The Unknown Bonds

It was raining heavily. 

It usually rains every year on 31st July, only the intensity differs. Rambilash negotiated the rain as much as he could and walked along the crowded footpaths. He was not well. His son would scold him to no end to know that he went out. He could have easily taken a bus but again he didn’t want to spend anything extra. Every penny was important. He finally reached his destination, half drenched almost. As he stood in front of the huge gate, he looked up. The huge 2-storied house was standing proudly. It looked sparkling white in this weather. He found it difficult to take a step further. He was staring at that familiar board hung from the gate “Beware of Dogs”. The board was still the same only that it got a little more strained in these 5 years. 5 years... an eternity for Rambilash. 

“I am innocent. I didn’t do it Malik” 

He kept on saying, pleading with folded hand that he didn’t steal the solitaire ring of his Malik. No one listened. Malkin was furious on him. She gifted the ring to her husband on his 50th birthday. She asked the other junior household staff to hit him until he was out of the house. She would have called the police too had the Malik not intervened. He could see in the eyes of the Malik the shock to learn that he was a thief. Rambilash ran and jumped into the legs of his Malik, holding on to his legs and pleading at the top of his voice 

“Malik, I didn’t steal Malik. Please trust me. I have worked with my heart and soul in this house for the last 45 years. Do you really think I could do it?” 

“Leave my legs. This was not expected from you” said the cold voice of his Malik. 

Rambilash was stunned. He couldn’t say anything more. He just kept staring at his Malik till he was thrown out. Didn’t protest anymore when he was being hit by the other staff. He didn’t feel the pain of the hit any longer. This was nothing in comparison to the pain he was going through inside. He came into this house when he was 10. He grew up with his Malik who was of the same age. Played with him, accompanied him to the fields, taking care of him whenever he was called for. Nobody knew him better than his Malik. Deep inside there was an unknown bond of affection and friendship which stayed private. Rambilash felt that bond had snapped at that one sentence. He was too shattered to even realise that he was lying on the streets outside the gate and getting completely wet in the rain. Only thing that was audible to his ears was the bark of Fluffy who was jumping on everybody around him and was the only one to protest on his behalf.

Five years ago on a similar rainy day, Rambilash was thrown out of this house. 

Rambilash came back to his senses at the sound of thunder. The rain had increased and he was completely drenched now. He braved his heart and opened the gate. The security guard came running and obstructed his path. “A new security guard,” He said to himself. And almost at the same time Fluffy came running in and jumped on him, licking his face and rubbing his face against his.“Fluffy has recognized me”!! Tears rolled down his face. The security guard looked puzzled.

Rambilash requested to meet his Malik. He was fearing he won’t be allowed but to his surprise, the security guard was asked to send him in when he called inside to inform. Malik and Malkin were sitting in their respective single sofas in the ground floor drawing room. Rambilash looked around. The interior has not changed much. Few things have interchanged places and very little new additions made. He knows this place as the back of his palm. He looked back at his Malik. Malik looked old. Malkin, on the contrary, didn’t age much. He stood with folded hands. 

“How are you, Malik? Malkin ... how are you?” 

“ We are all fine,” Malik said, there was a coldness in his voice, “Why have you come here Rambilash?” 

“He didn’t even ask how he was!” Rambilash thought inside but didn’t show his disappointment. 

“Malik , today is 31st July. If you remember today is my son’s birthday. I want to surprise him with a birthday cake. But I don’t have enough money. He loves cake but till date, I didn’t buy him a birthday cake. I am not keeping well and I know I will not live much longer. These are one of the few desires I have. I served you for 45 years and could only think of you for help” 

“Today is 31st July? It’s your birthday too Rambilash. I remember both of you share the same birthday. Anyway, what amazed me is you still had the audacity to come and stand in front of us after what you had done!” 

“But Malik ... trust me I ....“

“Enough!!” Malik raised his hand to stop him midway. “Please go away Rambilash. It’s your birthday and I don’t want to sound harsh.“ 

The Malkin intervened “It's his birthday Rajdeep. Whatever he did is not pardonable but don’t shout at him at least today.” 

“ I trusted him and he played with it. I have no sympathy for him. Please ask him to leave at once.” 

Rambilash didn’t wait any more for his Malkin to say anything. He walked out with his head down thinking that Malik didn’t even think that had he stolen the ring he wouldn’t have been standing shamelessly begging. Once outside the gate, he started to put his hands in his pockets to check how much exactly he had.

 

It started raining heavily again. 

Vishnu was waiting for an answer from his supervisor, Sukhen Babu. He has joined back today in his job and has asked for some money. He worked in a shoe factory on a per day basis salary system. 

“You didn’t come to work for the last 25 days and when you joined today you are asking for an advance?” was Sukhen Babu's answer to his request.

“Sir, my father is not well. He is dying. I was taking care of him. I wouldn’t have possibly come today too but today is his birthday.... probably the last one Sir.” Vishnu rubbed his moist eyes. “I want to surprise him by treating him his favorite Dal Makhani and Chicken Chap. I will come from tomorrow onwards and you can adjust it from there Sir”. 

“ Sorry Vishnu, I can’t. I am answerable somewhere and moreover, I am not authorised to give you anything in advance. You had been extremely irregular and Sir has strictly said not to put you back in the job until he speaks to you.”

“ Ok then. Take me to Him.” Vishnu requested. 

“He is not in town. You can come the day after tomorrow to meet him.” 

“But today is my father’s birthday and not the day after tomorrow!!!” Vishnu screamed.  

The workers turned around at the shout. They were all watching them now. Sukhen Babu looked around at them and said in a stern voice.

 “No point shouting Vishnu, I can't help you. You may leave now. Please”. 

Vishnu walked out. He was upset, angry at himself and was feeling helpless. Outside the gate of the factory, Vishnu took out his purse to check how much he had in it. 

The sky roared and the downpour started heavily. 

Vishnu and Rambilash were sitting together holding hands in the dark staring at the night sky through the window. It was almost 8. Their hands were as if supporting each other, letting each other know how much they meant to each other. 

Vishnu lost his mother when he was a kid. It was his father all through in his life. He had seen him struggle to bring him up. He wanted to bring a little smile to his face. But .... 

Rambilash had no one but his son after he lost his wife. Vishnu was his everything. He tried hard not to let him feel the absence of his mother. He didn’t even tell Vishnu that he was aware that his days were numbered now. He knew Vishnu's love for cake and so much wanted to gift him the cake today. But ..... 

The sky was still overcast. The moon was nowhere to be seen, hidden behind the dark clouds.

 The door knocked. Both turned unsure who could it be. Rambilash was getting up when Vishnu stopped him and got up, put on the light, opened the door. A boy was standing with a huge box of cake. 

“This is for Mr. Vishnu,” he said. 

“I am Vishnu” 

The boy handed him the cake and went away. 

Vishnu looked at the small card attached to the box - “To my Vishnu, from your Baba” 

Vishnu eyes got moist. He ran into the arms of his father and hugged him tightly. Rambilash hugged him back .. surprised at the event. But immediately realised what has happened. Vishnu knew his plan of buying a birthday cake and didn’t want to spoil it. He ordered a cake for himself in his name to make his father happy. “Oh, my son you surprise me every time.” 

The door knocked again. Vishnu was about to get up but this time Rambilash stopped him and opened the door himself. A delivery boy from a popular restaurant nearby. Rambilash took the food packets and opened it. It had Roti, Dal Makhani and chicken chap. Rambilash looked at his son. Tears rolled down. He kept it on the chair and rubbed the hair of Vishnu. “Thank you, my boy, Thank you”. Vishnu smiled. “My father is such a bad actor. He got himself his favourite food and is acting as if I have sent it.”

Few kilometers away, Sukhen bit into his favourite chicken roll. By this time the food must have got delivered to Vishnu’s house. He felt helpless when Vishnu was pleading. This is the best he could do from his side. His father went from this world with many unfulfilled desires and he still repents not to be with his father during his last days. Through this, he could at least make another son not to face a similar repent. 

The mobile rang when he was about to sip his drink. He picked up the call. The voice on the other side said: “Sir, the cake has been delivered”. Rajdeep closed his eyes, took a deep breath and sipped his drink and relaxed. He would never be able to forgive himself ever in his life. He would never be able to confess in his lifetime that he was forced to sell the solitaire to meet the debt he faced out of gambling. Hence he couldn’t defend Rambilash that day. On the contrary, he was relieved that he wouldn’t be suspected now. But again he felt terrible for Rambilash. He was even scared to face him because it reminded him of his crime. Fulfilling his last wish would not decrease the guilt but at least he would find some solace thinking that he could do something to bring a smile in the face of that innocent soul in his last days. 

Rambilash and Vishnu sat together with the cake and food to celebrate the best birthday of their life. 

The moon came out from behind the clouds and was shining brightly now.