocery Store." His business acumen and ruthless negotiation tactics helped him amass a fortune. However, his success went to his head, and he began mistreating people. Everyone started to dislike him, but Charana didn't care; he was too busy counting his money. That's when he met Rekha, a stunningly beautiful Bihari girl who spoke excellent Odia. She lived in a slum but attended a nearby college, and Charana was smitten. "I'm so impressed by your beauty and intelligence," Charana would tell Rekha, showering her with gifts. Rekha would smile and reply, "You're too kind, Charana. I'm just a simple girl." They got married at a temple, and Rekha moved into Charana's fashionable house along with her brother, Sonu. Charana showered Rekha with gifts, including diamonds and a Hyundai Verna car. Sonu would drive her around, and Charana worked day and night to earn more money. But beneath the surface, Rekha and Sonu were plotting their escape.



 The situation escalated as the old milkman and Charana continued to argue. The old milkman's wife, who was selling spinach in the nearby market, heard the commotion and rushed to the scene. She began defending her husband, and the argument turned into a heated exchange between Charana and the old couple. In the midst of the chaos, two stray bulls, likely attracted by the noise and the smell of food from the shops selling fried snacks and various types of fruit,came charging into the bazaar. They had been angered by the commotion and the crowd. Without warning, the bulls rammed into each other, locking horns and causing extreme panic among the onlookers. The bulls broke through the tin door of a nearby motorcycle garage and then burst into Charana's grocery store like thunder,smashing through the front display and sending shelves and products crashing to the ground. Charana, in a futile attempt to stop the destruction, grabbed a large kettle of hot tea from a nearby tea stall and rushed towards the bulls. "Get out of here, you crazy animals!" Charana shouted, splashing hot tea on the bulls in an effort to scare them away. However, the bulls were undeterred, and in the chaos, Charana slipped and fell, twisting his leg awkwardly under the weight of his body. A sharp pain shot through his leg as he heard a faint crack, realizing he might have broken it. The bulls continued their rampage, destroying glass partitions and sending shards of glass flying everywhere. The scene was one of utter chaos, with people running for safety and shouting for help. Eventually, the bulls managed to break free from the store, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Charana, clutching his injured leg in agony, shouted for someone to call the police and an ambulance.


The old milkman and his wife, despite their earlier argument with Charana, rushed to his aid, helping him out of the wreckage and applying makeshift bandages to his injured leg. As they waited for help to arrive, Charana pondered how this was a fitting end to the unpleasant day, given how it had started with his argument over adulterated milk. The destruction caused by the bulls was a stark reminder of how quickly things could spiral out of control. Little did Charana know, this incident was just the beginning of a series of unfortunate events that would change his life forever. When he returned home, he found Rekha and Sonu laughing and cooking mutton on a Monday, a day Charana had specifically told them to keep vegetarian. Charana scolded them, but they seemed nonchalant about the destruction at his shop.
That's when Charana realized something was off. "What's going on here?" Charana asked, his voice firm.

 "Nothing, dear. Just a little cooking," Rekha replied, her voice sweet.


 But Charana's instincts told him otherwise. He went to Puri to express his sorrow to Lord Jagannath, but when he returned, he found that Rekha and Sonu had vanished, taking all the valuables and cash with them. Charana was left with nothing. It turned out that Rekha and Sonu were not who they seemed to be. Sonu was a dreaded criminal who had been released from jail after seven years and had come to Odisha to engage in drug-trafficking. Rekha was his distant relative, and they had fallen in love and got married in court. Sonu had told Rekha to trap Charana, and they had successfully done so, taking everything they could get. Charana was left with nothing but tears and regret. He sold his gold chain and started selling vegetables again, this time with humility and gentleness.

 He worked hard, and at night, he would cry and pray to Lord Jagannath, seeking forgiveness and guidance. As Charana sold vegetables, he began to reconnect with the community. People appreciated his newfound humility and kindness. His vegetable stand became a hub for locals to share stories and advice. Charana's hard work paid off, and his business slowly started to flourish. One day, while arranging his vegetables, Charana met an elderly woman who had known him during his grocery store days. She noticed the change in him and said, "You're much kinder now, Charana. Your humility suits you." Charana smiled, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't known in years. Charana's journey was far from easy, but he continued to work hard, and his relationships with others improved significantly. He started to find solace in his daily prayers to Lord Jagannath, seeking guidance and forgiveness. Years went by, and Charana's story became a testament to the power of humility and hard work. People from his village would visit him, and he'd share his experiences, teaching them about the dangers of pride and the importance of kindness. Charana's life had come full circle – from a small village to a successful businessman and back to humble beginnings. Yet, this time, he was at peace, surrounded by people who appreciated his transformation. His story served as a reminder that true success lies not in wealth but in the relationships we build and the positive impact we have on others.