THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

EVIL KNOWS NO BLOOD

Pawan kept looking at Ram with a smiling face, with tears falling from the corners of his eyes. He had poured his heart out to him and felt much lighter. The excitement in him to tell Ram about their first meet and how he was an ardent follower of the latter was still high in Pawan. Everything seemed like a dream to him, and he experienced a new light even in this time of despair.

As the waves crashed against the rocks, the scenes Pawan talked about flashed right in front of Rams eyes. Yes, he did find a meaning to Pawan's name now, and the memories were all the more happy on his side.

Ram looked and him and smiling, said,

"I remember Pawan, I do now. The first time I met you, I truly felt you are a bit different from the millennials. Because, to be honest, Ive seen very few people in my life who have come up to me saying, how they can help others instead of asking for help themselves. Pawan, I didnt know about this back story of yours, but for all I know, I so hope that the people of that village are happy and that you continue to help them."

Pawan smiled proudly.

"Sir, I will do whatever I can to help them. It will be my duty. But now Sir, all I want to do is to help you. I have never met Siya Ma'am before, but for all I know, she is a very nice woman. I have read about her, and I know she too works a lot for Women's rights and child labour. And of course Sir, she is your wife. It is my responsibility and wish to help her."

Lakshman understood what was going on. He never had a first hand experience with Pawan, but from what he heard and saw, Pawan appeared to be a new confidant for Ram and himself.

"Sir! Do come and have some food before we begin," said one of Sujit's assistants, who was with him for the time being. Anyone found with Sujit had been ordered to be brought to Balveer as per his instructions, but there were the few who were loyal, and knew who was right and who was wrong.

All three of them stood up. As Pawan looked into the distance thinking about the emotional turmoils he was about to face in a while, he was brought out of his trance by Ram who came in front of him now and extended his hand for a handshake.

Pawan smiled and sheepishly cleaned his hand like that of a small child's. He shook his hand with Ram with pride, not realising that his strong grip on Ram's hadn't was hurting him. However, Ram did not complain. He didnt wish to spoil the joy on Pawan's face.

They had some food and followed the assistant to meet up with Sujit.

Sujit sat at a bench at the restaurant in their resort. An empty glass in his hand, perhaps he had been drinking out of stress. His eyes looked tired and upset.

He cried to himself and whispered,

"I never thought, I never did Bhaiyya, that you would do this to me. I always looked up to you, but you pushed me away. It was all fine Bhaiyya, had you not taken everything I had away from me, even my wife. You are no more the man I used to love, you are .. a. .."

He turned swiftly to Ram and the others and stopped. Out of guilt, he dropped the glass from his hand onto the table and wiped his tears. He cleared his throat and said,

"Oh, Im sorry I didnt realise you were here. Did you have your food? I'm really .."

As he stood up to move ahead, he hit himself on the edge of the table and sat back down.

Ram and the others went forward to him to help him, but Sujit asked them to stop.

"Its Okay. Im fine. Its just a mistake."