Jealousy

Raj did not have time to relax this morning. He was already late for work. He grabbed his coat and rushed into the car. He drove at the speed of lightening; not bothering about the high fee he'd have to pay as a fine for crossing the speed limit. Laptop, phone, charger, back-up battery, USB, house keys, car keys.... okay. Let's buckle up for a new at office. Raj checked on everything and walked calmly through the door. Fresh cool conditioned air hit his face as he walked in. Positioning his tie, he wished his subordinates a good morning. Carefully placing his office laptop on the desk, he switched on the device and rang the bell beside him. Old Shankar came hurriedly to Raj's office and wished him.

"Good morning chacha!"

"Good morning sir. Should I get your cup of coffee sir?"

"Yes please...."

Shankar went out of Raj's cabin. Raj was very happy with his private cabin. A spacious room with a bookshelf and a marbled desk. A cushioned chair and a comfortable sofa just added to its beauty. Everything was just perfect except one thing, his colleague Amar. Amar worked more efficiently and professionally than any other employee in the corporation. He was praised by everyone and was even titled as the employee of the month several times. Raj had just one feeling for him, envy. Amar was good at everything. Sports, accounts, health.. he had expertise in every known field. Raj growled at the thought of Amar. 

It was half past 2 at noon and Raj was busy typing when Shankar knocked at the door. "Manish sir would like to see you sir. He has called you in his office." Raj wondered, Why is sir calling me? I finished all my assignments and neither have I taken any leave in the last three months. Will he suspend me just for coming late today? "Sir! Manish sir is calling you." Shankar broke into his reverie. "Yes Shankar chacha. I'll come." Raj walked out of his room and climbed upstairs to his boss's room. He knocked on the door. "Come in!" came the order. Raj pushed the door and saw Manish and Amar together in the room. What is Amar doing here? Manish is only my boss. You don't deserve to stand beside such a valued person. Only I do. Raj thought with a crossed face. "Ah! Raj come come. Please, both of you have a seat. Now, I won't take things round. I will come to the point. It is really important to tell you what I have decided with the higher facility about your increment in salary and your promotions." Raj's and Amar's face brightened up. "You both know that I am always to the point. I never talk of things irrelevant to the main topic. That day, when I went to the doctor" And here we go... Raj thought aware of what was going to happen next. "The doctor asked me questions only relevant to my health because he was only concerned about my health. He didn't care what wife and children were doing at home.

My wife was busy cleaning the house and my children, my pride, they were busy studying. In between, my brother-in-law barged in the house to disturb my children. Lucky for him that I was at the doctor. Else I would have kicked him out of the house. Well, that is something I only think of doing. I have the guts to do it also. But my wife gives me a cold stare even if I get angry at him. I am not scared of her. She is my wife no... that is why I leave it. Else I would have pushed him into a rocket and sent him off to moon long ago." "Sir, the purpose of why you called us?" Amar said politely "Ah yes yes. So you see, I only speak about things relevant to the main topic. Talking of things here and there is just a waste of time" You have already wasted 10 minutes by narrating your story of 'that day' sir.... Raj thought again. "The higher facility and I have decided to give either of you both promotion and an increment in the salary by fifteen thousand based on the presentation you give on the profits and losses of our company in the last five years. But we also have an exception to the offer. The one who does not give the desired performance will be asked to resign and leave the company. You will have to present your work in the next five days. If you both do not want to give the presentation then you can back out now. I won't entertain any excuses later on." Manish said with a stern face this time.

Raj and Amar stepped out of the office. "Do you want to have a cup of coffee?" Amar offered politely. I will never have a cup of coffee with you! "Raj, a cup of coffee?" Amar asked again. "I'm sorry Amar but we are rivals now. We have a competition and I don't want to waste both of our time. So.." "Perhaps we could keep our rivalry aside for just a cup of coffee? It is important." Amar pleaded. For some reason, Raj couldn't deny and agreed to meet him in the cafeteria in the next 10 minutes. 

Both met at the decided time and while they were sipping some hot Expresso, Amar said rather sadly, "My father is admitted in the city hospital for the past 18 months. He was detected with brain cancer. We tried removing the growth using chemotherapies but unfortunately, surgery is the only thing that can help us out now. You see, I have collected as much as money as possible but they still lack some amount." "So do you want me to lend you some money?" Raj said unwillingly to do so. "No Raj. I don't believe in taking loans from people for you needs. What I want you to do is something else. I want you to purposely not give a good performance so that I can get the promotion and increment. It is urgent that I pay of my dues at the hospital else my father will die." "What about my job? You do know that you are asking me to risk my job right?" Raj enquired. "Don't worry! I assure you of your job. Please, don't perform well for the promotion." Amar requested. I will never listen to your fake words Amar. I know that you have cooked up a story to trap me and win the promotion. But I will not let that happen. I already have a plan ready in my head and that is going to be a successful one. "Don't worry Amar. I've got your back" "Thanks a lot Raj! I don't know if I can ever repay you. You are truly the best colleague I can have."

Four days passed no sooner than imagined. Raj and Amar had worked hard for the presentations and Amar had already left the office early to get enough sleep for the big day. As soon as Amar had left and the office had been isolated, Raj took the opportunity and snuck in to Amar's cabin. He shuffled through the files and folders and finally found what he was looking for. Raj read the file's name - '5 years profit and loss of corporation presentation' Raj gave an evil smile and went out in open air. He pulled out a lighter from his pocket and held the file right above the raging flame. The flame grew and spread across the file burning it into ash. 

The next morning Amar's happy face had turned. He realized that the project he had worked on day and night had disappeared. He ran to Raj's office and told him about this. Raj stood up imitating to be shocked and helped Amar to search the file that he had burned last night. Manish came in and heard about what Amar had to say. Manish shook his head in dismay and said, "I am sorry Amar. If you can find the file by the time Raj is done with his presentation then you present else you will be forced to resign." 

Raj's presentation went well but on the other hand, Amar could not find the file. Manish, without any further adieu, declared that Raj had got the promotion and handed the resignation form to Amar. Raj came up to Amar and said, "I am sorry Amar. If you want then I am still ready to give you money for the operation." "No Raj, maybe I wasn't supposed to get the promotion. Thanks for everything man!" saying so Amar gave Raj a hug and walked away.

The next day, which was a Sunday, Raj woke up and sat on the veranda with his cup of coffee. He pulled out that day's newspaper and proceeded to read it. Then, he read an article that forced him to cry for the sin he committed.

A 63-year-old man dies of a brain tumor. His son commits suicide for not being able to pay for his father's surgery.

A 63-year-old man, Ranjan Singhal, dies of a brain tumor. He had been admitted in the hospital for the past 18 months. On receiving the news of his father's death, his son, Amar Singhal, also commits suicide leaving a letter for the world stating the reason to commit suicide that he had not been able to pay the hospital for the surgery and that he could no more bear the pain that he lost his father because of him.