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Parul Singh

Children Stories Drama Tragedy

5.0  

Parul Singh

Children Stories Drama Tragedy

You And I

You And I

14 mins
243


He was hungry. For the last five days, he was surviving on water. The reason why, he was standing in between heaps of trash, searching for something to quench his hunger. For him, this was a daily ritual. Waking up in the morning, waiting for the sun to come up in its full glory, and visiting the place which was surrounded by nothing but trash and leftovers. 


Somedays, he would get enough to survive for a day. But most of the time, he would return with disappointment. Today was one such day. He has been scanning the trash, with full concentration on every piece which is passing through his hands. He removes the wrappers of wafers, chocolate, and peels of vegetables. After searching for half an hour, he finds a tiny piece of cake that is infected by fungi. To his good luck, he also finds a couple of burnt chicken pieces. He gulps it all immediately and licks the pieces of paper.


While returning, he looks up in the sky. His twinkling light blue eyes couldn’t face the sun. Neel closes his eyes in an attempt to thank the almighty. His day has been good so far.

Neel was five years old. He lived on the streets of a nearby locality in Varanasi. His height was average, he was of wheatish complexion with light blue eyes and in spite of not feeding himself properly, he looked strong. 


The residents of that area never felt like offering him food. Most of the time, he was shoed away or ignored by them. Neel had wounds and scratches all over his body. The reason why people of that area had this opinion that he was very rowdy and is always involved in fights. Well, this was partly true. They were humans and humans are habitual of not knowing the complete story. They have this weird habit of passing judgments upon anyone and everyone. They hardly care to know the complete story. And how could Neel be an exception? So what if he was a dog; humans were loyal in their job of judging his character.


Neel, on the other hand, never felt like retorting them the same way. He was still genuine and good towards everyone. There were times when he was involved in fights but that was only to protect himself. Other than that, he was a very silent, introvert being. He never let anyone get closer to him. Maybe, he had his reasons. But who bothers to know about a random dog surviving on streets?


Neel wasn’t very fond of human company. But he made sure to never cross their way or disturb them. There was one more unusual thing about Neel. Each day, he will visit the neighboring road and it was one of the busiest roads of the city. He will just sit beside and look around for some time – as if waiting for someone – and return back to his place. He was doing this for years and there was a fixed time of visiting that place. He would bear the harsh climatic conditions, vehicles, and people.


He was a loner and had nothing better to do with his life except for finding enough food to survive and preventing and saving himself in the process.

It was evening. The sun was bidding goodbye after finishing its daily chores. The birds were hustling back towards their respective homes and so as the humans. Neel closed his eyes and the soothing wind starts to sing in his ears. After a while, the wind changed its course and little did Neel know, so had his life.

*****


Somewhere, in a parallel universe, lived Joseph. He was in his late thirty’s and a man, who was blessed with compassion, intellect, ambition, and hopes. He lost his parents in an accident when he was very young. In the same accident, the left side of his face was damaged and years of medical expertise couldn’t bring it back to normal. That accident turned his life into a nightmare. He lost his family, he lost his identity, he lost whatever he had. It took him another fifteen years to stand on his own and make a respected name for himself. No doubt, he was demoralized to an extent that he couldn’t find the courage to continue his education.


However, after years of living with the taunts and abuses from random strangers, he decided to not get affected by any of that. It was very tough. But he decided against it and went on with his work. After years of hard work, he was successful in being the best lawyer of the city. He was called for conferences, he was paid a very heavy amount for all the cases he fought, he had a lavish house and loads of success.


Due to his job, he had to meet a lot of people. Yet, he wasn’t very fond of their company. Their opinions, habit of laughing behind his back, rebuking him and passing comments never let him live in peace. He was disgusted at their behavior. The reason why, he never married anyone. He had only professional relations with the human clan. He disliked them.


They all converted him into a heartless person. His faith in humanity was butchered by the people around him. At this stage of his life, he barely cared about them. But still, life was tough. And empty.

One day while he was coming back from office, he saw a speeding car coming from the opposite direction. Before he could comprehend anything, the car hit a dog before colliding into an empty barricade. Minutes later, there was a big bunch of crowds standing around the car, and helping the injured driver.

“he seems drunk.” Comments one of them.


 Joseph was watching them from a distance when his eyes shifted towards the injured dog who was limping. He got out of his car and went near the dog. He was scared at first but when he saw the condition of the dog, he instructed his driver to help him in taking the dog for medication. The driver obliged.

They took him to the nearby veterinary doctor who took a couple of hours in nursing his injured arm. He also gave a couple of tablets, a spray, and an ointment.

“he needs to be taken care of else he will lose his hand.” Doctor Mishra says while coming out of his clinic.


“Okay doctor,” Joseph replies.

“I have mentioned everything in the prescription. If you have any doubt then feel free to make a call. Excuse me.” Doctor Mishra vanishes back to his cabin.

Joseph looks at the dog who was sleeping peacefully in his lap. For some strange reason, Joseph felt good. His face is wearing a puzzled expression yet there is a smile sitting on his lips.

*****


(Two weeks later)

Joseph sighed as he reflected on how his life is not how it was a couple of weeks before. He was habitual of his earlier life – it was a blessing and a curse both. He had nothing to worry about except for his job. He had nobody to care about. There was no such thing as routine or responsibilities. And somewhere, he was okay with it.


He made a habit of indulging himself completely in his work. He barely got any time because of travelling and hectic office hours. However, once in a blue moon, he did get a couple of days off which he would spend in drinking wine and listening to music. He loved music. There was a time when he wanted to be a singer. But he lost that watch.

He used to hum the tunes whenever he was alone. And today is one such night when he is sitting alone with Neel. Also, for reasons out of his comprehension level, he gulped a couple of shots with one of his clients. 


“Hey, buddy! Are you okay?” he asks Neel while putting his hand around his neck.

“You have to take your medicines. I know they taste shit. And I feel guilty sometimes you know.” 

“Guilty of?” Neel asks. Joseph couldn’t believe his eyes. He rushes to the washroom and puts a jar of water on his head. He comes back wrapping a towel around his shoulder. This time, he sits on the sofa.

“These drinks never suit me. I imagine weird scenarios. I will never touch them again.” Joseph mutters.

“that’s right. You shouldn’t drink. It’s bad for health.”


“What the! What did you just say? You can . . . you can speak?” Joseph asks in amazement. It took him a couple of minutes for completing his sentence. 

“Yes, it's me. And I said that drinking is bad for health.” Neel sits near him.

Joseph rubs his eyes and crashes on the floor. This is for the first time in his life that he is hearing a dog speaking like humans. Earlier, he thought that he was high or too sleepy. However, he was strong enough to handle a pair of shots.


“You can talk?” he asks, puzzled.

“Actually, nobody ever asked me how I was. So, I never answered. You are the first one who took so much trouble for me and I am very thankful to you.”

“this . . . this doesn’t look real. I am sorry I don’t want to insult you but this is surreal. I am sorry.” Joseph stammers.

“I understand. But I am real.”

“So do you have a name?” Joseph sits near Neel.


“My name is Neel. I don’t know what that means. But my mom used to call me that.”

“Where is she now?”

“She is no more. I lost her and all my brothers in an accident. I don’t know whether the driver saw them or not . . . I mean, how come you fail to see a dog and five puppies? What kind of blindness do you need? And the worst thing, I couldn’t help them. I wish I was as capable as you humans.”

Joseph stays silent.


“Imagine you people can do so much! You can create, homes, vehicles, jobs, spaceships, industries, weapons and what not. I mean, you are so powerful and capable. But still, you are not the best of the creatures. You know why? Because you lack compassion.”

“My mom was shoed away. people used to hit her and my brothers when they would ask for food. If we could arrange it or if we were capable then we wouldn’t have asked anyone. Maybe god has made us this way.”


Neel gets up and walks near the window. He is not limping anymore.

“How would you feel if someone did that to your mother? Or your kids? And when you have no other option but to see them dying because of someone else’s fault . . .”

“I am sorry Neel.” Joseph says with teary eyes.

“by the way, your name is beautiful and so are you. And maybe, your mom gave you this name because of your big blue eyes.” He says while going near Neel.

“by the way, why do you feel guilty?”

“because I have to mix medicines in your food. This is the only way to – “

“sure shot buddy. I understand. Anyways, let’s have something I am hungry.” Neel says and both of them start munching and talking.

*****


As a kid, I always wondered what plants and animals would say if they were given the power to speak. I remember, asking my mother about plants and their families. I wanted to know how they recognize each other and where would they go if they were permitted to walk. Would they bear different fruits or have more colorful leaves instead of only greens. Do they get hurt when the dry leaves fall down? And do they hear or understand our language? Is this the only language to talk about? How selfless is the love that they produce oxygen in spite of us cutting them every minute?


Animals intrigued me with their innocence. I cherished their company because of my grandparents. I would play for hours and hours, at times, forgetting that we belong to different clans altogether. I felt disgusted when I witnessed people hurting and abusing them. Something in me boiled inside. I always had this feeling that we are the highest creatures of god and so, our responsibilities were bigger than anyone. Yet, we behaved so badly.

Today, after hearing Neel, I couldn’t stop myself. He was right. How would we feel if someone did the same thing with our family? we are answerable to them. We have destroyed their lives in one way or the other.

*****


It has been six years since Neel had entered Joseph’s life. They were growing beautifully in each other’s company. During all these years, both of them realized what was missing in their lives; the bond of love.

Neel never judged Joseph for his looks. He was always up for cuddling him and showering him with care and respect. He would eat, sleep and play with Joseph and recognized him during video calls. He would help him in getting ready for his office and together, they will go for walks and witnessing a sunset. 


For Joseph, Neel was the only one after his parents who loved him – truly and genuinely. That night, Joseph narrated his story to Neel and shared everything that was in his heart. It took hours and hours to wash out all the hatred which was stuck in his heart for more than thirty years. 

“you see, I don’t have any disability. Yet, I like you. So, if someone thinks that if you are differently-abled or look different, then you should be settling with someone of the same time then it's not your fault. You are normal. They are not. And you are more humane compared to them.”

Neel replied when Joseph said that people disliked him because of how he looked and the human perception that if you are differently-abled or you don’t match with their beauty standards, then there is something wrong with you and that you have to settle in life.


After hearing Neel’s words, he realized that all through these years, he was completely fine. That he was as normal as anyone! It was just a matter of perception and that wasn’t in his hand. 

Also, Neel never spoke after that day. Joseph was still trying to figure out whether he was too drunk, or was it a dream? Or maybe, he needed to empty his heart in front of someone who wouldn’t judge him. Whatever it was, it changed Joseph in a better way. He was getting transformed into a human again from his hollow shell. And all this was because of Neel.


Joseph cared for him like his own son. He started coming home early. He would bring his favorite eatables and made sure to spend as much time with him as possible. He was happier when he was with Neel. Neel was always in his mind. Joseph was living his life for the first time and he never wanted to part with it.

*****


It was half-past twelve at the noon, but there was no dash of sun. the sky was enclosed with dark grey shades of clouds. The rain has stopped moments ago but the water was still dripping from the terrace onto the window sill. There was no hustling of winds, god wasn’t playing with hues in the sky, birds were silent in spite of the tranquil weather, frogs weren’t hopping into the pond, and nature wasn’t clicking any picture of humans from up there. It felt as if the universe too, was mourning.


Neel was sitting at Joseph’s graveyard and scratching the cemented shell. He saw people cremating Joseph’s body and putting his name. it has been more than three months and Neel was coming every day; the same way he used to visit the busiest road with the hope to see his mother and brother someday. However, he wasn’t successful.

He barely ate anything after Joseph’s demise and was merely surviving. 


Three months ago, Joseph died of heart attack. And once again, Neel was helpless. He couldn’t save him like Joseph did. Neel kept sitting right next to Joseph’s dead body for three days. Nobody came because all the servants were on a holiday for one week as it was the start of a new year. And what start of the year it was for the two of them . . .

“May his soul rest in peace...

May he get abode in heaven.

May he be cleared from all his previous anomalous conducts.

May the almighty forgive him and gift him a place in his heart.

May his soul be blissful and gratified.

Amen.” 


The priest said and requested the gathered ones to let go a fistful of earth from their hands onto the coffin. 

Back then, Neel didn’t realize what was going on and why there was no Joseph in the house.

But today, he was feeling different. He was tranquil. He finished his meal and paved his way towards his favorite place. 


He didn’t scratch the graveyard this time. For a couple of minutes, he paid a soft glance at Joseph’s name and then looked up in the sky. There was no sun this time. The clouds hovered all around and the blue sky changed itself to grey. It was ready to mourn the death of a nature’s product. Neel closed his eyes and didn’t wake up ever again


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