Love - A Treasure

It was a peaceful and spiritual serene morning. He started moving deeper into the water trying to make peace with the cold war that was killing him inside. A sudden thought arose if he could end his life, there would be an ultimate peace. His life was a long struggle. An unwanted child, always neglected by his mother as she didn’t want to be conceived. His entire childhood was spent on his elder brothers’ used clothes, books, playthings and cycle, then bike and then car. All excitement of his life’s first time such as promoting to a new class, winning a trophy, selection for job and many more was the fourth time for the parents so reactions were very normal, kind of ‘used to be’. 

He bought the first pair of jeans and a t-shirt for himself after getting his first salary. He was feeling for a long-duration the fragrance of a new dress. He denied to cut the tag also as he wanted to convince himself that he was in a new set of attire and that was not the rejected one by his brothers. He bothered not to show it to family members as all would be with cold reactions. The next day when he was ready to go for the office, his mother noticed his bright and confident face. She was perplexed as that glow was never displayed on his face. The first time she realized her fourth son was a handsome man. 

In the evening he took the family members for dinner in an expensive hotel and they were hesitating to accept the fact that the youngest one had gained the power to spend. He was sure things would be changed and his position would be better now. But he was wrong. Everyone enjoyed the meal and took him for granted. His mother handed him a list of articles he needed to arrange for grand puja. He was stressed now. His entire salary would be insufficient and he took a loan just to prove he deserved respect at home. 

Slowly and steadily the loan amount was paid but his depression made him sink. He was clueless where he went wrong. He wished to show his importance and they pushed him into a never-ending deep well of debt. He needed counselling, a person who could disperse all the darkness of his life. He was in deep thought and the pool water was a medium to hide from the greedy, mean people. He wished if he could live his life separately. He decided to get settled in abroad and would never meet his parents.

Within a week he managed his transfer to the branch of his office in America and applied for a visa. He didn’t inform anyone at home. On the day of departure, he touched the feet of his elders and informed his transfer and the flight timing. All were shocked. They were not believing that someone from their family was going to a foreign land. He assured them that the loan would be paid by him only as in abroad his salary would help him repay the loan amount. They were happy. His mother wiped her tears and went inside. She came out with an envelope and with extreme delight gave it to him. He opened it. It was his horoscope. A written note was pinned inside which said – “This child will be safe only if he is given the used articles of his elders as it will work as a protective shield to him. If the boy survives, he will definitely prosper and get settled in the foreign land.” 

He could not understand what to reply. The family was actually protecting him and was waiting to hear the good news of his foreign settlement. How foolish he was by hiding the good news and witnessing the depth of their love. He left for the airport. He needed a private place to cry loudly and ask for forgiveness from his parents, brothers and all other relatives who were so much his well-wishers. The war ended and his victorious, self-valued, individuality emerged. He was fortunate to have love – now not a hidden treasure.