THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

A STORY BEHIND EVERYTHING

"Listen Sujit," said Pawan as he placed his hand on his friends shoulder, "You need to tell all of us everything in detail. Maybe we can help you."

Sujit glanced at Ram for a short glimpse with hesitance. Ram noticed his uneasiness and tried to comfort him. He said,

"Sujit, please do not think of us as other than your own. We both are going through troubled stages of life now, and I think me and my brother will be able to help you. Ofcourse, its your choice. If you dont want us to be here then we can leave you with some privacy, it won't be any harsh matter to us."

Just as Ram and Lakshman were about to stand up and leave, Sujit got up himself and said,

"No no Sir! I never meant any thing that way. I was just not wanting you to feel troubled in all this. Already you have so many things going over you and.. Please sit Sir."

Ram smiled and sat back down. He said,

"Sujit, when a person himself is in worries, only he can feel for someone else. And I feel for you. Tell us what happened and clear your heart out. You will feel much lighter."

Sujit smiled a little.

"Thank you so much Sir. I feel much better now."

"So, tell us now Sujit. We are all ears," said Pawan.

Sujit began,

"My brother, Balveer, is 3 years elder to me. From childhood itself, he has been my one and only confidant. After Mom and Dad passed away when we were in our teenage years, he worked day and night and made this business stand. He left school for me and made me study. He is wealthy from the mind and heart. I admire him. We even got married on the same day. My Bhabi's name is Tara and my wife's name is Ruma. Everything was going well for us but..

That Raghavan. He and my brother have a huge past. Many years back when our business was still in its startup, he wanted to buy our company. But Bhaiyya refused, obviously. And then a legal battle ensued. After a long case, Raghavan lost. This left him shocked because he had underestimated my brothers power. And so he kept at peace with Bhaiyya, but only till recently.

I dont know, it must be because of his plan to attack you Sir, but Raghavan had come again a few weeks back to ask Bhaiyya to sell this place. Rather threatened. And this time, Bhaiyya gave him an even dangerous warning. But Raghavan had his plan well chalked out. He sent two of his most trusted and powerful goons to beat Bhaiyya up. One of them already left before they arrived here, from fear I guess. And the one who came here, he was horrendous. He got into a physical fight with Bhaiyya and it went to the point of gun firing. I was at home with Bhabi and Ruma most of the time. But on the last day of the fight, things got bad.

Bhaiyya was face to face with the goon. He kept on firing till his bullets ran out and he ran inside a small abandoned hut in this area. I came out of the house and I met Bhaiyya right outside the hut. He just told me - "Do not do anything Unless I tell you too. Be here till I dont come out. A small mistake from your side and we can be in trouble."

That day a rough storm had hit the sea, I remember. I kept waiting outside. I heard screams and yells and couldnt go in. Bhaiyya had told me not to. It started raining heavily. I couldn't take it any longer. I went a little inside, only to see pool of blood dripping out. And a vicious laugh. I was scared. And in that mind of mine, I .. I committed a mistake. I ran out and waited with my gun, so as to kill the goon as soon as he came out. I heard footsteps and I waited anxiously. A few minutes later, I saw a shadow emerging and I turned and I... I shot."