Friendship v/s Community
Friendship v/s Community
Altaf runs down the canal with the sound of a whistle. He always feels unknown happiness while watching this train of nine O'clock. While watching the running train he dreams that one day he will be able to take his mother away by the train and they will go too far and far, where there will be no hunger, no such pain of poverty.
Everyday Altaf goes to the local ICDS school, their "khichri school". But during the holidays, Altaf and Raghu usually go to the town for the work of clearing the drains in Babus' houses. In exchange, they receive puffed rice in paper bags and money also. Raghu is the best friend of Altaf. They love each other very much. Often they have heard people saying that they're from different communities, how can they be best friends! Altaf and Raghu do not know what's wrong in it. It's true that Altaf prays to Allah in Mosque and Raghu prays to Lord Shiva in the temple, otherwise they cannot find any difference between themselves. Last week their teacher was saying that India now is going through a very terrible phase. Few people are trying to create unrest among communities for their own selfish gains. So, it's high time for the common people to be safe from this trap.
The communal harmony is the pride of India, so we should try to save it intact. The teacher specially mentioned about Altaf and Raghu and told, "Sons, never fall for any persuasion. There are many people who are trying to break the beautiful friendship among people in the name of communal diversity, but you shouldn't fall for them, okay? Just carry forward your relation as you are now. And always remember that our greatest identity is that we are Indians. I may not be able to make the adults understand, but you are small children, you have a pure soul. Don't let it be contaminated by any filthy beliefs."
Altaf and Raghu couldn't understand everything properly but they were just happy with the thought that the teacher has asked them to be together forever.
But Altaf's mother's health is not going well for a few days. So she cannot go to her work. Altaf also has bunked the school for her. Mother was forcing him to go to school but Altafi did not agree to leave her mother alone in such a situation. Today, Altaf has decided to go to Babu's house to look for work, and if he gets money there, he will take his mother to the local doctor.
His little plans are suddenly interrupted as an unexpected touch on his shoulder. Looking back Altaf finds a man, sta
nding and smiling at him. The man is not a stranger but Altaf doesn't know his name.
The man asks him, "Are you hungry?" The irritation in Altaf's stomach has already begun. He has not got food since morning. Altaf nods his head and agrees to the man's words. The man again asks in a soft voice, "I hear your mother is sick. Is it true?." Altaf again nods his head saying, "Yes". The man then takes out a hundred rupee note from his pocket and waves it in the air in front of the boy's eyes, "You need it dear?"
Altaf is startled. Mom has taught him not to take money from anyone for no reason. He quickly replies, "No, I don't want my money."
The man replies with a smile, "I am not just donating you, actually I have a work for you to do in the afternoon. Will you do it? "
Wow!!! It's like God Himself has sent the man to Altaf. At this moment what he needs most is money. His eyes sparkle in joy. He quickly nods his head and agrees to the proposal, "Yes. I will definitely do it. What I have to do???"
The man then bent down and whispers a few words to his ear.
Altaf looks at the man's face in shock, but the man smiles strangely and says, "Go, go to the doctor. Your mother is sick."
★★★★★
It's almost the end of the day, the blue sky is gradually losing its color. Altaf is trying to tie the laces of his pants. He is now standing at the back of the temple. Still, he cannot understand why the party-uncle gives him a hundred bucks for such a simple task! Altaf has to do nothing but peeing at the back of the local temple. The seven-year-old's head was rattled with iron rods before he could think anything else. The laces of the pants is no longer tied up, Altaf falls on the head, blood falls on the ground. Before everything sinks into darkness, he can just notice two small hands like him come and hug him tightly. Raghu…
In rage and utter excitement, Ratan Paul hit the second boy with a rod… Then suddenly Ratan Paul in great shock realizes the identity of the second body. The man immediately in desperation let his body get over the boy's back to protect his son from the aggression of his companions; And then, once again with his great astonishment he hears two small bleeding bodies in their weak voices constantly uttering, "Dost….dost..."