The Change

"Hey, Rangila, come here, water these plants." "Hey, Rangila. Get some cigarette for me." Thus, in various manners, Rangila used to help people. His original name was Rangaprasad, but people called him by various names, some used to say Rangilo, Some Ranga, and Some Rangyo, etc. If someone calls you by such names, don’t you get annoyed? At this question, he used to reply, "What's there is in a name? If someone addresses a Rose as Mogra, does it change its fragrance?"

His childhood was tough. His mother passed away when he was still an infant. Reaching the age of 4-5 he lost his father. That helpless fellow used to live with his grandparents and helped people in their work. He never went to school, still, he was clever. "Blood teaches everything." In the same way, Rangila was also a wrestler. His grandfather taught him all the moves of wrestling. Poor grandparents, no one else was for him. So they nurtured him in the best possible manner. As a result, his physique was strong. White complexion made him appear more beautiful. All people used to say that Rangila seems like an actor. He was left alone in the initial stage of his youth. But because of his behavior, the whole village was like a family to him. No one ever hesitated in asking for help from Rangila, and Rangila never hesitated in helping them. He didn't have any other means of livelihood, but people never allowed him to be hungry. He was free to visit anyone's place for having a meal, and he was ready to work for people at their one call. This was Rangila, having quite well the sense of humor, always laughing and making other people laugh. And that's why people used to love him. He could even make those people laugh who are crying and suddenly one day he disappeared from the village. All were astonished that where is Rangila? No one was at peace because of his absence. And one-day news arrived, "Rangila got married." "Got married! But with whom?" "With the only daughter of Landlord Jamnadas, Shivani." All people said it’s amazing; His stars got him set at the best place. Someone said that the girl fell for him, it's her fortune that she got a guy like Rangila. What if he was poor, He was rich by heart. Our Rangila was having nice behavior. The landlord got a good Son-in-Law. And from that day, no one ever saw him in the village. Slowly people forgot him. But why these thoughts are arising in my mind today? Today Karsankaka and I were going towards the temple, on the way we noticed a landlord standing with a car. Black coat, Hat on the head, like a foreigner having his back towards us. Reaching near Karsankaka recognized him and he shouted, "Ranga, you're here. We have seen you after so many days. Where were you? We had forgotten about you." He turned his face towards us and looked at us and smiled a bit like he didn't know us. Karsan glared at him for some time and gathering courage he again asked him, "Rangila, do you know us or not?" He laughed and said, "I'm Landlord Rangaprasad." telling this he opened the gate of the door, sat on the seat and left the place. Karsan looked at me and said, "Did you notice the change? Our Rangila is changed." I replied, "No, Rangila is the old one only, but his conditions are changed." We were so much hurt by this incident that we changed our plan of going to the temple and returned to our home. The whole night went in the same thought that how is it possible. Money can change the behavior of anyone. The one who used to request me for the meal was today looking at me like I'm asking for something from him. Rangila who used to make us laugh today made us cry. The one who used to say that what’s there is in name today says us to address him by Rangaprasad instead of Ranga. So many egos! And what he is? All this pleasure is because of his wife's money.

Cursing him for his deeds and in thoughts, I didn't notice when I fell asleep. The next morning I was awakened by the noises of kids. I came out and looked that a car is coming and kids are running after it. The car stopped at my door, Rangila came out of the car, and with his arrival, he said, "What Happened, after parking the car I came back, you and Karsankaka weren't there. I went into the temple; still, there was no trace of yours. I searched for you everywhere. I thought that I couldn't notice you in the crowd so I stood outside waiting for you, but still, I couldn't find you anywhere. We met after such a long time; you should've waited for me. I said, "But Mr. Rangaprasad, we were...." Oh come on, you're kidding at me by my own jokes. See I Have brought this sari for your wife, sweets for your kids; say what else can I do for you?" He was speaking continuously in the same way as he used to speak earlier. He kidded at us in the same way as he did earlier, then why we couldn't understand it? My head went blank; His every word was hurting my heart. With a blank mind, I started thinking. With the change in condition is Rangila changed? No, but due to change in his conditions, our thinking for him is changed. Either because of jealousy, or because of shame or due to his richness, but at least on one side it has happened. The Change!