The Girl Next Door

( short story by  Vaman Acharya)

It was on Sunday, Kiran was feeling uneasy due to the hectic work during the last week. After repeated wake-up calls from Sumitra, her mother, she got up at 8 am. While sipping the coffee, she had a glance over an old album and stopped at one group photo, which prompted her to recollect the memories of a decade back. 

The occasion was the fifth anniversary of Sunrise furniture manufacturing a small scale unit at Pavanpur. Abhay was her next-door neighbour. Both were the brains behind the unit. Abhay started the business with a meagre capital of rupees one lac and grew up with a turnover of rupees one crore in just five years. Kiran was entrusted with a job of overall management. 

They were childhood friends. Kiran got through the 10th standard in first-class five years ago and could not continue their college education. Abhay was a school dropout and became a vagabond. He belongs to a rich family in Pavanpur. Abhay failed in the 10th standard five times. He received abuse from his parents every day. His friends stopped to meet him. He was keeping mum for the insults. 

One day, Abhay with terrible frustration in life decided to take the extreme steps of suicide by jumping in the open well. He didn't know how to swim. Abhay was about to jump from the top of the well, somebody pulled him outside. He was surprised to see Kiran, the girl next door, who prevented him from suicide.  He became ashamed. Kiran took him to the nearby Hanuman temple. Both prostrated God had pradakshina. With full devotion, prayed for good days to come. 

On the way home, she told him only a coward takes such an extreme step and one should take bold steps in life. He expressed thanks to Kiran for saving him in a critical time. Both went home and Kiran informed what had happened just an hour before to Jayaraj and Pratibha, parents of Abhay. His parents were in great shock to hear the incident, wherein their only son could have lost his life. They thanked Kiran with folded hands. 

Even after three months, Abhay was unable to think about his future. One day in the evening, he went to  Hanuman temple alone sitting before God for a few minutes and an idea flashed to his mind. He had a smile on his face. There was silence in the temple. Abhay rushed to Kiran and revealed his idea. 

What was his idea?

He wanted to start a furniture manufacturing unit with the employment of skilled labourers. He had no problem with land and capital.

Kiran was happy and told him to go ahead. He requested Kiran to extend help. His firm determination and her genius mind resulted in him arriving in the right direction.   She gladly accepted to work with him. 

 Before setting up the unit, she advised him to go to Bengaluru to gain experience in the line of business. Jayaraj also agreed with the advice given by Kiran. He also told his son that he would provide everything for setting up the unit.  He gave a letter addressed to an industrialist friend in Bengaluru.  Abhay went to Bengaluru. His father's industrialist friend helped him to work in the furniture industry. He returned back to Pavanpur after one year.  His devotion and hard work gave him confidence in running a furniture manufacturing unit. 

Abhay and Kiran spent many days planning. Ultimately, they approached the local bank with a request for financial assistance. The branch manager was happy keeping in view of his father's dealings with the bank and advised him to meet the bank's technical officer for the project report.   It took six months to obtain all the required documents. The bank sanctioned a credit limit of rupees two lacs. 

First-year, there was no growth due to acquisition of land, construction of shed, office room and legal matters. Once everything was over smoothly, he appointed skilled labourers and placed orders for raw materials. In subsequent years, there was a good response and growth and profitability increased gradually. Kiran was able to maintain office and financial matters perfectly.

 Kiran's beautiful complexion, personality and handling the complicated issues efficiently attracted Abhay. He was thinking about how to express his love to her. Hitherto, he didn't think about love. All these days, he was busy setting up the unit. His sustained efforts along with Kiran paid the dividends. He achieved the goal after five years.

 One day, he was bold enough to say to her,  

' Kiran, I love you.'  

It was not a surprise for her. She reciprocated with just a smile. 

 He revealed his wish to his parents. But they disapproved and suggested another girl belong to their community.  Abhay told his parents clearly that if they insist on another girl, he would remain as a bachelor.  

 After a fortnight Abhay's parents called Kiran to meet them. Kiran had an hour-long conversation with them. 

Jayaraj said, 

" Kiran,  I appreciate your role in the growth of our furniture manufacturing unit. Since you know our family, I advise you to marry a boy from your community. I will take the responsibility to find a suitable boy for you and bear all the expenditure of the wedding ceremony."

Kiran was most unhappy and left the place abruptly.  Abhay too felt very much. 

 The company's turnover reached one crore at the end of the fifth year. Even on Sunday Kiran used to receive calls from Abhay. Her mom was a housewife and her father was a primary school teacher. Kiran's hobbies include reading fiction and non-fiction books, music and artwork. 

She came out of old memories when the telephone was ringing. It was a call from Abhay that he would be coming within five minutes to convey happy news. 

What was the happy news?

Abhay's parents gave him the green signal to tie the knot with Kiran.

Now the real story begins of her life….as she fell in love with the right person.