My Confidant

                  "Good morning, everyone. Hope all are present for the meeting. Where is Pallavi ?" The HOD asked, as he threw a quick glance at his staff. "As always, the literary events will be conducted by Pallavi for the upcoming Annual Function." He continued at length, about her all round activities,

highlighting her dedication, creativity and concluded that she was a huge asset to the college. 

                       Sitting in the last row, Ankita found it difficult to digest the HOD showering praises on her friend. She had attempted several exams for a better job but was unsuccessful. However, Pallavi cracked it at the first go. Their previous day's conversation kept ringing in her mind, "Ankita, I got a job in a government college, so I will be resigning this job. Please don't tell anyone from now on. I will observe the HOD's moods, and tell him within a day or two. You very well know that he is a good man, but my leaving in the middle of the semester may anger him, because it is he who has to manage. I am helpless, the Government College in which I will be joining has already given me a joining date. No one will forego a secure job. Moreover, the woes of middle-class people like us are never-ending, I am aware of that being one of the breadwinners of my family. Of course, you are my friend and know everything. I trust you.........."

                        Pallavi's success, the HOD lauding her lavishly, the staff's admiration for her all bottled up within, became difficult for her to handle. To hell with TRUST.......she said to herself and stood up. "Sir, Pallavi will be leaving shortly. She was telling me just yesterday. She's got a job." Ankita spilled the beans. The short-tempered HOD immediately became furious. "How can she leave in the middle of the semester ?" This was followed by a volley of snarls.......to her misfortune Pallavi entered and had to face the brunt of his wrath.

                         We human beings are the only creatures on earth endowed with the faculty of thinking and speech. Animals too have feelings but they cannot speak, and can only express. How often haven't we seen a mother bird feeding her young ones, or a mammal protecting its little ones? But their scope is limited. With their thinking prowess of speech, humans rose far above all animate things in every aspect. It is highly commendable to say that man has utilised all the potential bestowed by God to the optimum and has reached the zeniths in every facet of life. 

                         It is a known fact that, "Minds differ still more than faces," Behavioral patterns vary from individual to individual, and towards individuals too. It is a surprise beyond imagination, how the Creator has created us with such a myriad of characteristics. Each one's strong and weak points, glaringly different. In this interesting journey of our life, we form various relationships, some intimate and some not so close. Human tendency is such that at times when we are unable to sustain emotional imbalances, we share with our near and dear ones. We pour out our problems with an expectation of relief and sometimes solutions too. Trust is the glue of life. It is the foundational principle that holds all relationships. Sometimes in a flurry of opening up we share our inner feelings with anyone.

Before doing so, we must judge, whether the person we are sharing with --------

a) will listen to what we have to say

b) will keep our thoughts confidential

c) lend a shoulder to lean on 

d) offer any solution

             Only after we are sure these conditions have been fulfilled we must open up, because the world has reached such a miserable state that most people have become self-centred and there is no time for another. There are people who will listen to what we have to say so that they can gossip behind our backs. Some take undue advantage of the situation and may even try to blackmail us. There are still some worst, who are glad, we have problems. In the above example, will Pallavi ever be able to trust anyone. She had confided in Ankita with the hope that she would co-operate with her, but the latter broke her trust and friendship too lost its meaning. 

                      We are humans and need to be humane. Let us remember that today it is she or he, tomorrow it may be me. When someone approaches us with a problem and opens up to us, even if we are unable to provide solutions, let us be silent listeners, and provide the comfort levels to them, that they can pour out to us. We must be strong enough to take in all that their share and not to expose their inner secrets. By just listening, we are providing solace and succour. The person who shares will feel lighter, and as human beings we can at least lend our ears. 

                       Great is a person to whom people can unhesitatingly approach and share their all. We need not necessarily become great by achieving success in various fields. We can even be great by making people feel grateful for us. Let us grow from within and blossom as perfect human beings and create a better world. A world full of love, compassion and kindness.