The Surprise Gift

Bhola is a 5-year-old boy, the youngest of 5 siblings, residing in a village of Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh. He is very fond of bicycles. His father, Bhanu is a farmer by profession and very humble. He has a very small farming land in the village, from where he could hardly earn anything. Due to the scarcity of rain, it was difficult for him to grow anything and feed his family. Due to poverty, he could not afford to buy a bicycle for Bhola. Bhanu knew very well that when Bhola grew up, he wouldn't need the same bicycle anymore. Somehow, he would confront Bhola by saying that an angel would reward him with one bicycle at the right age. One day Bhanu decided to go to the city, Hamirpur, on one of his cousin's suggestions and decided to work there as a daily laborer. Due to the high cost of living in the city, he decided not to take his entire family over there. 

The next day he left for the city with his wife and Bhola with some amount from his savings. He did not take the other 4 children along with him, as they are mature enough to take care of themselves. Anyhow, he would be visiting the village in between. After 4 days of job hunting, luckily, he started working as a gardener in a beautiful bungalow full of orchards in the garden. He was offered a small room for him and his family to stay. The room was big enough to accommodate 3 of them. 

The owner of the bungalow, Vivek was a wealthy person. He owned a garment factory in the city. His wife is a vice chairman in the same factory. His previous gardener was a kleptomaniac, so was kicked out of the job. Somehow, he felt a sense of truthfulness and trust in Bhanu during their first meeting. Hence, kept him as his gardener and caretaker of the surroundings. Vivek had only one daughter Nisha, of age around 6 years old. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with a rare kind of disease known as AFM(Acute Flaccid Myelitis), 1 year back. The disease is related to the nervous system and affected her legs. Nisha would feel weakness in her legs while running and playing at the age of 4 and 1/2 years. But gradually this disease started affecting her legs badly. She is not able to put much pressure on her legs. She would use crutches and sometimes a wheelchair for support. At the age of 4, Vivek gifted her a beautiful bicycle to ride. But due to her bad legs, the bicycle was never used and kept as it is, in the hope that Nisha would ride it someday. 

After some days, Bhanu's wife also started working as a cook and caretaker of Nisha in the bungalow. Nisha would usually stay upset about not having a friend to play with because of her condition. At times, she would be very violent and weep. Bhola was very humorous and fun-loving. Bhanu could not afford for his school in the city at that moment. Vivek would provide him with some old books of Nisha to study. Sometimes Bhola would join Nisha in her home tuitions free of cost. Bhola is not allowed to go outside of the bungalow fence, as he is too young and new to the city. Whenever he sees Nisha in the garden, he used to play with her. Nisha also liked his companion. She would offer him her bicycle to ride, which made Bhola very happy. Slowly both became good friends. There was a good change in Nisha's behaviour also. Vivek was very thankful to Bhola for bringing positive change to her daughter. He would allow Bhola to play with Nisha's toys and the bicycle.

Days passed by. One day Vivek approached Bhanu while he was working in the garden, "Bhanu, we need to leave for the US, after a week, for Nisha's treatment. We have a high hope from the doctor over there." Bhanu was a little anxious after hearing from Vivek, as he might have to lose his job, a humble owner and go back to misery. "Okay, Sir as you wish. I will pray to the Almighty that things will fall into place. May I know, when are you planning to come back?" asked Bhanu in a low voice. "It might take a year or two, depending on the duration of the treatment", Replied Vivek. "I know it is a good opportunity for your daughter, which should not be missed. But after you leave, I have to search for another work for my livelihood. Getting a new work and a new owner might be difficult for me", expressed Bhanu. "Yes Bhanu, that is true. But do not worry at all. You may wish to stay here or go to your village until we come back. We also do not want to lose an honest gardener like you. Hence, I have decided to give you salary till we come back", said Vivek. Bhanu felt relief and thankful after hearing these words from Vivek.

The week was about to get over. Vivek and his family were about to leave for the US. Bhanu and Bhola came over to bid goodbye to the noble family. Before leaving the bungalow, Vivek handed over Nisha's bicycle to Bhola and said, "I do not know how long we have to stay in the US. Take this bicycle with you as a gift. We will always be thankful to you for being a trustworthy friend to my daughter and giving a new life to her." After this gratitude note, Vivek and his family left the place. It was a graceful moment for both Bhola and Bhanu. Bhola is overwhelmed to see his much-awaited surprise gift in front of him. He remembered his father's words, told long back. "Is he the angel, you talked about?" asked curious Bhola to his father, pointing his hand towards Vivek. Bhanu paused for a while. With a wider smile he nodded his head in acceptance.