The Lift Man

“The richest, the best person in the world, Tina! Yay!” Tina fell off her bed. Saddened by the effect that it was just a dream, Tina got out of bed to start the day. Tina and her mother were selfish and arrogant people. They flaunted their richness wherever they went. They teased people who travelled without cars. In school, Tina always stared in disgust at her classmates who had a darker skin tone than hers. Tina’s father was a very well-known businessman and got a very good salary every month. However, he was the exact opposite of his wife and daughter. He did not flaunt or boast about his salary. In fact, he led a simple life.

It so happened that, one day Tina’s father strolled past a desolated street where he spotted some adult gangsters smoking and consuming alcohol. He tried to walk away, being unnoticed, however, lady luck was not shining on him, for, unfortunately, all of them saw him trying to escape. “Oi Man! Come here! Stupid, coward man! Do you think you can escape from our clutches?!!!” Tina’s father, Mr Ravi froze dead in his tracks. Slowly, he turned around and saw the gangsters right behind him. His face turned ashen pale. He tried to scream for help, but the leader of them clamped his pudgy hand over Mr Ravi’s mouth. Worst of all, not a soul other than the four gangsters and Mr Ravi were on the street. Without any choice left, Mr Ravi sent a prayer heavenwards hoping that someone would save him. However, his prayer went unanswered. The leader, who’s hair was dyed a shocking pink and had a humongous dragon tattoo on his right arm, pushed a cigarette into Mr Ravi’s mouth. When Mr Ravi refused to take a puff, he held his nose which made Mr Ravi have to breathe from his mouth and ended up taking a puff of the cigarette butt. That was the moment Mr Ravi got addicted to cigarette and he grabbed another cigarette butt and started puffing away. The gangsters smirked with glee. Next came the alcohol. All of them took a bottle each and said CHEERS! Before gulping the contents in the bottle.

From that day onwards, he went only half the day to work and spent the rest of the time with the gang on the street. This went on for nearly a year. Until one day, Mr Ravi started feeling weak and small lumps appeared on his body. He went to a nearby clinic for a check-up. The doctor was astonished to know that he was suffering from Third stage lung cancer. Mr Ravi did not inform this to his wife and refused to take up any physiotherapy. A few weeks later, he suffered from a heart stroke and passed away. His wife and sole daughter were totally devastated with the death of Mr Ravi. Unfortunately for Tina, that was the time when she had finished her Secondary school (Grade 10) and was to go to college. However, they had wasted their savings so much on useless items that they did not have enough money to go to college. This was worse for Tina as she had passed her exams with flying colours.

 To make ends meet, they shifted to an old estate. They were shocked at the state of the estate they were destined to live in. Without any choice left, they entered the estate, their new home. One day as she and her mother were going to the basement using the lift. On the second floor, a man entered the lift. He had a very dark skin complexion and looked miserable in his simple attire. His nose was curved like a beak. Tina was on her way to college to show her exam papers and beg for a free seat. On the papers Tina held in her hands, the name of her school was written. Upon seeing the name of the school, the man turned towards her and told them that her daughter also studied in the same school. Tina and her mom turned their faces away. He asked once again whether she had joined college yet. Mumbling under her breath, she replied, NO…… He noted down Tina’s name and went to a nearby college to pay the fees for her. Coincidentally, it was the same college which Tina was willing to go to. As soon as Tina reached the college, the principal excitedly told them that their fees had been paid by a benevolent man. Tina’s mom requested to see the man. He muttered to himself telling that he was nearby. Craning his neck for a better view, he found him at the door, about to leave. He flailed his hands wildly gesturing him to come. Fortunately, he noticed the principal and came up to the principal. To Tina and her mother’s utter shock, he was the same man whom they had seen in the lift earlier. With their eyes filled with tears of gratitude, Tina and her mother thanked the man profusely. He then explained that his daughter wanted to go to the same college, so he had saved the necessary amount just for this. However, an accident that happened a few weeks ago took the life of his daughter. Hence, he decided to fulfil her wish through Tina. Tina had no words to express her gratitude towards him. Today, Tina is a famous doctor all because of the MAN IN THE LIFT, whom she dearly calls, Uncle Ram……