Foresight

Chapter IV

"Did you plan anything for your business venture ?", Mr. Khuranna puts the question on the table. "We have decided to go with a Web Marketing firm Pa. We will make a site and put some ads in paper." replies Rajesh without lifting his eye from the dinner plate. His mother had made his favourite, panner butter. "What about the investment in your business ? "Me, Tarun and Niraj are putting in our life savings from the college days into it". "The meager amount you saved with your small and fancy projects, you call that your life savings?" is the sarcastic question from Mr. Khuranna. Known for his sarcastic but otherwise supportive nature, Rajesh replies with just a 'hum', giving his full attention to the plate with hot butter roti's and panner butter. " Don't underestimate our son" comes the shrill reply from the kitchen. "I am not underestimating him, just having some fun" is the argument given by Mr. Khuranna. Rajesh shifts his attention from the food to his father, as if sensing the need for his intervention " Papa, I understand that it's a big decision, lot of risks are involved. But I feel like this is the right time for me to start this thing." The father inside Mr. khuranna comes out, "Well, I am proud of you for that." "Plus, Tarun is investing his holiday money into this", comes one more assuring reply from Rajesh.

The next day, Rajesh stands in a roadside tea stall, planning to meet up with his two friends. He gets a masala chai from the chaiwala. The owner sensing his customer's need hands out a cigarette, even before the request is put up. 'I spent six years studying about business and this chaiwala is practising it much better than me' flashes the thgougt in rajesh's mind as he lights up his stress relieving stick and takes deep drag. As the smoke enters his lungs, he exits from this rat-race of a world. As the trance is experienced to its fullest potential, rajesh doesnt realise when he finishes up that cigarette. "Started without me, huh"? This sentence is enough to bring anybody into reality. Rajesh turns around to find his trusty friend, Niraj in not so good mood. "If you had come in time, then we could have started in together" is the cold reply from Rajesh. "Light another one." is the command from Niraj, as he relishes on his concoction of black tea and cigarette. " Nahi yaar (no man), its enough" is the kind of health concerning reply from Rajesh." OK, so when you wanted us to agree to your plan, 1 pack of cigarette's is not enough and now that we have agreed to your idea, 1 cigarette is enough" teases Niraj. Rajesh lights up aother one, knowing that Niraj can make him do almost anything. Such was their friendship. Niraj came into Rajesh's life when rajesh entered the world of college. No matter, how strong one is, or detattached from his family, when you put up your luggage in your alloted cupboard, the reality of your first night in a different place sinks in, it is always demoralising. Knowing for a fact that next morning, there won't be a steaming cup of milk waiting for you in the table is something difficult to digest. At that time when the hand next to you lends his glass of milk, that person unconsciouslly becomes your friend for life. For Rajesh, that person was Niraj. Niraj was always there for rajesh when rajesh needed him. That personality of Niraj always amazed Rajesh. Niraj came from a disturbed home. His father was underemployed, had huge debts which curtailed thier way of life. As for cherry on the cake, His younger sister was not far from completing her school education, ready to jump onto the world of life determing education. If anybody hs these conditions, they would not waste a single moment of their college life with their friends, particularly in India.

But Niraj was exact opposite of this. When Rajesh wanted to enjoy, Niraj was there by his side partying and having gala time as much as Rajesh was. And when Rajesh wanted to study to clear his exams next day, Niraj was there, sitting beside in the exam hall making sure that, he scores more that Rajesh.

"Where this Tarun asshole"? curses Niraj as he throws down his finished up cancer stick." Chill yaar. You know tarun never has the habit of making to any of our meeting on time" replies rajesh.