Dead Before Death……………

It was a Sunday morning of winter. There were many cars parked out side the residence of industrialist Ramesh Gupta. Also, a big gathering of people with the media personnel was there. Inside the big bungalow the relatives and well-wishers had gathered. Ramesh Gupta was lying on his bed covered with a white bedsheet. His wife Kamala Devi was sitting near his feet and she was silently watching her loving husband who had passed away today morning at 8AM. She was thinking about the incident just happened yesterday and the entire things her husband Ramesh just told her before one hour of his death. She was thinking of her foolishness of laughing at his sayings and telling him to think positively. But now Kamala Devi could see that her husband was absolutely correct. Actually, he was Dead Before Death. She was again recollecting all in her mind….

Ramesh Gupta and Kamala Devi got married and had a beautiful family life. Ramesh Gupta that time was busy in doing small wholesale business of garments. Sometimes Kamala Devi was also assisting him. They have three sons and one daughter. Their family was very happy and always had close bonding with each other. Their sons Rakesh is the eldest and taking care of the knitting division of the garment factory being set up by Ramesh Gupta after the birth of their daughter Sarita, who is the youngest of all. Second son Rabi is taking care of the marketing division and the youngest son Ranjan is taking care of the production, he is a textile engineer. The wholesale business is been managed by daughter Sarita.

All the children are married and having their family. Ramesh Gupta is still the Managing Director of the garment industry and wife Kamala Devi is still the owner of the wholesale business. Ramesh Gupta had just made a will in yesterday night by calling his lawyer and that time Kamala Devi was present their only. Today after the death of Ramesh Gupta his lawyer Binod, who is also a close friend of him had come with a sealed envelop and given to Kamala Devi saying,’’ Please keep it with you. This is as desired by him yesterday. After all rituals I will come and read it before everybody.’’ That time nobody was present there. Kamala Devi looked at Binod and took the envelop.

She kept it in the locker and locked it. After that people are coming to pay their last respect to her husband. Ramesh Gupta fall sick and was bedridden since last 15 days. Doctors were doing his treatment, but no nurse was there as Kamala Devi was taking all cares of her husband better tan any nurse with all love and care. All the sons and their wives used to come in the night and ask about Ramesh’s health and all used to go back to their respective rooms to sleep. Their daughter used to come for getting the cheques signed by Kamala Devi and sits for a while and goes back.

Everyone was very busy with their work and had very less time to be with Ramesh Gupta. Kamala Devi remembers during their children’s childhood to till they got married, if anyone was sick then Ramesh Gupta used to be worried for the treatment and many times, he had closed his shop & cancelled business meetings to be with children. He had given all of them the best education. Rakesh is a mechanical engineer and done M B A too. Ravi had done M B A from U S A. Ranjan is textile engineer. Sarita too had a degree in fashion designing. All of them got married with lavish parties and Rakesh had always made every occasion memorable. Rakesh always kept his family at the top of his priority list. Kamala Devi knew it. He had always loved and given respect to Kamala Devi.

Yesterday as all his sons, daughter-in-law, daughter and son-in-law were having lunch together in dining hall, which is just adjacent to Rajesh’s room. At the same time Kamala Devi was feeding her husband. They heard the discussions of their children. Their children were talking about the business ownership, property ownership. They were blaming Ramesh Gupta for keeping all ownership with him and Kamala Devi. They were saying being his children till date working as an employee. They were telling him selfish. While Rajesh heard these, looked at Kamala Devi. Tears started rolling down from his eyes. He was saying in a very low voice with pains,’’ Kamala am I selfish? I always wanted them to take responsibilities and learn, so that they can run the business very smoothly. I wanted them to know each and every employee and build a good relationship with them. That is the reason I had given them different responsibilities. We had always cared for them. Even we had never let them to face any problem till date. Now I am in the bed and counting my days. I know for my bed sol some bad smells are coming from my body. But what can I do for that?

They never wanted to spend some quality time with me here for this smell as if I am unwanted for them. Now they are discussing about the properties and business ownership. They are counting my days and taken it granted that I will be dead very soon. It hurts me dear. Now I could realize that I am Dead Before Death of mine for them and for myself. Now please ask Binod to come and I will make the will. A dead man will make it before his real death. Please call Binod. You remember one thing, never trust them in my absence. I will make all arrangements for you so that after my death you will not face any problem.’’ Kamala Devi called Binod and asked him to come as Rajesh wants to make the will.

Then Kamala Devi tried to make Rajesh feel better with her smile and putting her hand on his forehead. Then Rajesh again told her,’’ After my death please go to the orphan home, where we both used to go and spend one day of every week the children there. They are very affectionate and their love is always true. I just wanted my children to give a little love to me and you. Now I am going to make a trust and you will be the chairperson of that. The two third of all the profit of industry and other business will go to the trust. The trust will work for the welfare of the orphanage and our employee’s family. Binod will be there to advice you always. All our children will work as employees. This house and properties too will be under the control of the trust. Binod and one employee representative will be the other members of the trust. The rest one third of the income will be with you. You can spend it as per your wish. Then Binod had come in the evening and the will was made accordingly. Today early morning at about 6AM Rajesh called Kamala Devi and whispered,’’ The dead man will have the death now dear. He will miss you. Promise me not to cry after my death. I was Dead Before Death since yesterday.’’

Suddenly Kamala Devi could feel some hand on her feet. She saw the kids of the orphanage came and after touching the feet of Rajesh all of them are touching her feet. All of them are having tears in their eyes. Then Binod came and informed Kamala Devi to start the rituals of Rajesh for his last journey. Kamala Devi stood up; she was not crying as promised to her husband. She only requested Binod that in cremation time whether Rakesh sets fire to Rajesh or not, but these orphan kids should do that. That was his last wish. Everything was done as wished by Rajesh. The rituals completed. On the 15th day of the death of Rajesh, Binod came to the house. All the children of Rajesh and Kamala Devi were present and Binod read the will made by Rajesh. He gave copy of same to all.

All the children were shocked to know about the will and its detail. They all felt as if all of them are Dead Before Death…….