Regret Never Beget

Outstreched working hours made Shri Nathan consumed, from hour that turned into hours, from day that turned into days, from month that turned into months. Everyday he pushed himself to work till his body exerted its utmost resistance. The owner, Sankalp a young chap, was recently trasfered to this factory. Walking down the basement his eyes glued to that strong witted middle aged man, banging his hammer with the warrior like strength. Yes, it was Shri Nathan drenched with sweat, in a faded shirt, the stitched patch on his dying trouser was like holding its last breath.

Sankalp went to him and inquisitively asked his name, with the shaking voice he said, "I am Shri Nathan, what is the matter sir?" And just when the gleaming eyes of this man filled with hope was about to enchant Sankalp, the man added, "Is there any phone call for me?". These were surely some unexpected words. "Well, no gentleman. I was quite impressed to watch you working so steadily. So, I stopped by to appreciate you." Sankalp said.

The man replied,"Thankyou" and with a frown of disappointment on his face he went back to his work. This subdued reaction to such appreciative words made Salkalp quite sceptical. "Whose phone call was this man waiting for?" this question kept tickling his brain for hours. Well, being a new and young boss was a task that carried hefty weightage. This subaltern and invisible gulf of positions was something that was non-existing to Sankalp's conscious. He was never a boss by heart. Therefore, with the intention to build this silence of obliviousness he invited the entire staff for dinner at his place.

This gesture of 'the new boss' filled the working place with the chats and discussions about tonight. Yes, for sure the attempt to break the silence didn't go in vain.

But in that unvisited corner, there was a person unaffected with the announcement made. Shri Nathan packed his belongings just in a minute when the clock stucked 5. His unheard footsteps while heading back to his home indicated that the silence was still existing for him.

The clock kept moving and now it was time to see what happened to Sankalp's plan of jelling up with his mates. The tables were layed, the dinner was served. There was noise at every corner of the place. It was swamped with clusters and pairs. But whose voice was Sankalp still searching to hear? His keen eyes were unable to find the man of his interest.

As expected Shri Nathan didn't turn up. The curiosity grew profound and now it knew no bounds. He inquired about him from the people around. His ears went numb, his eyes went bawling, when he heard the tragic tale of this man. Indeed the tickling question,"Whose call was he waiting for?" was answered. But now the question was, "How can destiny be so cruel to a person like him?"

The next day was same for every other person working at the factory except Shri Nathan. The most unexpected fortuity was awaiting at his desk. As usual the early bird reached his corner and found that it was not unvisited any more. An envelop at his desk multiplied his heart beat. His hands were shaking while reaching out that piece of paper. "Your Dead Son...", he read on the top.

There was no bound to his tears, they were flowing as if a dam which was standing still for years has just broken down. The hope for which he was still alive got shattered by reading those spear-like words. He opened it and read further, "I know losing me in that tragic accident has made you numb and stoic. But that was not your fault dad, watching you from here is making my departure even more painful. So, stop punishing yourself and live your life. You bought me that bike on my 19th birthday to fulfill my wish. But you never intended to harm me in any way. This is destiny dad and you have to accept it. This regret of yours will never beget. You didn't see my distorted face after the accident because you wanted to live with the hope of me returning back. But this is not possible as my soul needs to get departed to another birth. Your regret and your unyielded hope are stopping me to undertake another journey. You have never stopped me to do anything in my life. So, just for the last time let me go..."

Indeed this moment was a silent call for someone to hold that falling vase and save it. In a moment we could see that call was heard to hold Shri Nathan and give him the reality check. The writer himself came and extended his warm arms of comfort. This act of Sankalp to make Shri Nathan realise that regret can only make one remorseful, was indeed a pat to awake the man's soul from the deadly slumber.