The Two Sides Of The Ego

Vanita was alone at her flat number 305 in a ''Sun Rise apartment complex', Raghavpur. While sipping the taste of morning tea, she turned on the television to watch the latest news. Vanita was surprised to see her friend Sarita taking over charge as CEO of Sputnik Software Technology, a multinational company. She switched off the television and tried to recollect the memories of two decades ago.  

 Surya Prakash mall in Raghavpur town was full of customers on Sunday due to discount sales for Deepavali festival. The Customers witnessed an unusual  situation standing in the long queue and raised objections. The two young girls, who were in the front engaged in serious arguments causing unnecessary delay for others.

"Vanita, why did you come to my front place in the queue during my thirty seconds absence, even after requesting you not to allow anyone as you were next to me. But you not only come to the front and allow another person behind you. Now I have to go to the last in the long queue. You know I get my turn very late,"

said Sarita.

"Sarita, you left the queue, I, being the next person, naturally move further. Why did you leave? Why should I listen to your request? I allowed another person because she is an old lady,"

said Vanita with ego.

Sarita had no choice except to go last. She was irritated and said,

“Vanita, this is not fair on your part. Though you are educated,  you behave like an uncivilised person. Ego is not good."

“Sarita, don't teach me a lesson. Do you know my father is Assistant Commissioner of Police and your father is just an Assistant Superintendent of police. You should know how to behave with me. "

"Vanita, your false prestige will ruin you."

There was no end to their arguments. Security staff arrived at the spot and asked Sarita to go last.

Vanita and Sarita were close friends for a very long time. Vanita was jealous of Sarita for getting more marks than her in the BE final year. The person who created unrest never thought of improvement. If one gets fame another never tolerates. Vanita's father Ramana and Sarita's father Chandramouli were colleagues in the police department. Vanita was born two days before Sarita. While growing up they were living like their own sisters.  Both Studied right from school, college together and completed BE in the same engineering college. Their parents lived as neighbours in the police quarters for many years. They used to get the same place and adjacent quarters even on transfers. Vanita's father Ramana completed KPS  and got promotion to ACP, whereas Chandramouli remained as Assistant Superintendent of Police. Vanita was feeling superior to Sarita. She avoids meeting Sarita due to her status. Sarita tried to meet Vanita on a number of occasions. But Vanita used  to disrespect Sarita every time.

Sarita was a simple, honest and bright student, whereas Vanita was quite the opposite. 

 In another incident after a fortnight, the same girls met in a bogie of an express train proceeding towards Bengaluru from Raghavpur. Both were going to Bengaluru for a similar purpose. This time, the problem was the same berth number 35 was allotted to both of them. Sarita already occupied the seat and refused to vacate. The heated  argument started between them. Both lost their patience and a war of words  began. 

“Sarita, this is my seat. How dare you occupy my seat. "

“Vanita, show me your ticket," asked Sarita.

She showed her ticket. The same seat number was there.

 “You may lodge a complaint with the ticket examiner, " said Sarita.

Ticket examiner arrived and provided another berth to Vanita. The berth was on the passage side and most inconvenient. She wanted to exchange the berth. Nobody was ready to accept her berth.

"Vanita, if you give up your ego and be a simple girl, I am ready to go to your berth and you come to my berth."

 "Sarita, I am prepared to suffer tonight rather than compromise my prestige."

Vanita spent a sleepless night.

On reaching Bengaluru city station, both got down at the platform. Vanita was thinking of taking revenge on Sarita. There was a crowd on the platform. Everybody was in a  hurry to go outside. The two girls again met in the crowd.  Vanita pushed Sarita knowingly.  In the process, Sarita fell down and suffered minor injury. Vanita left without expressing sorry. Ignoring the pain, Sarita went fast and stopped Vanita.

“You have no courtesy to say sorry.”

“I have not done it purposely. Do you know such incidents are common here? "

 “I will not leave you until you say sorry.”

 Vanita unwillingly said " I am sorry. "

Sarita and Vanita again met on the same day evening in the reception hall of Chakrapani Private limited, Bengaluru a software development company for an interview. Both were holding BE degrees in computer science with first class. During the interview, Sarita's performance was excellent.  The performance of Vanita was poor. She exhibited her false prestige before the interview committee members.

Sarita got selected for the job and Vanita was rejected. After three years Vanita joined an engineering college as a lecturer. Both of them didn't meet for a long time. 

Somebody was knocking on the main door, Vanita came out of the old memories to know who was at the door. She was Bakula, an eighteen year old cook. She did her work and left after one hour.

Vanita failed to realise due to her ego and false prestige. She missed a good friend, who was like her own sister. Sarita reached a higher position and Vanita had to satisfy as the housewife after getting termination of service from the college.

2

 The weather was pleasant that evening. Vanita comes down from her flat for an evening walk. The other residents, who met greeted her good evening. Murali Krishna, a grand old man, a retired bank officer, who was relaxing on the bench called Vanita to sit beside him. She had great respect for this grand old man and obliged him.

"Vanita, where is your husband Prashant? You haven't met me for the last three days. What is the matter?"

"Uncle, my husband has gone to Hyderabad for a business purpose."

"Okay, what about you? You are coming to my flat almost daily to enquire about my health and Rukmini, my beloved life partner."

Vanita narrated everything about the memories of two decades back struck to her mind in the morning. The grand old man heard patiently and smiled.

Vanita surprised and asked,

"Why uncle are you smiling?"

"I hope you may like how I react to your memories?"

She replied with emotion.

"Uncle, after the passing away of my parents in a car accident last year, I am treating you and Rukmini aunty as my parents. Please tell me what you want to say?"

"Vanita, you know, the ego has two sides, negative and positive.  It all depends on how your mind directs you. Your ego was on the negative side when you were talking with your friend and invited trouble. If your ego was positive, things would have been improved. Your negative ego approach mainly depends on the high status of your father and the low status of your friend's father. Your friend was right in saying false prestige, which destroys relationships."

At that time she became enlightened and realised her mistake.

"Yes, uncle, you are one hundred percent right. I will contact Sarita and beg for an apology."

"My blessings are with you. I wish you all the best."

Vanita left for her apartment. When she opened the door, her mobile was ringing. It was a call from Prashant.

"Vanita, there is some surprising news for you."

"Let me know, what is that news?"

"I will disclose only after you come here. Come tomorrow by morning train."

"Is it so suspenseful?"

"Certainly."

She made preparations to proceed for Hyderabad. In the morning, when she reached the railway station, to her dismay all the trains going towards Hyderabad were cancelled due to heavy rains. With a positive ego, she remained calm and waited for the situation to be resolved. She reached Hyderabad five hours late. The delay was informed to Prashant. He was waiting at the station to receive her. They went to the lodge for a night stay.

Vanita asked, "What is suspense news?"

"You have exhibited a positive ego, while waiting for the train. Likewise, to know suspense, wait till morning."

In the morning, Prashant took her to the guest house of Sputnik Software Technology. As soon as the couple entered the room, a lady welcomed them. Vanita was really surprised to see her friend Sarita, CEO of the company. Both friends hugged for a while.

"Sarita, will you please excuse me for my false prestige, for which I have insulted you two decades back."

"Vanita, my good friend, I have excused you at that time only."

The couple spent one hour with Sarita and left for Raghavpur.

Vanita didn't forget to tell her meeting with Sarita to Murali Krishna