The guards found him unconscious, in the flowing river when they rescued him.He was rushed to the hospital. His name was Akbar It was a winter night in the city of Berlin.
His parents were informed, and they and his close ones arrived soon.
What happened to him that night, was the question in everybody's mind.
Everybody was puzzled, and worried.
Was he pushed off the bridge?
Or did he jump himself, in attempt to commit suicide?
In such a time, when someone so close takes a big step as attempting suicide, they wonder how troubled and stirred he would be and if it had something to do with them.
His Mother and Father Nina and, Cl.Anand Dutta cried a lot as they sat outside in the hospital waiting for there son to be cured soon and discharged. Cl.Anand was definite that his son would never commit suicide.
He insisted on a detailed investigation of the case.
"I know my son is not a coward.I have raised him.He is a brave man. It's my absolute mission to find the bastard who has dared to do this,and he will pay for his act,and will regret his actions for the rest of his life.That man doesn't know who's son he has messed with.
But I'll make sure,that he will know soon." He promised,and left,determined.
Cl. Dutta was an army officer and now a famous business man,a brave and self made man,and no one could forget this easily.One of the reasons of that was that he mentioned how great he was on every opportunity.
An arrogant and proud man,It hurt his pride when rumours went out that his son may have suicided.
He was powerful as well,He pressed them as they went out,and then went onto to investigate the case in order to prove it.
Nina sat in the balcony of the hotel with Natalie,Akbar's girlfriend.
Akbar was there only child,he was adopted.
Mr. Dutta was infertile and after trying to have a child for 7 years,and trying all methods of having a child,the couple gave up.The following years were really hard
To live without a hope of a child,there dreams were shattered and Nina was breaking on the inside.
The atmosphere of their house had become depressed.Till when Mr.Dutta one day got a boy home.
They named him Akbar.
Happiness came back to their lives,and Akbar became the light of Nina's eyes.
She started her day with him and it never ended.
Nina narrated with a smile "Really,I was blessed
He was the most energetic, happy and curious child. Along with that I have to say,he was very problematic as well.
Always, always looking for something new to do.
No consistency,as if since he was born he's been searching for something,but he can't seem to find it.
He reacted from the heart, never calculative or scared of the consequences,just instinctive.If his heart wants something,no matter if it's good for him or bad,he would just go for it.
I could see ambition in his eyes. He was hungry.
Akbar wasn't just a normal boy, nor did he consider himself normal. He thought differently
He always believed that he didn't belong here,but in the big leagues,he thought big,He wanted to make it large.And every step that he took, was towards it.
When he would want to get something,he would go after it,no matter how high the stakes were,he would take the risks and they with the grace of god would always pay off.
"You run the fastest,when dog's chase you."He would always say So he'd just raise his stakes so high,that it's equivalent of being hunted by a tiger,and with his self belief and confidence,he would hunt the tiger right back every time.
He would tell me "Even spider man takes risks,and I'm not even spiderman yet."
He never would never accept the regulations instructed to him directly,because he didn't make them,he was told them.
Why would he?He had a brain of his own,and he preferred to follow his own instincts and use his intellect.
He is a creator,not a mere follower.
He has a direction in life, and knowing my son he would never throw away his life for nothing.
He would not quit.He is strong,He's a fighter.
Somebody had a hand in this,and my husband will soon find out,who it was."
Suddenly Mr.Dutta called.
Nina,Nina,Nina,I have done it!
Akbar didn't jump from that bridge,he was thrown off.I knew it,I just did.
I knew my blood would never take such a weak step. He is leading such a perfect life after all,why would he commit suicide,right?
The bridge he was thrown off,was a really popular bridge for visitors at night.Berlin never sleeps,and on weekend night,a lot of crazy things could happen in Berlin.
I went and spoke with the bar owners. Akbar's personality was so charismatic that everyone remembered him,and that what happened to him.
Our son never committed suicide.He went out for a drink in a bar,where he saw some drunk men,misbehaving with a girl,he interfered and stopped those bastards and saved the girl.
Other people interfered as well,and the matter was solved.
He was a hero.
But those drunk bastards,they waited for him,to take their revenge.As he started walking back towards his home,they attacked him.They were many and he was just one,but he fought valiantly,just like an army man's son.And in the happening,they pushed him off the bridge and ran away.
I have found the three men who did this,and even the girl he saved. The men are in the custody of the police,and the girl is also present here,and in full support of him.
He stood for the right,and who stand for the right never lose.
I knew that there was something wrong since the start,and I've solved it now.
Nina was relieved "Thats great Anand,I'm really proud of our son,and of you as well,that you found them.You both are real men.Men of honour"
As they were talking,the hospital called Mr.Dutta,to tell him that Akbar was fine now.
Mr.Dutta left immediately and called Nina to inform her as well,and told her to buy a cake,to celebrate his son's bravery and then arrive at the hospital.
Mr.Dutta arrived at the hospital and saw him through the window,he seemed to be having a nice conversation with the nurse.
He was his normal casual going charming self.After a moment Mr.Dutta entered his room,he gave him this unusual ever beaming smile,which could make anyone relax in the world.
Mr.Dutta gave smiled at his son as well,A smile that signalled pride. He sat there in silence,and just gazed at his son.Akbar knew that behind that smile,his father was thinking about something.He knew his father would have a lot of questions.
After a minute,he told the nurse to leave the room,and give them some time alone.
The nurse went outside.
And Mr.Anand said,"Hi son..."
They conversed for a while,and the conversation slowly turned into a heated one,and it carried on until the women arrived.
Both of them were so happy to see Akbar fine again,and instantly hugged him.
Nina said,"My son! We all are so proud of you, Your father has already found out what happened with you,Oh my son is a hero! Thank god,you're fine now.You had to be fine again,All our prayers were with you"
After this there was a long silence in the room.
And Akbar stared at his father.Mr.Anand waited for his son's reply with a lot of anxiousness.
Akbar,"No. I jumped off that bridge myself."
Nina and Natalie were in shock.
"If you did jump yourself,then who did your father find?"Asked Nina in confusion.
Mr.Dutta remained silent,and then collapsed.
He was immediately rushed to the ICU.The doctor's said that he could be having an heart attack.
What actually happened that night,why did Mr.Dutta collapse?
Midway of the investigation Mr.Dutta knew that his son had jumped off that bridge of that bridge himself,even though he didn't want to accept it,it was the truth.
He was extremely disappointed,it really hurt his pride that his son is such a coward.
There was no way,he could not let this news go out,he had to bury it.
So he bribed the bar owner with the story he told his wife,and arranged 3 men,and gave them money in exchange for going to jail in attempt to murder.
As the phone came from the hospital,he knew he had to first tell Akbar,and make him follow the story.
So he told his wife to buy cake before coming to the hospital,so that he could be alone with his son.
The proud smile,was just a mask.
As he arrived at the hospital,he asked the nurse to wait outside,and told his son what he is to do now.
But Akbar disagreed.
Jumping off that bridge had a bigger meaning,and he was not ready to get suppressed by his father once again.
They argued for long,about him not caring about his father's respect and that what a coward he is,and that he's ashamed to have him as a son.
Akbar wanted to explain,that he didn't commit suicide,but his father didn't listen.
As his father heard his mother and Natalie walking down the hallway,he threatened him to follow his orders,but he didn't.
'Mr.Dutta tried to cover his son's suicide'
This news would make him lose his respect,which was his everything.
He knew this would destroy everything.
As Akbar revealed that no one except himself had a hand in jumping off the bridge,it was too much to take for Mr.Dutta and he collapsed.
Natalie always knew that there was something wrong.
The Akbar that his mother told him about,and who she was with,were different people.
She could recognise and identify Akbar being that person,but as if that personality was buried inside somewhere.
As if along the way Akbar's personality lost steam.
He lost himself along the way.
She realised his ignorance was his power.Not being influenced by the outer world,kept him instinctual.
He remained this way till his support system was strong.When he was young,he had his family,his friends who he knew since he held conscious.All this kept him confident,but finally when he set out of his comfort zone,with all his dreams in his hand,he lost his way,when he got exposed.
The storm met the calm winds and they equilibrated.
He was different from the others,and he could see that very distinctively
He started to try to fit in
He tried to learn the ways.But what was he learning?To be someone else?
When he learnt them,he no more remained himself.
It made him unhappy, more lonely.
He felt lost
He looked happy to the world,he never showed his emotions,but he was dying inside everyday.
The unambitious polluted his vision,and when the vision went,nothing else really remained.
He just needed isolation,he needed space,but opinions crowded him
This struggle between him,and the conventions was on sinceforever.
And he started to lose midway.
Meanwhile they waited,and prayed for his father's health,while the doctors treated him.
He regained consciousness after 5 long hours.
Akbar met him first.
There was a long silence,when he entered the room. Mr.Dutta was furious with him,he could see it in his eyes Akbar then broke the news"The doctors say you have 1-2 weeks,you're dying dad."
Mr.Dutta was shocked,he broke down.
"I love you son,and your mother,I know your attempt to commit suicide had something to do with me,I am really sorry"said Mr.Dutta,and broke down again
"Dad,I didn't suicide"said Akbar
"Why then?"Asked Mr.Dutta,confused
Akbar remembered that night and explained to his father, He remembered his thoughts before he jumped-
Why does something always stop me from fulfilling my wishes?Why does every action have a reaction? A consequence.
What has fear brought upon me till now,what will it bring in the future?
I stand here on this bridge with thoughts in my mind of jumping from this bridge.
Fear of death stops me.
I must beat this moment,I must beat my fear
And I'll be able to live the rest of my life on my own terms,on the axis of this decision.
